TWO COUNTRIES. MORE CONTEXT.
Put things in perspective.
17 indicators. Two countries. Explore where their stories meet and where they differ.
A
B
Values, differences and ratios use the latest year with data for both countries, shown for each indicator. pp = percentage points.
| Indicator | South Korea | Japan | Difference · A − BLatest common year | Ratio · A / B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population ↗peopleReference year: 2025 | 51.68M2025 | 123.37M2025 | -71.68M2025 · 51.68M − 123.37M | 0.419×2025 |
| GDP ↗current US$Reference year: 2025 | 1.87T2025 | 4.44T2025 | -2.56T2025 · 1.87T − 4.44T | 0.422×2025 |
| GDP per capita ↗current US$ / personReference year: 2025 | 36.23K2025 | 35.95K2025 | +275.922025 · 36.23K − 35.95K | 1.01×2025 |
| Inflation ↗%Reference year: 2025 | 2.122025 | 3.172025 | -1.05 pp2025 · 2.12 − 3.17 | — |
| Unemployment ↗% of labor forceReference year: 2025 | 2.682025 | 2.452025 | +0.23 pp2025 · 2.68 − 2.45 | — |
| Fertility rate ↗births / womanReference year: 2024 | 0.752024 | 1.152024 | -0.42024 · 0.75 − 1.15 | — |
| Life expectancy ↗yearsReference year: 2024 | 83.632024 | 84.042024 | -0.412024 · 83.63 − 84.04 | — |
| Population growth ↗%Reference year: 2025 | -0.132025 | -0.492025 | +0.36 pp2025 · -0.13 − -0.49 | — |
| GDP growth ↗%Reference year: 2025 | 1.012025 | 1.192025 | -0.19 pp2025 · 1.01 − 1.19 | — |
| GDP per capita, PPP ↗current international $ / personReference year: 2025 | 63.12K2025 | 55.42K2025 | +7,703.042025 · 63.12K − 55.42K | 1.14×2025 |
| Population ages 65+ ↗% of total populationReference year: 2025 | 20.332025 | 29.992025 | -9.66 pp2025 · 20.33 − 29.99 | — |
| Urban population ↗% of total populationReference year: 2025 | 81.172025 | 92.32025 | -11.13 pp2025 · 81.17 − 92.3 | — |
| Labor force participation ↗% of population ages 15+Reference year: 2025 | 64.352025 | 63.452025 | +0.9 pp2025 · 64.35 − 63.45 | — |
| Youth unemployment ↗% of labor force ages 15–24Reference year: 2025 | 6.72025 | 3.92025 | +2.8 pp2025 · 6.7 − 3.9 | — |
| Internet users ↗% of populationReference year: 2024 | 97.92024 | 85.542024 | +12.35 pp2024 · 97.9 − 85.54 | — |
| Trade ↗% of GDPReference year: 2024 | 84.642024 | 44.852024 | +39.79 pp2024 · 84.64 − 44.85 | — |
| FDI net inflows ↗% of GDPReference year: 2025 | 0.842025 | 1.032025 | -0.19 pp2025 · 0.84 − 1.03 | — |
SIDE BY SIDE, OVER TIME
The bigger picture
Population
2025South Korea: 51.68MJapan: 123.37M
Source: World Bank · SP.POP.TOTLGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 51,684,564 | 123,366,734 |
| 2024 | 51,751,065 | 123,975,371 |
| 2023 | 51,712,619 | 124,516,650 |
| 2022 | 51,672,569 | 125,124,989 |
| 2021 | 51,769,539 | 125,681,593 |
| 2020 | 51,836,239 | 126,261,000 |
| 2019 | 51,764,822 | 126,633,000 |
| 2018 | 51,585,058 | 126,811,000 |
| 2017 | 51,361,911 | 126,972,000 |
