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South Korea vs Syria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

South Korea has a population of 51.8M (ranked 29/197), compared with 24.7M in Syria (ranked 57/197). South Korea's land area is 37,684 sq mi versus 70,900 sq mi for Syria (ranked 105th vs. 87th).

By GDP, South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T) and Syria ranks 129/197 ($20B). By GDP per capita, South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239), while Syria ranks 185/197 ($847).

Main facts and rankings

South Korea Syria
Population
51649918
26829400
Population rank 31/197 56/197
GDP
$1.88T
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank 12/197 129/197
GDP per capita
$36,239
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank 31/197 185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$4,650
2023
Government debt
$934B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$18,052
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank 33/185 148/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$27,215
2026
$730
2026
Land area 37,684 sq mi 70,900 sq mi
Population density
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
375 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
0.72
2023
2.71
2023
Median age
46.1 years
2024
23.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
84.6 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

South Korea and Syria: Comparison Charts

South Korea and Syria economies compared

GDP
South Korea

Syria
1x
Year GDP
South Korea Syria
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 -
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 $19,993,439,950
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 $23,622,827,080
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 $14,353,205,678
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 $12,047,752,036
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 $22,583,045,060
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 $21,497,782,868
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 $16,369,843,352
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 $12,597,854,877
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $16,466,863,117
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $21,502,061,466
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $21,361,254,635
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $43,190,318,033
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $67,539,428,159
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $61,390,830,875
2009 $983,065,242,417 $54,111,735,629
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $52,557,913,569
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 $40,465,318,382
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 $33,751,788,856
2005 $971,740,329,984 $28,858,965,517
2004 $823,251,107,639 $25,086,950,495
2003 $728,516,494,684 $21,828,144,686
2002 $650,014,391,470 $20,669,357,462
2001 $567,564,806,235 $20,237,024,725
2000 $597,487,173,479 $18,937,052,543
1999 $515,697,079,289 $15,873,875,969
1998 $397,297,216,492 $15,200,846,154
1997 $589,202,526,424 $14,505,233,463
1996 $631,196,863,758 $13,789,560,878
1995 $586,286,469,401 $11,396,706,587
1994 $479,181,794,217 $10,122,020,000
1993 $405,705,302,846 $13,695,962,055
1992 $366,921,291,825 $13,253,565,861
1991 $340,851,946,804 $12,981,833,333
1990 $292,064,221,389 $12,308,624,418
1989 $254,236,243,100 $9,853,395,762
1988 $205,477,530,605 $10,577,041,645
1987 $152,240,393,646 $11,356,215,543
1986 $119,965,960,795 $13,293,205,278
1985 $103,764,281,281 $16,403,539,893
1984 $99,749,645,089 $17,503,078,174
1983 $89,621,208,322 $17,589,277,143
1982 $79,921,300,447 $16,298,929,011
1981 $74,287,368,087 $15,518,201,335
1980 $66,547,970,351 $13,062,420,382
1979 $68,083,884,298 $9,929,681,529
1978 $52,824,793,388 $9,275,200,458
1977 $39,064,462,810 $7,696,011,396
1976 $30,371,074,380 $7,633,528,867
1975 $22,126,033,058 $6,826,980,444
1974 $19,860,929,977 $5,159,557,148
1973 $14,067,523,813 $3,239,487,516
1972 $10,990,490,570 $3,059,681,698
1971 $10,005,257,131 $2,589,851,325
1970 $9,085,001,794 $2,140,384,010
1969 $7,743,940,189 $2,245,011,515
1968 $6,167,109,472 $1,753,746,430
1967 $4,895,076,718 $1,580,229,799
1966 $3,957,064,541 $1,342,287,553
1965 $3,141,131,708 $1,472,036,540
1964 $3,476,789,682 $1,339,494,267
1963 $4,007,692,308 $1,200,447,408
1962 $2,826,923,077 $1,110,565,881
1961 $2,427,244,761 $945,244,972
1960 $3,973,069,307 $857,704,413

