Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in South Korea
South Korea: Total population (thousands), annual growth rate was -0.0792 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in South Korea, 1971–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
South Korea recorded -0.0792 % change on previous year for total population (thousands), annual growth rate in 2025.
The figure is down 92.6% on the previous year and down 108.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population (thousands), annual growth rate in South Korea peaked at 2.17 % change on previous year in 1971 and was at its lowest, -0.165 % change on previous year, in 2022.
That places South Korea 181st out of 233 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 2.17 % change on previous year | — |
| 1972 | 2.12 % change on previous year | -2.5% |
| 1973 | 2.07 % change on previous year | -2.0% |
| 1974 | 1.99 % change on previous year | -4.1% |
| 1975 | 1.84 % change on previous year | -7.7% |
| 1976 | 1.5 % change on previous year | -18.4% |
| 1977 | 1.31 % change on previous year | -12.4% |
| 1978 | 1.24 % change on previous year | -5.9% |
| 1979 | 1.14 % change on previous year | -7.5% |
| 1980 | 1.16 % change on previous year | +1.2% |
| 1981 | 1.12 % change on previous year | -2.9% |
| 1982 | 1.75 % change on previous year | +55.3% |
| 1983 | 1.7 % change on previous year | -2.6% |
| 1984 | 1.58 % change on previous year | -7.4% |
| 1985 | 1.41 % change on previous year | -10.4% |
| 1986 | 1.3 % change on previous year | -7.8% |
| 1987 | 1.47 % change on previous year | +12.6% |
| 1988 | 1.43 % change on previous year | -2.5% |
| 1989 | 1.41 % change on previous year | -1.2% |
| 1990 | 1.39 % change on previous year | -1.3% |
| 1991 | 1.17 % change on previous year | -16.2% |
| 1992 | 0.4603 % change on previous year | -60.5% |
| 1993 | 0.5051 % change on previous year | +9.7% |
| 1994 | 0.543 % change on previous year | +7.5% |
| 1995 | 0.5401 % change on previous year | -0.5% |
| 1996 | 0.5127 % change on previous year | -5.1% |
| 1997 | 0.6785 % change on previous year | +32.3% |
| 1998 | 0.6488 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 1999 | 0.611 % change on previous year | -5.8% |
| 2000 | 0.5551 % change on previous year | -9.1% |
| 2001 | 0.59 % change on previous year | +6.3% |
| 2002 | 0.5938 % change on previous year | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 0.4934 % change on previous year | -16.9% |
| 2004 | 0.4161 % change on previous year | -15.7% |
| 2005 | 0.3539 % change on previous year | -15.0% |
| 2006 | 0.2943 % change on previous year | -16.9% |
| 2007 | 0.3531 % change on previous year | +20.0% |
| 2008 | 0.3618 % change on previous year | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 0.3785 % change on previous year | +4.6% |
| 2010 | 0.4081 % change on previous year | +7.8% |
| 2011 | 0.509 % change on previous year | +24.7% |
| 2012 | 0.9592 % change on previous year | +88.5% |
| 2013 | 0.9621 % change on previous year | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 0.9397 % change on previous year | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 0.9293 % change on previous year | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 0.8315 % change on previous year | -10.5% |
| 2017 | 0.4016 % change on previous year | -51.7% |
| 2018 | 0.3333 % change on previous year | -17.0% |
| 2019 | 0.2676 % change on previous year | -19.7% |
| 2020 | 0.2241 % change on previous year | -16.2% |
| 2021 | 0.1262 % change on previous year | -43.7% |
| 2022 | -0.165 % change on previous year | -230.7% |
| 2023 | -0.0892 % change on previous year | -45.9% |
| 2024 | -0.0412 % change on previous year | -53.9% |
| 2025 | -0.0792 % change on previous year | +92.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.71 % change on previous year | 1.14 % change on previous year | 2.17 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1980s | 1.43 % change on previous year | 1.12 % change on previous year | 1.75 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.7059 % change on previous year | 0.4603 % change on previous year | 1.39 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.439 % change on previous year | 0.2943 % change on previous year | 0.5938 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.6541 % change on previous year | 0.2676 % change on previous year | 0.9621 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.004 % change on previous year | -0.165 % change on previous year | 0.2241 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 178 Slovenia -0.0495 % change on previous year compare
- 179 Uruguay -0.0525 % change on previous year compare
- 180 Thailand -0.0591 % change on previous year compare
- 182 Austria -0.0864 % change on previous year compare
- 183 Portugal -0.1035 % change on previous year compare
- 184 Bermuda -0.1098 % change on previous year compare
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)
- Population density 223.86 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 599,530 (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development -1.45 (2100)
- Total population (thousands), per unit of GDP 0 thousands per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population (thousands), annual growth rate in South Korea?
- Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in South Korea was -0.0792 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 2.17 % change on previous year in 1971.
- What is the lowest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.165 % change on previous year in 2022.
- How does South Korea rank for total population (thousands), annual growth rate?
- South Korea ranks 181st out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is total population (thousands), annual growth rate rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 108.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Total population (thousands), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Total population UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.