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Germany vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a population of 83.5M (ranked 19/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Germany's land area is 134,916 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 63rd vs. 105th).

By GDP, Germany ranks 3/197 ($4.69T) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Germany ranks 19/197 ($56,104), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Germany South Korea
Population
82575542
51649918
Population rank 19/197 31/197
GDP
$4.69T
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 3/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 19/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 21/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 134,916 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
612 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.39
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
46.3 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.9 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Germany and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Germany and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Germany

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Germany South Korea
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $983,065,242,417
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $971,740,329,984
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $823,251,107,639
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $728,516,494,684
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $567,564,806,235
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $597,487,173,479
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $515,697,079,289
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $397,297,216,492
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $589,202,526,424
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $631,196,863,758
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $586,286,469,401
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $479,181,794,217
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $366,921,291,825
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $340,851,946,804
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $292,064,221,389
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $254,236,243,100
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $205,477,530,605
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $119,965,960,795
1985 $735,218,723,093 $103,764,281,281
1984 $727,767,760,979 $99,749,645,089
1983 $773,507,930,295 $89,621,208,322
1982 $779,421,633,755 $79,921,300,447
1981 $803,404,797,058 $74,287,368,087
1980 $953,772,499,462 $66,547,970,351
1979 $884,574,218,333 $68,083,884,298
1978 $743,182,891,918 $52,824,793,388
1977 $602,698,323,086 $39,064,462,810
1976 $521,658,712,133 $30,371,074,380
1975 $492,434,094,920 $22,126,033,058
1974 $446,934,971,657 $19,860,929,977
1973 $399,833,571,167 $14,067,523,813
1972 $300,899,944,795 $10,990,490,570
1971 $250,900,942,397 $10,005,257,131
1970 $216,629,229,947 $9,085,001,794
1969 $177,733,486,326 $7,743,940,189
1968 $156,527,292,653 $6,167,109,472
1967 $145,100,667,773 $4,895,076,718
1966 $143,304,275,684 $3,957,064,541
1965 $134,774,688,191 $3,141,131,708
1964 $123,330,404,665 $3,476,789,682
1963 $112,232,503,744 $4,007,692,308
1962 $105,895,435,234 $2,826,923,077
1961 $96,558,204,043 $2,427,244,761
1960 $84,619,845,881 $3,973,069,307

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

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

Germany and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Germany

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Germany South Korea
2024 $56,104 $36,239
2023 $54,777 $35,674
2022 $50,507 $34,822
2021 $52,349 $37,518
2020 $47,395 $33,646
2019 $47,656 $33,827
2018 $48,916 $35,364
2017 $45,554 $33,297
2016 $42,949 $30,832
2015 $41,930 $30,172
2014 $48,960 $30,667
2013 $47,207 $28,449
2012 $44,718 $26,601
2011 $47,631 $26,175
2010 $42,397 $24,071
2009 $42,472 $19,937
2008 $46,379 $22,252
2007 $42,351 $25,078
2006 $36,980 $22,610
2005 $35,084 $20,167
2004 $34,567 $17,122
2003 $30,711 $15,212
2002 $25,487 $13,643
2001 $23,878 $11,981
2000 $23,926 $12,710
1999 $26,965 $11,063
1998 $27,396 $8,583
1997 $27,047 $12,822
1996 $30,600 $13,865
1995 $31,747 $13,002
1994 $27,202 $10,734
1993 $25,617 $9,180
1992 $26,560 $8,387
1991 $23,443 $7,873
1990 $22,386 $6,813
1989 $17,829 $5,989
1988 $17,997 $4,889
1987 $16,739 $3,658
1986 $13,511 $2,911
1985 $9,464 $2,543
1984 $9,347 $2,469
1983 $9,900 $2,246
1982 $9,950 $2,032
1981 $10,246 $1,918
1980 $12,183 $1,746
1979 $11,322 $1,814
1978 $9,517 $1,429
1977 $7,711 $1,073
1976 $6,659 $847
1975 $6,259 $627
1974 $5,660 $572
1973 $5,065 $412
1972 $3,824 $328
1971 $3,204 $304
1970 $2,771 $281.8
1969 $2,281 $245.5
1968 $2,025 $200
1967 $1,886 $162.5
1966 $1,871 $134.4
1965 $1,774 $109.4
1964 $1,637 $124.2
1963 $1,502 $147
1962 $1,431 $106.6
1961 $1,316 $94.2
1960 $1,162 $158.8