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

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

South Korea and Syria economies compared

GDP per capita
South Korea

Syria
1x
Year GDP per capita
South Korea Syria
2024 $36,239 -
2023 $35,674 $847
2022 $34,822 $1,052
2021 $37,518 $664
2020 $33,646 $572
2019 $33,827 $1,110
2018 $35,364 $1,098
2017 $33,297 $852
2016 $30,832 $656
2015 $30,172 $848
2014 $30,667 $1,061
2013 $28,449 $986
2012 $26,601 $1,898
2011 $26,175 $2,952
2010 $24,071 $2,731
2009 $19,937 $2,462
2008 $22,252 $2,429
2007 $25,078 $1,938
2006 $22,610 $1,719
2005 $20,167 $1,534
2004 $17,122 $1,368
2003 $15,212 $1,220
2002 $13,643 $1,183
2001 $11,981 $1,187
2000 $12,710 $1,138
1999 $11,063 $978
1998 $8,583 $961
1997 $12,822 $941
1996 $13,865 $918
1995 $13,002 $780
1994 $10,734 $712
1993 $9,180 $993
1992 $8,387 $990
1991 $7,873 $1,000
1990 $6,813 $978
1989 $5,989 $809
1988 $4,889 $898
1987 $3,658 $997
1986 $2,911 $1,208
1985 $2,543 $1,544
1984 $2,469 $1,706
1983 $2,246 $1,776
1982 $2,032 $1,703
1981 $1,918 $1,676
1980 $1,746 $1,458
1979 $1,814 $1,146
1978 $1,429 $1,108
1977 $1,073 $951
1976 $847 $976
1975 $627 $904
1974 $572 $707
1973 $412 $459
1972 $328 $448
1971 $304 $393
1970 $281.8 $335
1969 $245.5 $364
1968 $200 $293.3
1967 $162.5 $272.9
1966 $134.4 $239.3
1965 $109.4 $270.8
1964 $124.2 $254.2
1963 $147 $234.9
1962 $106.6 $223.9
1961 $94.2 $196.3
1960 $158.8 $183.5

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

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

South Korea vs. Syria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
South Korea

Syria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
South Korea Syria
2026 84.6 73.4
2025 84.5 73
2024 84.4 72.6
2023 84.3 72.1
2022 82.7 72.8
2021 83.9 72.4
2020 83.7 71.9
2019 83.7 71
2018 83.3 67.4
2017 83.3 65.7
2016 82.9 65.2
2015 82.5 63.3
2014 82.4 65.5
2013 81.8 65.1
2012 81.3 66.2
2011 81.2 72.3
2010 80.7 73.5
2009 80.6 73.5
2008 80 73.4
2007 79.4 73.3
2006 79 73
2005 78.4 72.8
2004 78 72.5
2003 77.5 72.2
2002 77.2 71.7
2001 76.9 71.3
2000 76.2 70.9
1999 75.6 70.5
1998 75 70.2
1997 74.5 70.2
1996 74 70.2
1995 73.4 70.2
1994 72.9 70.3
1993 72.7 70.3
1992 72.2 70.2
1991 71.4 70.1
1990 71 69.8
1989 70.7 69.5
1988 70.2 69.2
1987 69.3 68.8
1986 69 68.4
1985 68.4 68
1984 68.1 67.7
1983 66.7 67.4
1982 67.1 60.8
1981 67.1 64.6
1980 64.8 66.5
1979 66.1 66.2
1978 65 65.9
1977 64.6 65.4
1976 65 64.8
1975 64.7 64.2
1974 64.2 63.4
1973 63.8 60.8
1972 63.2 62
1971 62.7 61.3
1970 62.2 60.6
1969 61.4 59.8
1968 60.9 59.1
1967 60.9 58
1966 55.4 57.6
1965 55.8 56.9
1964 55.3 56.2
1963 55 55.4
1962 55 54.6
1961 54.4 53.7
1960 53.8 52.7
1959 52.9 51.7
1958 51.8 50.7
1957 51.6 49.6
1956 50.2 48.5
1955 48.4 47.4
1954 46.1 46.4
1953 40.5 45.3
1952 36.6 44.3
1951 26.6 43.4
1950 22.2 42.5

