Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 2.0 times the population of South Korea: 101.60 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 3.6 times the size of Vietnam's, at $1.87T versus $514.70B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $476.39B / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 3.6% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 57 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $3,168 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 371 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $47.57B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 2.6% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 2.1% in South Korea.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Vietnam is the far younger society: median age 33.4 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.9 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 74.7).
South Korea is considerably more urbanized: 81% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 84% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 3.3 times the size of South Korea: 331,212 km² versus 100,210 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
South Korea spends 8.6 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $47.57B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 522,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than South Korea?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Vietnam is 3.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or South Korea?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).