Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 4.9 times the population of South Korea: 255.22 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 4.6 times the size of Pakistan's, at $1.87T versus $407.31B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $373.07B / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.7% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 12.6% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | Higher: $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 180 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 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
Pakistan is growing faster: 3.7% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.5% in Pakistan and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Pakistan: a price level of 24 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $95 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 15.8 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 67.8).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 8.8 times the size of South Korea: 881,912 km² versus 100,210 km².
Military
South Korea spends 4.7 times as much on defence as Pakistan: $47.57B versus $10.17B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than South Korea?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Pakistan is 8.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or South Korea?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $10.17B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).