Updated
Overview
Russia has 2.8 times the population of South Korea: 143.51 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
Russia's economy is about 35% larger than South Korea's, at $2.56T versus $1.87T.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $1.87T | 2025 | $2.17T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 6.7% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 57 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $3,168 | 2021 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 1.0% for South Korea).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Russia is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 10.2 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 171 times the size of South Korea: 17,098,242 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 3.1 times as much on defence as South Korea: $148.97B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.6%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than South Korea?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Russia is 171 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or South Korea?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or South Korea?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).