Updated
Overview
South Korea has 8.6 times the population of Denmark: 51.68 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 4.0 times the size of Denmark's, at $1.87T versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $462.53B | 2025 | $1.71T / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 2.3% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $6,992 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 98% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 15,000 | 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
Denmark is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 1.9% in Denmark.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 92 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Denmark is the younger society: median age 41.3 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.4 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 82.3).
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 2.3 times the size of Denmark: 100,210 km² versus 43,094 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 139.
Military
South Korea spends 4.8 times as much on defence as Denmark: $47.57B versus $9.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Denmark?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so South Korea is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Denmark?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Denmark?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $9.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).