📈 Tradeseekho Growth Explorer

China vs South Korea: Rural Population Comparison

Compare Rural Population of China and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, China recorded Rural Population of 473.41M vs 9.73M for South Korea (China's Rural Population is 48.7× larger than South Korea's.).

🇨🇳 China
473.41M
-41.0% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
9.73M
+1.4% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
48.7×
Gap: 463.68M
Rural Population
Progressive time series visualization
-
Active Year
Range: —
2000 2025
Select countries and press Play.

China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of Rural Population for China and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇨🇳 China Rural Population 🇰🇷 South Korea Rural Population South Korea : China Ratio
2025 473.41M 9.73M 0.02×
2024 480.54M 9.75M 0.02×
2023 486.27M 9.74M 0.02×
2022 491.19M 9.73M 0.02×
2021 498.27M 9.75M 0.02×
2020 514.72M 9.76M 0.02×
2019 524.95M 9.69M 0.02×
2018 540.06M 9.60M 0.02×
2017 555.13M 9.52M 0.02×
2016 571.22M 9.45M 0.02×
2015 588.79M 9.37M 0.02×
2014 607.04M 9.27M 0.02×
2013 620.41M 9.16M 0.01×
2012 635.11M 9.08M 0.01×
2011 647.90M 9.01M 0.01×
2010 679.10M 8.94M 0.01×
2009 687.71M 8.91M 0.01×
2008 702.21M 8.91M 0.01×
2007 713.12M 8.90M 0.01×
2006 729.67M 8.93M 0.01×
2005 743.25M 8.97M 0.01×
2004 754.83M 9.09M 0.01×
2003 766.21M 9.24M 0.01×
2002 779.89M 9.40M 0.01×
2001 792.87M 9.53M 0.01×
2000 802.64M 9.60M 0.01×
1999 817.04M 9.62M 0.01×
1998 827.75M 9.64M 0.01×
1997 837.56M 9.65M 0.01×
1996 846.44M 9.67M 0.01×
1995 854.96M 9.74M 0.01×
1994 852.05M 9.88M 0.01×
1993 848.59M 10.12M 0.01×
1992 845.07M 10.41M 0.01×
1991 840.76M 10.75M 0.01×
1990 837.82M 11.15M 0.01×
1989 825.45M 11.69M 0.01×
1988 817.25M 12.36M 0.02×
1987 809.56M 13.08M 0.02×
1986 805.16M 13.77M 0.02×
1985 801.87M 14.37M 0.02×
1984 798.21M 14.89M 0.02×
1983 802.03M 15.35M 0.02×
1982 801.20M 15.75M 0.02×
1981 793.55M 16.13M 0.02×
1980 790.96M 16.52M 0.02×
1979 785.27M 16.93M 0.02×
1978 784.87M 17.34M 0.02×
1977 777.87M 17.73M 0.02×
1976 768.41M 18.08M 0.02×
1975 757.45M 18.36M 0.02×
1974 745.81M 18.56M 0.02×
1973 730.24M 18.71M 0.03×
1972 714.35M 18.83M 0.03×
1971 695.93M 18.96M 0.03×
1970 676.09M 19.12M 0.03×
1969 656.72M 19.33M 0.03×
1968 638.04M 19.57M 0.03×
1967 620.69M 19.72M 0.03×
1966 604.06M 19.69M 0.03×
1965 586.57M 19.53M 0.03×
1964 570.56M 19.32M 0.03×
1963 567.46M 19.07M 0.03×
1962 550.43M 18.76M 0.03×
1961 532.92M 18.44M 0.03×
1960 535.35M 18.09M 0.03×

Rural Population Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2025, China recorded Rural Population of 473.41M, while South Korea recorded 9.73M, representing a scale ratio of ~48.7×.
• 1960 Baseline: China stood at 535.35M and South Korea stood at 18.09M.
• 2000–2025 Trajectory: China moved to 473.41M (-41.0% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 9.73M (+1.4% since 2000).
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, China's Rural Population expanded at ~-2.1% CAGR, while South Korea's expanded at ~0.1% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, China recorded 535.35M compared to 18.09M for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to 473.41M and 9.73M respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 463.68M.
• Scale Ratio: China is 48.7× size of South Korea.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 473.41M (China in 2025).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, China achieved -41.0% since 2000, while South Korea achieved +1.4% since 2000.

About Rural Population

Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices.

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 — Rural Population

What is the Rural Population of China?

In 2025, China's Rural Population was 473.41M according to official World Bank data.

What is the Rural Population of South Korea?

In 2025, South Korea's Rural Population was 9.73M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Rural Population?

In 2025, China recorded a higher Rural Population of 473.41M compared to South Korea's 9.73M (a difference of 463.68M).

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

From 2000 to 2025, China's Rural Population changed by -41.0% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +1.4% 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.

Open Growth Explorer →

Related Comparisons

China vs India Rural Population South Korea vs India Rural Population China vs United States Rural Population South Korea vs United States Rural Population China vs Japan Rural Population South Korea vs Japan Rural Population

Related Indicators

China vs South Korea Total Population China vs South Korea Population Growth Rate China vs South Korea Population Density China vs South Korea Urban Population China vs South Korea Birth Rate China vs South Korea Death Rate

Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SP.RUR.TOTL (Rural Population). Values represent annual rural population for China and South Korea from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.