Updated
Overview
South Korea has 2.7 times the population of Romania: 51.68 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 4.4 times the size of Romania's, at $1.87T versus $428.68B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $428.68B | 2025 | $1.71T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $36,227 | $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 7.2% | 2025 | 2.3% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,168 | $1,722 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,511 | $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 128,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for South Korea, 0.7% for Romania).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $1,722 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Romania is the younger society: median age 43.2 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 7.2 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 76.5).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 58% smaller than Romania: 100,210 km² versus 238,391 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 80.
Military
South Korea spends 5.5 times as much on defence as Romania: $47.57B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Romania?
- Romania is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Romania is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Romania?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Romania?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).