Updated
Overview
France has 33% more people than South Korea: 68.72 million against 51.68 million (2025).
France's economy is about 80% larger than South Korea's, at $3.37T versus $1.87T.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $1.87T | 2025 | $3.16T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $48,986 | $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 2.1% | 2025 | 2.0% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 7.5% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $5,024 | $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,036 | $1,511 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.0 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 264 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.8% for France, 1.0% for South Korea).
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.9% in France and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
France is the younger society: median age 42.3 versus 45.6 years.
Geography
By land area, France is 6.4 times the size of South Korea: 643,801 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 107.
Military
France spends about 35% more on defence than South Korea: $64.68B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than South Korea?
- France is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so France is 6.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, France or South Korea?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $36,227. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.37T for France versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, France or South Korea?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).