South Korea vs India

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorSouth KoreaIndiaDifference
Population (2025) (people)51,684,5641,463,865,525−96.5%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)1,8723,956−52.7%
GDP per capita ($)36,2272,702+1,240.7%
Life expectancy (years)83.672.2
Area (km²)100,4503,287,260−96.9%
Population density (people/km²)515445+15.5%
Median age (years)45.528.4
Internet usage (%)97.970.0
Unemployment rate (%)2.74.2
Inflation (%)2.12.4
Urban population (%)81.235.7
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)47,57186,126−44.8%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.562.27+12.8%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)11.327.63+48.4%
Military expenditure per capita ($)92059+1,464.4%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)569,0003,068,000−81.5%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)11.02.1+425.3%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)2.010.58+246.6%

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

Key differences

  • On population (2025), South Korea is 96.5% lower than India.
  • On gdp (nominal), South Korea is 52.7% lower than India.
  • On gdp per capita, South Korea is 1,240.7% higher than India.
South Korea and India — core indicators
0500 mn1 mr1,5 mrPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — South Korea: 51.684.564GDP (nominal) — South Korea: 1.872GDP per capita — South Korea: 36.227Area — South Korea: 100.450Population (2025) — India: 1.463.865.525GDP (nominal) — India: 3.956GDP per capita — India: 2.702Area — India: 3.287.260
South KoreaIndia

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

Other comparisons involving South Korea or India.

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