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Rwanda vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Rwanda has a population of 14.3M (ranked 77/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Rwanda's land area is 9,525 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 146th vs. 105th).

By GDP, Rwanda ranks 144/197 ($14.3B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Rwanda ranks 178/197 ($1,000), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Rwanda South Korea
Population
14975051
51649918
Population rank 77/197 31/197
GDP
$14.3B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 144/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$1,000
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 178/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$9.58B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$672
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 157/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 9,525 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
1,563 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.7
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
20.8 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
68.5 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Rwanda and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Rwanda and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Rwanda South Korea
2024 $14,251,642,235 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $14,331,722,703 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $13,316,161,002 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $11,078,787,090 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $10,174,386,857 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $10,349,300,277 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $9,637,904,521 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $9,252,833,891 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $8,695,272,058 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $8,543,760,200 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $8,238,966,124 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $7,819,964,030 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $7,654,761,050 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $6,884,913,658 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $6,124,756,654 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $5,674,476,969 $983,065,242,417
2008 $5,179,854,065 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $4,070,507,895 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $3,319,784,539 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $2,933,819,766 $971,740,329,984
2004 $2,376,496,067 $823,251,107,639
2003 $2,138,237,279 $728,516,494,684
2002 $1,966,003,468 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,966,600,715 $567,564,806,235
2000 $2,068,836,754 $597,487,173,479
1999 $2,157,108,263 $515,697,079,289
1998 $1,989,343,546 $397,297,216,492
1997 $1,851,558,197 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,382,334,879 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,293,535,193 $586,286,469,401
1994 $753,636,370 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,971,525,712 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,029,026,962 $366,921,291,825
1991 $1,911,600,237 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,550,185,679 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,405,022,593 $254,236,243,100
1988 $2,395,492,687 $205,477,530,605
1987 $2,157,432,668 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,944,710,684 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,715,626,331 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,587,413,084 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,479,687,587 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,407,243,139 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,407,062,527 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,254,765,642 $66,547,970,351
1979 $1,109,346,131 $68,083,884,298
1978 $905,709,076 $52,824,793,388
1977 $746,650,613 $39,064,462,810
1976 $637,753,853 $30,371,074,380
1975 $571,863,500 $22,126,033,058
1974 $308,458,423 $19,860,929,977
1973 $290,746,157 $14,067,523,813
1972 $246,457,838 $10,990,490,570
1971 $222,952,504 $10,005,257,131
1970 $219,900,006 $9,085,001,794
1969 $188,700,037 $7,743,940,189
1968 $172,200,018 $6,167,109,472
1967 $159,560,018 $4,895,076,718
1966 $124,525,703 $3,957,064,541
1965 $148,799,980 $3,141,131,708
1964 $129,999,994 $3,476,789,682
1963 $128,000,000 $4,007,692,308
1962 $125,000,008 $2,826,923,077
1961 $122,000,016 $2,427,244,761
1960 $119,000,024 $3,973,069,307

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

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

Rwanda and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Rwanda South Korea
2024 $1,000 $36,239
2023 $1,027 $35,674
2022 $975 $34,822
2021 $830 $37,518
2020 $779 $33,646
2019 $810 $33,827
2018 $772 $35,364
2017 $758 $33,297
2016 $730 $30,832
2015 $734 $30,172
2014 $725 $30,667
2013 $705 $28,449
2012 $707 $26,601
2011 $651 $26,175
2010 $594 $24,071
2009 $564 $19,937
2008 $528 $22,252
2007 $426 $25,078
2006 $357 $22,610
2005 $324 $20,167
2004 $269.5 $17,122
2003 $249 $15,212
2002 $234 $13,643
2001 $237.3 $11,981
2000 $251.9 $12,710
1999 $264.7 $11,063
1998 $246.2 $8,583
1997 $238.7 $12,822
1996 $206 $13,865
1995 $228 $13,002
1994 $111 $10,734
1993 $247 $9,180
1992 $264.1 $8,387
1991 $254 $7,873
1990 $346 $6,813
1989 $335 $5,989
1988 $344 $4,889
1987 $320 $3,658
1986 $297.7 $2,911
1985 $271.6 $2,543
1984 $259.9 $2,469
1983 $250.6 $2,246
1982 $246.4 $2,032
1981 $254.6 $1,918
1980 $234.4 $1,746
1979 $213.8 $1,814
1978 $179.9 $1,429
1977 $152.7 $1,073
1976 $134.4 $847
1975 $124.1 $627
1974 $68.9 $572
1973 $66.9 $412
1972 $58.4 $328
1971 $54.4 $304
1970 $55.2 $281.8
1969 $48.9 $245.5
1968 $46 $200
1967 $44 $162.5
1966 $35.4 $134.4
1965 $43.5 $109.4
1964 $39 $124.2
1963 $39.3 $147
1962 $39.2 $106.6
1961 $39.3 $94.2
1960 $39.4 $158.8

