South Korea vs Russia

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorSouth KoreaRussiaDifference
Population (2025) (people)51,684,564143,513,328−64.0%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)1,8722,561−26.9%
GDP per capita ($)36,22717,547+106.5%
Life expectancy (years)83.673.4
Area (km²)100,45017,125,190−99.4%
Population density (people/km²)5158+6,039.8%
Median age (years)45.540.3
Internet usage (%)97.994.4
Unemployment rate (%)2.72.1
Inflation (%)2.18.7
Urban population (%)81.275.3
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)47,571148,967−68.1%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.567.05−63.7%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)11.3218.90−40.1%
Military expenditure per capita ($)9201,038−11.3%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)569,0001,454,000−60.9%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)11.010.1+8.7%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)2.011.98+1.5%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of South Korea relative to Russia; 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 64.0% lower than Russia.
  • On gdp (nominal), South Korea is 26.9% lower than Russia.
  • On gdp per capita, South Korea is 106.5% higher than Russia.
South Korea and Russia — core indicators
050 mn100 mn150 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) — Russia: 143.513.328GDP (nominal) — Russia: 2.561GDP per capita — Russia: 17.547Area — Russia: 17.125.190
South KoreaRussia

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 Russia.

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