Population density in South Korea
South Korea: Population density was 223.86 in 2100. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2100)
223.86
Change on year
down 1.4%
World rank
69th
of 235 countries
All-time high
531.34
in 2020
All-time low
16.39
in 1000
Years of data
318
1000–2100
Population density in South Korea, 1000–2100
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 223.86 for population density in 2100.
The figure is down 1.4% on the previous year and down 14.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population density in South Korea peaked at 531.34 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 16.39, in 1000.
That places South Korea 69th out of 235 countries with data for 2100, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population density in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 16.39 | — |
| 1100 | 19.67 | +20.0% |
| 1200 | 26.23 | +33.3% |
| 1300 | 19.67 | -25.0% |
| 1400 | 22.95 | +16.7% |
| 1500 | 26.23 | +14.3% |
| 1600 | 32.79 | +25.0% |
| 1700 | 40.98 | +25.0% |
| 1710 | 45.07 | +10.0% |
| 1720 | 48.29 | +7.1% |
| 1730 | 51.73 | +7.1% |
| 1740 | 55.43 | +7.1% |
| 1750 | 59.39 | +7.1% |
| 1760 | 63.63 | +7.1% |
| 1770 | 68.18 | +7.1% |
| 1780 | 73.05 | +7.1% |
| 1790 | 78.26 | +7.1% |
| 1800 | 96.26 | +23.0% |
| 1801 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 96.26 | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 96.27 | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 96.29 | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 96.32 | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 96.36 | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 96.41 | +0.1% |
| 1824 | 96.46 | +0.1% |
| 1825 | 96.51 | +0.1% |
| 1826 | 96.57 | +0.1% |
| 1827 | 96.62 | +0.1% |
| 1828 | 96.67 | +0.1% |
| 1829 | 96.72 | +0.1% |
| 1830 | 96.77 | +0.1% |
| 1831 | 96.82 | +0.1% |
| 1832 | 96.87 | +0.1% |
| 1833 | 96.92 | +0.1% |
| 1834 | 96.97 | +0.1% |
| 1835 | 97.03 | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 97.08 | +0.1% |
| 1837 | 97.13 | +0.1% |
| 1838 | 97.18 | +0.1% |
| 1839 | 97.23 | +0.1% |
| 1840 | 97.28 | +0.1% |
| 1841 | 97.33 | +0.1% |
| 1842 | 97.38 | +0.1% |
| 1843 | 97.44 | +0.1% |
| 1844 | 97.49 | +0.1% |
| 1845 | 97.54 | +0.1% |
| 1846 | 97.59 | +0.1% |
| 1847 | 97.64 | +0.1% |
| 1848 | 97.69 | +0.1% |
| 1849 | 97.76 | +0.1% |
| 1850 | 97.83 | +0.1% |
| 1851 | 97.87 | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 97.92 | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 97.98 | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 98.05 | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 98.11 | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 98.17 | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 98.23 | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 98.3 | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 98.36 | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 98.42 | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 98.49 | +0.1% |
| 1862 | 98.55 | +0.1% |
| 1863 | 98.61 | +0.1% |
| 1864 | 98.67 | +0.1% |
| 1865 | 98.74 | +0.1% |
| 1866 | 98.8 | +0.1% |
| 1867 | 98.86 | +0.1% |
| 1868 | 98.92 | +0.1% |
| 1869 | 98.98 | +0.1% |
| 1870 | 99.02 | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 99.04 | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 99.06 | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 99.06 | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 99.07 | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 99.07 | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 99.08 | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 99.08 | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 99.08 | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 99.09 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 