Updated
Overview
South Africa has 25% more people than South Korea: 64.75 million against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 4.4 times the size of South Africa's, at $1.87T versus $427.18B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $400.26B / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $3,168 | 2020 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 440 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.9 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 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 (1.1% for South Africa, 1.0% for South Korea).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 17.3 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 66.3).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 12 times the size of South Korea: 1,221,037 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 53.
Military
South Korea spends 17 times as much on defence as South Africa: $47.57B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than South Korea?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so South Africa is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or South Korea?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for South Africa · South Korea