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South Korea vs Zimbabwe statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

South Korea has a population of 51.8M (ranked 29/197), compared with 16.6M in Zimbabwe (ranked 74/197). South Korea's land area is 37,684 sq mi versus 149,364 sq mi for Zimbabwe (ranked 105th vs. 60th).

By GDP, South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T) and Zimbabwe ranks 102/197 ($41.5B). By GDP per capita, South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239), while Zimbabwe ranks 148/197 ($2,497).

Main facts and rankings

South Korea Zimbabwe
Population
51649918
17361868
Population rank 31/197 74/197
GDP
$1.88T
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank 12/197 102/197
GDP per capita
$36,239
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank 31/197 148/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$5,928
2024
Government debt
$934B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.8%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,052
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank 33/185 121/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$27,215
2026
$2,897
2026
Land area 37,684 sq mi 149,364 sq mi
Population density
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
115.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
0.72
2023
3.72
2023
Median age
46.1 years
2024
19 years
2024
Life expectancy
84.6 years
2026
63.6 years
2026

South Korea and Zimbabwe: Comparison Charts

South Korea and Zimbabwe economies compared

GDP
South Korea

Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP
South Korea Zimbabwe
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 $41,539,411,516
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 $35,871,779,681
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 $40,757,561,709
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 $41,287,673,690
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 $31,980,334,561
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 $33,357,695,635
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 $34,141,666,667
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 $51,035,657,371
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 $20,559,250,000
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $19,973,250,000
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $19,505,500,000
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $19,100,750,000
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $17,123,500,000
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $14,109,000,000
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $12,047,750,000
2009 $983,065,242,417 $9,670,750,000
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $4,418,000,000
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 $5,294,750,000
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 $5,446,750,000
2005 $971,740,329,984 $5,758,250,000
2004 $823,251,107,639 $5,808,500,000
2003 $728,516,494,684 $5,730,500,000
2002 $650,014,391,470 $6,345,250,000
2001 $567,564,806,235 $6,780,750,000
2000 $597,487,173,479 $6,693,250,000
1999 $515,697,079,289 $6,861,500,000
1998 $397,297,216,492 $6,405,250,000
1997 $589,202,526,424 $8,534,000,000
1996 $631,196,863,758 $8,557,500,000
1995 $586,286,469,401 $7,115,000,000
1994 $479,181,794,217 $6,894,250,000
1993 $405,705,302,846 $6,567,250,000
1992 $366,921,291,825 $6,755,000,000
1991 $340,851,946,804 $8,646,000,000
1990 $292,064,221,389 $8,788,301,546
1989 $254,236,243,100 $8,290,553,535
1988 $205,477,530,605 $7,818,774,177
1987 $152,240,393,646 $6,744,657,033
1986 $119,965,960,795 $6,220,698,247
1985 $103,764,281,281 $5,640,137,575
1984 $99,749,645,089 $6,355,369,172
1983 $89,621,208,322 $7,768,031,182
1982 $79,921,300,447 $8,544,060,905
1981 $74,287,368,087 $8,015,464,252
1980 $66,547,970,351 $6,682,278,300
1979 $68,083,884,298 $5,180,102,910
1978 $52,824,793,388 $4,353,822,343
1977 $39,064,462,810 $4,366,610,469
1976 $30,371,074,380 $4,320,576,877
1975 $22,126,033,058 $4,373,532,601
1974 $19,860,929,977 $3,984,194,614
1973 $14,067,523,813 $3,311,043,292
1972 $10,990,490,570 $2,679,096,597
1971 $10,005,257,131 $2,179,828,710
1970 $9,085,001,794 $1,885,168,339
1969 $7,743,940,189 $1,748,891,294
1968 $6,167,109,472 $1,480,355,355
1967 $4,895,076,718 $1,397,715,282
1966 $3,957,064,541 $1,282,403,936
1965 $3,141,131,708 $1,312,105,394
1964 $3,476,789,682 $1,217,759,447
1963 $4,007,692,308 $1,160,103,724
1962 $2,826,923,077 $1,118,172,226
1961 $2,427,244,761 $1,097,206,526
1960 $3,973,069,307 $1,053,528,036

