Corea del Sur vs China
Comprehensive comparison of economic, demographic and social indicators
Key Indicators
| Indicator | Corea del Sur | China | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP (nominal) | $1.88T | $18.74T | 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $36,239 | $13,303 | 2024 |
| Population | 51.8M | 1.41B | 2024 |
| GDP growth rate | 2.00% | 4.98% | 2024 |
| Inflation rate | 2.32% | 0.22% | 2024 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.68% | 4.62% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy | 83.4 years | 78.0 years | 2023 |
| Surface area (sq. km) | 100,450 km2 | 9,562,910 km2 | 2023 |
Corea del Sur vs China: Analysis
China has a larger economy than Corea del Sur, with a nominal GDP roughly 10.0 times greater based on 2024 data. Corea del Sur recorded a GDP of $1.88T, while China stood at $18.74T.
In terms of GDP per capita, Corea del Sur leads over China. Corea del Sur has a per capita output of $36,239, compared to $13,303 for China.
China has a larger population than Corea del Sur. Corea del Sur is home to approximately 51.8M people, while China has about 1.41B.
By surface area, China is the larger country. Corea del Sur covers 100,450 km2, and China spans 9,562,910 km2.
Life expectancy is higher in Corea del Sur: 83.4 years in Corea del Sur versus 78.0 years in China. Corea del Sur has the lower unemployment rate (Corea del Sur: 2.68%, China: 4.62%). Inflation stands at 2.32% in Corea del Sur and 0.22% in China.
These figures are drawn from World Bank Open Data and reflect the most recent available reporting year for each indicator. For historical trends and additional indicators, explore the individual country profiles on NationStat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has a larger GDP, Corea del Sur or China?
China has the larger GDP. Corea del Sur has a GDP of $1.88T (2024), while China has $18.74T (2024). Source: World Bank.
What is the population difference between Corea del Sur and China?
The population difference is approximately 1.36B. Corea del Sur has 51.8M people (2024), and China has 1.41B (2024). Source: World Bank.
Is Corea del Sur richer than China?
By GDP per capita, Corea del Sur is wealthier. Corea del Sur has a GDP per capita of $36,239 (2024), compared to $13,303 for China (2024). Source: World Bank.
Which country has higher life expectancy, Corea del Sur or China?
Corea del Sur has higher life expectancy. Corea del Sur: 83.4 years (2023), China: 78.0 years (2023). Source: World Bank.
Which country is bigger, Corea del Sur or China?
China is larger by area. Corea del Sur covers 100,450 km2, while China covers 9,562,910 km2. Source: World Bank.