Updated
Overview
South Korea has about 40% more people than Saudi Arabia: 51.68 million against 36.97 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is about 45% larger than Saudi Arabia's, at $1.87T versus $1.28T.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $1.28T | 2025 | $1.71T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $36,227 | $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 2.3% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,168 | $1,799 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,511 | $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 98% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 584 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 11.3 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing much faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Saudi Arabia: a price level of 47 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $1,799 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 4.6 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 79.0).
Geography
By land area, South Korea is only about 1/21 the size of Saudi Arabia: 100,210 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends about 70% more on defence than South Korea: $80.33B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 2.6%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 21 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Saudi Arabia?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $34,537. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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