Updated
Overview
South Korea has 5.6 times the population of Austria: 51.68 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 3.2 times the size of Austria's, at $1.87T versus $579.47B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $579.47B | 2025 | $1.71T / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.5% | 2025 | 2.3% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $6,155 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 23,000 | 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, 0.6% for Austria).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 3.5% in Austria.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 45.6 (South Korea) and 43.6 (Austria).
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 82.0).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 19% larger than Austria: 100,210 km² versus 83,871 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 110.
Military
South Korea spends 9.0 times as much on defence as Austria: $47.57B versus $5.26B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.0%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Austria?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so South Korea is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Austria?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Austria?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $5.26B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).