←The globe
KOR · Eastern Asia · Asia
🇰🇷
South Korea
Republic of Korea
Quick facts
- Capital
- Seoul
- Population
- 51 m
- Area
- 100,210 km²
- Region
- Eastern Asia
- Languages
- Korean
- Currency
- South Korean won (₩)
- Demonym
- South Korean
- UN member
- Yes
How South Korea compares
Economy size$1.88 T
12th of 178 worldwide · 3rd of 4 in Eastern Asia
Income per person$36,239
31st of 178 worldwide · 1st of 4 in Eastern Asia
Life expectancy83.6 yrs
11th of 179 worldwide · 2nd of 5 in Eastern Asia
Internet access97.9%
12th of 179 worldwide · 1st of 5 in Eastern Asia
Military spending$48 B
11th of 163 worldwide · 3rd of 5 in Eastern Asia
Highlights
GDP
$1.88 T
World Bank2024
Gross Domestic Product — the total market value of all goods and services produced in a year, at current prices.
GDP per capita
$36,239
World Bank2024
GDP divided by population — a rough measure of average economic output per person.
Life expectancy
83.6 yrs
World Bank2024
Years a newborn would live if current mortality patterns held throughout its life.
R&D spending
4.9%
Gross expenditure on research & development as a share of GDP.
Researchers (per million)
9,472
Full-time-equivalent researchers per million people.
Resource rents
0.0%
World Bank2021
Total natural-resource rents (oil, gas, mineral, forest) as a share of GDP.
The history journey
A peninsula of ancient kingdoms, half a century of colonization and fratricidal war, and a startling rise from ruin to global cultural powerhouse.
Pilot a cinematic, sourced journey through its eras — moment by moment.