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

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

Germany vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Germany

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Germany South Korea
2026 81.9 84.6
2025 81.7 84.5
2024 81.5 84.4
2023 81.4 84.3
2022 80.6 82.7
2021 81.1 83.9
2020 81 83.7
2019 81.2 83.7
2018 80.9 83.3
2017 80.9 83.3
2016 80.8 82.9
2015 80.6 82.5
2014 80.9 82.4
2013 80.5 81.8
2012 80.5 81.3
2011 80.4 81.2
2010 80.1 80.7
2009 79.9 80.6
2008 79.8 80
2007 79.7 79.4
2006 79.6 79
2005 79.3 78.4
2004 79.1 78
2003 78.5 77.5
2002 78.5 77.2
2001 78.4 76.9
2000 78.1 76.2
1999 77.8 75.6
1998 77.6 75
1997 77.2 74.5
1996 76.8 74
1995 76.6 73.4
1994 76.4 72.9
1993 76.1 72.7
1992 76 72.2
1991 75.6 71.4
1990 75.3 71
1989 75.5 70.7
1988 75.3 70.2
1987 75.1 69.3
1986 74.7 69
1985 74.5 68.4
1984 74.4 68.1
1983 73.9 66.7
1982 73.6 67.1
1981 73.3 67.1
1980 73.1 64.8
1979 72.9 66.1
1978 72.6 65
1977 72.6 64.6
1976 72 65
1975 71.5 64.7
1974 71.7 64.2
1973 71.4 63.8
1972 71.1 63.2
1971 70.9 62.7
1970 70.7 62.2
1969 70.5 61.4
1968 70.6 60.9
1967 71 60.9
1966 70.7 55.4
1965 70.6 55.8
1964 70.6 55.3
1963 70.1 55
1962 70 55
1961 69.8 54.4
1960 69.3 53.8
1959 69.3 52.9
1958 69.2 51.8
1957 68.5 51.6
1956 68.6 50.2
1955 68.3 48.4
1954 68.1 46.1
1953 67.8 40.5
1952 67.5 36.6
1951 67.1 26.6
1950 66.8 22.2

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

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

Germany and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Germany

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Germany South Korea
2024 83,516,593 51,751,065
2023 83,287,273 51,712,619
2022 83,177,813 51,672,569
2021 83,196,078 51,769,539
2020 83,160,871 51,836,239
2019 83,092,962 51,764,822
2018 82,905,782 51,585,058
2017 82,657,002 51,361,911
2016 82,348,669 51,217,803
2015 81,686,611 51,014,947
2014 80,982,500 50,746,659
2013 80,645,605 50,428,893
2012 80,425,823 50,199,853
2011 80,274,983 49,936,638
2010 81,776,930 49,554,112
2009 81,902,307 49,307,835
2008 82,110,097 49,054,708
2007 82,266,372 48,683,638
2006 82,376,451 48,438,292
2005 82,469,422 48,184,561
2004 82,516,260 48,082,519
2003 82,534,176 47,892,330
2002 82,488,495 47,644,736
2001 82,349,925 47,370,164
2000 82,211,508 47,008,111
1999 82,100,243 46,616,677
1998 82,047,195 46,286,503
1997 82,034,771 45,953,580
1996 81,914,831 45,524,681
1995 81,678,051 45,092,991
1994 81,438,348 44,641,540
1993 81,156,363 44,194,628
1992 80,624,598 43,747,962
1991 80,013,896 43,295,704
1990 79,433,029 42,869,283
1989 78,751,283 42,449,038
1988 78,144,619 42,031,247
1987 77,839,920 41,621,690
1986 77,720,436 41,213,674
1985 77,684,873 40,805,744
1984 77,858,685 40,405,956
1983 78,128,282 39,910,403
1982 78,333,366 39,326,352
1981 78,407,907 38,723,248
1980 78,288,576 38,123,775
1979 78,126,350 37,534,236
1978 78,091,820 36,969,185
1977 78,159,814 36,411,795
1976 78,336,950 35,848,523
1975 78,673,554 35,280,725
1974 78,967,433 34,692,266
1973 78,936,666 34,103,149
1972 78,688,452 33,505,406
1971 78,312,842 32,882,704
1970 78,169,289 32,240,827
1969 77,909,682 31,544,266
1968 77,294,314 30,838,302
1967 76,951,336 30,130,983
1966 76,600,311 29,435,571
1965 75,963,695 28,704,674
1964 75,318,337 27,984,155
1963 74,714,353 27,261,747
1962 74,025,784 26,513,030
1961 73,377,632 25,765,673
1960 72,814,900 25,012,374

