Updated
Overview
South Korea has 4.9 times the population of Sweden: 51.68 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 2.8 times the size of Sweden's, at $1.87T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $669.00B | 2025 | $1.71T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 2.3% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $4,783 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.6 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 2.0% | 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
Sweden is growing faster: 1.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 0.7% in Sweden.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Sweden is the younger society: median age 40.3 versus 45.6 years.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 78% smaller than Sweden: 100,210 km² versus 450,295 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 24.
Military
South Korea spends 4.0 times as much on defence as Sweden: $47.57B versus $12.04B (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 Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 4.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Sweden?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Sweden?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).