Updated
Overview
South Korea has 13% more people than Argentina: 51.68 million against 45.85 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 2.7 times the size of Argentina's, at $1.87T versus $683.10B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $683.10B | 2025 | $1.71T / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $36,227 | $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 2.3% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,168 | $811 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,511 | $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 103,000 | 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
Argentina is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 6.1 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 77.5).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 81%.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is only about 1/28 the size of Argentina: 100,210 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 16.
Military
South Korea spends 11 times as much on defence as Argentina: $47.57B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.6%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 28 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Argentina?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Argentina?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).