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

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

South Korea and Zimbabwe economies compared

GDP per capita
South Korea

Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP per capita
South Korea Zimbabwe
2024 $36,239 $2,497
2023 $35,674 $2,195
2022 $34,822 $2,536
2021 $37,518 $2,614
2020 $33,646 $2,060
2019 $33,827 $2,184
2018 $35,364 $2,271
2017 $33,297 $3,445
2016 $30,832 $1,408
2015 $30,172 $1,387
2014 $30,667 $1,373
2013 $28,449 $1,363
2012 $26,601 $1,239
2011 $26,175 $1,038
2010 $24,071 $902
2009 $19,937 $736
2008 $22,252 $341
2007 $25,078 $414
2006 $22,610 $431
2005 $20,167 $461
2004 $17,122 $470
2003 $15,212 $468
2002 $13,643 $525
2001 $11,981 $566
2000 $12,710 $563
1999 $11,063 $582
1998 $8,583 $552
1997 $12,822 $751
1996 $13,865 $767
1995 $13,002 $648
1994 $10,734 $634
1993 $9,180 $605
1992 $8,387 $631
1991 $7,873 $831
1990 $6,813 $867
1989 $5,989 $840
1988 $4,889 $816
1987 $3,658 $726
1986 $2,911 $693
1985 $2,543 $649
1984 $2,469 $757
1983 $2,246 $959
1982 $2,032 $1,096
1981 $1,918 $1,069
1980 $1,746 $949
1979 $1,814 $779
1978 $1,429 $665
1977 $1,073 $677
1976 $847 $687
1975 $627 $717
1974 $572 $674
1973 $412 $579
1972 $328 $483
1971 $304 $406
1970 $281.8 $361
1969 $245.5 $346
1968 $200 $302
1967 $162.5 $294.4
1966 $134.4 $278.7
1965 $109.4 $294.3
1964 $124.2 $281.9
1963 $147 $277.1
1962 $106.6 $275.7
1961 $94.2 $279.2
1960 $158.8 $276.6

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

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

South Korea vs. Zimbabwe life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
South Korea

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
South Korea Zimbabwe
2026 84.6 63.6
2025 84.5 63.3
2024 84.4 63.1
2023 84.3 62.8
2022 82.7 62.4
2021 83.9 60.1
2020 83.7 61.5
2019 83.7 61.1
2018 83.3 60.9
2017 83.3 60.3
2016 82.9 59.8
2015 82.5 59
2014 82.4 58.1
2013 81.8 56.8
2012 81.3 55.4
2011 81.2 53.9
2010 80.7 51.9
2009 80.6 49.7
2008 80 48.5
2007 79.4 47.6
2006 79 47.1
2005 78.4 46.6
2004 78 46
2003 77.5 45.4
2002 77.2 45.9
2001 76.9 44.5
2000 76.2 46
1999 75.6 46.4
1998 75 47.6
1997 74.5 48.5
1996 74 49
1995 73.4 51.1
1994 72.9 52.5
1993 72.7 54
1992 72.2 55.6
1991 71.4 57
1990 71 58.3
1989 70.7 59.4
1988 70.2 60.2
1987 69.3 60.7
1986 69 61
1985 68.4 60.9
1984 68.1 60.6
1983 66.7 60
1982 67.1 59.9
1981 67.1 59.4
1980 64.8 59.1
1979 66.1 54.9
1978 65 54.7
1977 64.6 57
1976 65 57.6
1975 64.7 58.2
1974 64.2 58.2
1973 63.8 58.1
1972 63.2 58.2
1971 62.7 58
1970 62.2 57.8
1969 61.4 57.5
1968 60.9 57.1
1967 60.9 56.8
1966 55.4 56.4
1965 55.8 55.9
1964 55.3 55.4
1963 55 54.9
1962 55 54.5
1961 54.4 54
1960 53.8 53.5
1959 52.9 53
1958 51.8 52.6
1957 51.6 52.2
1956 50.2 51.8
1955 48.4 51.4
1954 46.1 51
1953 40.5 50.6
1952 36.6 50.2
1951 26.6 49.8
1950 22.2 49.4

