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Bulgaria vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a population of 6.44M (ranked 110/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Bulgaria's land area is 41,915 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 101st vs. 105th).

By GDP, Bulgaria ranks 67/197 ($113B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Bulgaria ranks 64/197 ($17,596), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Bulgaria South Korea
Population
6359449
51649918
Population rank 112/197 31/197
GDP
$113B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 67/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 64/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 90/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 41,915 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
151.7 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.81
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
45.5 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
76.1 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Bulgaria and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Bulgaria and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Bulgaria

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Bulgaria South Korea
2024 $113,343,355,780 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $102,199,231,385 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $90,506,153,294 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $84,374,613,233 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $70,486,877,546 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $68,507,731,354 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $66,097,226,262 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $59,167,647,388 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $53,929,397,039 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $50,765,918,159 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $57,080,897,012 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $55,819,262,375 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $54,297,052,002 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $57,681,293,007 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $50,689,051,382 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $52,023,801,230 $983,065,242,417
2008 $54,480,684,188 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $44,431,257,129 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $34,380,536,496 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $29,868,657,858 $971,740,329,984
2004 $26,157,743,369 $823,251,107,639
2003 $21,144,957,990 $728,516,494,684
2002 $16,403,043,850 $650,014,391,470
2001 $14,183,446,026 $567,564,806,235
2000 $13,245,990,274 $597,487,173,479
1999 $13,637,098,579 $515,697,079,289
1998 $15,031,055,047 $397,297,216,492
1997 $11,316,127,379 $589,202,526,424
1996 $12,294,964,838 $631,196,863,758
1995 $18,991,484,420 $586,286,469,401
1994 $9,709,240,034 $479,181,794,217
1993 $10,832,064,942 $405,705,302,846
1992 $8,602,887,623 $366,921,291,825
1991 $7,628,738,475 $340,851,946,804
1990 $20,632,090,909 $292,064,221,389
1989 $21,988,444,444 $254,236,243,100
1988 $22,555,941,176 $205,477,530,605
1987 $28,101,000,000 $152,240,393,646
1986 $20,249,294,118 $119,965,960,795
1985 $17,155,421,053 $103,764,281,281
1984 $17,594,944,444 $99,749,645,089
1983 $16,563,666,667 $89,621,208,322
1982 $19,342,000,000 $79,921,300,447
1981 $19,870,000,000 $74,287,368,087
1980 $19,839,230,769 $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $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/bulgaria/south-korea | CC BY

Bulgaria and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Bulgaria

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Bulgaria South Korea
2024 $17,596 $36,239
2023 $15,853 $35,674
2022 $13,999 $34,822
2021 $12,966 $37,518
2020 $10,760 $33,646
2019 $10,354 $33,827
2018 $9,849 $35,364
2017 $8,697 $33,297
2016 $7,822 $30,832
2015 $7,269 $30,172
2014 $8,070 $30,667
2013 $7,796 $28,449
2012 $7,432 $26,601
2011 $7,850 $26,175
2010 $6,854 $24,071
2009 $6,988 $19,937
2008 $7,271 $22,252
2007 $5,889 $25,078
2006 $4,523 $22,610
2005 $3,900 $20,167
2004 $3,390 $17,122
2003 $2,719 $15,212
2002 $2,093 $13,643
2001 $1,771 $11,981
2000 $1,621 $12,710
1999 $1,661 $11,063
1998 $1,820 $8,583
1997 $1,361 $12,822
1996 $1,470 $13,865
1995 $2,259 $13,002
1994 $1,150 $10,734
1993 $1,279 $9,180
1992 $1,007 $8,387
1991 $884 $7,873
1990 $2,367 $6,813
1989 $2,477 $5,989
1988 $2,511 $4,889
1987 $3,132 $3,658
1986 $2,260 $2,911
1985 $1,915 $2,543
1984 $1,964 $2,469
1983 $1,853 $2,246
1982 $2,169 $2,032
1981 $2,235 $1,918
1980 $2,239 $1,746
1979 - $1,814
1978 - $1,429
1977 - $1,073
1976 - $847
1975 - $627
1974 - $572
1973 - $412
1972 - $328
1971 - $304
1970 - $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/bulgaria/south-korea | CC BY