99.09 | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 99.09 | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 99.1 | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 99.1 | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 99.11 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 99.11 | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 99.11 | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 99.12 | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 99.12 | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 99.13 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 99.13 | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 99.13 | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 99.14 | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 99.14 | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 99.14 | +0.0% |
| 1895 | 99.15 | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 99.15 | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 99.16 | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 99.16 | +0.0% |
| 1899 | 99.19 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 99.26 | +0.1% |
| 1901 | 99.35 | +0.1% |
| 1902 | 99.48 | +0.1% |
| 1903 | 99.63 | +0.2% |
| 1904 | 99.78 | +0.2% |
| 1905 | 99.94 | +0.2% |
| 1906 | 100.09 | +0.2% |
| 1907 | 100.25 | +0.2% |
| 1908 | 100.41 | +0.2% |
| 1909 | 100.84 | +0.4% |
| 1910 | 101.55 | +0.7% |
| 1911 | 102.55 | +1.0% |
| 1912 | 103.85 | +1.3% |
| 1913 | 105.44 | +1.5% |
| 1914 | 107.05 | +1.5% |
| 1915 | 108.69 | +1.5% |
| 1916 | 110.35 | +1.5% |
| 1917 | 112.03 | +1.5% |
| 1918 | 113.8 | +1.6% |
| 1919 | 115.61 | +1.6% |
| 1920 | 117.46 | +1.6% |
| 1921 | 119.37 | +1.6% |
| 1922 | 121.32 | +1.6% |
| 1923 | 123.32 | +1.6% |
| 1924 | 125.35 | +1.6% |
| 1925 | 127.41 | +1.6% |
| 1926 | 129.51 | +1.6% |
| 1927 | 131.65 | +1.6% |
| 1928 | 133.82 | +1.6% |
| 1929 | 135.89 | +1.6% |
| 1930 | 137.87 | +1.5% |
| 1931 | 139.75 | +1.4% |
| 1932 | 141.52 | +1.3% |
| 1933 | 143.19 | +1.2% |
| 1934 | 144.88 | +1.2% |
| 1935 | 146.58 | +1.2% |
| 1936 | 148.31 | +1.2% |
| 1937 | 150.06 | +1.2% |
| 1938 | 151.82 | +1.2% |
| 1939 | 154.16 | +1.5% |
| 1940 | 157.07 | +1.9% |
| 1941 | 160.6 | +2.2% |
| 1942 | 164.76 | +2.6% |
| 1943 | 169.57 | +2.9% |
| 1944 | 174.53 | +2.9% |
| 1945 | 179.63 | +2.9% |
| 1946 | 184.88 | +2.9% |
| 1947 | 190.29 | +2.9% |
| 1948 | 195.85 | +2.9% |
| 1949 | 201.09 | +2.7% |
| 1950 | 202.43 | +0.7% |
| 1951 | 203.58 | +0.6% |
| 1952 | 207.27 | +1.8% |
| 1953 | 212.86 | +2.7% |
| 1954 | 219.42 | +3.1% |
| 1955 | 226.69 | +3.3% |
| 1956 | 234.37 | +3.4% |
| 1957 | 242.43 | +3.4% |
| 1958 | 250.76 | +3.4% |
| 1959 | 259.2 | +3.4% |
| 1960 | 267.58 | +3.2% |
| 1961 | 275.13 | +2.8% |
| 1962 | 281.86 | +2.4% |
| 1963 | 288.38 | +2.3% |
| 1964 | 294.52 | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 300.04 | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 305.8 | +1.9% |
| 1967 | 312.46 | +2.2% |
| 1968 | 319.42 | +2.2% |
| 1969 | 326.36 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 333.42 | +2.2% |
| 1971 | 340.57 | +2.1% |
| 1972 | 347.71 | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 354.77 | +2.0% |
| 1974 | 361.56 | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 367.58 | +1.7% |
| 1976 | 372.75 | +1.4% |
| 1977 | 377.5 | +1.3% |
| 1978 | 381.99 | +1.2% |
| 1979 | 386.38 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 390.79 | +1.1% |
| 1981 | 396.41 | +1.4% |
| 1982 | 403.24 | +1.7% |
| 1983 | 409.85 | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 415.97 | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 421.61 | +1.4% |
| 1986 | 427.44 | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 433.63 | +1.4% |
| 1988 | 439.79 | +1.4% |
