South Korea vs Vietnam: Urban and rural population
South Korea
41.94 million
in 2025
Vietnam
39.45 million
in 2025
South Korea rank
23rd
Vietnam rank
26th
Urban and rural population over time
- South Korea
- Vietnam
How they compare
South Korea currently reports 41.94 million against 39.45 million in Vietnam, a difference of 2.49 million.
That makes South Korea's figure about 1.1 times Vietnam's.
Across all 76 years both countries report, South Korea has been ahead every year.
South Korea ranks 23rd and Vietnam ranks 26th of 236 countries.
South Korea has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Korea | Vietnam | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5.31 million | 3.29 million | 2.02 million | South Korea |
| 1960s | 9.38 million | 6.51 million | 2.87 million | South Korea |
| 1970s | 16.89 million | 9.32 million | 7.57 million | South Korea |
| 1980s | 26.33 million | 11.13 million | 15.20 million | South Korea |
| 1990s | 35.11 million | 15.21 million | 19.89 million | South Korea |
| 2000s | 38.66 million | 22.06 million | 16.60 million | South Korea |
| 2010s | 41.27 million | 29.83 million | 11.43 million | South Korea |
| 2020s | 42.02 million | 37.53 million | 4.49 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 Vietnam?
- South Korea, at 41.94 million against 39.45 million in Vietnam as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between South Korea and Vietnam?
- 2.49 million, with South Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Korea and Vietnam?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do South Korea and Vietnam rank globally for urban and rural population?
- South Korea ranks 23rd and Vietnam ranks 26th 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.