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

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

Rwanda vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Rwanda South Korea
2026 68.5 84.6
2025 68.2 84.5
2024 68 84.4
2023 67.8 84.3
2022 67.5 82.7
2021 66.8 83.9
2020 67 83.7
2019 66.7 83.7
2018 66.4 83.3
2017 66.1 83.3
2016 65.7 82.9
2015 65.4 82.5
2014 65.1 82.4
2013 64.7 81.8
2012 64.2 81.3
2011 63.5 81.2
2010 62.8 80.7
2009 61.8 80.6
2008 60.6 80
2007 59.5 79.4
2006 58.3 79
2005 57 78.4
2004 55.5 78
2003 53.5 77.5
2002 51.3 77.2
2001 49.5 76.9
2000 47.8 76.2
1999 45.7 75.6
1998 43.1 75
1997 42 74.5
1996 42.5 74
1995 41.5 73.4
1994 12.2 72.9
1993 42.9 72.7
1992 44.4 72.2
1991 46.2 71.4
1990 47.8 71
1989 49.5 70.7
1988 50.9 70.2
1987 51.5 69.3
1986 51.7 69
1985 51.7 68.4
1984 51.4 68.1
1983 50.9 66.7
1982 50.2 67.1
1981 49.2 67.1
1980 48.1 64.8
1979 47.1 66.1
1978 46.2 65
1977 45.6 64.6
1976 45.3 65
1975 45.3 64.7
1974 45.6 64.2
1973 45.9 63.8
1972 46.3 63.2
1971 46.8 62.7
1970 47.1 62.2
1969 47.4 61.4
1968 47.7 60.9
1967 48 60.9
1966 48.1 55.4
1965 48.2 55.8
1964 48.1 55.3
1963 44 55
1962 47.8 55
1961 47.5 54.4
1960 47 53.8
1959 46.5 52.9
1958 46.1 51.8
1957 45.6 51.6
1956 45.2 50.2
1955 44.8 48.4
1954 44.4 46.1
1953 44.1 40.5
1952 43.8 36.6
1951 43.5 26.6
1950 43.2 22.2

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

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

Rwanda and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Rwanda South Korea
2024 14,256,567 51,751,065
2023 13,954,471 51,712,619
2022 13,651,030 51,672,569
2021 13,355,260 51,769,539
2020 13,065,837 51,836,239
2019 12,776,103 51,764,822
2018 12,487,996 51,585,058
2017 12,202,060 51,361,911
2016 11,919,183 51,217,803
2015 11,640,022 51,014,947
2014 11,364,757 50,746,659
2013 11,093,340 50,428,893
2012 10,829,901 50,199,853
2011 10,573,733 49,936,638
2010 10,317,553 49,554,112
2009 10,060,432 49,307,835
2008 9,804,269 49,054,708
2007 9,549,933 48,683,638
2006 9,299,246 48,438,292
2005 9,054,528 48,184,561
2004 8,816,844 48,082,519
2003 8,586,875 47,892,330
2002 8,400,180 47,644,736
2001 8,287,094 47,370,164
2000 8,213,931 47,008,111
1999 8,147,912 46,616,677
1998 8,081,681 46,286,503
1997 7,755,238 45,953,580
1996 6,708,764 45,524,681
1995 5,674,118 45,092,991
1994 6,792,352 44,641,540
1993 7,981,132 44,194,628
1992 7,683,266 43,747,962
1991 7,526,966 43,295,704
1990 7,375,307 42,869,283
1989 7,184,706 42,449,038
1988 6,968,071 42,031,247
1987 6,749,493 41,621,690
1986 6,531,881 41,213,674
1985 6,317,228 40,805,744
1984 6,107,627 40,405,956
1983 5,905,311 39,910,403
1982 5,711,549 39,326,352
1981 5,527,230 38,723,248
1980 5,353,259 38,123,775
1979 5,189,541 37,534,236
1978 5,035,171 36,969,185
1977 4,888,240 36,411,795
1976 4,745,954 35,848,523
1975 4,607,728 35,280,725
1974 4,474,228 34,692,266
1973 4,345,047 34,103,149
1972 4,220,335 33,505,406
1971 4,100,044 32,882,704
1970 3,980,669 32,240,827
1969 3,861,271 31,544,266
1968 3,744,010 30,838,302
1967 3,629,577 30,130,983
1966 3,521,626 29,435,571
1965 3,423,210 28,704,674
1964 3,334,834 27,984,155
1963 3,258,890 27,261,747
1962 3,186,025 26,513,030
1961 3,106,779 25,765,673
1960 3,022,294 25,012,374

