Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 3.4 times the population of South Korea: 175.69 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 4.1 times the size of Bangladesh's, at $1.87T versus $456.32B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $450.12B / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 10.5% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | Higher: $3,168 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 108 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 569,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Bangladesh is growing faster: 3.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $134 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bangladesh is the far younger society: median age 26.0 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.7 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 74.9).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 47% larger than South Korea: 147,570 km² versus 100,210 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 516.
Military
South Korea spends 12 times as much on defence as Bangladesh: $47.57B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.9%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 227,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than South Korea?
- Bangladesh is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Bangladesh is 47% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or South Korea?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).