Bulgaria vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Bulgaria

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Bulgaria South Korea
2026 76.1 84.6
2025 76 84.5
2024 75.8 84.4
2023 75.6 84.3
2022 74 82.7
2021 71.4 83.9
2020 73.6 83.7
2019 75.1 83.7
2018 74.9 83.3
2017 74.8 83.3
2016 74.8 82.9
2015 74.6 82.5
2014 74.5 82.4
2013 74.8 81.8
2012 74.3 81.3
2011 74.2 81.2
2010 73.8 80.7
2009 73.7 80.6
2008 73.3 80
2007 73 79.4
2006 72.7 79
2005 72.6 78.4
2004 72.6 78
2003 72.4 77.5
2002 72.1 77.2
2001 71.9 76.9
2000 71.6 76.2
1999 71.6 75.6
1998 70.9 75
1997 70.3 74.5
1996 70.8 74
1995 71 73.4
1994 70.9 72.9
1993 71.2 72.7
1992 71.2 72.2
1991 71.2 71.4
1990 71.3 71
1989 71.5 70.7
1988 71.4 70.2
1987 71.3 69.3
1986 71.6 69
1985 71 68.4
1984 71.3 68.1
1983 71.2 66.7
1982 71.1 67.1
1981 71.5 67.1
1980 71.1 64.8
1979 71.2 66.1
1978 71.1 65
1977 70.8 64.6
1976 71.4 65
1975 71 64.7
1974 71.2 64.2
1973 71.3 63.8
1972 70.9 63.2
1971 70.9 62.7
1970 71.3 62.2
1969 70.5 61.4
1968 71.2 60.9
1967 70.4 60.9
1966 71.2 55.4
1965 71.3 55.8
1964 71.1 55.3
1963 70.3 55
1962 69.5 55
1961 70.2 54.4
1960 69.2 53.8
1959 66.6 52.9
1958 68.7 51.8
1957 66.6 51.6
1956 65.2 50.2
1955 64.8 48.4
1954 64.4 46.1
1953 64.2 40.5
1952 59.6 36.6
1951 60.7 26.6
1950 61.5 22.2

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

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

Bulgaria and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Bulgaria

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Bulgaria South Korea
2024 6,441,421 51,751,065
2023 6,446,596 51,712,619
2022 6,465,097 51,672,569
2021 6,507,301 51,769,539
2020 6,550,696 51,836,239
2019 6,616,726 51,764,822
2018 6,710,798 51,585,058
2017 6,803,468 51,361,911
2016 6,894,139 51,217,803
2015 6,984,225 51,014,947
2014 7,073,572 50,746,659
2013 7,160,005 50,428,893
2012 7,305,888 50,199,853
2011 7,348,328 49,936,638
2010 7,395,599 49,554,112
2009 7,444,443 49,307,835
2008 7,492,561 49,054,708
2007 7,545,338 48,683,638
2006 7,601,022 48,438,292
2005 7,658,972 48,184,561
2004 7,716,860 48,082,519
2003 7,775,327 47,892,330
2002 7,837,161 47,644,736
2001 8,009,142 47,370,164
2000 8,170,172 47,008,111
1999 8,210,624 46,616,677
1998 8,256,786 46,286,503
1997 8,312,068 45,953,580
1996 8,362,826 45,524,681
1995 8,406,067 45,092,991
1994 8,443,591 44,641,540
1993 8,472,313 44,194,628
1992 8,540,164 43,747,962
1991 8,632,367 43,295,704
1990 8,718,289 42,869,283
1989 8,876,972 42,449,038
1988 8,981,446 42,031,247
1987 8,971,359 41,621,690
1986 8,958,171 41,213,674
1985 8,960,547 40,805,744
1984 8,960,679 40,405,956
1983 8,939,738 39,910,403
1982 8,917,457 39,326,352
1981 8,891,117 38,723,248
1980 8,861,535 38,123,775
1979 8,825,940 37,534,236
1978 8,814,032 36,969,185
1977 8,804,183 36,411,795
1976 8,758,599 35,848,523
1975 8,720,742 35,280,725
1974 8,678,745 34,692,266
1973 8,620,967 34,103,149
1972 8,576,200 33,505,406
1971 8,536,395 32,882,704
1970 8,489,574 32,240,827
1969 8,434,172 31,544,266
1968 8,369,603 30,838,302
1967 8,310,226 30,130,983
1966 8,258,057 29,435,571
1965 8,204,168 28,704,674
1964 8,144,340 27,984,155
1963 8,078,145 27,261,747
1962 8,012,946 26,513,030
1961 7,943,118 25,765,673
1960 7,867,374 25,012,374