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

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

South Korea and Zimbabwe population clocks and comparison

Population
South Korea

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Population
South Korea Zimbabwe
2024 51,751,065 16,634,373
2023 51,712,619 16,340,822
2022 51,672,569 16,069,056
2021 51,769,539 15,797,210
2020 51,836,239 15,526,888
2019 51,764,822 15,271,368
2018 51,585,058 15,034,452
2017 51,361,911 14,812,482
2016 51,217,803 14,600,294
2015 51,014,947 14,399,013
2014 50,746,659 14,207,359
2013 50,428,893 14,013,808
2012 50,199,853 13,817,887
2011 49,936,638 13,595,424
2010 49,554,112 13,356,548
2009 49,307,835 13,142,790
2008 49,054,708 12,959,149
2007 48,683,638 12,804,058
2006 48,438,292 12,636,445
2005 48,184,561 12,483,432
2004 48,082,519 12,365,896
2003 47,892,330 12,232,323
2002 47,644,736 12,087,653
2001 47,370,164 11,971,901
2000 47,008,111 11,892,055
1999 46,616,677 11,783,458
1998 46,286,503 11,594,297
1997 45,953,580 11,369,827
1996 45,524,681 11,158,360
1995 45,092,991 10,974,599
1994 44,641,540 10,873,148
1993 44,194,628 10,860,288
1992 43,747,962 10,702,700
1991 43,295,704 10,404,816
1990 42,869,283 10,137,281
1989 42,449,038 9,864,798
1988 42,031,247 9,583,094
1987 41,621,690 9,284,644
1986 41,213,674 8,982,578
1985 40,805,744 8,686,813
1984 40,405,956 8,391,488
1983 39,910,403 8,098,404
1982 39,326,352 7,796,496
1981 38,723,248 7,498,635
1980 38,123,775 7,041,303
1979 37,534,236 6,647,556
1978 36,969,185 6,543,575
1977 36,411,795 6,449,512
1976 35,848,523 6,287,105
1975 35,280,725 6,098,658
1974 34,692,266 5,908,328
1973 34,103,149 5,720,404
1972 33,505,406 5,542,445
1971 32,882,704 5,374,712
1970 32,240,827 5,215,918
1969 31,544,266 5,058,181
1968 30,838,302 4,900,440
1967 30,130,983 4,748,307
1966 29,435,571 4,601,217
1965 28,704,674 4,458,462
1964 27,984,155 4,320,006
1963 27,261,747 4,185,877
1962 26,513,030 4,055,959
1961 25,765,673 3,930,401
1960 25,012,374 3,809,389

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

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

Fertility rates in South Korea and Zimbabwe

Fertility rate
South Korea

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Fertility rate
South Korea Zimbabwe
2023 0.72 3.72
2022 0.78 3.77
2021 0.81 3.77
2020 0.84 3.75
2019 0.92 3.75
2018 0.98 3.74
2017 1.05 3.77
2016 1.17 3.83
2015 1.24 3.91
2014 1.21 4.01
2013 1.19 4.11
2012 1.3 4.13
2011 1.24 4.13
2010 1.23 4.04
2009 1.15 3.95
2008 1.19 3.78
2007 1.26 3.68
2006 1.13 3.64
2005 1.09 3.69
2004 1.16 3.78
2003 1.19 3.86
2002 1.18 3.93
2001 1.31 3.98
2000 1.48 4.01
1999 1.43 4.06
1998 1.46 4.07
1997 1.54 4.08
1996 1.57 4.11
1995 1.63 4.15
1994 1.66 4.28
1993 1.65 4.39
1992 1.76 4.57
1991 1.71 4.72
1990 1.57 4.88
1989 1.56 5.07
1988 1.55 5.28
1987 1.53 5.5
1986 1.58 5.69
1985 1.66 5.87
1984 1.74 6.04
1983 2.06 6.2
1982 2.39 6.33
1981 2.57 6.45
1980 2.82 6.52
1979 2.9 6.59
1978 2.64 6.66
1977 2.99 6.71
1976 3 6.77
1975 3.43 6.83
1974 3.77 6.88
1973 4.07 6.94
1972 4.12 6.94
1971 4.54 6.94
1970 4.53 6.98
1969 4.45 7.04
1968 4.51 7.11
1967 4.62 7.16
1966 4.78 7.2
1965 4.89 7.23
1964 5.07 7.23
1963 5.33 7.23
1962 5.56 7.23
1961 5.8 7.21
1960 5.99 7.2

