Asia · Eastern Asia
South Korea Demographics
South Korea combines near-flat total population, very low fertility, high life expectancy, and a fast-rising older-age share.
Headline values use KOSIS and the Ministry of Data and Statistics for final 2025 birth statistics and July 2026 population trends; Statistics Korea and KOSIS for 2026 median age and 2024 life tables; World Bank WDI for internationally comparable 2024 population, age, urban, fertility, and life-expectancy series; and Statistics Korea projections for the 2022-2072 medium-growth scenario.
Last updated: September 27, 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Detailed Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-year population | 51,751,065 | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Projected population | 51.61 million | 2026 | KOSIS population projections |
| Register-based census population | 51.77 million | 2023 | Statistics Korea Population and Housing Census |
| Population growth rate | +0.074% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Median age | 47.3 years | 2026 | KOSIS Indicator |
| Total fertility rate | 0.799 births per woman | 2025 | KOSIS final birth statistics |
| Life expectancy at birth, total | 83.7 years | 2024 | Statistics Korea life tables |
| Life expectancy at birth, men | 80.8 years | 2024 | Statistics Korea life tables |
| Life expectancy at birth, women | 86.6 years | 2024 | Statistics Korea life tables |
| Female-male life expectancy gap | 5.8 years | 2024 | Calculated from Statistics Korea life tables |
| Urban population share | 81.5% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Urban population count | 42.01 million | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Population aged 0-14 | 10.6% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Population aged 15-64 | 70.2% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Population aged 65+ | 19.3% | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Working-age population | 36.55 million | 2023 | Statistics Korea Population and Housing Census |
| Population density | 529.8 people per sq km | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Land area | 97,600 sq km | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Live births | 254,341 | 2025 | KOSIS final birth statistics |
| Deaths | 363,389 | 2025 | KOSIS vital statistics |
| Natural change | -109,048 | 2025 | Calculated from final KOSIS births and deaths |
| Net migration | +65,731 | 2025 | World Bank WDI country profile |
Table analysis
- The 2024 WDI mid-year population is 51,751,065, while the 2023 register-based census count is 51.77 million; these are different population concepts.
- The final 2025 vital statistics balance is negative: 254,341 live births against 363,389 deaths, a natural change of -109,048.
- The 2024 older-age share is 19.3%, close to one fifth of the population.
- The 2024 female-male life expectancy gap is 5.8 years, based on women at 86.6 years and men at 80.8 years.
Population Trend
South Korea Population Trend
Mid-year population estimates from selected years, 1960-2024
Source: World Bank WDI, population total, 1960-2024. Projection values are not included in this chart.
Trend analysis
- The WDI series rises from 25.0 million in 1960 to 51.8 million in 2020.
- The series then changes little: 51.84 million in 2020, 51.67 million in 2022, and 51.75 million in 2024.
- The chart uses mid-year estimates only; it does not mix census counts or projections.
Historical Population and Core Series
| Year | Population | Annual growth | Fertility rate | Life expectancy | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 25,012,374 | Data not available | 5.994 | 53.8 years | World Bank WDI |
| 1970 | 32,240,827 | +2.184% | 4.530 | 62.2 years | World Bank WDI |
| 1980 | 38,123,775 | +1.558% | 2.820 | 66.0 years | World Bank WDI |
| 1990 | 42,869,283 | +0.985% | 1.570 | 71.6 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2000 | 47,008,111 | +0.836% | 1.480 | 75.9 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2005 | 48,184,561 | +0.212% | 1.085 | 78.2 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2010 | 49,554,112 | +0.498% | 1.226 | 80.1 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2015 | 51,014,947 | +0.527% | 1.239 | 82.0 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2020 | 51,836,239 | +0.138% | 0.837 | 83.4 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2021 | 51,769,539 | -0.129% | 0.808 | 83.5 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2022 | 51,672,569 | -0.187% | 0.778 | 82.7 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2023 | 51,712,619 | +0.077% | 0.721 | 83.4 years | World Bank WDI |
| 2024 | 51,751,065 | +0.074% | 0.748 | 83.6 years | World Bank WDI |
Table analysis
- The WDI population series more than doubles between 1960 and 2024, from 25.0 million to 51.8 million.
- Annual population growth turns negative in 2021 and 2022 before returning to small positive values in 2023 and 2024.
- The WDI fertility series falls from 5.994 births per woman in 1960 to 0.748 in 2024.
