Updated
Overview
South Korea has 4.5 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 51.68 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 3.4 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.87T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Korea | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.87T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.71T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $36,227 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 2.3% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 2.7% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 57 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,168 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,511 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.84 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 51.68 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 51.49 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.6 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.75 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 81% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 98% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 100,210 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 515.8/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 584 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 11.3 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $47.57B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 569,000 | 63,000 | 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 United Arab Emirates is growing faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in South Korea and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 45.6 years.
Geography
By land area, South Korea is 20% larger than the United Arab Emirates: 100,210 km² versus 83,600 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 138.
Military
South Korea spends 2.1 times as much on defence as the United Arab Emirates: $47.57B versus $22.76B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.6%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Korea bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- South Korea is larger by land area. South Korea covers 100,210 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so South Korea is 20% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, South Korea or the United Arab Emirates?
- South Korea has the larger population: 51.68 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Korea richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $36,227. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.87T for South Korea versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, South Korea or the United Arab Emirates?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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