Population
South Korea is higher
South Korea records 51,751,065, about 1.95× the other value.
Country comparison
North KoreavsSouth Korea
See the biggest differences first, then scan the geographic, economic, and practical reference data.
This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
North Korea is higher
North Korea records 120,540 km², about 1.20× the other value.
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
🇰🇵 North Korea26,498,823
🇰🇷 South Korea51,751,065
South Korea’s population is 95% larger than that of North Korea, a difference of 25,252,242.
Surface area
🇰🇵 North Korea120,540 km²
🇰🇷 South Korea100,450 km²
North Korea’s surface area is 20% larger than that of South Korea, a difference of 20,090 km².
Population density
🇰🇵 North Korea220 /km²
🇰🇷 South Korea515 /km²
South Korea’s population density is 134% higher than that of North Korea, a difference of 295 /km².
Nominal GDP
🇰🇵 North KoreaNo data
🇰🇷 South Korea$1.88 trillion · 2024
Nominal GDP data is unavailable for North Korea, so a relative difference cannot be calculated.
GDP per capita
🇰🇵 North KoreaNo data
🇰🇷 South Korea$36,239 · 2024
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.
Full side-by-side comparison
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
| 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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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout North Korea
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 →About South Korea
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 →North Korea & South Korea: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of North Korea?
The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.
What is the population of North Korea?
North Korea has a recorded population of approximately 26,498,823 people.
How big is North Korea?
North Korea covers an area of about 120,540 km².
What is the population density of North Korea?
North Korea has a population density of roughly 220 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What currency is used in North Korea?
North Korea uses the North Korean Won (KPW), with the symbol ₩.
Where is North Korea located?
North Korea is located in Eastern Asia, Asia.
What is the native name of North Korea?
The native name of North Korea is 북한.
What are people from North Korea called?
People from North Korea are referred to as North Korean.
What is the phone calling code for North Korea?
The international dialing code for North Korea is +850.
What is the internet domain for North Korea?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for North Korea is .kp.
What time zone is North Korea in?
North Korea uses the Asia/Pyongyang time zone.
What is North Korea known for?
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.
What is the capital of South Korea?
The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
What is the population of South Korea?
South Korea has a recorded population of approximately 51,751,065 people.
How big is South Korea?
South Korea covers an area of about 100,450 km².
What is the population density of South Korea?
South Korea has a population density of roughly 515 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of South Korea?
South Korea has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.88 trillion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of South Korea?
South Korea has a GDP per capita of approximately $36,239.
What currency is used in South Korea?
South Korea uses the Won (KRW), with the symbol ₩.
Where is South Korea located?
South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, Asia.
What is the native name of South Korea?
The native name of South Korea is 대한민국.
What are people from South Korea called?
People from South Korea are referred to as South Korean.
What is the phone calling code for South Korea?
The international dialing code for South Korea is +82.
What is the internet domain for South Korea?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Korea is .kr.
What time zone is South Korea in?
South Korea uses the Asia/Seoul time zone.
What is South Korea known for?
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.