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South Korea vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

South Korea has a population of 51.8M (ranked 29/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). South Korea's land area is 37,684 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 105th vs. 37th).

By GDP, South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

South Korea Zambia
Population
51649918
22697916
Population rank 31/197 62/197
GDP
$1.88T
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 12/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$36,239
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 31/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$934B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.8%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,052
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 33/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$27,215
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 37,684 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
0.72
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
46.1 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
84.6 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

South Korea and Zambia: Comparison Charts

South Korea and Zambia economies compared

GDP
South Korea

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
South Korea Zambia
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 $25,303,185,342
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 $27,577,956,471
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 $29,163,782,140
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 $22,096,416,932
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 $18,137,764,931
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 $23,308,667,781
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 $26,311,507,274
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 $25,873,601,261
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 $20,958,412,538
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $21,251,216,799
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $27,141,023,558
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $28,037,239,463
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $25,503,060,420
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $23,459,515,276
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $20,265,559,484
2009 $983,065,242,417 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $17,910,858,638
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 $14,056,957,976
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 $12,756,858,899
2005 $971,740,329,984 $8,331,870,169
2004 $823,251,107,639 $6,221,110,219
2003 $728,516,494,684 $4,901,869,764
2002 $650,014,391,470 $4,193,850,445
2001 $567,564,806,235 $4,094,441,301
2000 $597,487,173,479 $3,600,632,111
1999 $515,697,079,289 $3,404,284,891
1998 $397,297,216,492 $3,537,741,942
1997 $589,202,526,424 $4,303,288,480
1996 $631,196,863,758 $3,597,220,962
1995 $586,286,469,401 $3,806,983,413
1994 $479,181,794,217 $3,656,806,166
1993 $405,705,302,846 $3,273,505,344
1992 $366,921,291,825 $3,182,810,841
1991 $340,851,946,804 $3,376,806,697
1990 $292,064,221,389 $3,288,381,797
1989 $254,236,243,100 $3,994,673,161
1988 $205,477,530,605 $3,728,878,149
1987 $152,240,393,646 $2,265,250,972
1986 $119,965,960,795 $1,664,413,508
1985 $103,764,281,281 $2,252,454,500
1984 $99,749,645,089 $2,719,518,933
1983 $89,621,208,322 $3,321,048,451
1982 $79,921,300,447 $3,871,117,093
1981 $74,287,368,087 $4,008,126,497
1980 $66,547,970,351 $3,884,530,854
1979 $68,083,884,298 $3,353,445,378
1978 $52,824,793,388 $2,811,032,473
1977 $39,064,462,810 $2,515,296,940
1976 $30,371,074,380 $2,742,859,263
1975 $22,126,033,058 $2,442,672,141
1974 $19,860,929,977 $2,910,981,262
1973 $14,067,523,813 $2,434,255,237
1972 $10,990,490,570 $1,872,416,680
1971 $10,005,257,131 $1,653,259,341
1970 $9,085,001,794 $1,788,779,285
1969 $7,743,940,189 $1,926,399,230
1968 $6,167,109,472 $1,573,739,371
1967 $4,895,076,718 $1,340,639,464
1966 $3,957,064,541 $1,238,999,505
1965 $3,141,131,708 $1,061,199,576
1964 $3,476,789,682 $822,639,671
1963 $4,007,692,308 $704,339,719
1962 $2,826,923,077 $679,279,729
1961 $2,427,244,761 $682,359,727
1960 $3,973,069,307 $698,739,721

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

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

South Korea and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
South Korea

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
South Korea Zambia
2024 $36,239 $1,187
2023 $35,674 $1,331
2022 $34,822 $1,447
2021 $37,518 $1,127
2020 $33,646 $952
2019 $33,827 $1,259
2018 $35,364 $1,464
2017 $33,297 $1,483
2016 $30,832 $1,239
2015 $30,172 $1,296
2014 $30,667 $1,707
2013 $28,449 $1,821
2012 $26,601 $1,710
2011 $26,175 $1,625
2010 $24,071 $1,451
2009 $19,937 $1,136
2008 $22,252 $1,376
2007 $25,078 $1,119
2006 $22,610 $1,052
2005 $20,167 $711
2004 $17,122 $549
2003 $15,212 $446
2002 $13,643 $394
2001 $11,981 $397
2000 $12,710 $359
1999 $11,063 $350
1998 $8,583 $373
1997 $12,822 $466
1996 $13,865 $400
1995 $13,002 $433
1994 $10,734 $426
1993 $9,180 $391
1992 $8,387 $389
1991 $7,873 $423
1990 $6,813 $422
1989 $5,989 $526
1988 $4,889 $504
1987 $3,658 $315
1986 $2,911 $238.2
1985 $2,543 $332
1984 $2,469 $413
1983 $2,246 $520
1982 $2,032 $627
1981 $1,918 $670
1980 $1,746 $669
1979 $1,814 $595
1978 $1,429 $514
1977 $1,073 $474
1976 $847 $533
1975 $627 $490
1974 $572 $601
1973 $412 $518
1972 $328 $410
1971 $304 $372
1970 $281.8 $414
1969 $245.5 $459
1968 $200 $387
1967 $162.5 $341
1966 $134.4 $325
1965 $109.4 $287.4
1964 $124.2 $230
1963 $147 $203.2
1962 $106.6 $202.3
1961 $94.2 $209.7
1960 $158.8 $221.6

