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China vs South Korea: Urban Population Comparison

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

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, China recorded Urban Population of 933.17M vs 41.95M for South Korea (China's Urban Population is 22.2× larger than South Korea's.).

🇨🇳 China
933.17M
+102.9% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
41.95M
+12.2% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
22.2×
Gap: 891.22M
Urban Population
Progressive time series visualization
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Active Year
Range: —
2000 2025
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China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

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

Year 🇨🇳 China Urban Population 🇰🇷 South Korea Urban Population South Korea : China Ratio
2025 933.17M 41.95M 0.04×
2024 928.44M 42.01M 0.05×
2023 924.44M 41.97M 0.05×
2022 920.99M 41.94M 0.05×
2021 914.09M 42.02M 0.05×
2020 896.38M 42.08M 0.05×
2019 882.80M 42.08M 0.05×
2018 862.70M 41.98M 0.05×
2017 841.08M 41.85M 0.05×
2016 816.57M 41.77M 0.05×
2015 791.07M 41.65M 0.05×
2014 764.82M 41.48M 0.05×
2013 742.83M 41.26M 0.06×
2012 719.08M 41.12M 0.06×
2011 697.13M 40.93M 0.06×
2010 658.61M 40.62M 0.06×
2009 643.55M 40.40M 0.06×
2008 622.45M 40.14M 0.06×
2007 604.77M 39.78M 0.07×
2006 581.35M 39.51M 0.07×
2005 560.47M 39.22M 0.07×
2004 541.24M 39.00M 0.07×
2003 522.19M 38.65M 0.07×
2002 500.51M 38.25M 0.08×
2001 478.98M 37.84M 0.08×
2000 460.01M 37.41M 0.08×
1999 435.70M 37.00M 0.08×
1998 414.19M 36.65M 0.09×
1997 392.52M 36.30M 0.09×
1996 371.11M 35.85M 0.10×
1995 349.89M 35.35M 0.10×
1994 339.79M 34.76M 0.10×
1993 329.85M 34.08M 0.10×
1992 319.90M 33.33M 0.10×
1991 310.02M 32.54M 0.10×
1990 297.37M 31.72M 0.11×
1989 293.20M 30.76M 0.10×
1988 284.38M 29.67M 0.10×
1987 274.47M 28.54M 0.10×
1986 261.63M 27.44M 0.10×
1985 249.17M 26.44M 0.11×
1984 238.62M 25.52M 0.11×
1983 221.28M 24.56M 0.11×
1982 207.43M 23.58M 0.11×
1981 200.33M 22.59M 0.11×
1980 190.27M 21.60M 0.11×
1979 183.73M 20.61M 0.11×
1978 171.30M 19.63M 0.11×
1977 165.59M 18.68M 0.11×
1976 162.28M 17.77M 0.11×
1975 158.95M 16.92M 0.11×
1974 154.54M 16.14M 0.10×
1973 151.70M 15.40M 0.10×
1972 147.68M 14.67M 0.10×
1971 145.18M 13.93M 0.10×
1970 142.22M 13.12M 0.09×
1969 139.30M 12.21M 0.09×
1968 136.47M 11.27M 0.08×
1967 133.86M 10.41M 0.08×
1966 131.34M 9.74M 0.07×
1965 128.62M 9.18M 0.07×
1964 127.80M 8.66M 0.07×
1963 114.88M 8.19M 0.07×
1962 115.34M 7.75M 0.07×
1961 127.41M 7.33M 0.06×
1960 131.72M 6.92M 0.05×

Urban Population Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2025, China recorded Urban Population of 933.17M, while South Korea recorded 41.95M, representing a scale ratio of ~22.2×.
• 1960 Baseline: China stood at 131.72M and South Korea stood at 6.92M.
• 2000–2025 Trajectory: China moved to 933.17M (+102.9% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 41.95M (+12.2% since 2000).
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, China's Urban Population expanded at ~2.9% CAGR, while South Korea's expanded at ~0.5% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, China recorded 131.72M compared to 6.92M for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to 933.17M and 41.95M respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 891.22M.
• Scale Ratio: China is 22.2× size of South Korea.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 933.17M (China in 2025).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, China achieved +102.9% since 2000, while South Korea achieved +12.2% since 2000.

About Urban Population

Urban population refers to people living in urban 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 — Urban Population

What is the Urban Population of China?

In 2025, China's Urban Population was 933.17M according to official World Bank data.

What is the Urban Population of South Korea?

In 2025, South Korea's Urban Population was 41.95M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Urban Population?

In 2025, China recorded a higher Urban Population of 933.17M compared to South Korea's 41.95M (a difference of 891.22M).

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

From 2000 to 2025, China's Urban Population changed by +102.9% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +12.2% since 2000.

Explore China vs South Korea Interactively

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Data Source and Methodology

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