Updated
Overview
South Korea has 5.7 times the population of Switzerland: 51.68 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is about 80% larger than Switzerland's, at $1.87T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $1.04T | 2025 | $1.71T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.3% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | Higher: $7,309 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.6 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 98% | 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 11.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 20,000 | 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, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Switzerland is the younger society: median age 42.9 versus 45.6 years.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 2.4 times the size of Switzerland: 100,210 km² versus 41,284 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 220.
Military
South Korea spends 7.1 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $47.57B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than Switzerland?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so South Korea is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or Switzerland?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or Switzerland?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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