South Korea vs United Kingdom: Urban Population Comparison

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

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, United Kingdom recorded Urban Population of 57.90M vs 41.95M for South Korea (United Kingdom's Urban Population is 1.4× larger than South Korea's.).

🇰🇷 South Korea
41.95M
+12.2% since 2000
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
57.90M
+23.2% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
1.4×
Gap: 15.94M
Urban Population
Progressive time series visualization
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Active Year
Range:
2000 2025
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South Korea vs United Kingdom All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

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

Year 🇰🇷 South Korea Urban Population 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Urban Population United Kingdom : South Korea Ratio
2025 41.95M 57.90M 1.38×
2024 42.01M 57.67M 1.37×
2023 41.97M 56.99M 1.36×
2022 41.94M 56.19M 1.34×
2021 42.02M 55.58M 1.32×
2020 42.08M 55.33M 1.31×
2019 42.08M 55.08M 1.31×
2018 41.98M 54.65M 1.30×
2017 41.85M 54.24M 1.30×
2016 41.77M 53.81M 1.29×
2015 41.65M 53.26M 1.28×
2014 41.48M 52.75M 1.27×
2013 41.26M 52.25M 1.27×
2012 41.12M 51.79M 1.26×
2011 40.93M 51.33M 1.25×
2010 40.62M 50.84M 1.25×
2009 40.40M 50.36M 1.25×
2008 40.14M 49.91M 1.24×
2007 39.78M 49.46M 1.24×
2006 39.51M 49.01M 1.24×
2005 39.22M 48.59M 1.24×
2004 39.00M 48.20M 1.24×
2003 38.65M 47.86M 1.24×
2002 38.25M 47.56M 1.24×
2001 37.84M 47.29M 1.25×
2000 37.41M 47.01M 1.26×
1999 37.00M 46.72M 1.26×
1998 36.65M 46.43M 1.27×
1997 36.30M 46.15M 1.27×
1996 35.85M 45.89M 1.28×
1995 35.35M 45.64M 1.29×
1994 34.76M 45.39M 1.31×
1993 34.08M 45.18M 1.33×
1992 33.33M 45.00M 1.35×
1991 32.54M 44.85M 1.38×
1990 31.72M 44.72M 1.41×
1989 30.76M 44.60M 1.45×
1988 29.67M 44.52M 1.50×
1987 28.54M 44.45M 1.56×
1986 27.44M 44.40M 1.62×
1985 26.44M 44.34M 1.68×
1984 25.52M 44.28M 1.74×
1983 24.56M 44.24M 1.80×
1982 23.58M 44.25M 1.88×
1981 22.59M 44.28M 1.96×
1980 21.60M 44.25M 2.05×
1979 20.61M 44.13M 2.14×
1978 19.63M 43.99M 2.24×
1977 18.68M 43.86M 2.35×
1976 17.77M 43.74M 2.46×
1975 16.92M 43.60M 2.58×
1974 16.14M 43.47M 2.69×
1973 15.40M 43.33M 2.81×
1972 14.67M 43.17M 2.94×
1971 13.93M 42.99M 3.09×
1970 13.12M 42.82M 3.26×
1969 12.21M 42.68M 3.50×
1968 11.27M 42.57M 3.78×
1967 10.41M 42.44M 4.08×
1966 9.74M 42.30M 4.34×
1965 9.18M 42.17M 4.60×
1964 8.66M 42.01M 4.85×
1963 8.19M 41.84M 5.11×
1962 7.75M 41.63M 5.37×
1961 7.33M 41.38M 5.64×
1960 6.92M 41.16M 5.94×

Urban Population Comparison

Current Leader: In 2025, United Kingdom recorded Urban Population of 57.90M, while South Korea recorded 41.95M, representing a scale ratio of ~1.4×.
1960 Baseline: South Korea stood at 6.92M and United Kingdom stood at 41.16M.
2000–2025 Trajectory: South Korea moved to 41.95M (+12.2% since 2000), while United Kingdom moved to 57.90M (+23.2% since 2000).
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, South Korea's Urban Population expanded at ~0.5% CAGR, while United Kingdom's expanded at ~0.8% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, South Korea and United Kingdom followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, South Korea recorded 6.92M compared to 41.16M for United Kingdom. By 2025, the values evolved to 41.95M and 57.90M respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 15.94M.
Scale Ratio: United Kingdom is 1.4× size of South Korea.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 57.90M (United Kingdom in 2025).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, South Korea achieved +12.2% since 2000, while United Kingdom achieved +23.2% 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 South Korea and United Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions — Urban Population

What is the Urban Population of South Korea?

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

What is the Urban Population of United Kingdom?

In 2025, United Kingdom's Urban Population was 57.90M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Urban Population?

In 2025, United Kingdom recorded a higher Urban Population of 57.90M compared to South Korea's 41.95M (a difference of 15.94M).

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

From 2000 to 2025, South Korea's Urban Population changed by +12.2% since 2000, while United Kingdom's changed by +23.2% since 2000.

Explore South Korea vs United Kingdom Interactively

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

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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 South Korea and United Kingdom from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.