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Bhutan vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a population of 792K (ranked 163/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Bhutan's land area is 14,726 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 132nd vs. 105th).

By GDP, Bhutan ranks 170/197 ($3.01B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Bhutan ranks 132/197 ($3,831), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Bhutan South Korea
Population
803385
51649918
Population rank 163/197 31/197
GDP
$3.01B
2023
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 170/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 132/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 87/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 14,726 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
54.5 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.46
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
30.9 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
73.8 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Bhutan and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Bhutan and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Bhutan

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Bhutan South Korea
2024 - $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $3,012,896,789 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $2,898,227,744 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $2,768,802,960 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $2,457,604,334 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $2,735,683,570 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $2,583,335,722 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $2,591,358,009 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $2,357,504,761 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $2,187,815,803 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $2,089,079,571 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $1,943,696,952 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $1,973,387,228 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $1,977,728,659 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $1,708,880,730 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $1,331,343,798 $983,065,242,417
2008 $1,317,517,835 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $1,255,767,964 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $942,879,879 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $860,391,000 $971,740,329,984
2004 $735,348,490 $823,251,107,639
2003 $651,935,430 $728,516,494,684
2002 $559,345,264 $650,014,391,470
2001 $496,110,226 $567,564,806,235
2000 $460,733,418 $597,487,173,479
1999 $399,311,200 $515,697,079,289
1998 $363,458,381 $397,297,216,492
1997 $352,229,077 $589,202,526,424
1996 $303,408,346 $631,196,863,758
1995 $290,490,984 $586,286,469,401
1994 $258,954,708 $479,181,794,217
1993 $225,973,693 $405,705,302,846
1992 $240,233,531 $366,921,291,825
1991 $240,294,286 $340,851,946,804
1990 $287,765,007 $292,064,221,389
1989 $264,798,626 $254,236,243,100
1988 $272,298,067 $205,477,530,605
1987 $242,742,766 $152,240,393,646
1986 $191,218,115 $119,965,960,795
1985 $163,288,815 $103,764,281,281
1984 $160,423,494 $99,749,645,089
1983 $156,704,290 $89,621,208,322
1982 $141,439,317 $79,921,300,447
1981 $139,174,178 $74,287,368,087
1980 $128,669,201 $66,547,970,351
1979 $105,377,995 $68,083,884,298
1978 $94,086,228 $52,824,793,388
1977 $97,884,434 $39,064,462,810
1976 $88,461,263 $30,371,074,380
1975 $86,820,762 $22,126,033,058
1974 $92,901,784 $19,860,929,977
1973 $78,900,289 $14,067,523,813
1972 $70,139,867 $10,990,490,570
1971 $66,289,450 $10,005,257,131
1970 $61,812,113 $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/south-korea | CC BY

Bhutan and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Bhutan

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Bhutan South Korea
2024 - $36,239
2023 $3,831 $35,674
2022 $3,711 $34,822
2021 $3,571 $37,518
2020 $3,192 $33,646
2019 $3,577 $33,827
2018 $3,400 $35,364
2017 $3,435 $33,297
2016 $3,152 $30,832
2015 $2,954 $30,172
2014 $2,849 $30,667
2013 $2,680 $28,449
2012 $2,751 $26,601
2011 $2,788 $26,175
2010 $2,436 $24,071
2009 $1,918 $19,937
2008 $1,920 $22,252
2007 $1,850 $25,078
2006 $1,406 $22,610
2005 $1,300 $20,167
2004 $1,130 $17,122
2003 $1,022 $15,212
2002 $896 $13,643
2001 $812 $11,981
2000 $772 $12,710
1999 $685 $11,063
1998 $638 $8,583
1997 $630 $12,822
1996 $553 $13,865
1995 $530 $13,002
1994 $467 $10,734
1993 $407 $9,180
1992 $416 $8,387
1991 $401 $7,873
1990 $488 $6,813
1989 $462 $5,989
1988 $489 $4,889
1987 $449 $3,658
1986 $365 $2,911
1985 $321 $2,543
1984 $326 $2,469
1983 $328 $2,246
1982 $306 $2,032
1981 $311 $1,918
1980 $296.9 $1,746
1979 $251.4 $1,814
1978 $232.2 $1,429
1977 $249.9 $1,073
1976 $233.7 $847
1975 $237.4 $627
1974 $262.8 $572
1973 $230.9 $412
1972 $212.4 $328
1971 $207.7 $304
1970 $200.3 $281.8
1969 - $245.5
1968 - $200
1967 - $162.5
1966 - $134.4
1965 - $109.4
1964 - $124.2
1963 - $147
1962 - $106.6
1961 - $94.2
1960 - $158.8