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

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

Fertility rates in Rwanda and South Korea

Fertility rate
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Rwanda South Korea
2023 3.7 0.72
2022 3.78 0.78
2021 3.84 0.81
2020 3.91 0.84
2019 3.99 0.92
2018 4.05 0.98
2017 4.08 1.05
2016 4.11 1.17
2015 4.11 1.24
2014 4.12 1.21
2013 4.14 1.19
2012 4.2 1.3
2011 4.33 1.24
2010 4.52 1.23
2009 4.71 1.15
2008 4.92 1.19
2007 5.14 1.26
2006 5.34 1.13
2005 5.5 1.09
2004 5.64 1.16
2003 5.74 1.19
2002 5.82 1.18
2001 5.89 1.31
2000 5.97 1.48
1999 6.06 1.43
1998 6.17 1.46
1997 6.24 1.54
1996 6.29 1.57
1995 6.35 1.63
1994 6.42 1.66
1993 6.48 1.65
1992 6.54 1.76
1991 6.62 1.71
1990 6.8 1.57
1989 7.03 1.56
1988 7.23 1.55
1987 7.43 1.53
1986 7.61 1.58
1985 7.79 1.66
1984 7.91 1.74
1983 8 2.06
1982 8.06 2.39
1981 8.1 2.57
1980 8.12 2.82
1979 8.13 2.9
1978 8.16 2.64
1977 8.14 2.99
1976 8.12 3
1975 8.1 3.43
1974 8.1 3.77
1973 8.09 4.07
1972 8.09 4.12
1971 8.09 4.54
1970 8.15 4.53
1969 8.18 4.45
1968 8.19 4.51
1967 8.21 4.62
1966 8.23 4.78
1965 8.25 4.89
1964 8.27 5.07
1963 8.27 5.33
1962 8.27 5.56
1961 8.28 5.8
1960 8.28 5.99

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

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

Rwanda and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Rwanda South Korea
2024 20.8 46.1
2023 20.5 45.5
2022 20.3 44.9
2021 20 44.4
2020 19.9 43.8
2019 19.8 43.1
2018 19.7 42.5
2017 19.6 41.9
2016 19.4 41.4
2015 19.3 40.8
2014 19.1 40.2
2013 19 39.5
2012 18.8 38.8
2011 18.7 38.2
2010 18.5 37.6
2009 18.4 37
2008 18.3 36.4
2007 18.1 35.8
2006 18 35.2
2005 17.8 34.5
2004 17.6 33.9
2003 17.4 33.4
2002 17.1 32.8
2001 16.8 32.3
2000 16.3 31.7
1999 15.8 31.2
1998 15.3 30.7
1997 14.8 30.2
1996 14.6 29.8
1995 14.3 29.4
1994 15 28.9
1993 15.7 28.3
1992 15.6 27.8
1991 15.5 27.2
1990 15.5 26.7
1989 15.5 26.3
1988 15.6 25.8
1987 15.6 25.3
1986 15.7 24.8
1985 15.8 24.2
1984 16 23.7
1983 16.1 23.3
1982 16.2 22.8
1981 16.4 22.5
1980 16.5 22.1
1979 16.5 21.6
1978 16.6 21.1
1977 16.6 20.7
1976 16.5 20.2
1975 16.4 19.9
1974 16.3 19.6
1973 16.2 19.3
1972 16 19.1
1971 15.9 19
1970 15.7 18.9
1969 15.5 18.8
1968 15.3 18.7
1967 15.1 18.6
1966 14.9 18.5
1965 14.8 18.6
1964 14.7 18.8
1963 14.8 19
1962 14.9 19.1
1961 15.1 19.2
1960 15.5 19.3

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Rwanda South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2024
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.69%
2024
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.25%
2024
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
35,000
2020
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-6.57%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
47.6%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21%
2024
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
56.5
2026
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies
5
2024
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.75B
2024
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.41B
2024
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$517M
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,634,000
2019
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
11%
2020
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
50%
2017
96.9%
2024

Energy

Rwanda South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
373 kg
2022
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$8.31
2022
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
2.31 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.16 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2022
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
79.9%
2022
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.97%
2022
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share
10.6%
2022
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
68.1 kWh
2022
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
61%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
50.3%
2022
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
63.9%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Rwanda South Korea
% of world population
0.18%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
+6,282
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
29.9%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.45 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
32.7
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
63
2025
Higher education index
17
2026
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
3.59
2020
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
29.4
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
72
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
78.8%
2022
98.8%
2018
English speaking
15%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
34.2%
2023
97.9%
2024

Health

Rwanda South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$52.7
2023
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$2.16
2023
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
68.5 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
37%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.09
2022
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth
23 years
2025
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
229
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
40
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
4.99%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
2.1%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
6
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
14.3%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
2.87 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Rwanda South Korea
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
668 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
7,271 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
1,077 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
2,920 mi
2021
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)

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