Updated
Overview
China has 27 times the population of South Korea: 1.41 billion people against 51.68 million (2025).
China's economy is 10 times the size of South Korea's, at $19.50T versus $1.87T.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $1.87T | 2025 | $18.74T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 2.1% | 2025 | 0.2% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $3,168 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 51.68 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 98% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
South Korea runs the hotter price environment: 2.1% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
China is the younger society: median age 40.1 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 5.6 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 78.0).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 96 times the size of South Korea: 9,596,960 km² versus 100,210 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 147.
Military
China spends 6.6 times as much on defence as South Korea: $313.66B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than South Korea?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so China is 96 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or South Korea?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, China or South Korea?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).