
Republic of Korea
Analyst Library· Aug 2026Official Data — Live Indicators
Fetched from official statistical APIs (World Bank, OECD) — no AI estimation.
Overview
The Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea, is a highly developed country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Emerging from a devastating civil war in the 1950s, South Korea underwent a rapid economic transformation, often referred to as the 'Miracle on the Han River', becoming a global leader in technology, automotive manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Its vibrant democracy and cultural influence (Hallyu) are recognized worldwide. Today, South Korea stands as a major economic power and a key player in international affairs. It faces ongoing geopolitical tensions with its northern neighbor, North Korea, while maintaining strong alliances, particularly with the United States. The nation is also grappling with demographic challenges such as a rapidly aging population and one of the world's lowest fertility rates, alongside a continuous drive for innovation and sustainable development.
Economy
gdp nominal
$1.93 trillion (2026)
gdp ppp
$2.82 trillion (2024 est.)
gdp rank
15
gdp per capita
$37,412 (2026)
gdp growth rate
1.9% (2026)
inflation rate
2.5% (2024)
unemployment rate
2.81% (2026)
debt to gdp
54.3% (2022 est.)
major industries
Electronics, Telecommunications, Automobiles, Chemicals, Shipbuilding, Steel
top exports
Semiconductors, Automobiles, Petroleum products, Flat panel displays, Ships, Wireless communication devices
top imports
Crude petroleum, Natural gas, Semiconductors, Coal, Electronic components, Machinery
major trading partners
China, United States, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, Saudi Arabia
Demographics
population
51609905
population rank
31
population growth rate
-0.13
median age
46.2
urbanization rate
82.8
life expectancy
83.6 years (2022)
fertility rate
0.76
literacy rate
97.9% (2018)
ethnic groups
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religions
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age distribution
0 14: 11.7% (2023 est.) · 15 64: 71.1% (2023 est.) · 65 plus: 17.2% (2023 est.)
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