| 2016 | 51,217,803 | 127,076,000 |
| 2015 | 51,014,947 | 127,141,000 |
| 2014 | 50,746,659 | 127,276,000 |
| 2013 | 50,428,893 | 127,445,000 |
| 2012 | 50,199,853 | 127,629,000 |
| 2011 | 49,936,638 | 127,833,000 |
| 2010 | 49,554,112 | 128,070,000 |
| 2009 | 49,307,835 | 128,047,000 |
| 2008 | 49,054,708 | 128,063,000 |
| 2007 | 48,683,638 | 128,001,000 |
| 2006 | 48,438,292 | 127,854,000 |
GDP
2025South Korea: 1.87TJapan: 4.44T
Source: World Bank · NY.GDP.MKTP.CDGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,872,374,961,553.15 | 4,435,162,999,976.94 |
| 2024 | 1,875,388,209,406.8 | 4,190,008,188,358.57 |
| 2023 | 1,844,800,934,391.54 | 4,384,854,269,961.93 |
| 2022 | 1,799,363,116,866.52 | 4,447,976,207,314.78 |
| 2021 | 1,942,313,560,965.9 | 5,225,933,520,753.1 |
| 2020 | 1,744,070,276,373.34 | 5,189,197,543,645.38 |
| 2019 | 1,751,045,752,054.63 | 5,245,755,000,479.03 |
| 2018 | 1,824,251,454,306.83 | 5,154,293,721,629.56 |
| 2017 | 1,710,196,756,713.17 | 5,038,231,631,660.71 |
| 2016 | 1,579,150,518,945.44 | 5,110,357,383,254.44 |
| 2015 | 1,539,212,301,135.55 | 4,534,438,580,494.94 |
| 2014 | 1,556,252,422,020.44 | 4,985,763,289,560.81 |
| 2013 | 1,434,669,686,501.84 | 5,272,297,037,396.96 |
| 2012 | 1,335,343,586,437.67 | 6,333,803,928,787.76 |
| 2011 | 1,307,103,477,219.1 | 6,279,422,550,218.7 |
| 2010 | 1,192,830,015,737.68 | 5,811,578,109,447.07 |
| 2009 | 983,065,242,417.36 | 5,336,765,697,589.29 |
| 2008 | 1,091,580,692,542.34 | 5,160,197,175,876.43 |
| 2007 | 1,220,911,904,593.06 | 4,624,670,179,654.96 |
| 2006 | 1,095,175,538,508.19 | 4,648,058,930,707.24 |
GDP per capita
2025South Korea: 36.23KJapan: 35.95K
Source: World Bank · NY.GDP.PCAP.CDGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 36,226.97 | 35,951.04 |
| 2024 | 36,238.64 | 33,797.1 |
| 2023 | 35,674.1 | 35,215 |
| 2022 | 34,822.4 | 35,548.26 |
| 2021 | 37,518.46 | 41,580.74 |
| 2020 | 33,645.77 | 41,098.97 |
| 2019 | 33,826.94 | 41,424.87 |
| 2018 | 35,363.95 | 40,645.48 |
| 2017 | 33,296.98 | 39,679.86 |
| 2016 | 30,832.06 | 40,214.97 |
| 2015 | 30,171.79 | 35,664.64 |
| 2014 | 30,667.09 | 39,172.85 |
| 2013 | 28,449.36 | 41,369.19 |
| 2012 | 26,600.55 | 49,626.68 |
| 2011 | 26,175.24 | 49,122.08 |
| 2010 | 24,071.26 | 45,378.14 |
| 2009 | 19,937.3 | 41,678.18 |
| 2008 | 22,252.31 | 40,294.21 |
| 2007 | 25,078.49 | 36,129.95 |
| 2006 | 22,609.71 | 36,354.43 |
Inflation
2025South Korea: 2.12Japan: 3.17
Source: World Bank · FP.CPI.TOTL.ZGGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.12 | 3.17 |
| 2024 | 2.32 | 2.74 |
| 2023 | 3.6 | 3.27 |
| 2022 | 5.09 | 2.5 |
| 2021 | 2.5 | -0.23 |
| 2020 | 0.54 | -0.02 |
| 2019 | 0.38 | 0.47 |
| 2018 | 1.48 | 0.99 |
| 2017 | 1.94 | 0.48 |
| 2016 | 0.97 | -0.13 |
| 2015 | 0.71 | 0.8 |
| 2014 | 1.27 | 2.76 |
| 2013 | 1.3 | 0.34 |
| 2012 | 2.19 | -0.04 |
