Updated
Overview
Brazil has 4.1 times the population of South Korea: 212.81 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 22% larger than South Korea's, at $2.28T versus $1.87T.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $1.87T | 2025 | $2.18T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 483 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 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
Brazil is growing faster: 2.3% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Brazil runs the hotter price environment: 5.0% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Brazil: a price level of 46 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Brazil is the far younger society: median age 34.8 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 7.6 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 76.0).
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 85 times the size of South Korea: 8,515,767 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 25.
Military
South Korea spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Brazil: $47.57B versus $20.95B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than South Korea?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Brazil is 85 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or South Korea?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $20.95B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).