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/south-korea | CC BY

Bhutan vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Bhutan

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Bhutan South Korea
2026 73.8 84.6
2025 73.5 84.5
2024 73.3 84.4
2023 73 84.3
2022 72.8 82.7
2021 72.4 83.9
2020 72.3 83.7
2019 72 83.7
2018 71.7 83.3
2017 71.4 83.3
2016 71.1 82.9
2015 70.8 82.5
2014 70.5 82.4
2013 70.2 81.8
2012 69.8 81.3
2011 69.3 81.2
2010 68.8 80.7
2009 68.2 80.6
2008 67.7 80
2007 67.2 79.4
2006 66.5 79
2005 65.9 78.4
2004 65.3 78
2003 64.7 77.5
2002 64 77.2
2001 63.3 76.9
2000 61.8 76.2
1999 62 75.6
1998 61.3 75
1997 60.6 74.5
1996 60 74
1995 59.3 73.4
1994 58.4 72.9
1993 57.9 72.7
1992 57.2 72.2
1991 56.5 71.4
1990 55.8 71
1989 55.1 70.7
1988 54.4 70.2
1987 53.6 69.3
1986 52.8 69
1985 52 68.4
1984 51.3 68.1
1983 50.6 66.7
1982 49.8 67.1
1981 49 67.1
1980 48.2 64.8
1979 47.4 66.1
1978 46.7 65
1977 46 64.6
1976 45.2 65
1975 44.5 64.7
1974 43.8 64.2
1973 43.1 63.8
1972 42.5 63.2
1971 41.8 62.7
1970 41.2 62.2
1969 40.6 61.4
1968 40 60.9
1967 39.4 60.9
1966 38.8 55.4
1965 38.3 55.8
1964 37.8 55.3
1963 37.4 55
1962 37 55
1961 36.7 54.4
1960 36.4 53.8
1959 36.1 52.9
1958 35.9 51.8
1957 35.7 51.6
1956 35.6 50.2
1955 35.5 48.4
1954 35.4 46.1
1953 35.4 40.5
1952 35.4 36.6
1951 35.3 26.6
1950 35.3 22.2

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/south-korea | CC BY

Bhutan and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Bhutan

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Bhutan South Korea
2024 791,524 51,751,065
2023 786,385 51,712,619
2022 780,914 51,672,569
2021 775,442 51,769,539
2020 770,006 51,836,239
2019 764,824 51,764,822
2018 759,759 51,585,058
2017 754,335 51,361,911
2016 747,866 51,217,803
2015 740,618 51,014,947
2014 733,139 50,746,659
2013 725,273 50,428,893
2012 717,279 50,199,853
2011 709,377 49,936,638
2010 701,632 49,554,112
2009 693,988 49,307,835
2008 686,351 49,054,708
2007 678,641 48,683,638
2006 670,799 48,438,292
2005 661,865 48,184,561
2004 650,544 48,082,519
2003 637,663 47,892,330
2002 624,409 47,644,736
2001 610,794 47,370,164
2000 596,863 47,008,111
1999 582,579 46,616,677
1998 569,435 46,286,503
1997 558,697 45,953,580
1996 548,784 45,524,681
1995 547,989 45,092,991
1994 554,497 44,641,540
1993 554,673 44,194,628
1992 577,774 43,747,962
1991 599,784 43,295,704
1990 589,287 42,869,283
1989 573,586 42,449,038
1988 556,986 42,031,247
1987 540,557 41,621,690
1986 524,324 41,213,674
1985 508,392 40,805,744
1984 492,784 40,405,956
1983 477,460 39,910,403
1982 462,485 39,326,352
1981 447,836 38,723,248
1980 433,404 38,123,775
1979 419,200 37,534,236
1978 405,243 36,969,185
1977 391,639 36,411,795
1976 378,490 35,848,523
1975 365,791 35,280,725
1974 353,538 34,692,266
1973 341,705 34,103,149
1972 330,264 33,505,406
1971 319,211 32,882,704
1970 308,528 32,240,827
1969 298,214 31,544,266
1968 288,311 30,838,302
1967 278,852 30,130,983
1966 269,820 29,435,571
1965 261,200 28,704,674
1964 252,987 27,984,155
1963 245,156 27,261,747
1962 237,636 26,513,030
1961 230,602 25,765,673
1960 224,084 25,012,374

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/south-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Bhutan and South Korea

