Population
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This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
Population
Surface area
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
South Korea’s population is 95% larger than that of North Korea, a difference of 25,252,242.
North Korea’s surface area is 20% larger than that of South Korea, a difference of 20,090 km².
South Korea’s population density is 134% higher than that of North Korea, a difference of 295 /km².
Nominal GDP data is unavailable for North Korea, so a relative difference cannot be calculated.
GDP per capita data is unavailable for North Korea, so a relative difference cannot be calculated.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Pyongyang
Seoul
26,498,823
51,751,065
120,540 km²
100,450 km²
220 /km²
515 /km²
—
$1.88 trillion · 2024
—
$36,239 · 2024
Asia
Asia
Eastern Asia
Eastern Asia
North Korean Won · KPW · ₩
Won · KRW · ₩
North Korean
South Korean
+850
+82
.kp
.kr
KP / PRK
KR / KOR
Asia/Pyongyang
Asia/Seoul
북한
대한민국
| Measure | North Korea | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Pyongyang | Seoul |
| Population | 26,498,823 | 51,751,065 |
| Surface area | 120,540 km² | 100,450 km² |
| Population density | 220 /km² | 515 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | — | $1.88 trillion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | — | $36,239 · 2024 |
| Region | Asia | Asia |
| Subregion | Eastern Asia | Eastern Asia |
| Currency | North Korean Won · KPW · ₩ | Won · KRW · ₩ |
| Nationality | North Korean | South Korean |
| Phone code | +850 | +82 |
| Internet domain | .kp | .kr |
| ISO codes | KP / PRK | KR / KOR |
| Time zone | Asia/Pyongyang | Asia/Seoul |
| Native name | 북한 | 대한민국 |
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula.
Full North Korea profile →South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
Full South Korea profile →The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.
North Korea has a recorded population of approximately 26,498,823 people.
North Korea covers an area of about 120,540 km².
North Korea has a population density of roughly 220 /km² (people per square kilometre).
North Korea uses the North Korean Won (KPW), with the symbol ₩.
North Korea is located in Eastern Asia, Asia.
The native name of North Korea is 북한.
People from North Korea are referred to as North Korean.
The international dialing code for North Korea is +850.
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for North Korea is .kp.
North Korea uses the Asia/Pyongyang time zone.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly known as North Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula.
The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
South Korea has a recorded population of approximately 51,751,065 people.
South Korea covers an area of about 100,450 km².
South Korea has a population density of roughly 515 /km² (people per square kilometre).
South Korea has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.88 trillion as of 2024.
South Korea has a GDP per capita of approximately $36,239.
South Korea uses the Won (KRW), with the symbol ₩.
South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, Asia.
The native name of South Korea is 대한민국.
People from South Korea are referred to as South Korean.
The international dialing code for South Korea is +82.
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Korea is .kr.
South Korea uses the Asia/Seoul time zone.
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.