Will China's population drop below 1 billion?

Yes, according to UN projections, China's population is expected to drop below 1 billion around 2070-2080. China's population peaked in 2021 at approximately 1.41 billion and has been declining since. With a fertility rate of just 0.72 births per woman (far below the replacement level of 2.1), the decline is expected to accelerate. By 2100, China's population could fall to around 770 million.

Why is India's population growing faster than China's?

India's population is growing faster primarily due to its higher fertility rate of 1.76 births per woman compared to China's 0.72. While India's fertility has also declined from over 6 in the 1960s, it remains closer to the replacement level. Additionally, India has a younger population structure with a median age of 37.6 years versus 46.7 years in China, meaning more people are in their reproductive years.

What is the demographic dividend and which country benefits more?

The demographic dividend refers to economic growth potential from having a large working-age population relative to dependents. North Korea is currently in a better position to benefit, with 65% of its population under 35 years old. North Korea's demographic window will remain open for about 20 more years, while South Korea's has already begun closing. However, North Korea needs to create jobs and improve education to fully capitalize on this advantage, as its workforce participation rate (especially for women at 25-35%) is much lower than South Korea's.

How does population affect GDP for South Korea and North Korea?

Population directly impacts GDP through workforce size and consumption. South Korea currently has a higher GDP per capita, but its aging and shrinking workforce poses challenges. North Korea's growing, younger population provides more workers and consumers, potentially driving economic growth. Economists project that North Korea's economy could surpass South Korea's by 2075 due to demographic advantages. However, North Korea must improve productivity (currently about half of South Korea's) to fully benefit from its population advantage.

What was the impact of China's one-child policy?

China's one-child policy (1979-2015) dramatically reduced fertility from 6.6 to below replacement level, preventing an estimated 400 million births. This created several challenges: a skewed sex ratio (more males than females), the "4-2-1" problem (one child supporting two parents and four grandparents), and rapid aging. The policy contributed to China's current fertility rate of just 0.72, well below what's needed for population stability.

Which country has more elderly people?

South Korea has significantly more elderly people both in absolute numbers and percentage. With a median age of 46.7 years, South Korea is aging rapidly - about 13% of its population is over 65, compared to just 7% in North Korea. By 2050, over one-third of South Korea's population will be 65+, creating massive pension and healthcare challenges. North Korea, with a median age of 37.6, has more time to prepare for population aging.

What are the population densities of South Korea vs North Korea?

North Korea is significantly more densely populated than South Korea. With 26.6 million people in 3.3 million km², North Korea has about 448 people per km². South Korea, despite having 51.7 million people, has 9.6 million km² of land, resulting in just 147 people per km². This makes North Korea over 3 times as densely populated as South Korea, creating different challenges for infrastructure and resource management.

When will India's population peak?

India's population is projected to peak around 2061 at approximately 1.7 billion people, after which it will begin a gradual decline. This gives India about 36 more years of population growth. The peak will come as fertility rates continue to fall (currently 1.76 and declining) and the population ages. After peaking, India is expected to experience a slow decline, remaining the world's most populous country through 2100.

How do male-female ratios compare between South Korea and North Korea?

Both countries have more males than females, but for different reasons. South Korea's sex ratio imbalance (about 105 males per 100 females) was exacerbated by the one-child policy and cultural preference for sons, leading to sex-selective practices. North Korea also has a skewed ratio (about 108 males per 100 females), similarly influenced by cultural preferences. Both countries face challenges from this imbalance, including millions of men unable to find marriage partners, potentially affecting social stability.

South Korea vs North Korea: Population Comparison 2025

One nation, two systems. South's wealth and aging vs North's isolation.

South Korea

2025

Total Population

North Korea

Total Population

North Korea leads by 25.1M people

Gap is 48.57% of South Korea's population

Fertility Rate

0.72vs1.76

North Korea +1.04

Median Age

46.7vs37.6

North Korea younger

Density /km²

5vs8

North Korea 1.6x denser

Working Age %

69.5%vs68.4%

Ages 15-64

South Korea: Declining Population

North Korea: Stable Population

Replacement Level: 2.1

Population Pyramids Comparison

Total Population

South Korea

51.7M

North Korea

26.6M

Youth (0-14)

South Korea

10.2%

North Korea

18.9%

Elderly (65+)

South Korea

20.3%

North Korea

12.7%

Demographic Analysis: South Korea vs North Korea

In 2025, South Korea has a population of 52M, while North Korea has 27M. This represents a difference of 25M, with South Korea having 1.9 times the population of the other. South Korea ranks #29 globally by population size, while North Korea ranks #56.

The median age reveals significant demographic differences: South Korea has a median age of 46.7 years, compared to 37.6 years in North Korea. This 9.1-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 South Korea is 44.0%, while in North Korea it is 46.3%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.