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

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

South Korea and Syria population clocks and comparison

Population
South Korea

Syria
1x
Year Population
South Korea Syria
2024 51,751,065 24,672,760
2023 51,712,619 23,594,623
2022 51,672,569 22,462,173
2021 51,769,539 21,628,839
2020 51,836,239 21,049,429
2019 51,764,822 20,353,534
2018 51,585,058 19,577,845
2017 51,361,911 19,224,668
2016 51,217,803 19,193,834
2015 51,014,947 19,424,618
2014 50,746,659 20,273,659
2013 50,428,893 21,666,917
2012 50,199,853 22,759,763
2011 49,936,638 22,878,098
2010 49,554,112 22,482,421
2009 49,307,835 21,976,969
2008 49,054,708 21,636,564
2007 48,683,638 20,884,125
2006 48,438,292 19,637,022
2005 48,184,561 18,814,091
2004 48,082,519 18,336,875
2003 47,892,330 17,889,296
2002 47,644,736 17,468,332
2001 47,370,164 17,051,338
2000 47,008,111 16,637,888
1999 46,616,677 16,228,061
1998 46,286,503 15,820,413
1997 45,953,580 15,417,542
1996 45,524,681 15,018,104
1995 45,092,991 14,616,801
1994 44,641,540 14,208,583
1993 44,194,628 13,795,686
1992 43,747,962 13,385,571
1991 43,295,704 12,980,821
1990 42,869,283 12,579,208
1989 42,449,038 12,179,060
1988 42,031,247 11,782,264
1987 41,621,690 11,388,923
1986 41,213,674 11,002,844
1985 40,805,744 10,625,672
1984 40,405,956 10,258,398
1983 39,910,403 9,904,809
1982 39,326,352 9,572,511
1981 38,723,248 9,260,189
1980 38,123,775 8,957,663
1979 37,534,236 8,661,909
1978 36,969,185 8,372,759
1977 36,411,795 8,090,501
1976 35,848,523 7,817,320
1975 35,280,725 7,554,364
1974 34,692,266 7,302,160
1973 34,103,149 7,060,321
1972 33,505,406 6,826,024
1971 32,882,704 6,598,094
1970 32,240,827 6,380,609
1969 31,544,266 6,175,166
1968 30,838,302 5,978,742
1967 30,130,983 5,790,198
1966 29,435,571 5,609,047
1965 28,704,674 5,435,267
1964 27,984,155 5,269,087
1963 27,261,747 5,110,467
1962 26,513,030 4,959,340
1961 25,765,673 4,815,466
1960 25,012,374 4,673,500

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

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

Fertility rates in South Korea and Syria

Fertility rate
South Korea

Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
South Korea Syria
2023 0.72 2.71
2022 0.78 2.75
2021 0.81 2.8
2020 0.84 2.84
2019 0.92 2.88
2018 0.98 2.93
2017 1.05 2.97
2016 1.17 3.01
2015 1.24 3.07
2014 1.21 3.12
2013 1.19 3.17
2012 1.3 3.22
2011 1.24 3.29
2010 1.23 3.36
2009 1.15 3.42
2008 1.19 3.48
2007 1.26 3.54
2006 1.13 3.56
2005 1.09 3.61
2004 1.16 3.68
2003 1.19 3.76
2002 1.18 3.87
2001 1.31 3.98
2000 1.48 4.07
1999 1.43 4.14
1998 1.46 4.25
1997 1.54 4.37
1996 1.57 4.54
1995 1.63 4.7
1994 1.66 4.86
1993 1.65 4.99
1992 1.76 5.14
1991 1.71 5.34
1990 1.57 5.56
1989 1.56 5.78
1988 1.55 6
1987 1.53 6.2
1986 1.58 6.37
1985 1.66 6.48
1984 1.74 6.59
1983 2.06 6.69
1982 2.39 6.81
1981 2.57 6.97
1980 2.82 7.12
1979 2.9 7.25
1978 2.64 7.35
1977 2.99 7.42
1976 3 7.45
1975 3.43 7.49
1974 3.77 7.52
1973 4.07 7.55
1972 4.12 7.57
1971 4.54 7.6
1970 4.53 7.62
1969 4.45 7.59
1968 4.51 7.57
1967 4.62 7.56
1966 4.78 7.55
1965 4.89 7.53
1964 5.07 7.53
1963 5.33 7.51
1962 5.56 7.51
1961 5.8 7.5
1960 5.99 7.51

