South Korea vs South Africa: Urban and rural population
South Korea
41.94 million
in 2025
South Africa
41.32 million
in 2025
South Korea rank
23rd
South Africa rank
24th
Urban and rural population over time
- South Korea
- South Africa
How they compare
South Korea currently reports 41.94 million against 41.32 million in South Africa, a difference of 621,400.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 76 shared years of data; in 1950 it was South Africa ahead.
South Korea ranks 23rd and South Africa ranks 24th of 236 countries.
Across the 8 decades both report, South Korea averaged higher in 7 and South Africa in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Korea | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5.31 million | 6.44 million | 1.13 million | South Africa |
| 1960s | 9.38 million | 8.93 million | 443,763 | South Korea |
| 1970s | 16.89 million | 12.20 million | 4.69 million | South Korea |
| 1980s | 26.33 million | 17.08 million | 9.25 million | South Korea |
| 1990s | 35.11 million | 23.54 million | 11.57 million | South Korea |
| 2000s | 38.66 million | 29.32 million | 9.34 million | South Korea |
| 2010s | 41.27 million | 35.30 million | 5.96 million | South Korea |
| 2020s | 42.02 million | 39.89 million | 2.13 million | South Korea |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, South Korea or South Africa?
- South Korea, at 41.94 million against 41.32 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between South Korea and South Africa?
- 621,400, with South Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Korea and South Africa?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do South Korea and South Africa rank globally for urban and rural population?
- South Korea ranks 23rd and South Africa ranks 24th of 236 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Urban and rural population. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.