China vs South Korea: Population Density Comparison

Compare Population Density (People per sq. km) of China and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2023, South Korea recorded Population Density (People per sq. km) of 529.84 vs 150.26 for China (South Korea's Population Density is 379.58 higher than China's.).

🇨🇳 China
150.26
+11.7% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
529.84
+8.7% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
379.58
Latest Year: 2023
Population Density (People per sq. km)
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2000 2025
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China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1961 – 2023)

Complete annual observations of Population Density (People per sq. km) for China and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇨🇳 China Population Density 🇰🇷 South Korea Population Density Difference / Gap
2023 150.26 529.84 379.58
2022 150.42 529.43 379.01
2021 150.44 530.43 379.99
2020 150.31 531.11 380.80
2019 149.95 530.38 380.43
2018 149.42 528.97 379.55
2017 148.72 526.73 378.01
2016 147.82 525.37 377.55
2015 146.98 523.53 376.55
2014 146.13 520.85 374.73
2013 145.21 517.61 372.40
2012 144.24 515.88 371.63
2011 143.27 513.80 370.54
2010 142.49 509.82 367.33
2009 141.80 508.01 366.21
2008 141.10 505.77 364.67
2007 140.38 502.31 361.93
2006 139.65 499.98 360.34
2005 138.87 497.52 358.65
2004 138.05 496.62 358.56
2003 137.24 494.76 357.52
2002 136.38 492.25 355.86
2001 135.47 489.66 354.19
2000 134.49 487.33 352.84
1999 133.44 483.27 349.84
1998 132.29 479.85 347.57
1997 131.02 476.40 345.38
1996 129.69 471.95 342.26
1995 128.34 467.48 339.14
1994 126.95 462.80 335.85
1993 125.52 458.17 332.64
1992 124.09 453.53 329.45
1991 122.58 448.85 326.27
1990 120.92 444.43 323.51
1989 119.15 440.07 320.91
1988 117.34 435.74 318.40
1987 115.47 431.49 316.02
1986 113.63 427.26 313.63
1985 111.95 423.03 311.08
1984 110.44 418.89 308.45
1983 109.00 413.75 304.75
1982 107.44 407.70 300.26
1981 105.86 401.44 295.58
1980 104.52 395.23 290.71
1979 103.21 389.12 285.90
1978 101.85 383.26 281.41
1977 100.49 377.48 276.99
1976 99.13 371.64 272.51
1975 97.61 365.75 268.14
1974 95.90 359.65 263.75
1973 93.94 353.55 259.61
1972 91.82 347.35 255.53
1971 89.59 340.89 251.30
1970 87.16 334.24 247.08
1969 84.79 327.02 242.23
1968 82.50 319.70 237.20
1967 80.37 312.37 232.00
1966 78.33 305.16 226.83
1965 76.18 297.58 221.40
1964 74.39 290.11 215.73
1963 72.68 282.62 209.94
1962 70.92 274.86 203.95
1961 70.34 267.11 196.78

Population Density Comparison

Current Leader: In 2023, South Korea recorded Population Density of 529.84, while China recorded 150.26, a difference of 379.58.
1961 Baseline: China stood at 70.34 and South Korea stood at 267.11.
2000–2023 Trajectory: China moved to 150.26 (+11.7% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 529.84 (+8.7% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1961 to 2023, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1961, China recorded 70.34 compared to 267.11 for South Korea. By 2023, the values evolved to 150.26 and 529.84 respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2023 is 379.58.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 529.84 (South Korea in 2023).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, China achieved +11.7% since 2000, while South Korea achieved +8.7% since 2000.

About Population Density (People per sq. km)

Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for China and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — Population Density

What is the Population Density of China?

In 2023, China's Population Density was 150.26 according to official World Bank data.

What is the Population Density of South Korea?

In 2023, South Korea's Population Density was 529.84 according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Population Density?

In 2023, South Korea recorded a higher Population Density of 529.84 compared to China's 150.26 (a difference of 379.58).

How has Population Density changed over time for China and South Korea?

From 2000 to 2023, China's Population Density changed by +11.7% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +8.7% since 2000.

Explore China vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare China and South Korea across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: EN.POP.DNST (Population Density (People per sq. km)). Values represent annual population density (people per sq. km) for China and South Korea from 1961 through 2023. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.