Gender balance differs between the two countries: South Korea has a sex ratio of 99.55 males per female, while North Korea has 98.05. South Korea 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	South Korea	North Korea	Difference / Ratio
Population Metrics
Total Population (2025)	52M	27M	1.9x larger
World Population Ranking	#29	#56	27 places apart
Population Growth Rate (5-year)	-0.07%	+0.33%	0.40pp difference
Projected Growth (2025-2050)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00pp difference
Age Structure
Median Age	46.7 years	37.6 years	9.1 years older
Youth (0-14) Population	10.2%	18.9%	8.7pp difference
Working Age (15-64) Population	69.5%	68.4%	1.1pp difference
Elderly (65+) Population	20.3%	12.7%	7.6pp difference
Youth Bulge (15-29)	16.4%	20.0%	3.6pp difference
Prime Workforce (25-54)	43.4%	41.9%	1.5pp difference
Demographic Indicators
Total Dependency Ratio	44.0%	46.3%	2.3pp difference
Child Dependency Ratio	14.7%	27.7%	13.0pp difference
Old-Age Dependency Ratio	29.3%	18.6%	10.7pp difference
Sex Ratio (males per 100 females)	99.5	98.0	1.5 difference
Total Fertility Rate	0.72 children/woman	1.76 children/woman	1.04 difference
Estimated Birth Rate	4.8 per 1,000	12.7 per 1,000	7.9 difference
Aging Index (65+/0-14)	199.2%	67.1%	132.1pp difference
Population Pyramid Type	constrictive	stationary	Different types

📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart

This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between South Korea and North Korea for each age group, split by gender:

Left Side (Males)

Blue = South Korea has more males

Green = North Korea has more males

Right Side (Females)

Pink = South Korea has more females

Orange = North 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 North Korea has more males in that age group.

Notable Differences (>20% variance):

Ages 0-4: North Korea has 26.3% more people

Men: 230K more in North Korea • Women: 215K more in North Korea

South Korea: 641K men, 608K women • North Korea: 870K men, 823K women

Population Ratio

1.2M

1.7M

Ages 10-14: South Korea has 39.0% more people

Men: 327K more in South Korea • Women: 311K more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.2M men, 1.1M women • North Korea: 839K men, 797K women

Population Ratio

2.3M

1.6M

Ages 15-19: South Korea has 41.8% more people

Men: 356K more in South Korea • Women: 324K more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.2M men, 1.1M women • North Korea: 834K men, 795K women

Population Ratio

2.3M

1.6M

Ages 20-24: South Korea has 54.7% more people

Men: 517K more in South Korea • Women: 439K more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.4M men, 1.3M women • North Korea: 893K men, 856K women

Population Ratio

2.7M

1.7M

Ages 25-29: South Korea has 78.6% more people

Men: 830K more in South Korea • Women: 689K more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.8M men, 1.6M women • North Korea: 984K men, 947K women

Population Ratio

3.5M

1.9M

Ages 30-34: South Korea has 83.9% more people

Men: 948K more in South Korea • Women: 716K more in South Korea

South Korea: 2.0M men, 1.7M women • North Korea: 1.0M men, 976K women

Population Ratio

3.6M

2.0M

Ages 35-39: South Korea has 76.5% more people

Men: 789K more in South Korea • Women: 636K more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.7M men, 1.6M women • North Korea: 944K men, 920K women

Population Ratio

3.3M

1.9M

Ages 40-44: South Korea has 121.5% more people

Men: 1.1M more in South Korea • Women: 1.0M more in South Korea

South Korea: 2.0M men, 1.9M women • North Korea: 877K men, 860K women

Population Ratio

3.8M

1.7M

Ages 45-49: South Korea has 141.7% more people

Men: 1.2M more in South Korea • Women: 1.1M more in South Korea

South Korea: 2.0M men, 1.9M women • North Korea: 804K men, 797K women

Population Ratio

3.9M

1.6M

Ages 50-54: South Korea has 113.4% more people

Men: 1.2M more in South Korea • Women: 1.1M more in South Korea

South Korea: 2.2M men, 2.1M women • North Korea: 1.0M men, 1.0M women

Population Ratio

4.3M

2.0M

Ages 55-59: South Korea has 107.5% more people

Men: 1.1M more in South Korea • Women: 1.1M more in South Korea

South Korea: 2.1M men, 2.2M women • North Korea: 1.0M men, 1.1M women

Population Ratio

4.3M

2.1M

Ages 60-64: South Korea has 164.1% more people

Men: 1.3M more in South Korea • Women: 1.3M more in South Korea

South Korea: 2.1M men, 2.1M women • North Korea: 761K men, 809K women

Population Ratio

4.1M

1.6M

Ages 65-69: South Korea has 184.4% more people

Men: 1.2M more in South Korea • Women: 1.2M more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.8M men, 1.9M women • North Korea: 614K men, 683K women

Population Ratio

3.7M

1.3M

Ages 70-74: South Korea has 242.2% more people

Men: 840K more in South Korea • Women: 928K more in South Korea

South Korea: 1.2M men, 1.3M women • North Korea: 331K men, 400K women

Population Ratio

2.5M

730K

Ages 75-79: South Korea has 165.5% more people

Men: 529K more in South Korea • Women: 588K more in South Korea

South Korea: 803K men, 987K women • North Korea: 275K men, 400K women

Population Ratio

1.8M

675K

Ages 80-84: South Korea has 206.3% more people

Men: 372K more in South Korea • Women: 519K more in South Korea

South Korea: 524K men, 799K women • North Korea: 153K men, 279K women

Population Ratio

1.3M

432K

Ages 85-89: South Korea has 308.3% more people

Men: 199K more in South Korea • Women: 397K more in South Korea

South Korea: 254K men, 535K women • North Korea: 56K men, 138K women

Population Ratio

789K

193K

Ages 90-94: South Korea has 623.8% more people

Men: 64K more in South Korea • Women: 215K more in South Korea

South Korea: 74K men, 251K women • North Korea: 9K men, 35K women

Population Ratio

325K

45K

Ages 95-99: South Korea has 1275.8% more people

Men: 9K more in South Korea • Women: 65K more in South Korea

South Korea: 10K men, 70K women • North Korea: 773 men, 5K women

Population Ratio

80K

Ages 100+: South Korea has 2691.0% more people

Men: 526 more in South Korea • Women: 10K more in South Korea

South Korea: 559 men, 11K women • North Korea: 33 men, 376 women

Population Ratio

11K

409

195020252025

Population Difference

25.1M

South Korea larger

Growth Since 1950

South Korea

+161.5%

North Korea

+139.0%

Population Ratio

1 : 0.51

South Korea : North Korea

Metric	South Korea	North Korea	Difference
Total Population	51.7M	26.6M	+94.4%
Median Age	46.7 years	37.6 years	+9.1
Youth Population (0-14)	5.3M 10.2%	5.0M 18.9%	+4.8%
Working Age (15-64)	35.9M 69.5%	18.2M 68.4%	+97.6%
Elderly Population (65+)	10.5M 20.3%	3.4M 12.7%	+211.0%
Total Dependency Ratio	44.0 per 100	46.3 per 100	-2.3
Youth Dependency Ratio	14.7 per 100	27.7 per 100	-13.0
Old-Age Dependency Ratio	29.3 per 100	18.6 per 100	+10.7
Sex Ratio	99.5 M/100F	98.0 M/100F	+1.5
Population Structure Type	Constrictive	Stationary	Different

Total Population

South Korea

51.7M

North Korea

26.6M

Difference: +94.4%

Median Age

South Korea

46.7 years

North Korea

37.6 years

Difference: +9.1

Youth Population (0-14)

South Korea

5.3M

10.2%

North Korea

5.0M

18.9%

Difference: +4.8%

Working Age (15-64)

South Korea

35.9M

69.5%

North Korea

18.2M

68.4%

Difference: +97.6%

Elderly Population (65+)

South Korea

10.5M

20.3%

North Korea

3.4M

12.7%

Difference: +211.0%

Total Dependency Ratio

South Korea

44.0 per 100

North Korea

46.3 per 100

Difference: -2.3

Youth Dependency Ratio

South Korea

14.7 per 100

North Korea

27.7 per 100

Difference: -13.0

Old-Age Dependency Ratio

South Korea

29.3 per 100

North Korea

18.6 per 100

Difference: +10.7

Sex Ratio

South Korea

99.5 M/100F

North Korea

98.0 M/100F

Difference: +1.5

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.

Current Gap

1.04

births per woman

Below Replacement Level

Both

Population decline risk

2030 Projection Gap

0.46

Both trending below replacement

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

North Korea became the world's most populous country, ending South Korea's centuries-long reign

South Korea: 75-Year Journey

1950 Population:20M

2025 Population:52M

Total Growth:+32M (161.5%)

Peak Year:~2027 (Peak approaching)

North Korea: 75-Year Journey

1950 Population:11M

2025 Population:27M

Total Growth:+15M (139.0%)

Projected Peak:Still growing

Growth Rate by Period

1950-1975

South Korea: 2.41%/yr

North Korea: 1.71%/yr

1975-2000

South Korea: 1.07%/yr

North Korea: 1.34%/yr

2000-2025

South Korea: 0.40%/yr

North Korea: 0.46%/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

India officially overtook China as the world's most populous country in April 2023, according to United Nations estimates. This historic shift ended China's long reign as the world's most populous nation, a position it had held for centuries. As of 2025, India has 26.6 million people compared to China's 51.7 million, a gap of -25,095,990 people.