South Korea vs Canada

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorSouth KoreaCanadaDifference
Population (2025) (people)51,684,56441,651,653+24.1%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)1,8722,320−19.3%
GDP per capita ($)36,22755,698−35.0%
Life expectancy (years)83.682.1
Area (km²)100,45015,634,410−99.4%
Population density (people/km²)5153+19,213.5%
Median age (years)45.540.6
Internet usage (%)97.994.4
Unemployment rate (%)2.76.9
Inflation (%)2.12.1
Urban population (%)81.282.9
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)47,57129,347+62.1%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.561.31+95.4%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)11.323.08+267.5%
Military expenditure per capita ($)920705+30.6%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)569,00072,000+690.3%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)11.01.7+536.9%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)2.010.35+474.3%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of South Korea relative to Canada; 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 24.1% higher than Canada.
  • On gdp (nominal), South Korea is 19.3% lower than Canada.
  • On gdp per capita, South Korea is 35.0% lower than Canada.
South Korea and Canada — core indicators
020 mn40 mn60 mnPopulation (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) — Canada: 41.651.653GDP (nominal) — Canada: 2.320GDP per capita — Canada: 55.698Area — Canada: 15.634.410
South KoreaCanada

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 Canada.

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