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Poland vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Poland has a population of 36.6M (ranked 42/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Poland's land area is 118,252 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 69th vs. 105th).

By GDP, Poland ranks 21/197 ($918B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Poland ranks 48/197 ($25,104), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Poland South Korea
Population
35806942
51649918
Population rank 47/197 31/197
GDP
$918B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 21/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$25,104
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 48/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,263
2024
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$507B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,874
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 41/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,736
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 118,252 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
303 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.16
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
42.9 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
79.2 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Poland and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Poland and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Poland South Korea
2024 $917,767,106,147 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $812,451,193,396 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $695,607,470,875 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $689,170,230,665 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $605,914,237,904 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $602,683,770,145 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $594,616,687,350 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $528,356,676,667 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $473,259,583,970 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $480,054,118,583 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $542,134,167,179 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $518,179,836,405 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $498,148,649,703 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $527,848,543,023 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $478,111,630,684 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $440,891,472,247 $983,065,242,417
2008 $535,612,030,672 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $429,715,132,138 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $345,897,630,736 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $306,999,913,151 $971,740,329,984
2004 $256,268,656,145 $823,251,107,639
2003 $218,561,225,998 $728,516,494,684
2002 $199,694,463,256 $650,014,391,470
2001 $191,823,200,371 $567,564,806,235
2000 $172,953,527,033 $597,487,173,479
1999 $170,704,452,715 $515,697,079,289
1998 $175,282,269,667 $397,297,216,492
1997 $159,893,964,917 $589,202,526,424
1996 $160,813,026,223 $631,196,863,758
1995 $142,838,527,115 $586,286,469,401
1994 $110,803,635,288 $479,181,794,217
1993 $96,043,157,273 $405,705,302,846
1992 $94,337,050,693 $366,921,291,825
1991 $85,500,935,935 $340,851,946,804
1990 $65,977,748,211 $292,064,221,389
1989 - $254,236,243,100
1988 - $205,477,530,605
1987 - $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $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/poland/south-korea | CC BY

Poland and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Poland South Korea
2024 $25,104 $36,239
2023 $22,145 $35,674
2022 $18,891 $34,822
2021 $18,636 $37,518
2020 $16,151 $33,646
2019 $15,875 $33,827
2018 $15,658 $35,364
2017 $13,913 $33,297
2016 $12,464 $30,832
2015 $12,638 $30,172
2014 $14,262 $30,667
2013 $13,622 $28,449
2012 $13,087 $26,601
2011 $13,868 $26,175
2010 $12,568 $24,071
2009 $11,556 $19,937
2008 $14,049 $22,252
2007 $11,273 $25,078
2006 $9,069 $22,610
2005 $8,044 $20,167
2004 $6,712 $17,122
2003 $5,721 $15,212
2002 $5,223 $13,643
2001 $5,015 $11,981
2000 $4,521 $12,710
1999 $4,416 $11,063
1998 $4,534 $8,583
1997 $4,137 $12,822
1996 $4,164 $13,865
1995 $3,701 $13,002
1994 $2,875 $10,734
1993 $2,497 $9,180
1992 $2,459 $8,387
1991 $2,236 $7,873
1990 $1,731 $6,813
1989 - $5,989
1988 - $4,889
1987 - $3,658
1986 - $2,911
1985 - $2,543
1984 - $2,469
1983 - $2,246
1982 - $2,032
1981 - $1,918
1980 - $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/poland/south-korea | CC BY