- Life expectancy rises from 53.8 years in 1960 to 83.6 years in the 2024 WDI series.
Age Structure
Age data note: The 2024 World Bank WDI series used here reports broad age groups. The chart and table therefore show ages 0-14, 15-64 and 65+ rather than a detailed age-by-sex distribution.
Broad Age Structure
Population share by broad age group, 2024
Source: World Bank WDI, broad age-group shares, 2024. Population counts are calculated from WDI 2024 total population and age shares.
| Age group | Population estimate | Share | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 | 5,469,120 | 10.6% | 2024 | World Bank WDI; count derived from total population and age share |
| 15-64 | 36,307,698 | 70.2% | 2024 | World Bank WDI; count derived from total population and age share |
| 65+ | 9,974,248 | 19.3% | 2024 | World Bank WDI; count derived from total population and age share |
Age structure analysis
- The 2024 broad age structure is led by the working-age group at 70.2%.
- The older population share is 19.3%, while the child-age share is 10.6%.
- The estimated 65+ count is about 9.97 million, using WDI total population and WDI age shares.
Fertility, Life Expectancy and Urban Share
Fertility Compared With Replacement Level
Total fertility rate and the 2.1 births-per-woman benchmark
Source: KOSIS final birth statistics for South Korea, 2025.
Chart analysis
- The final 2025 fertility rate is 0.799 births per woman.
Life Expectancy by Sex
Life expectancy at birth for men and women, 2024
Source: Statistics Korea life tables, 2024.
Chart analysis
- Women have a 2024 life expectancy of 86.6 years.
- Men have a 2024 life expectancy of 80.8 years.
- The female-male gap is 5.8 years.
Urban and Non-Urban Population Share
Urban share of the population, 2024
Source: World Bank WDI, based on national urban definitions and UN urbanization inputs.
Chart analysis
- The WDI urban share is 81.5% in 2024.
- The urban population count in the same WDI source is about 42.01 million.
- Urban values depend on the urban definition used in the source series.
Vital Statistics
| Year | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Fertility rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 254,341 | 363,389 | -109,048 | 0.799 | KOSIS final birth statistics and vital statistics; natural change calculated from births and deaths |
Table analysis
- Deaths exceed births by 109,048 in the final 2025 figures.
- The final 2025 fertility rate is 0.799 births per woman.
- Live births increased by 16,024, or 6.7%, from 2024. Births rose for a second consecutive year, and the absolute annual increase was the largest in 15 years.
2026 Birth Rebound So Far
The rise in births continued through July 2026. In July, 24,275 babies were born, up 11.1% from a year earlier and extending year-on-year birth growth to 25 consecutive months. Deaths totaled 28,921, leaving natural change at -4,647, while marriages rose 9.3% year on year to 22,282.
| Measure | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 24,275 | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Year-on-year birth change | +11.1% | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Deaths | 28,921 | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Year-on-year death change | +3.0% | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Marriages | 22,282 | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Year-on-year marriage change | +9.3% | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Natural change | -4,647 | July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
| Consecutive months of year-on-year birth growth | 25 months | Through July 2026 | Ministry of Data and Statistics population trends |
Table analysis
- July 2026 extended the year-on-year increase in births to 25 straight months.
- Births were 11.1% higher than a year earlier, while deaths rose 3.0% and remained above births.
- Marriages increased 9.3% year on year, and natural change remained negative at -4,647.
- Monthly 2026 figures show the direction of the current trend but are not a full-year birth total or annual fertility rate.
Migration Balance
| Year or period | Net migration | Definition note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | +159,428 | Five-year net migration estimate | World Bank WDI, UN Population Division series |
| 2002 | +81,223 | Five-year net migration estimate | World Bank WDI, UN Population Division series |
| 2007 | -156,546 | Five-year net migration estimate | World Bank WDI, UN Population Division series |
| 2012 | +401,183 | Five-year net migration estimate | World Bank WDI, UN Population Division series |
| 2017 | +58,657 | Five-year net migration estimate | World Bank WDI, UN Population Division series |
| 2025 | +65,731 | Country-profile net migration value | World Bank WDI country profile |
Table analysis
- The 2007 WDI five-year estimate is negative at -156,546.
- The 2012 five-year estimate is positive at +401,183.
- The 2025 country-profile value is +65,731, but it should not be treated as the same measurement period as the five-year series rows.