Fertility rate
Bhutan

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Bhutan South Korea
2023 1.46 0.72
2022 1.48 0.78
2021 1.49 0.81
2020 1.5 0.84
2019 1.45 0.92
2018 1.52 0.98
2017 1.62 1.05
2016 1.74 1.17
2015 1.84 1.24
2014 1.92 1.21
2013 2 1.19
2012 2.07 1.3
2011 2.15 1.24
2010 2.25 1.23
2009 2.36 1.15
2008 2.48 1.19
2007 2.59 1.26
2006 2.66 1.13
2005 2.73 1.09
2004 2.78 1.16
2003 2.87 1.19
2002 3.01 1.18
2001 3.19 1.31
2000 3.38 1.48
1999 3.61 1.43
1998 3.85 1.46
1997 4.09 1.54
1996 4.37 1.57
1995 4.62 1.63
1994 4.87 1.66
1993 5.07 1.65
1992 5.27 1.76
1991 5.45 1.71
1990 5.6 1.57
1989 5.76 1.56
1988 5.88 1.55
1987 6 1.53
1986 6.1 1.58
1985 6.18 1.66
1984 6.26 1.74
1983 6.34 2.06
1982 6.4 2.39
1981 6.46 2.57
1980 6.51 2.82
1979 6.55 2.9
1978 6.58 2.64
1977 6.61 2.99
1976 6.62 3
1975 6.62 3.43
1974 6.62 3.77
1973 6.63 4.07
1972 6.64 4.12
1971 6.64 4.54
1970 6.65 4.53
1969 6.66 4.45
1968 6.66 4.51
1967 6.67 4.62
1966 6.67 4.78
1965 6.68 4.89
1964 6.68 5.07
1963 6.69 5.33
1962 6.69 5.56
1961 6.7 5.8
1960 6.7 5.99

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/south-korea | CC BY

Bhutan and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Bhutan

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Bhutan South Korea
2024 30.9 46.1
2023 30.4 45.5
2022 29.8 44.9
2021 29.2 44.4
2020 28.6 43.8
2019 28 43.1
2018 27.5 42.5
2017 26.9 41.9
2016 26.4 41.4
2015 26 40.8
2014 25.6 40.2
2013 25.1 39.5
2012 24.7 38.8
2011 24.4 38.2
2010 24 37.6
2009 23.7 37
2008 23.3 36.4
2007 22.9 35.8
2006 22.6 35.2
2005 22.2 34.5
2004 21.8 33.9
2003 21.3 33.4
2002 20.8 32.8
2001 20.4 32.3
2000 20 31.7
1999 19.8 31.2
1998 19.5 30.7
1997 19.3 30.2
1996 19.1 29.8
1995 18.9 29.4
1994 18.8 28.9
1993 18.7 28.3
1992 18.6 27.8
1991 18.6 27.2
1990 18.6 26.7
1989 18.5 26.3
1988 18.5 25.8
1987 18.5 25.3
1986 18.5 24.8
1985 18.6 24.2
1984 18.6 23.7
1983 18.7 23.3
1982 18.7 22.8
1981 18.8 22.5
1980 18.9 22.1
1979 18.9 21.6
1978 19 21.1
1977 19 20.7
1976 19.1 20.2
1975 19.1 19.9
1974 19.2 19.6
1973 19.2 19.3
1972 19.3 19.1
1971 19.3 19
1970 19.3 18.9
1969 19.3 18.8
1968 19.3 18.7
1967 19.3 18.6
1966 19.2 18.5
1965 19.1 18.6
1964 19.1 18.8
1963 19 19
1962 18.9 19.1
1961 18.9 19.2
1960 18.8 19.3

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/bhutan/south-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Bhutan South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.85%
2023
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
6,000
2000
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.17%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
57.5
2026
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$110M
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
29,799
2020
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
10.7%
2020
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
33.7%
2014
96.9%
2024

Energy

Bhutan South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
360 kg
2007
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$15.9
2007
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1.59 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.01 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
82.5%
2022
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
100%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
100%
2021
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Bhutan South Korea
% of world population
0.01%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
+455
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
42.6%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
53.4:46.6
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.48 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.09 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
55.3
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
71
2025
63
2025
Higher education index n/a
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
2.46
2020
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
16.2
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
63
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
64.9%
2022
98.8%
2018
English speaking
75%
2025
20%
2025
People using the Internet
88.4%
2023
97.9%
2024

Health

Bhutan South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$162.2
2023
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
73.8 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.44%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.55
2022
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth n/a
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
47
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
23.1
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
12.7%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
12%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
6
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.18 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Bhutan South Korea
% of world land
0.03%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
18,605 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
2,035 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
10,545 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
7,584 mi
2017
68,794 mi
2018

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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