Annual change in population in South Korea
South Korea: Annual change in population was -33,771 people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Annual change in population in South Korea, 1951–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, annual change in population in South Korea stood at -33,771 people.
That represents a change of up 48.7% on the previous year and down 107.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual change in population in South Korea peaked at 824,307 people in 1959 and was at its lowest, -65,886 people, in 2022.
That places South Korea 226th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 615,657 people | 111,671 people | 824,307 people | 9 |
| 1960s | 655,454 people | 539,363 people | 817,154 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 585,813 people | 428,963 people | 697,656 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 581,387 people | 430,211 people | 666,967 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 297,562 people | 214,553 people | 556,660 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 204,631 people | 154,570 people | 276,807 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 322,115 people | 126,950 people | 471,940 people | 10 |
| 2020s | -4,775 people | -65,886 people | 90,637 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More population data for South Korea
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 599,530 people (2100)
- Population density 223.86 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.4% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 0.748 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 4,241 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 0.748 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 0.748 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate -0.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 0.72 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual change in population in South Korea?
- Annual change in population in South Korea was -33,771 people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual change in population recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 824,307 people in 1959.
- What is the lowest annual change in population recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -65,886 people in 2022.
- How does South Korea rank for annual change in population?
- South Korea ranks 226th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual change in population rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 107.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual change in population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 73 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual change in population, calculated as the difference between population on 1 July of consecutive years.