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

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

South Korea and Zimbabwe demographics compared

Median age
South Korea

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Median age, years
South Korea Zimbabwe
2024 46.1 19
2023 45.5 18.9
2022 44.9 18.7
2021 44.4 18.6
2020 43.8 18.5
2019 43.1 18.3
2018 42.5 18.2
2017 41.9 18.1
2016 41.4 18
2015 40.8 18
2014 40.2 18
2013 39.5 18
2012 38.8 18.1
2011 38.2 18.2
2010 37.6 18.3
2009 37 18.4
2008 36.4 18.5
2007 35.8 18.5
2006 35.2 18.5
2005 34.5 18.3
2004 33.9 18.3
2003 33.4 18.2
2002 32.8 18.1
2001 32.3 18
2000 31.7 17.8
1999 31.2 17.7
1998 30.7 17.5
1997 30.2 17.2
1996 29.8 16.9
1995 29.4 16.6
1994 28.9 16.4
1993 28.3 16.3
1992 27.8 16.4
1991 27.2 16.5
1990 26.7 16.3
1989 26.3 16.1
1988 25.8 15.9
1987 25.3 15.9
1986 24.8 15.9
1985 24.2 15.9
1984 23.7 15.8
1983 23.3 15.8
1982 22.8 15.8
1981 22.5 15.7
1980 22.1 15.6
1979 21.6 15.6
1978 21.1 15.7
1977 20.7 15.8
1976 20.2 15.8
1975 19.9 15.9
1974 19.6 15.9
1973 19.3 15.8
1972 19.1 15.8
1971 19 15.8
1970 18.9 15.7
1969 18.8 15.7
1968 18.7 15.7
1967 18.6 15.7
1966 18.5 15.7
1965 18.6 15.7
1964 18.8 15.7
1963 19 15.8
1962 19.1 16
1961 19.2 16.2
1960 19.3 16.4

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

South Korea Zimbabwe
GNI, Atlas method
$1.9T
2024
$39.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
12.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.81%
2022
0.38%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.56%
2024
0.35%
2024
Armed forces personnel
569,000
2020
51,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.78%
2024
-1.06%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.78%
2024
12.1%
2024
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
35%
2024
Economic freedom index
73.7
2026
35.2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
1.9%
2019
Number of millionaires
1,301,000
2025
n/a
Percentage of millionaires
2.96%
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
30
2025
1
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.00007%
2025
0.00001%
2025
Listed domestic companies
2,599
2024
69
1999
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.56T
2024
$2.46B
1999
Total reserves including gold
$418B
2024
$485M
2024
Personal remittances received
$7.45B
2024
$3.51B
2024
International tourist arrivals
2,519,000
2020
639,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
1.94%
2020
1.25%
2020
Banked people share
96.9%
2024
49.5%
2024

Energy

South Korea Zimbabwe
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
5,337 kg
2023
417 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.8
2023
$13
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
588 megatons
2024
12.9 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
11.4 tons
2024
0.77 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
79.1%
2023
45.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
3.6%
2021
82.4%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
18.5%
2023
7.59%
2022
Net energy imports use share
84.6%
2023
17%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
11,426 kWh
2023
539 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
6.59%
2021
72.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
1.23%
2023
67.6%
2022
Nuclear share
29.6%
2023
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
62%
2023

Society

South Korea Zimbabwe
% of world population
0.64%
2024
0.2%
2024
Annual migration change
+65,731
2025
-54,555
2025
Urban population
81.2%
2024
39.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
47.7:52.3
2024
Average male height
5.76 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.35 ft
2025
5.24 ft
2025
Quality of life index
87.4
2026
27.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
63
2025
22
2025
Higher education index
86
2026
45
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.48
2023
6.76
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
8.6
2019
41.2
2019
Visa free countries
172
2025
70
2025
Adult literacy rate
98.8%
2018
89.8%
2022
English speaking
20%
2025
82.1%
2023
People using the Internet
97.9%
2024
38.4%
2023

Health

South Korea Zimbabwe
Government health expenditure per capita
$3,137
2024
$62.9
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$1,058
2024
$6.69
2023
Life expectancy
84.6 years
2026
63.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0%
2023
45%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.61
2022
0.14
2023
Age at first childbirth
32.2 years
2025
20.3 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
4
2023
358
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
2.8
2023
44.2
2023
Obesity rate
7.24%
2022
14.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.6%
2024
1.5%
2024
Air quality index
46
2026
29
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
20%
2022
11.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.79 liters
2020
2.67 liters
2020

Territory

South Korea Zimbabwe
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.26%
2026
Land area per capita
728 sq mi
2024
8,979 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
6,054 sq mi
2026
62,422 sq mi
2026
Forest area
24,158 sq mi
2026
66,820 sq mi
2026
Roads length
68,794 mi
2018
60,439 mi
2019

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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