Republic of Korea

All demographic indicators on this page are based on UN mid 2025 estimates unless stated otherwise.

Republic of Korea population (live estimate)

Real-time estimate based on UN demographic growth models.

51,667,000

Annual growth: -0.116%.

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Official population estimates

World population
51,667,000
Median age
45.6
Population growth rate (%)
-0.116 ▼ Population is declining

This map shows first-level administrative regions (ADM1).

Key Facts

  • Capital: Seoul
  • Official language: Korean
  • Region: Eastern Asia
  • Continent: Asia
Languages
Languages and linguistic groups
Religions
Religious composition
Cities
Major cities and urban areas
Administrative divisions
Provinces, Metropolitan Cities
Population
Population structure and dynamics

Languages

A brief overview of the linguistic situation in the country.

Official language
Korean
Minority language
2
Working / administrative language
1

South Korea has a linguistic landscape shaped by its ancient civilizations, regional cultures, and historical influences. Major national languages coexist with minority and Indigenous languages, reflecting deep cultural diversity.

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Religions

A brief overview of the religious composition of the country.

Dominant religion
Unaffiliated
Largest share
48.3%
Number of religions
7

The population of South Korea shows strong regional variation driven by geography, urbanization, and migration. Large cities often concentrate diverse linguistic communities, while rural areas preserve traditional patterns.

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Cities

A brief overview of the major cities and urban structure of the country.

Largest city
Seoul
Number of cities
49

The cities shown here represent major urban centres with populations over 50,000, as defined by the UN Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) methodology. Smaller towns and rural settlements are not included.

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