| 2011 | 4.03 | -0.27 |
| 2010 | 2.94 | -0.73 |
| 2009 | 2.76 | -1.35 |
| 2008 | 4.67 | 1.38 |
| 2007 | 2.53 | 0.06 |
| 2006 | 2.24 | 0.25 |
Unemployment
2025South Korea: 2.68Japan: 2.45
Source: World Bank · SL.UEM.TOTL.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.68 | 2.45 |
| 2024 | 2.78 | 2.5 |
| 2023 | 2.68 | 2.6 |
| 2022 | 2.86 | 2.61 |
| 2021 | 3.64 | 2.81 |
| 2020 | 3.93 | 2.81 |
| 2019 | 3.75 | 2.35 |
| 2018 | 3.82 | 2.47 |
| 2017 | 3.65 | 2.82 |
| 2016 | 3.65 | 3.13 |
| 2015 | 3.55 | 3.39 |
| 2014 | 3.08 | 3.59 |
| 2013 | 3.07 | 4.04 |
| 2012 | 2.81 | 4.36 |
| 2011 | 2.99 | 4.55 |
| 2010 | 3.32 | 5.1 |
| 2009 | 3.36 | 5.07 |
| 2008 | 2.96 | 4 |
| 2007 | 3.01 | 3.89 |
| 2006 | 3.25 | 4.19 |
Fertility rate
2025South Korea: —Japan: —
Source: World Bank · SP.DYN.TFRT.INGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | No data available | No data available |
| 2024 | 0.75 | 1.15 |
| 2023 | 0.72 | 1.2 |
| 2022 | 0.78 | 1.26 |
| 2021 | 0.81 | 1.3 |
| 2020 | 0.84 | 1.33 |
| 2019 | 0.92 | 1.36 |
| 2018 | 0.98 | 1.42 |
| 2017 | 1.05 | 1.43 |
| 2016 | 1.17 | 1.44 |
| 2015 | 1.24 | 1.45 |
| 2014 | 1.21 | 1.42 |
| 2013 | 1.19 | 1.43 |
| 2012 | 1.3 | 1.41 |
| 2011 | 1.24 | 1.39 |
| 2010 | 1.23 | 1.39 |
| 2009 | 1.15 | 1.37 |
| 2008 | 1.19 | 1.37 |
| 2007 | 1.26 | 1.34 |
| 2006 | 1.13 | 1.32 |
Life expectancy
2025South Korea: —Japan: —
Source: World Bank · SP.DYN.LE00.INGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | No data available | No data available |
| 2024 | 83.63 | 84.04 |
| 2023 | 83.43 | 84.04 |
| 2022 | 82.68 | 84 |
| 2021 | 83.53 | 84.45 |
| 2020 | 83.43 | 84.56 |
| 2019 | 83.23 | 84.36 |
| 2018 | 82.63 | 84.21 |
| 2017 | 82.63 | 84.1 |
| 2016 | 82.28 | 83.98 |
| 2015 | 82.02 | 83.79 |
| 2014 | 81.72 | 83.59 |
| 2013 | 81.27 | 83.33 |
| 2012 | 80.82 | 83.1 |
| 2011 | 80.57 | 82.59 |
| 2010 | 80.12 | 82.84 |
| 2009 | 79.97 | 82.93 |
| 2008 | 79.52 | 82.59 |
| 2007 | 79.12 | 82.51 |
| 2006 | 78.67 | 82.32 |
Population growth
2025South Korea: -0.13Japan: -0.49
Source: World Bank · SP.POP.GROWGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -0.13 | -0.49 |
| 2024 | 0.07 | -0.44 |
| 2023 | 0.08 | -0.49 |
| 2022 | -0.19 | -0.44 |
| 2021 | -0.13 | -0.46 |
| 2020 | 0.14 | -0.29 |
| 2019 | 0.35 | -0.14 |
| 2018 | 0.43 | -0.13 |
| 2017 | 0.28 | -0.08 |
| 2016 | 0.4 | -0.05 |
| 2015 | 0.53 | -0.11 |
| 2014 | 0.63 | -0.13 |
| 2013 | 0.46 | -0.14 |
| 2012 | 0.53 | -0.16 |
| 2011 | 0.77 | -0.19 |
| 2010 | 0.5 | 0.02 |
| 2009 | 0.51 | -0.01 |
| 2008 | 0.76 | 0.05 |
| 2007 | 0.51 | 0.11 |
| 2006 | 0.53 | 0.06 |
GDP growth
2025South Korea: 1.01Japan: 1.19
Source: World Bank · NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZGGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.01 | 1.19 |
| 2024 | 2 | -0.24 |
| 2023 | 1.58 | 0.72 |
| 2022 | 2.73 | 1.33 |
| 2021 | 4.61 | 3.56 |
