Updated
Overview
The United States has 6.6 times the population of South Korea: 341.78 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 16 times the size of South Korea's, at $30.77T versus $1.87T.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $36,227 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $1.87T | 2025 | $29.18T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.9% | Lower: 2.1% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,257 | Higher: $1,511 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 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
The United States is growing faster: 2.2% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in the United States and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Korea: a price level of 57 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $3,168 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United States is the younger society: median age 38.5 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 4.7 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 98 times the size of South Korea: 9,833,517 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 35.
Military
The United States spends 21 times as much on defence as South Korea: $997.31B versus $47.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.6%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 569,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than South Korea?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so the United States is 98 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or South Korea?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $36,227. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or South Korea?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $47.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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