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

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

South Korea vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
South Korea

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
South Korea Zambia
2026 84.6 66.9
2025 84.5 66.7
2024 84.4 66.5
2023 84.3 66.3
2022 82.7 65.3
2021 83.9 62.4
2020 83.7 63.4
2019 83.7 62.9
2018 83.3 62.1
2017 83.3 61.6
2016 82.9 61.1
2015 82.5 60.7
2014 82.4 60.1
2013 81.8 59.4
2012 81.3 58.7
2011 81.2 57.8
2010 80.7 56.9
2009 80.6 55.9
2008 80 54.8
2007 79.4 53.7
2006 79 52.7
2005 78.4 51.6
2004 78 50.5
2003 77.5 49.6
2002 77.2 48.5
2001 76.9 47.4
2000 76.2 46.6
1999 75.6 45.9
1998 75 45.7
1997 74.5 45.7
1996 74 45.8
1995 73.4 46.1
1994 72.9 46.3
1993 72.7 46.7
1992 72.2 47
1991 71.4 47.4
1990 71 48.2
1989 70.7 48.9
1988 70.2 49.7
1987 69.3 50.4
1986 69 51.1
1985 68.4 52
1984 68.1 52.9
1983 66.7 53.7
1982 67.1 54.4
1981 67.1 55
1980 64.8 55.5
1979 66.1 56
1978 65 56.3
1977 64.6 56.3
1976 65 56.1
1975 64.7 55.7
1974 64.2 55.4
1973 63.8 54.9
1972 63.2 54.4
1971 62.7 53.9
1970 62.2 53.4
1969 61.4 53
1968 60.9 52.7
1967 60.9 52.5
1966 55.4 52.3
1965 55.8 52.1
1964 55.3 51.2
1963 55 51.6
1962 55 51.3
1961 54.4 51
1960 53.8 50.6
1959 52.9 50.3
1958 51.8 49.9
1957 51.6 49.5
1956 50.2 49.1
1955 48.4 48.8
1954 46.1 48.4
1953 40.5 48
1952 36.6 47.6
1951 26.6 47.2
1950 22.2 46.8

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

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

South Korea and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
South Korea

Zambia
1x
Year Population
South Korea Zambia
2024 51,751,065 21,314,956
2023 51,712,619 20,723,965
2022 51,672,569 20,152,938
2021 51,769,539 19,603,607
2020 51,836,239 19,059,395
2019 51,764,822 18,513,839
2018 51,585,058 17,973,569
2017 51,361,911 17,441,320
2016 51,217,803 16,914,423
2015 51,014,947 16,399,089
2014 50,746,659 15,895,315
2013 50,428,893 15,398,997
2012 50,199,853 14,913,629
2011 49,936,638 14,437,796
2010 49,554,112 13,965,594
2009 49,307,835 13,490,389
2008 49,054,708 13,021,324
2007 48,683,638 12,565,085
2006 48,438,292 12,129,553
2005 48,184,561 11,718,819
2004 48,082,519 11,338,198
2003 47,892,330 10,983,595
2002 47,644,736 10,647,949
2001 47,370,164 10,325,185
2000 47,008,111 10,017,631
1999 46,616,677 9,740,005
1998 46,286,503 9,482,408
1997 45,953,580 9,237,063
1996 45,524,681 9,004,053
1995 45,092,991 8,785,763
1994 44,641,540 8,576,269
1993 44,194,628 8,373,921
1992 43,747,962 8,176,680
1991 43,295,704 7,981,650
1990 42,869,283 7,786,169
1989 42,449,038 7,589,216
1988 42,031,247 7,391,440
1987 41,621,690 7,191,282
1986 41,213,674 6,986,471
1985 40,805,744 6,780,953
1984 40,405,956 6,580,490
1983 39,910,403 6,381,038
1982 39,326,352 6,178,637
1981 38,723,248 5,983,289
1980 38,123,775 5,802,833
1979 37,534,236 5,631,728
1978 36,969,185 5,465,374
1977 36,411,795 5,302,480
1976 35,848,523 5,143,842
1975 35,280,725 4,990,086
1974 34,692,266 4,842,746
1973 34,103,149 4,702,693
1972 33,505,406 4,569,309
1971 32,882,704 4,442,525
1970 32,240,827 4,321,718
1969 31,544,266 4,197,116
1968 30,838,302 4,065,593
1967 30,130,983 3,936,343
1966 29,435,571 3,812,003
1965 28,704,674 3,692,086
1964 27,984,155 3,577,017
1963 27,261,747 3,465,907
1962 26,513,030 3,358,099
1961 25,765,673 3,254,086
1960 25,012,374 3,153,729