| 1989 | 445.95 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 451.65 | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 455.32 | +0.8% |
| 1992 | 457.52 | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 459.92 | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 462.41 | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 464.84 | +0.5% |
| 1996 | 467.61 | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 470.71 | +0.7% |
| 1998 | 473.68 | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 476.44 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 479.17 | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 482 | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 484.62 | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 486.82 | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 488.7 | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 490.28 | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 491.87 | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 493.63 | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 495.46 | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 497.4 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 499.69 | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 503.36 | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 508.19 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 513.02 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 517.82 | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 522.38 | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 525.59 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 527.52 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 529.11 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 530.41 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 531.34 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 531.23 | -0.0% |
| 2022 | 530.56 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 530.21 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 529.89 | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 529.38 | -0.1% |
| 2026 | 528.69 | -0.1% |
| 2027 | 527.86 | -0.2% |
| 2028 | 526.88 | -0.2% |
| 2029 | 525.76 | -0.2% |
| 2030 | 524.47 | -0.2% |
| 2031 | 523.03 | -0.3% |
| 2032 | 521.43 | -0.3% |
| 2033 | 519.61 | -0.3% |
| 2034 | 517.59 | -0.4% |
| 2035 | 515.38 | -0.4% |
| 2036 | 512.98 | -0.5% |
| 2037 | 510.38 | -0.5% |
| 2038 | 507.59 | -0.5% |
| 2039 | 504.63 | -0.6% |
| 2040 | 501.52 | -0.6% |
| 2041 | 498.26 | -0.7% |
| 2042 | 494.87 | -0.7% |
| 2043 | 491.38 | -0.7% |
| 2044 | 487.74 | -0.7% |
| 2045 | 483.94 | -0.8% |
| 2046 | 480.03 | -0.8% |
| 2047 | 475.94 | -0.9% |
| 2048 | 471.66 | -0.9% |
| 2049 | 467.19 | -0.9% |
| 2050 | 462.53 | -1.0% |
| 2051 | 457.7 | -1.0% |
| 2052 | 452.65 | -1.1% |
| 2053 | 447.46 | -1.1% |
| 2054 | 442.19 | -1.2% |
| 2055 | 436.81 | -1.2% |
| 2056 | 431.3 | -1.3% |
| 2057 | 425.67 | -1.3% |
| 2058 | 419.92 | -1.3% |
| 2059 | 414.15 | -1.4% |
| 2060 | 408.37 | -1.4% |
| 2061 | 402.63 | -1.4% |
| 2062 | 396.92 | -1.4% |
| 2063 | 391.22 | -1.4% |
| 2064 | 385.58 | -1.4% |
| 2065 | 380 | -1.4% |
| 2066 | 374.49 | -1.4% |
| 2067 | 369.04 | -1.5% |
| 2068 | 363.66 | -1.5% |
| 2069 | 358.32 | -1.5% |
| 2070 | 353 | -1.5% |
| 2071 | 347.76 | -1.5% |
| 2072 | 342.6 | -1.5% |
| 2073 | 337.53 | -1.5% |
| 2074 | 332.54 | -1.5% |
| 2075 | 327.61 | -1.5% |
| 2076 | 322.76 | -1.5% |
| 2077 | 317.97 | -1.5% |
| 2078 | 313.25 | -1.5% |
| 2079 | 308.6 | -1.5% |
| 2080 | 304.01 | -1.5% |
| 2081 | 299.46 | -1.5% |
| 2082 | 294.96 | -1.5% |
| 2083 | 290.53 | -1.5% |
| 2084 | 286.15 | -1.5% |
| 2085 | 281.82 | -1.5% |
| 2086 | 277.53 | -1.5% |
| 2087 | 273.27 | -1.5% |
| 2088 | 269.05 | -1.5% |
| 2089 | 264.88 | -1.6% |
| 2090 | 260.75 | -1.6% |
| 2091 | 256.68 | -1.6% |
| 2092 | 252.67 | -1.6% |
| 2093 | 248.74 | -1.6% |
| 2094 | 244.9 | -1.5% |
