China vs South Korea: Migrant populations
China
1.64 million
in 2024
South Korea
1.81 million
in 2024
China rank
44th
South Korea rank
41st
Migrant populations over time
- China
- South Korea
How they compare
South Korea currently reports 1.81 million against 1.64 million in China, a difference of 172,790.
That makes South Korea's figure about 1.1 times China's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 8 shared years of data; in 1990 it was China ahead.
China ranks 44th and South Korea ranks 41st of 228 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, China averaged higher in 3 and South Korea in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | South Korea | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 564,502 | 35,609 | 528,892 | China |
| 2000s | 787,138 | 188,085 | 599,052 | China |
| 2010s | 1.10 million | 939,134 | 163,876 | China |
| 2020s | 1.53 million | 1.77 million | 240,530 | South Korea |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher migrant populations, China or South Korea?
- South Korea, at 1.81 million against 1.64 million in China as of 2024.
- What is the difference in migrant populations between China and South Korea?
- 172,790, with South Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and South Korea?
- 8 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2024.
- How do China and South Korea rank globally for migrant populations?
- China ranks 44th and South Korea ranks 41st of 228 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Migrant populations. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.