Updated
Overview
South Korea has 2.9 times the population of the Netherlands: 51.68 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is about 40% larger than the Netherlands', at $1.87T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $1.33T | 2025 | $1.71T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.3% | 2025 | 2.3% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $6,402 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Netherlands is the younger society: median age 41.5 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 82.0).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 81%.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 2.4 times the size of the Netherlands: 100,210 km² versus 41,850 km².
Military
South Korea spends 2.1 times as much on defence as the Netherlands: $47.57B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than the Netherlands?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so South Korea is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or the Netherlands?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or the Netherlands?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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