South Korea vs Italy
Every indicator for South Korea and Italy side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | South Korea | Italy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 51,684,564 | 58,915,656 | −12.3% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 1,872 | 2,552 | −26.6% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 36,227 | 43,309 | −16.4% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 83.6 | 84.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 100,450 | 302,070 | −66.7% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 515 | 195 | +163.8% |
| Median age (years) | 45.5 | 48.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 97.9 | 89.2 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 2.7 | 6.4 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 2.1 | 1.5 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 81.2 | 69.7 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 47,571 | 37,965 | +25.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.56 | 1.61 | +59.0% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 11.32 | 3.18 | +256.0% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 920 | 644 | +42.8% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 569,000 | 338,000 | +68.3% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 11.0 | 5.7 | +91.9% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 2.01 | 1.35 | +48.9% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of South Korea relative to Italy; a positive value favors South Korea. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
South Korea is higher on 8 of the 12 indicators, while Italy leads on the remaining 4. The widest separation is in military expenditure as a share of government spending, about 3.6 times; they are closest on population (2025).
Key differences
- South Korea's military expenditure as a share of government spending (11.32) is about 3.6 times Italy's (3.18).
- Italy's area (302,070) is about 3.0 times South Korea's (100,450).
- South Korea's population density (515) is about 2.6 times Italy's (195).
- On armed forces per 1,000 people, South Korea is %92 higher than Italy: 11.0 against 5.7.
- On armed forces personnel (2020), South Korea is %68 higher than Italy: 569,000 against 338,000.
Frequently asked questions
Where do South Korea and Italy differ most?
Where are South Korea and Italy most alike?
On how many indicators is South Korea ahead of Italy?
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving South Korea or Italy.
South Korea profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Italy profile →
All statistics, series, and details.