Poland vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Poland South Korea
2026 79.2 84.6
2025 79 84.5
2024 78.8 84.4
2023 78.6 84.3
2022 77.9 82.7
2021 75.6 83.9
2020 76.6 83.7
2019 77.9 83.7
2018 77.6 83.3
2017 77.7 83.3
2016 77.6 82.9
2015 77.6 82.5
2014 77.3 82.4
2013 77.1 81.8
2012 76.8 81.3
2011 76.6 81.2
2010 76.3 80.7
2009 75.9 80.6
2008 75.6 80
2007 75.4 79.4
2006 75.3 79
2005 75.1 78.4
2004 74.9 78
2003 74.8 77.5
2002 74.5 77.2
2001 74.2 76.9
2000 73.6 76.2
1999 73.2 75.6
1998 72.8 75
1997 72.6 74.5
1996 72.3 74
1995 72 73.4
1994 71.7 72.9
1993 71.3 72.7
1992 70.9 72.2
1991 70.7 71.4
1990 70.6 71
1989 70.8 70.7
1988 70.8 70.2
1987 70.8 69.3
1986 70.6 69
1985 70.5 68.4
1984 70.6 68.1
1983 70.8 66.7
1982 70.9 67.1
1981 70.6 67.1
1980 70.5 64.8
1979 70.2 66.1
1978 70.4 65
1977 70.3 64.6
1976 70.4 65
1975 70.6 64.7
1974 70.7 64.2
1973 70.7 63.8
1972 70.1 63.2
1971 69.8 62.7
1970 69.6 62.2
1969 69.8 61.4
1968 69.8 60.9
1967 69.9 60.9
1966 69.7 55.4
1965 69.4 55.8
1964 68.9 55.3
1963 68.3 55
1962 68 55
1961 67.8 54.4
1960 67.1 53.8
1959 66.4 52.9
1958 64.9 51.8
1957 64.4 51.6
1956 63.4 50.2
1955 63.1 48.4
1954 62.3 46.1
1953 61.3 40.5
1952 59.7 36.6
1951 58.9 26.6
1950 58.3 22.2

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

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

Poland and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Poland South Korea
2024 36,559,233 51,751,065
2023 36,687,353 51,712,619
2022 36,821,749 51,672,569
2021 36,981,559 51,769,539
2020 37,515,748 51,836,239
2019 37,965,475 51,764,822
2018 37,974,750 51,585,058
2017 37,974,826 51,361,911
2016 37,970,087 51,217,803
2015 37,986,412 51,014,947
2014 38,011,735 50,746,659
2013 38,040,196 50,428,893
2012 38,063,164 50,199,853
2011 38,063,255 49,936,638
2010 38,042,794 49,554,112
2009 38,151,603 49,307,835
2008 38,125,759 49,054,708
2007 38,120,560 48,683,638
2006 38,141,267 48,438,292
2005 38,165,445 48,184,561
2004 38,182,222 48,082,519
2003 38,204,570 47,892,330
2002 38,230,364 47,644,736
2001 38,248,076 47,370,164
2000 38,258,629 47,008,111
1999 38,660,271 46,616,677
1998 38,663,481 46,286,503
1997 38,649,660 45,953,580
1996 38,624,370 45,524,681
1995 38,594,998 45,092,991
1994 38,542,652 44,641,540
1993 38,461,408 44,194,628
1992 38,363,667 43,747,962
1991 38,246,193 43,295,704
1990 38,110,782 42,869,283
1989 37,961,529 42,449,038
1988 37,824,487 42,031,247
1987 37,668,045 41,621,690
1986 37,456,119 41,213,674
1985 37,201,885 40,805,744
1984 36,904,134 40,405,956
1983 36,571,808 39,910,403
1982 36,230,481 39,326,352
1981 35,898,587 38,723,248
1980 35,574,150 38,123,775
1979 35,247,217 37,534,236
1978 34,965,600 36,969,185
1977 34,689,050 36,411,795
1976 34,356,300 35,848,523
1975 34,015,199 35,280,725
1974 33,678,899 34,692,266
1973 33,357,200 34,103,149
1972 33,055,650 33,505,406
1971 32,783,500 32,882,704
1970 32,664,300 32,240,827
1969 32,548,300 31,544,266
1968 32,294,655 30,838,302
1967 31,987,155 30,130,983
1966 31,681,000 29,435,571
1965 31,444,950 28,704,674
1964 31,139,450 27,984,155
1963 30,712,000 27,261,747
1962 30,308,500 26,513,030
1961 29,964,000 25,765,673
1960 29,637,450 25,012,374

