The total population in South Korea was estimated at 51.7 million people in 2025, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. Looking back, in the year of 1960, South Korea had a population of 25.0 million people. source: South Korea Economics Statistics System

Population in South Korea is expected to reach 51.79 Million by the end of 2026, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Population is projected to trend around 51.79 Million in 2027 and 52.00 Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 27986.00 28209.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Change 0.40 0.60 Percent Jan 2026
Employment Rate 61.00 61.50 percent Jan 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 64.70 64.80 percent Jan 2026
Minimum Wages 10030.00 9860.00 KRW/Hour Dec 2025
Population 51.69 51.75 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 96.10 101.50 points Sep 2025
Retirement Age Men 60.00 60.00 Years Dec 2025
Retirement Age Women 60.00 60.00 Years Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1211.00 1217.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 3.00 3.30 percent Jan 2026
Wages 4531450.00 4293856.00 KRW/Month Sep 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 5045058.00 4689233.00 KRW/Month Sep 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 6.80 6.20 percent Jan 2026


South Korea Population
The population of South Korea represents 0.72 percent of the world´s total population which arguably means that one person in every 140 people on the planet is a resident of South Korea.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
51.69 51.75 51.84 25.01 1960 - 2025 Million Yearly