Updated
Overview
Italy has 14% more people than South Korea: 58.92 million against 51.68 million (2025).
Italy's economy is about 35% larger than South Korea's, at $2.55T versus $1.87T.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $1.87T | 2025 | $2.37T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 2.1% | 2025 | 1.0% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $1,511 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 302 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 (0.5% for Italy, 1.0% for South Korea).
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Korea is the younger society: median age 45.6 versus 48.2 years.
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 3.0 times the size of South Korea: 301,336 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 196.
Military
South Korea spends 25% more on defence than Italy: $47.57B versus $37.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.6%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 338,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than South Korea?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Italy is 3.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or South Korea?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $36,227. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $37.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).