Updated
Overview
South Korea has 4.3 times the population of Belgium: 51.68 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 2.6 times the size of Belgium's, at $1.87T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $725.47B | 2025 | $1.71T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 2.5% | 2025 | 2.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $7,044 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 24,000 | 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, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Belgium is the younger society: median age 41.9 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 82.3).
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 3.3 times the size of Belgium: 100,210 km² versus 30,528 km².
Military
South Korea spends 5.6 times as much on defence as Belgium: $47.57B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.3%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Belgium?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so South Korea is 3.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Belgium?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Belgium?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).