Updated
Overview
South Korea has 5.1 times the population of Israel: 51.68 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 3.1 times the size of Israel's, at $1.87T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $610.78B | 2025 | $1.71T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.0% | 2025 | 2.3% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $3,383 | 2022 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 178,000 | 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
Israel is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 3.0% in Israel.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the far younger society: median age 29.2 versus 45.6 years.
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 81%.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 4.8 times the size of Israel: 100,210 km² versus 20,770 km².
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $47.57B (South Korea) and $46.51B (Israel).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 2.6%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Israel?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so South Korea is 4.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Israel?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Israel?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $46.51B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).