Population Projection Scenario
Medium-Growth Population Projection
Statistics Korea projection path, 2022-2072
Source: Statistics Korea, Population Projections for Korea, 2022-2072, medium-growth scenario.
| Year | Projected population | Scenario | Age 0-14 share | Age 15-64 share | Age 65+ share | Median age | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 51.67 million | Medium-growth scenario | 11.5% | 71.1% | 17.4% | 44.9 years | Statistics Korea projection release |
| 2024 | 51.75 million | Medium-growth scenario | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Statistics Korea projection release |
| 2030 | 51.31 million | Medium-growth scenario | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available | Statistics Korea projection release |
| 2072 | 36.22 million | Medium-growth scenario | 6.6% | 45.8% | 47.7% | 63.4 years | Statistics Korea projection release |
Projection analysis
- The medium-growth scenario moves from 51.67 million in 2022 to 36.22 million in 2072.
- The 65+ share rises from 17.4% in 2022 to 47.7% in 2072 in the projection release.
- The working-age share falls from 71.1% to 45.8% over the same projection span.
Projection Scenario Range
| Scenario | 2072 population | Use note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-growth scenario | 42.82 million | Upper scenario value in the official projection range | Statistics Korea projection release |
| Medium-growth scenario | 36.22 million | Main scenario used in the projection chart above | Statistics Korea projection release |
| Low-growth scenario | 30.17 million | Lower scenario value in the official projection range | Statistics Korea projection release |
Projection analysis
- The official 2072 range spans from 30.17 million in the low-growth scenario to 42.82 million in the high-growth scenario.
- The medium-growth value is 36.22 million.
Demographic Overview
The WDI population series is almost flat after 2020, while the Statistics Korea medium-growth scenario points to a lower population by 2072.
The 2024 age structure is already old by broad-age measures: 19.3% of the population is aged 65 or over.
KOSIS reports a final 2025 fertility rate of 0.799 births per woman.
Statistics Korea life tables show 83.7 years at birth in 2024, with women at 86.6 and men at 80.8.
World Bank WDI reports an urban population share of 81.5% in 2024, equal to about 42.01 million urban residents in the source series.
Births rose for a second consecutive year in 2025, then continued higher through July 2026, when the monthly count was 11.1% above July 2025.
Data Sources and Methodology
| Source | Year or release | Used for | Method note |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOSIS, Ministry of Data and Statistics, and Statistics Korea | 2024-2026 source years; August 26 and September 23, 2026 releases | Final 2025 live births and fertility rate, 2025 deaths, July 2026 births, deaths, marriages and natural change, 2026 median age, 2024 life expectancy by sex | Final annual birth statistics are used for the 2025 birth total and fertility rate; monthly 2026 figures are kept separate from annual totals. |
| World Bank World Development Indicators | 1960-2024 series; 2025 country-profile migration value | Population trend, growth rate, historical fertility, historical life expectancy, broad age shares, urban share, urban population, density, land area, net migration | Used for same-source international series and long time-series tables. |
| Statistics Korea Population Projections for Korea | 2022-2072 projection release | Medium-growth population projection, age-structure projection, 2072 scenario range | Projection values are scenario-based and kept separate from observed or estimated data. |
| Statistics Korea Population and Housing Census | 2023 register-based census | Register-based population and working-age population indicator | Register-based census values are not treated as the same measure as WDI mid-year population. |
Method note
- Derived values include the 2025 natural change and broad-age population estimates. The 2025 birth total and fertility rate use the final annual release.
Methodological Safety Note
Methodological Safety Note: South Korea demographic values can differ by source because mid-year estimates, register-based census counts, vital-statistics releases, and population projections use different definitions and reference periods. Urban population follows the source definition, and net-migration rows use different measurement periods.
South Korea Demographics FAQ
What is South Korea’s population?
World Bank WDI reports 51,751,065 people in 2024 as a mid-year population estimate. KOSIS population projections show 51.61 million for 2026.
What is South Korea’s fertility rate?
KOSIS reports a final 2025 total fertility rate of 0.799 births per woman.
How old is South Korea’s population?
KOSIS reports a median age of 47.3 years for 2026. World Bank WDI reports 19.3% of the population aged 65 or over in 2024.
Why do population values differ across the page?
The page separates WDI mid-year estimates, Statistics Korea register-based census values, KOSIS projection values, and official vital statistics because they use different measurement concepts.