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

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

Fertility rates in Germany and South Korea

Fertility rate
Germany

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Germany South Korea
2023 1.39 0.72
2022 1.46 0.78
2021 1.58 0.81
2020 1.53 0.84
2019 1.54 0.92
2018 1.57 0.98
2017 1.57 1.05
2016 1.6 1.17
2015 1.5 1.24
2014 1.47 1.21
2013 1.42 1.19
2012 1.41 1.3
2011 1.39 1.24
2010 1.39 1.23
2009 1.36 1.15
2008 1.38 1.19
2007 1.37 1.26
2006 1.33 1.13
2005 1.34 1.09
2004 1.36 1.16
2003 1.34 1.19
2002 1.34 1.18
2001 1.35 1.31
2000 1.38 1.48
1999 1.36 1.43
1998 1.36 1.46
1997 1.35 1.54
1996 1.3 1.57
1995 1.25 1.63
1994 1.24 1.66
1993 1.28 1.65
1992 1.29 1.76
1991 1.33 1.71
1990 1.45 1.57
1989 1.42 1.56
1988 1.46 1.55
1987 1.43 1.53
1986 1.43 1.58
1985 1.37 1.66
1984 1.29 1.74
1983 1.33 2.06
1982 1.41 2.39
1981 1.43 2.57
1980 1.44 2.82
1979 1.38 2.9
1978 1.38 2.64
1977 1.4 2.99
1976 1.45 3
1975 1.45 3.43
1974 1.51 3.77
1973 1.54 4.07
1972 1.71 4.12
1971 1.92 4.54
1970 2.03 4.53
1969 2.21 4.45
1968 2.38 4.51
1967 2.48 4.62
1966 2.53 4.78
1965 2.5 4.89
1964 2.54 5.07
1963 2.51 5.33
1962 2.44 5.56
1961 2.45 5.8
1960 2.37 5.99

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

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

Germany and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Germany

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Germany South Korea
2024 46.3 46.1
2023 46.2 45.5
2022 46 44.9
2021 45.9 44.4
2020 45.8 43.8
2019 45.8 43.1
2018 45.8 42.5
2017 45.8 41.9
2016 45.7 41.4
2015 45.7 40.8
2014 45.7 40.2
2013 45.5 39.5
2012 45.1 38.8
2011 44.6 38.2
2010 44.2 37.6
2009 43.9 37
2008 43.5 36.4
2007 43.1 35.8
2006 42.5 35.2
2005 42 34.5
2004 41.6 33.9
2003 41.2 33.4
2002 40.8 32.8
2001 40.4 32.3
2000 40 31.7
1999 39.7 31.2
1998 39.3 30.7
1997 38.9 30.2
1996 38.6 29.8
1995 38.4 29.4
1994 38.1 28.9
1993 37.9 28.3
1992 37.8 27.8
1991 37.7 27.2
1990 37.6 26.7
1989 37.6 26.3
1988 37.6 25.8
1987 37.4 25.3
1986 37.2 24.8
1985 37.1 24.2
1984 37 23.7
1983 36.7 23.3
1982 36.6 22.8
1981 36.5 22.5
1980 36.5 22.1
1979 36.4 21.6
1978 36.3 21.1
1977 36.1 20.7
1976 35.8 20.2
1975 35.5 19.9
1974 35 19.6
1973 34.7 19.3
1972 34.6 19.1
1971 34.4 19
1970 34.3 18.9
1969 34.1 18.8
1968 34.2 18.7
1967 34.3 18.6
1966 34.4 18.5
1965 34.4 18.6
1964 34.5 18.8
1963 34.6 19
1962 34.7 19.1
1961 34.7 19.2
1960 34.7 19.3

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Germany South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.24%
2022
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.89%
2024
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
183,000
2020
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-2.66%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
71.7
2026
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires
3.93%
2025
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires
171
2025
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.0003%
2025
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies
435
2024
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$21.2B
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
12,449,000
2020
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
3.47%
2019
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
98.3%
2024
96.9%
2024

Energy

Germany South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,928 kg
2023
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$24.5
2023
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
580 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
6.94 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
77.6%
2023
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
17.6%
2021
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
9.15%
2023
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share
70.5%
2023
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
5,947 kWh
2023
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
39.8%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
4.95%
2023
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
1.41%
2023
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Germany South Korea
% of world population
1.03%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
-334,072
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
82%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.4:50.6
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.92 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.45 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
93.5
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
77
2025
63
2025
Higher education index
94
2026
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.91
2023
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
3.8
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
172
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
99%
2003
98.8%
2018
English speaking
56.3%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
93.5%
2024
97.9%
2024

Health

Germany South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$6,849
2024
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$733
2024
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
81.9 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure n/a
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
4.53
2022
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth
29.8 years
2023
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
4
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
3.7
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
21%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
7.8%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
76
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
21.3%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
11.8 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Germany South Korea
% of world land
0.23%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
1,615 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
64,039 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
44,089 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
515,738 mi
2022
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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