| 2095 | 241.14 | -1.5% |
| 2096 | 237.49 | -1.5% |
| 2097 | 233.95 | -1.5% |
| 2098 | 230.5 | -1.5% |
| 2099 | 227.14 | -1.5% |
| 2100 | 223.86 | -1.4% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 223.86 is above the median for high income countries, which is 106.6, 2.1× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 223.86 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 132.68, 1.7× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Population density in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 | +33.3% | 19.67 | 26.23 |
| 1300 | -25.0% | 26.23 | 19.67 |
| 1600 | +25.0% | 26.23 | 32.79 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 16.39 | 16.39 | 16.39 | 1 |
| 1100s | 19.67 | 19.67 | 19.67 | 1 |
| 1200s | 26.23 | 26.23 | 26.23 | 1 |
| 1300s | 19.67 | 19.67 | 19.67 | 1 |
| 1400s | 22.95 | 22.95 | 22.95 | 1 |
| 1500s | 26.23 | 26.23 | 26.23 | 1 |
| 1600s | 32.79 | 32.79 | 32.79 | 1 |
| 1700s | 40.98 | 40.98 | 40.98 | 1 |
| 1710s | 45.07 | 45.07 | 45.07 | 1 |
| 1720s | 48.29 | 48.29 | 48.29 | 1 |
| 1730s | 51.73 | 51.73 | 51.73 | 1 |
| 1740s | 55.43 | 55.43 | 55.43 | 1 |
| 1750s | 59.39 | 59.39 | 59.39 | 1 |
| 1760s | 63.63 | 63.63 | 63.63 | 1 |
| 1770s | 68.18 | 68.18 | 68.18 | 1 |
| 1780s | 73.05 | 73.05 | 73.05 | 1 |
| 1790s | 78.26 | 78.26 | 78.26 | 1 |
| 1800s | 96.26 | 96.26 | 96.26 | 10 |
| 1810s | 96.26 | 96.26 | 96.27 | 10 |
| 1820s | 96.49 | 96.29 | 96.72 | 10 |
| 1830s | 97 | 96.77 | 97.23 | 10 |
| 1840s | 97.51 | 97.28 | 97.76 | 10 |
| 1850s | 98.08 | 97.83 | 98.36 | 10 |
| 1860s | 98.7 | 98.42 | 98.98 | 10 |
| 1870s | 99.06 | 99.02 | 99.09 | 10 |
| 1880s | 99.11 | 99.09 | 99.13 | 10 |
| 1890s | 99.15 | 99.13 | 99.19 | 10 |
| 1900s | 99.9 | 99.26 | 100.84 | 10 |
| 1910s | 108.09 | 101.55 | 115.61 | 10 |
| 1920s | 126.51 | 117.46 | 135.89 | 10 |
| 1930s | 145.81 | 137.87 | 154.16 | 10 |
| 1940s | 177.83 | 157.07 | 201.09 | 10 |
| 1950s | 225.9 | 202.43 | 259.2 | 10 |
| 1960s | 297.15 | 267.58 | 326.36 | 10 |
| 1970s | 362.42 | 333.42 | 386.38 | 10 |
| 1980s | 418.47 | 390.79 | 445.95 | 10 |
| 1990s | 464.01 | 451.65 | 476.44 | 10 |
| 2000s | 489 | 479.17 | 497.4 | 10 |
| 2010s | 517.71 | 499.69 | 530.41 | 10 |
| 2020s | 529.18 | 525.76 | 531.34 | 10 |
| 2030s | 515.71 | 504.63 | 524.47 | 10 |
| 2040s | 485.25 | 467.19 | 501.52 | 10 |
| 2050s | 439.04 | 414.15 | 462.53 | 10 |
| 2060s | 383.02 | 358.32 | 408.37 | 10 |
| 2070s | 330.36 | 308.6 | 353 | 10 |
| 2080s | 284.17 | 264.88 | 304.01 | 10 |
| 2090s | 243.4 | 227.14 | 260.75 | 10 |
| 2100s | 223.86 | 223.86 | 223.86 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More population data for South Korea
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.17 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3601 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -1.45 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 599,530 (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development -1.45 (2100)
- Urbanization vs gdp, annual growth rate 0.007 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urbanization vs gdp, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population density in South Korea?
- Population density in South Korea was 223.86 in 2100, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population density recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 531.34 in 2020.
- What is the lowest population density recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.39 in 1000.
- How does South Korea rank for population density?
- South Korea ranks 69th out of 235 countries with data for 2100.
- Is population density rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Population density. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 318 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).