Updated
Overview
South Korea has 2.6 times the population of Chile: 51.68 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 5.2 times the size of Chile's, at $1.87T versus $357.37B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $17,995 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $357.37B | 2025 | $1.71T / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $36,227 | $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 4.2% | 2025 | 2.3% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,168 | $1,024 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,511 | $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 114,000 | 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
Chile is growing faster: 2.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Chile: a price level of 48 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $1,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Chile is the far younger society: median age 36.9 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 2.3 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 87% smaller than Chile: 100,210 km² versus 756,102 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 26.
Military
South Korea spends 9.3 times as much on defence as Chile: $47.57B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 1.6%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Chile?
- Chile is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Chile is 7.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Chile?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $17,995. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Chile?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).