Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 34% more people than South Korea: 69.49 million against 51.68 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 2.1 times the size of South Korea's, at $4.00T versus $1.87T.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $1.87T | 2025 | $3.64T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $57,602 | $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 3.3% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,567 | $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,532 | $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 313 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 569,000 | 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 (1.4% for the United Kingdom, 1.0% for South Korea).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United Kingdom: $3,567 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United Kingdom is the younger society: median age 40.1 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 2.2 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 2.4 times the size of South Korea: 242,900 km² versus 100,210 km².
Military
The United Kingdom spends about 70% more on defence than South Korea: $81.76B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than South Korea?
- The United Kingdom is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so the United Kingdom is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or South Korea?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $36,227. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or South Korea?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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