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

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

Fertility rates in South Korea and Zambia

Fertility rate
South Korea

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
South Korea Zambia
2023 0.72 4.1
2022 0.78 4.18
2021 0.81 4.25
2020 0.84 4.32
2019 0.92 4.42
2018 0.98 4.49
2017 1.05 4.57
2016 1.17 4.67
2015 1.24 4.78
2014 1.21 4.89
2013 1.19 5.01
2012 1.3 5.14
2011 1.24 5.26
2010 1.23 5.36
2009 1.15 5.45
2008 1.19 5.53
2007 1.26 5.61
2006 1.13 5.68
2005 1.09 5.7
2004 1.16 5.7
2003 1.19 5.71
2002 1.18 5.77
2001 1.31 5.85
2000 1.48 5.92
1999 1.43 6
1998 1.46 6.07
1997 1.54 6.12
1996 1.57 6.18
1995 1.63 6.23
1994 1.66 6.26
1993 1.65 6.3
1992 1.76 6.35
1991 1.71 6.46
1990 1.57 6.57
1989 1.56 6.64
1988 1.55 6.7
1987 1.53 6.8
1986 1.58 6.87
1985 1.66 6.93
1984 1.74 6.97
1983 2.06 7.01
1982 2.39 7.04
1981 2.57 7.07
1980 2.82 7.14
1979 2.9 7.22
1978 2.64 7.29
1977 2.99 7.35
1976 3 7.39
1975 3.43 7.42
1974 3.77 7.36
1973 4.07 7.34
1972 4.12 7.3
1971 4.54 7.26
1970 4.53 7.22
1969 4.45 7.18
1968 4.51 7.18
1967 4.62 7.15
1966 4.78 7.14
1965 4.89 7.12
1964 5.07 7.09
1963 5.33 7.06
1962 5.56 7.01
1961 5.8 6.98
1960 5.99 6.95

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

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

South Korea and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
South Korea

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
South Korea Zambia
2024 46.1 18.8
2023 45.5 18.6
2022 44.9 18.4
2021 44.4 18.2
2020 43.8 18
2019 43.1 17.9
2018 42.5 17.7
2017 41.9 17.5
2016 41.4 17.4
2015 40.8 17.2
2014 40.2 17.1
2013 39.5 17
2012 38.8 16.9
2011 38.2 16.8
2010 37.6 16.7
2009 37 16.6
2008 36.4 16.5
2007 35.8 16.4
2006 35.2 16.3
2005 34.5 16.3
2004 33.9 16.2
2003 33.4 16.1
2002 32.8 16
2001 32.3 15.9
2000 31.7 15.9
1999 31.2 15.8
1998 30.7 15.8
1997 30.2 15.8
1996 29.8 15.8
1995 29.4 15.8
1994 28.9 15.8
1993 28.3 15.8
1992 27.8 15.8
1991 27.2 15.7
1990 26.7 15.7
1989 26.3 15.7
1988 25.8 15.6
1987 25.3 15.6
1986 24.8 15.5
1985 24.2 15.5
1984 23.7 15.4
1983 23.3 15.4
1982 22.8 15.3
1981 22.5 15.3
1980 22.1 15.2
1979 21.6 15.3
1978 21.1 15.3
1977 20.7 15.4
1976 20.2 15.4
1975 19.9 15.5
1974 19.6 15.7
1973 19.3 15.8
1972 19.1 15.9
1971 19 16.1
1970 18.9 16.2
1969 18.8 16.4
1968 18.7 16.4
1967 18.6 16.5
1966 18.5 16.5
1965 18.6 16.6
1964 18.8 16.6
1963 19 16.7
1962 19.1 16.8
1961 19.2 16.9
1960 19.3 17

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

South Korea Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$1.9T
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.81%
2022
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.56%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
569,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.78%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.78%
2024
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
73.7
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
1.5%
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
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.56T
2024
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$418B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$7.45B
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
2,519,000
2020
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
1.94%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
96.9%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

South Korea Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
5,337 kg
2023
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.8
2023
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
588 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
11.4 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
79.1%
2023
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
3.6%
2021
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
18.5%
2023
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share
84.6%
2023
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
11,426 kWh
2023
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
6.59%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
1.23%
2023
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
29.6%
2023
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

South Korea Zambia
% of world population
0.64%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
+65,731
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
81.2%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.76 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.35 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
87.4
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
63
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
86
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.48
2023
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
8.6
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
172
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
98.8%
2018
82%
2023
English speaking
20%
2025
16%
2023
People using the Internet
97.9%
2024
33%
2023

Health

South Korea Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$3,137
2024
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$1,058
2024
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
84.6 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.61
2022
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
32.2 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
4
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
2.8
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
7.24%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.6%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
46
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
20%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.79 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

South Korea Zambia
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
728 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,054 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
24,158 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
68,794 mi
2018
42,049 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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