Population in South and North Korea 2008-2024

In 2024, the population of South Korea was estimated to be about 51.75 million. The population of North Korea was about 25.87 million, making North Korea's population roughly half of South Korea's.

Economic comparison between South and North Korea

After the Korean War (1950-1953), South Korea and North Korea pursued vastly different trajectories not only politically but also economically. South Korea embraced capitalism and free market principles, which fueled its rapid economic growth and transformed it into one of the world's leading economies. In contrast, North Korea adopted a state-controlled, centrally planned economy, leading to isolation and economic stagnation. While South Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) reached around 2,401 trillion South Korean won in 2023, only about 40 trillion won was recorded for North Korea. 

Food crisis in North Korea

North Korea has faced food insecurity for a long time, and this has been exacerbated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was estimated that the country had a food shortage of around 860,000 metric tons in 2023. Although the North Korean government maintains a centrally planned economic system, food distribution has long been a problem, as an increasing number of North Korean defectors have reported that they have never received food from North Korean authorities.