Republic of Korea Population Pyramid 2017
Republic of Korea
Afghanistan
Africa
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Less developed regions
Less developed regions, excluding China
Less developed regions, excluding least developed countries
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Malawi
Malaysia
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Mali
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Melanesia
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Micronesia
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
Middle Africa
Mongolia
Montenegro
More developed regions
Morocco
Mozambique
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Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
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Niger
Nigeria
Northern Africa
Northern America
Northern Europe
Norway
Oceania
Oman
Other non-specified areas
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Polynesia
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Réunion
Saint Lucia
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Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
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Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
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South America
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South-Eastern Asia
Southern Africa
Southern Asia
Southern Europe
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Sub-Saharan Africa
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Sweden
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TFYR Macedonia
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Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
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Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United Republic of Tanzania
United States Virgin Islands
United States of America
Uruguay
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Vanuatu
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Viet Nam
Western Africa
Western Asia
Western Europe
Western Sahara
World
Yemen
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Zimbabwe
2017
Population:
51,486,270
Summary
Republic of Korea in 2017
The population of the Republic of Korea in 2017 was 51,486,270. That is 6.9% more than in 2007, when the population stood at 48,178,118.
Half of the population was younger than 41.9 years; 13.0% were children under 15 and 13.9% were 65 or older. The narrow base of the pyramid marks a constrictive age structure: fertility below replacement level and a rising share of older people.
Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.
Key indicators for Republic of Korea
Population
51,486,270
Median age
41.9
0-14 %
13.0%
65+ %
13.9%
Child dependency
17.8
Old-age dependency
19.0
Region
Pyramid shape
Population 2050
45,143,134
Population 2100
21,848,791
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
123456
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 0.72
The fertility rate of the Republic of Korea was 0.72 births per woman in 2023, under the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.
Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total
Women
Men
405060708090
19602023 · 83.4
Life expectancy at birth was 83.4 years in 2023: 86.4 for women and 80.6 for men.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.
People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children
Older adults
306090120
19502100
Migration to and from Republic of Korea
Where immigrants come from (2024)
1,618,971 immigrants live in Republic of Korea, 3.1% of the population.
| China | 756,684 |
| Viet Nam | 260,609 |
| Thailand | 199,861 |
| Uzbekistan | 59,361 |
| United States of America | 53,226 |
Where emigrants live (2024)
2,028,575 people born in Republic of Korea live in other countries.
| United States of America | 1,083,174 |
| Japan | 393,944 |
| Canada | 151,409 |
| Australia | 114,174 |
| China | 65,073 |
Explore
Immigration statistics
Origin of migrant stocks map
Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.
How Republic of Korea compares with its neighbours
| Country | Population | Median age | Relative size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Korea | 51,486,271 | 41.9 | |
| Dem. People's Republic of Korea | 25,817,709 | 35.7 | |
| Taiwan | 23,632,948 | 41.1 | |
| China, Hong Kong SAR | 7,444,892 | 43.6 | |
| Mongolia | 3,104,364 | 27.0 |
Frequently asked questions about Republic of Korea's population
What was the population of the Republic of Korea in 2017?
In 2017, the Republic of Korea's population was 51,486,270.
Is the Republic of Korea's population growing or shrinking?
Yes, growing: up 6.9% from 2007, with a projected population of 45,143,134 in 2050.
How old is the population of the Republic of Korea?
The median age in the Republic of Korea is 41.9 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in the Republic of Korea?
13.9% of the Republic of Korea's population is 65 or older, and 13.0% is under 15.
What shape is the Republic of Korea's population pyramid, and what does it mean?
The Republic of Korea has a constrictive pyramid: cohorts of children are smaller than those of their parents, reflecting low fertility and an ageing population.