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

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

South Korea and Syria demographics compared

Median age
South Korea

Syria
1x
Year Median age, years
South Korea Syria
2024 46.1 23.9
2023 45.5 23.3
2022 44.9 22.7
2021 44.4 22.2
2020 43.8 21.6
2019 43.1 20.9
2018 42.5 20.1
2017 41.9 19.6
2016 41.4 19.5
2015 40.8 19.5
2014 40.2 20.1
2013 39.5 21.2
2012 38.8 21.8
2011 38.2 21.9
2010 37.6 21.7
2009 37 21.5
2008 36.4 21.3
2007 35.8 21
2006 35.2 20.3
2005 34.5 19.7
2004 33.9 19.5
2003 33.4 19.2
2002 32.8 19
2001 32.3 18.8
2000 31.7 18.5
1999 31.2 18.3
1998 30.7 18.1
1997 30.2 17.9
1996 29.8 17.7
1995 29.4 17.5
1994 28.9 17.3
1993 28.3 17.1
1992 27.8 16.9
1991 27.2 16.7
1990 26.7 16.5
1989 26.3 16.4
1988 25.8 16.2
1987 25.3 16.1
1986 24.8 16
1985 24.2 15.9
1984 23.7 15.8
1983 23.3 15.8
1982 22.8 15.7
1981 22.5 15.6
1980 22.1 15.6
1979 21.6 15.6
1978 21.1 15.6
1977 20.7 15.6
1976 20.2 15.6
1975 19.9 15.7
1974 19.6 15.7
1973 19.3 15.7
1972 19.1 15.8
1971 19 15.8
1970 18.9 15.9
1969 18.8 16
1968 18.7 16.1
1967 18.6 16.2
1966 18.5 16.4
1965 18.6 16.5
1964 18.8 16.7
1963 19 16.9
1962 19.1 17.1
1961 19.2 17.3
1960 19.3 17.6

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

South Korea Syria
GNI, Atlas method
$1.9T
2024
$18.2B
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
28.6%
2010
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.81%
2022
5.13%
2009
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.56%
2024
4.06%
2010
Armed forces personnel
569,000
2020
269,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.78%
2024
-7.79%
2010
Unemployment rate
2.78%
2024
8.61%
2010
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
12%
2022
Economic freedom index
73.7
2026
51.2
2012
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
3.8%
2022
Number of millionaires
1,301,000
2025
n/a
Percentage of millionaires
2.96%
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
30
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.00007%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
2,599
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.56T
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$418B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Personal remittances received
$7.45B
2024
$1.62B
2010
International tourist arrivals
2,519,000
2020
2,424,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
1.94%
2020
32.2%
2010
Banked people share
96.9%
2024
23.3%
2011

Energy

South Korea Syria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
5,337 kg
2023
455 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.8
2023
$10.5
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
588 megatons
2024
31.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
11.4 tons
2024
1.27 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
79.1%
2023
99.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
3.6%
2021
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
18.5%
2023
0.72%
2022
Net energy imports use share
84.6%
2023
61.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
11,426 kWh
2023
690 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
6.59%
2021
3.91%
2021
Hydroelectric share
1.23%
2023
3.76%
2022
Nuclear share
29.6%
2023
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
88.4%
2023

Society

South Korea Syria
% of world population
0.64%
2024
0.3%
2024
Annual migration change
+65,731
2025
+421,693
2025
Urban population
81.2%
2024
72.1%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.76 ft
2025
5.63 ft
2025
Average female height
5.35 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
87.4
2026
18.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
63
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
86
2026
33
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.48
2023
2.07
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
8.6
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
172
2025
37
2025
Adult literacy rate
98.8%
2018
94.4%
2021
English speaking
20%
2025
4%
2025
People using the Internet
97.9%
2024
34.7%
2019

Health

South Korea Syria
Government health expenditure per capita
$3,137
2024
$33.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$1,058
2024
$24.1
2023
Life expectancy
84.6 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0%
2023
11.8%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.61
2022
1.52
2021
Age at first childbirth
32.2 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
4
2023
20
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
2.8
2023
20.6
2023
Obesity rate
7.24%
2022
n/a
Diabetes prevalence
9.6%
2024
19%
2024
Air quality index
46
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
20%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.79 liters
2020
0.09 liters
2020

Territory

South Korea Syria
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
728 sq mi
2024
2,874 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,054 sq mi
2026
52,533 sq mi
2026
Forest area
24,158 sq mi
2026
2,016 sq mi
2026
Roads length
68,794 mi
2018
n/a

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 (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2012–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  11. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.