| 2020 | -0.7 | -4.28 |
| 2019 | 2.31 | -0.31 |
| 2018 | 3.18 | 0.83 |
| 2017 | 3.43 | 1.62 |
| 2016 | 3.17 | 0.7 |
| 2015 | 2.92 | 1.8 |
| 2014 | 3.21 | 0.91 |
| 2013 | 3.29 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2.55 | 1.65 |
| 2011 | 3.69 | -0.2 |
| 2010 | 6.98 | 4.14 |
| 2009 | 0.82 | -5.94 |
| 2008 | 3 | -1.17 |
| 2007 | 5.84 | 1.73 |
| 2006 | 5.25 | 1.55 |
GDP per capita, PPP
2025South Korea: 63.12KJapan: 55.42K
Source: World Bank · NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CDGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 63,124.92 | 55,421.88 |
| 2024 | 61,051.35 | 54,156.27 |
| 2023 | 57,429.8 | 52,726.24 |
| 2022 | 55,509.34 | 49,245.96 |
| 2021 | 51,718.25 | 45,999.46 |
| 2020 | 47,881.49 | 43,560.02 |
| 2019 | 46,511.22 | 43,743.53 |
| 2018 | 45,511.08 | 43,090.07 |
| 2017 | 43,155.91 | 42,346.88 |
| 2016 | 41,672.63 | 41,462.51 |
| 2015 | 39,794.2 | 41,722.39 |
| 2014 | 37,032.17 | 40,272.44 |
| 2013 | 35,844.23 | 39,855.35 |
| 2012 | 35,061.55 | 37,974.34 |
| 2011 | 33,944.25 | 36,483.3 |
| 2010 | 33,120.35 | 35,658.17 |
| 2009 | 30,739.96 | 33,843.2 |
| 2008 | 31,211.06 | 35,643.46 |
| 2007 | 30,255.39 | 35,358.77 |
| 2006 | 27,972.38 | 33,970.9 |
Population ages 65+
2025South Korea: 20.33Japan: 29.99
Source: World Bank · SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20.33 | 29.99 |
| 2024 | 19.27 | 29.78 |
| 2023 | 18.34 | 29.56 |
| 2022 | 17.48 | 29.4 |
| 2021 | 16.66 | 29.22 |
| 2020 | 15.82 | 28.92 |
| 2019 | 15.06 | 28.63 |
| 2018 | 14.45 | 28.35 |
| 2017 | 13.87 | 27.98 |
| 2016 | 13.36 | 27.51 |
| 2015 | 12.95 | 26.92 |
| 2014 | 12.53 | 26.23 |
| 2013 | 12.1 | 25.41 |
| 2012 | 11.7 | 24.51 |
| 2011 | 11.35 | 23.65 |
| 2010 | 10.99 | 23.1 |
| 2009 | 10.61 | 22.76 |
| 2008 | 10.25 | 22.25 |
| 2007 | 9.86 | 21.63 |
| 2006 | 9.42 | 20.98 |
Urban population
2025South Korea: 81.17Japan: 92.3
Source: World Bank · SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 81.17 | 92.3 |
| 2024 | 81.17 | 92.19 |
| 2023 | 81.16 | 92.08 |
| 2022 | 81.16 | 91.98 |
| 2021 | 81.16 | 91.87 |
| 2020 | 81.18 | 91.78 |
| 2019 | 81.29 | 91.72 |
| 2018 | 81.38 | 91.64 |
| 2017 | 81.47 | 91.55 |
| 2016 | 81.56 | 91.45 |
| 2015 | 81.64 | 91.35 |
| 2014 | 81.73 | 91.25 |
| 2013 | 81.83 | 91.15 |
| 2012 | 81.91 | 91.03 |
| 2011 | 81.96 | 90.86 |
| 2010 | 81.97 | 90.62 |
| 2009 | 81.92 | 90.11 |
| 2008 | 81.84 | 89.29 |
| 2007 | 81.71 | 88.27 |
| 2006 | 81.57 | 87.15 |
Labor force participation
2025South Korea: 64.35Japan: 63.45
Source: World Bank · SL.TLF.CACT.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 64.35 | 63.45 |
| 2024 | 64.47 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 64.27 | 62.9 |
| 2022 | 63.79 | 62.5 |
| 2021 | 62.55 | 62.05 |
| 2020 | 62.27 | 61.95 |
| 2019 | 62.99 | 62.01 |
| 2018 | 62.76 | 61.45 |
| 2017 | 62.91 | 60.44 |
