China vs South Korea: Population Comparison 2025
Rapid aging across East Asia. South Korea's world-lowest fertility vs China's scale.
China
South Korea
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
China
1416.1M
South Korea
51.7M
Youth (0-14)
China
15.4%
South Korea
10.2%
Elderly (65+)
China
14.9%
South Korea
20.3%
Demographic Analysis: China vs South Korea
In 2025, China has a population of 1.42B, while South Korea has 52M. This represents a difference of 1.36B, with China having 27.4 times the population of the other. China ranks #2 globally by population size, while South Korea ranks #29.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: China has a median age of 41.1 years, compared to 46.7 years in South Korea. This 5.6-year difference indicates that South Korea has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in China is 43.5%, while in South Korea it is 44.0%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: China has a sex ratio of 103.69 males per female, while South Korea has 99.55. China shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | China | South Korea | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 1.42B | 52M | 27.4x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #2 | #29 | 27 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.14% | -0.07% | 0.07pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 46.7 years | 5.6 years younger |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 15.4% | 10.2% | 5.2pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 69.7% | 69.5% | 0.2pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 14.9% | 20.3% | 5.4pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 17.4% | 16.4% | 1.0pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 43.3% | 43.4% | 0.1pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5% | 44.0% | 0.4pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 22.1% | 14.7% | 7.4pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4% | 29.3% | 7.9pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 103.7 | 99.5 | 4.1 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.00 children/woman | 0.72 children/woman | 0.28 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.7 per 1,000 | 4.8 per 1,000 | 1.9 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 96.8% | 199.2% | 102.4pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | stationary | constrictive | Different types |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between China and South Korea for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = China has more males
Green = South Korea has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = China has more females
Orange = South Korea has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means South Korea has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
1364.4M
China larger
Growth Since 1950
China
+160.3%
South Korea
+161.5%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.04
China : South Korea
| Metric | China | South Korea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1.42B | 51.7M | +2640.8% |
| Median Age | 41.1 years | 46.7 years | -5.6 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 218.2M 15.4% | 5.3M 10.2% | +4038.2% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 986.8M 69.7% | 35.9M 69.5% | +2649.3% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 211.2M 14.9% | 10.5M 20.3% | +1910.3% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 43.5 per 100 | 44.0 per 100 | -0.4 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 22.1 per 100 | 14.7 per 100 | +7.4 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 21.4 per 100 | 29.3 per 100 | -7.9 |
| Sex Ratio | 103.7 M/100F | 99.5 M/100F | +4.1 |
| Population Structure Type | Stationary | Constrictive | Different |
Total Population
China
1.42B
South Korea
51.7M
Median Age
China
41.1 years
South Korea
46.7 years
Youth Population (0-14)
China
218.2M
15.4%
South Korea
5.3M
10.2%
Working Age (15-64)
China
986.8M
69.7%
South Korea
35.9M
69.5%
Elderly Population (65+)
China
211.2M
14.9%
South Korea
10.5M
20.3%
Total Dependency Ratio
China
43.5 per 100
South Korea
44.0 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
China
22.1 per 100
South Korea
14.7 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
China
21.4 per 100
South Korea
29.3 per 100
Sex Ratio
China
103.7 M/100F
South Korea
99.5 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
South Korea became the world's most populous country, ending China's centuries-long reign