Updated
Overview
South Korea has about 85% more people than Australia: 51.68 million against 27.61 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $1.87T for South Korea and $1.80T for Australia.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $1.80T | 2025 | $1.71T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 2.9% | 2025 | 2.3% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $4,436 | 2022 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 11.3 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 60,000 | 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 South Korea, 1.4% for Australia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Australia is the younger society: median age 38.3 versus 45.6 years.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is only about 1/77 the size of Australia: 100,210 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 4.
Military
South Korea spends about 40% more on defence than Australia: $47.57B versus $33.82B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 77 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Australia?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Australia?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $33.82B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).