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

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

Fertility rates in Bulgaria and South Korea

Fertility rate
Bulgaria

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Bulgaria South Korea
2023 1.81 0.72
2022 1.78 0.78
2021 1.8 0.81
2020 1.77 0.84
2019 1.79 0.92
2018 1.73 0.98
2017 1.71 1.05
2016 1.67 1.17
2015 1.64 1.24
2014 1.62 1.21
2013 1.54 1.19
2012 1.5 1.3
2011 1.51 1.24
2010 1.57 1.23
2009 1.66 1.15
2008 1.56 1.19
2007 1.49 1.26
2006 1.44 1.13
2005 1.37 1.09
2004 1.33 1.16
2003 1.26 1.19
2002 1.23 1.18
2001 1.21 1.31
2000 1.26 1.48
1999 1.23 1.43
1998 1.11 1.46
1997 1.09 1.54
1996 1.23 1.57
1995 1.23 1.63
1994 1.37 1.66
1993 1.46 1.65
1992 1.55 1.76
1991 1.66 1.71
1990 1.82 1.57
1989 1.9 1.56
1988 1.97 1.55
1987 1.96 1.53
1986 2.02 1.58
1985 1.97 1.66
1984 2.01 1.74
1983 2.01 2.06
1982 2.01 2.39
1981 2 2.57
1980 2.05 2.82
1979 2.16 2.9
1978 2.15 2.64
1977 2.21 2.99
1976 2.24 3
1975 2.23 3.43
1974 2.29 3.77
1973 2.15 4.07
1972 2.03 4.12
1971 2.1 4.54
1970 2.17 4.53
1969 2.27 4.45
1968 2.27 4.51
1967 2.02 4.62
1966 2.03 4.78
1965 2.09 4.89
1964 2.19 5.07
1963 2.21 5.33
1962 2.24 5.56
1961 2.29 5.8
1960 2.31 5.99

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

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

Bulgaria and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Bulgaria

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Bulgaria South Korea
2024 45.5 46.1
2023 45.3 45.5
2022 45.2 44.9
2021 45 44.4
2020 44.9 43.8
2019 44.6 43.1
2018 44.3 42.5
2017 44.1 41.9
2016 43.8 41.4
2015 43.6 40.8
2014 43.3 40.2
2013 43 39.5
2012 42.8 38.8
2011 42.5 38.2
2010 42.3 37.6
2009 42 37
2008 41.7 36.4
2007 41.5 35.8
2006 41.3 35.2
2005 41.1 34.5
2004 40.8 33.9
2003 40.6 33.4
2002 40.3 32.8
2001 40 32.3
2000 39.7 31.7
1999 39.4 31.2
1998 39.1 30.7
1997 38.9 30.2
1996 38.6 29.8
1995 38.3 29.4
1994 38 28.9
1993 37.7 28.3
1992 37.4 27.8
1991 37 27.2
1990 36.6 26.7
1989 36.2 26.3
1988 35.9 25.8
1987 35.8 25.3
1986 35.6 24.8
1985 35.3 24.2
1984 35 23.7
1983 34.8 23.3
1982 34.6 22.8
1981 34.4 22.5
1980 34.2 22.1
1979 34.1 21.6
1978 34 21.1
1977 33.9 20.7
1976 33.8 20.2
1975 33.7 19.9
1974 33.6 19.6
1973 33.6 19.3
1972 33.5 19.1
1971 33.3 19
1970 33.2 18.9
1969 33 18.8
1968 32.8 18.7
1967 32.6 18.6
1966 32.3 18.5
1965 32 18.6
1964 31.6 18.8
1963 31.3 19
1962 31 19.1
1961 30.7 19.2
1960 30.4 19.3

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

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

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Bulgaria and South Korea.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Bulgaria South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.5%
2022
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.15%
2024
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
37,000
2020
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.04%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
68.9
2026
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.00004%
2025
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies
204
2024
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$2.64B
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
4,973,000
2020
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
4.49%
2020
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
84.7%
2024
96.9%
2024

Energy

Bulgaria South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,604 kg
2023
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$14.9
2023
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
34.2 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
5.31 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
68.8%
2022
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
20.4%
2021
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
29.8%
2023
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share
40.9%
2023
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
5,361 kWh
2023
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
22.2%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
7.78%
2023
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
40.2%
2023
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Bulgaria South Korea
% of world population
0.08%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
-2,961
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
73.9%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.4:51.6
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.72 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.4 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
69.5
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
40
2025
63
2025
Higher education index
69
2026
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.09
2023
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
9.2
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
170
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
98.4%
2021
98.8%
2018
English speaking
24.9%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
82.4%
2024
97.9%
2024

Health

Bulgaria South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,258
2023
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$447
2023
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
76.1 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.52%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
4.33
2022
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth
26.9 years
2023
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
6
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
6.1
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
21.2%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
7.4%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
60
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
39.5%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
11.6 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Bulgaria South Korea
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
6,507 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
19,317 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
15,182 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
12,124 mi
2023
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 (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)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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