Germany vs South Korea

Every indicator for Germany and South Korea side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorGermanySouth KoreaDifference
Population (2025) (people)83,491,24951,684,564+61.5%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)5,0511,872+169.8%
GDP per capita ($)60,49636,227+67.0%
Life expectancy (years)80.883.6
Area (km²)357,680100,450+256.1%
Population density (people/km²)233515−54.6%
Median age (years)46.745.5
Internet usage (%)93.597.9
Unemployment rate (%)3.72.7
Inflation (%)2.22.1
Urban population (%)82.181.2
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)88,45847,571+85.9%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)1.892.56−26.2%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)3.9311.32−65.3%
Military expenditure per capita ($)1,059920+15.1%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)183,000569,000−67.8%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)2.211.0−80.1%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.422.01−79.1%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of Germany relative to South Korea; a positive value favors Germany. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), Germany is 61.5% higher than South Korea.
  • On gdp (nominal), Germany is 169.8% higher than South Korea.
  • On gdp per capita, Germany is 67.0% higher than South Korea.
Germany and South Korea — core indicators
020 mn40 mn60 mn80 mn100 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Germany: 83.491.249GDP (nominal) — Germany: 5.051GDP per capita — Germany: 60.496Area — Germany: 357.680Population (2025) — South Korea: 51.684.564GDP (nominal) — South Korea: 1.872GDP per capita — South Korea: 36.227Area — South Korea: 100.450
GermanySouth Korea

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving Germany or South Korea.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI