South Korea Population Pyramid (2026)
South Korea has a population of 51,600,388 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 31st-largest population in the world and 0.62% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 9.8% of the population and people aged 65 and over 21.4%, with 99.4 males for every 100 females.
South Korea Demographics
South Korea has 51.6 million people in 2026, up 58.6% from 32.5 million in 1970.
Deaths outnumber births by 135,799 (UN projection for 2026).
Under-15 share 9.8% — the lowest of 194 countries.
Median age 46.2 — the 8th-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen X — 25.8% (13,297,888)
All generations in South Korea →
Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how South Korea's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
South Korea has 99.4 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 146,658 (0.3% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:25,726,865
- Percentage:49.9%
Female Statistics
- Population:25,873,523
- Percentage:50.1%
- Ratio Format:1:1.006
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of South Korea indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 249,556 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 259,300 | 5.0 | 0.78 | estimate |
| 2022 | 256,588 | 5.0 | 0.78 | estimate |
| 2023 | 236,394 | 4.6 | 0.72 | estimate |
| 2024 | 240,982 | 4.7 | 0.73 | projection |
| 2025 | 245,858 | 4.8 | 0.75 | projection |
| 2026 | 249,556 | 4.8 | 0.76 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (249,556 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
South Korea's median age is 46.2 years
Half the population is younger than 46.2 years, half is older — indicating an aging society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 1,238,381 | 2.4% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 1,597,152 | 3.1% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 2,230,348 | 4.3% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 2,341,459 | 4.5% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 2,589,079 | 5.0% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 3,348,781 | 6.5% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 3,664,339 | 7.1% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 3,316,626 | 6.4% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 3,666,622 | 7.1% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 3,935,814 | 7.6% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 4,175,623 | 8.1% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 4,378,252 | 8.5% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 4,058,304 | 7.9% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 3,873,271 | 7.5% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 2,720,371 | 5.3% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 1,859,815 | 3.6% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 1,315,153 | 2.5% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 834,913 | 1.6% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 352,466 | 0.7% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 90,507 | 0.2% | Senior |
| 100+ | 13,112 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 5 (natural decrease): deaths outnumber births — 4.8 births and 7.5 deaths per 1,000 people in 2026. Read more about Stage 5 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
South Korea Total Fertility Rate: 0.76 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.78 | 5.0 | |
| 2022 | 0.78 | 5.0 | 0.00 |
| 2023 | 0.72 | 4.6 | ↓0.06 |
| 2024 | 0.73 | 4.7 | ↑0.01 |
| 2025 | 0.75 | 4.8 | ↑0.02 |
| 2026 | 0.76 | 4.8 | ↑0.01 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 0.82
South Korea's total fertility rate is 0.76 children per woman in 2026 (very low (lowest-low) fertility), below the replacement level of 2.1. South Korea ranks 194 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −87.5% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, South Korea's population has increased by 161.2%.
The median age has increased from 17.7 in 1950 to 46.2 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding South Korea's Demographics
South Korea has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 9.8% of the population and people aged 65 and over 21.4%.
The largest five-year age band is 55–59, at 8.5% of the population, compared with 2.4% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: South Korea's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
South Korea's working-age share peaked in 2016 at 73.3% and is 68.7% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
South Korea is in a period of very low (lowest-low) fertility, with a total fertility rate of 0.76 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
South Korea's median age changed by +5.7 years from 2016 to 2026, faster than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 51,600,388 |
| Male Population | 25,726,865(49.9%) |
| Female Population | 25,873,523(50.1%) |
| Median Age | 46.2 years |
| Sex Ratio | 99.4 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 5,065,881(9.8%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 35,474,899(68.7%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 11,059,608(21.4%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 45.5 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 14.3 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 31.2 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in South Korea
How long the average person in South Korea is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
South Korea is projected to shrink to 45.1 million people by 2050 (−12.5% from 2026).
The median age rises from 46.2 in 2026 to 56.7 by 2050.
Major Events That Shaped South Korea's Demographics
Understanding the historical events and policy decisions that created South Korea's current population structure.
Korean War and Recovery
1950-1960sWar devastation followed by rapid reconstruction and modernization efforts.
Demographic Impact
Total fertility peaked at 6.18 children per woman in 1957, before a steep decline during industrialization.
Economic Miracle and Family Planning
1960s-1990sRapid industrialization combined with aggressive population control policies.
Demographic Impact
Total fertility fell from 5.99 children per woman in 1960 to 1.71 by 1985.
Asian Financial Crisis and Ultra-Low Fertility
1997-presentFertility fell further after the 1997 financial crisis.
Demographic Impact
Total fertility fell from 1.56 in 1997 to 1.12 by 2005 and 0.81 by 2020 — the world's lowest — and the median age reached 42.8 by 2020.
South Korea's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 17.2%, growing from 32.5 million in 1970 to 38.1 million by 1980
The median age increased by 3.2 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 8.1 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 32.5M to 38.1M
- • Growth rate of 17.2% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 17.7 to 20.9 years (+3.2y)
- • 65+ share changed by +0.5 points; under-15 share by −8.1 points
How Does South Korea Compare to Its Neighbors?
South Korea has a younger population than Japan. South Korea has an older population than China, North Korea, Mongolia.
South Korea
China
Japan
North Korea
Mongolia
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea (Current) | 51,600,388 | 46.2 | 9.8% | 21.4% | constrictive |
| China | 1,412,914,088 | 40.6 | 14.8% | 15.1% | constrictive |
| Japan | 122,427,731 | 50.2 | 11.0% | 30.2% | constrictive |
| North Korea | 26,633,691 | 36.8 | 18.9% | 13.0% | constrictive |
| Mongolia | 3,556,798 | 27.0 | 30.9% | 5.7% | expansive |
Frequently Asked Questions About South Korea
How does South Korea rank globally by population?
South Korea ranks 31st in the world by population with 51.6 million people as of 2026, representing 0.62% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does South Korea's age structure reveal about its development?
South Korea's age structure — 9.8% under 15, 68.7% working-age (15–64) and 21.4% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 5 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 46.2 years.
What is the dependency ratio in South Korea?
South Korea has 45.5 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is South Korea experiencing a demographic dividend?
South Korea has moved past its demographic-dividend window. South Korea's working-age share peaked in 2016 at 73.3% and is 68.7% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in South Korea's population?
South Korea has more females than males, with 99.4 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). South Korea Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/south-korea
View UN World Population Prospects Data →