Updated
Overview
South Korea has 24% more people than Canada: 51.68 million against 41.65 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 24% larger than South Korea's, at $2.32T versus $1.87T.
Per person, Canada is the wealthier of the two: $55,698 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Canada | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.87T | Higher: $2.32T | 2025 | $1.71T / $2.24T |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $55,698 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 2.3% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 6.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 83 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $4,121 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | Higher: $2,106 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $5.81 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 41.65 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 39.19 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 82.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 9,984,670 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 4.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 533 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 11.3 t | 13.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $29.35B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 72,000 | 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
Canada is growing faster: 1.7% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 2.1% in Canada.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 83 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Canada: $4,121 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Canada is the younger society: median age 40.6 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.5 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 82.1).
Geography
By land area, South Korea is only about 1/100 the size of Canada: 100,210 km² versus 9,984,670 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 4.
Military
South Korea spends about 60% more on defence than Canada: $47.57B versus $29.35B (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 72,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Canada?
- Canada is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Canada covers 9,984,670 km², so Canada is 100 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Canada?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 41.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Canada?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $36,227. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $2.32T for Canada.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Canada?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $29.35B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).