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

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

Fertility rates in Poland and South Korea

Fertility rate
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Poland South Korea
2023 1.16 0.72
2022 1.29 0.78
2021 1.33 0.81
2020 1.39 0.84
2019 1.44 0.92
2018 1.46 0.98
2017 1.48 1.05
2016 1.39 1.17
2015 1.32 1.24
2014 1.32 1.21
2013 1.29 1.19
2012 1.33 1.3
2011 1.33 1.24
2010 1.41 1.23
2009 1.4 1.15
2008 1.39 1.19
2007 1.31 1.26
2006 1.27 1.13
2005 1.24 1.09
2004 1.23 1.16
2003 1.22 1.19
2002 1.25 1.18
2001 1.31 1.31
2000 1.37 1.48
1999 1.37 1.43
1998 1.44 1.46
1997 1.51 1.54
1996 1.59 1.57
1995 1.62 1.63
1994 1.81 1.66
1993 1.87 1.65
1992 1.95 1.76
1991 2.07 1.71
1990 2.06 1.57
1989 2.08 1.56
1988 2.13 1.55
1987 2.15 1.53
1986 2.22 1.58
1985 2.33 1.66
1984 2.37 1.74
1983 2.42 2.06
1982 2.34 2.39
1981 2.24 2.57
1980 2.28 2.82
1979 2.28 2.9
1978 2.21 2.64
1977 2.23 2.99
1976 2.3 3
1975 2.27 3.43
1974 2.26 3.77
1973 2.26 4.07
1972 2.24 4.12
1971 2.25 4.54
1970 2.2 4.53
1969 2.2 4.45
1968 2.24 4.51
1967 2.33 4.62
1966 2.34 4.78
1965 2.52 4.89
1964 2.57 5.07
1963 2.7 5.33
1962 2.72 5.56
1961 2.83 5.8
1960 2.98 5.99

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

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

Poland and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Poland South Korea
2024 42.9 46.1
2023 42.4 45.5
2022 41.9 44.9
2021 41.5 44.4
2020 41.1 43.8
2019 40.8 43.1
2018 40.4 42.5
2017 40 41.9
2016 39.7 41.4
2015 39.3 40.8
2014 39 40.2
2013 38.7 39.5
2012 38.4 38.8
2011 38.2 38.2
2010 38.1 37.6
2009 37.8 37
2008 37.5 36.4
2007 37.2 35.8
2006 36.9 35.2
2005 36.6 34.5
2004 36.3 33.9
2003 36 33.4
2002 35.8 32.8
2001 35.5 32.3
2000 35.2 31.7
1999 35 31.2
1998 34.7 30.7
1997 34.4 30.2
1996 34.2 29.8
1995 33.9 29.4
1994 33.5 28.9
1993 33.2 28.3
1992 32.9 27.8
1991 32.6 27.2
1990 32.4 26.7
1989 32.1 26.3
1988 31.7 25.8
1987 31.4 25.3
1986 31.1 24.8
1985 30.8 24.2
1984 30.6 23.7
1983 30.3 23.3
1982 30.1 22.8
1981 29.8 22.5
1980 29.5 22.1
1979 29.3 21.6
1978 29.1 21.1
1977 28.9 20.7
1976 28.7 20.2
1975 28.6 19.9
1974 28.6 19.6
1973 28.5 19.3
1972 28.5 19.1
1971 28.4 19
1970 28.2 18.9
1969 28.1 18.8
1968 28 18.7
1967 27.8 18.6
1966 27.7 18.5
1965 27.5 18.6
1964 27.3 18.8
1963 27.1 19
1962 26.9 19.1
1961 26.8 19.2
1960 26.6 19.3

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Poland South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$789B
2024
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.31%
2022
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
4.15%
2024
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
189,000
2020
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-6.59%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.81%
2024
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
59.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
68.5
2026
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires
10
2025
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.00003%
2025
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies
749
2024
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$197B
2024
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$223B
2024
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$8.69B
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
88,515,000
2019
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.63%
2020
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
86.1%
2024
96.9%
2024

Energy

Poland South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,639 kg
2023
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$18.4
2023
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
276.1 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
7.55 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
84.6%
2023
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
15.2%
2021
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
3.47%
2023
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share
48.8%
2023
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
4,382 kWh
2023
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
17.5%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
2.23%
2023
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Poland South Korea
% of world population
0.45%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
-330,820
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
60%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.4:51.6
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.93 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.44 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
77.3
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
53
2025
63
2025
Higher education index
83
2026
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.8
2023
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
9.4
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
171
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
99.8%
2021
98.8%
2018
English speaking
49.1%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
88.6%
2024
97.9%
2024

Health

Poland South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$2,014
2024
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$326
2024
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
79.2 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.06%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
4.03
2023
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth
28.4 years
2023
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
2
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
4.4
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
28.3%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
8.1%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
51
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
23.6%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
11.7 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Poland South Korea
% of world land
0.21%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
3,235 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
56,294 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
36,753 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
267,065 mi
2024
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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