| 2016 | 62.63 | 59.99 |
| 2015 | 62.58 | 59.5 |
| 2014 | 62.28 | 59.44 |
| 2013 | 61.4 | 59.25 |
| 2012 | 60.93 | 59.01 |
| 2011 | 60.64 | 59.25 |
| 2010 | 60.33 | 59.58 |
| 2009 | 60.22 | 59.86 |
| 2008 | 60.81 | 60.16 |
| 2007 | 61.32 | 60.4 |
| 2006 | 61.46 | 60.42 |
Youth unemployment
2025South Korea: 6.7Japan: 3.9
Source: World Bank · SL.UEM.1524.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6.7 | 3.9 |
| 2024 | 6.43 | 3.93 |
| 2023 | 5.41 | 4.12 |
| 2022 | 6.64 | 4.43 |
| 2021 | 8.06 | 4.71 |
| 2020 | 10.14 | 4.68 |
| 2019 | 9.83 | 3.94 |
| 2018 | 10.12 | 3.67 |
| 2017 | 9.78 | 4.61 |
| 2016 | 10.15 | 5.12 |
| 2015 | 9.9 | 5.47 |
| 2014 | 8.59 | 6.3 |
| 2013 | 8.94 | 6.81 |
| 2012 | 7.74 | 8.24 |
| 2011 | 8.3 | 8.33 |
| 2010 | 8.54 | 9.46 |
| 2009 | 9.22 | 9.21 |
| 2008 | 8.65 | 7.31 |
| 2007 | 7.85 | 7.87 |
| 2006 | 8.92 | 8.3 |
Internet users
2025South Korea: —Japan: —
Source: World Bank · IT.NET.USER.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | No data available | No data available |
| 2024 | 97.9 | 85.54 |
| 2023 | 97.42 | 85.01 |
| 2022 | 97.17 | 84.92 |
| 2021 | 97.57 | 82.91 |
| 2020 | 96.51 | 90.22 |
| 2019 | 96.16 | 92.73 |
| 2018 | 96.02 | 88.75 |
| 2017 | 95.07 | 91.73 |
| 2016 | 92.84 | 93.18 |
| 2015 | 89.9 | 91.06 |
| 2014 | 87.56 | 89.11 |
| 2013 | 84.77 | 88.22 |
| 2012 | 84.07 | 79.5 |
| 2011 | 83.76 | 79.05 |
| 2010 | 83.7 | 78.21 |
| 2009 | 81.6 | 78 |
| 2008 | 81 | 75.4 |
| 2007 | 78.8 | 74.3 |
| 2006 | 78.1 | 68.69 |
Trade
2025South Korea: 86.36Japan: —
Source: World Bank · NE.TRD.GNFS.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 86.36 | No data available |
| 2024 | 84.64 | 44.85 |
| 2023 | 82.26 | 43.6 |
| 2022 | 90.59 | 44.86 |
| 2021 | 75.31 | 35.43 |
| 2020 | 65.54 | 30.52 |
| 2019 | 71.45 | 34.36 |
| 2018 | 74.71 | 35.8 |
| 2017 | 73.19 | 33.69 |
| 2016 | 69.9 | 30.66 |
| 2015 | 75.39 | 34.73 |
| 2014 | 86.93 | 36.76 |
| 2013 | 94.17 | 33.59 |
| 2012 | 101.52 | 30.17 |
| 2011 | 101.68 | 29.97 |
| 2010 | 88.03 | 28.24 |
| 2009 | 83.12 | 24.17 |
| 2008 | 92.08 | 33.77 |
| 2007 | 71.32 | 32.5 |
| 2006 | 68.37 | 29.71 |
FDI net inflows
2025South Korea: 0.84Japan: 1.03
Source: World Bank · BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZSGaps indicate missing observations.
View chart data
| Year | South Korea | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.84 | 1.03 |
| 2024 | 0.69 | 0.45 |
| 2023 | 1.03 | 0.46 |
| 2022 | 1.39 | 1.08 |
| 2021 | 1.14 | 0.67 |
| 2020 | 0.5 | 1.21 |
| 2019 | 0.55 | 0.76 |
| 2018 | 0.67 | 0.49 |
| 2017 | 1.05 | 0.37 |
| 2016 | 0.77 | 0.8 |
| 2015 | 0.27 | 0.12 |
| 2014 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| 2013 | 0.89 | 0.2 |
| 2012 | 0.71 | 0.01 |
| 2011 | 0.75 | -0.01 |
| 2010 | 0.8 | 0.13 |
| 2009 | 0.92 | 0.23 |
| 2008 | 1.02 | 0.48 |
| 2007 | 0.72 | 0.47 |
| 2006 | 0.84 | -0.05 |