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South Korea vs United States: Urban Population Comparison

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

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, United States recorded Urban Population of 274.08M vs 41.95M for South Korea (United States's Urban Population is 6.5× larger than South Korea's.).

🇰🇷 South Korea
41.95M
+12.2% since 2000
🇺🇸 United States
274.08M
+22.8% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
6.5×
Gap: 232.13M
Urban Population
Progressive time series visualization
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Range: —
2000 2025
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South Korea vs United States All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

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

Year 🇰🇷 South Korea Urban Population 🇺🇸 United States Urban Population United States : South Korea Ratio
2025 41.95M 274.08M 6.53×
2024 42.01M 272.43M 6.49×
2023 41.97M 269.65M 6.42×
2022 41.94M 267.31M 6.37×
2021 42.02M 265.70M 6.32×
2020 42.08M 265.25M 6.30×
2019 42.08M 264.61M 6.29×
2018 41.98M 263.75M 6.28×
2017 41.85M 262.60M 6.28×
2016 41.77M 261.10M 6.25×
2015 41.65M 259.29M 6.23×
2014 41.48M 257.40M 6.21×
2013 41.26M 255.47M 6.19×
2012 41.12M 253.62M 6.17×
2011 40.93M 251.64M 6.15×
2010 40.62M 249.67M 6.15×
2009 40.40M 247.52M 6.13×
2008 40.14M 245.17M 6.11×
2007 39.78M 242.54M 6.10×
2006 39.51M 239.81M 6.07×
2005 39.22M 236.99M 6.04×
2004 39.00M 234.23M 6.01×
2003 38.65M 231.44M 5.99×
2002 38.25M 228.79M 5.98×
2001 37.84M 226.00M 5.97×
2000 37.41M 223.12M 5.96×
1999 37.00M 219.92M 5.94×
1998 36.65M 216.49M 5.91×
1997 36.30M 212.91M 5.87×
1996 35.85M 209.19M 5.83×
1995 35.35M 205.56M 5.81×
1994 34.76M 201.92M 5.81×
1993 34.08M 198.32M 5.82×
1992 33.33M 194.68M 5.84×
1991 32.54M 191.11M 5.87×
1990 31.72M 187.89M 5.92×
1989 30.76M 185.24M 6.02×
1988 29.67M 183.00M 6.17×
1987 28.54M 180.88M 6.34×
1986 27.44M 178.83M 6.52×
1985 26.44M 176.78M 6.69×
1984 25.52M 174.86M 6.85×
1983 24.56M 173.04M 7.05×
1982 23.58M 171.21M 7.26×
1981 22.59M 169.38M 7.50×
1980 21.60M 167.58M 7.76×
1979 20.61M 165.88M 8.05×
1978 19.63M 164.00M 8.35×
1977 18.68M 162.21M 8.68×
1976 17.77M 160.55M 9.03×
1975 16.92M 159.00M 9.40×
1974 16.14M 157.40M 9.76×
1973 15.40M 155.93M 10.13×
1972 14.67M 154.41M 10.52×
1971 13.93M 152.70M 10.97×
1970 13.12M 150.70M 11.48×
1969 12.21M 148.80M 12.19×
1968 11.27M 147.01M 13.05×
1967 10.41M 145.04M 13.93×
1966 9.74M 142.83M 14.66×
1965 9.18M 140.45M 15.31×
1964 8.66M 137.88M 15.92×
1963 8.19M 135.11M 16.49×
1962 7.75M 132.30M 17.07×
1961 7.33M 129.40M 17.65×
1960 6.92M 126.43M 18.26×

Urban Population Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2025, United States recorded Urban Population of 274.08M, while South Korea recorded 41.95M, representing a scale ratio of ~6.5×.
• 1960 Baseline: South Korea stood at 6.92M and United States stood at 126.43M.
• 2000–2025 Trajectory: South Korea moved to 41.95M (+12.2% since 2000), while United States moved to 274.08M (+22.8% since 2000).
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, South Korea's Urban Population expanded at ~0.5% CAGR, while United States's expanded at ~0.8% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, South Korea and United States followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, South Korea recorded 6.92M compared to 126.43M for United States. By 2025, the values evolved to 41.95M and 274.08M respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 232.13M.
• Scale Ratio: United States is 6.5× size of South Korea.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 274.08M (United States in 2025).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, South Korea achieved +12.2% since 2000, while United States achieved +22.8% 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 States.

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 States?

In 2025, United States's Urban Population was 274.08M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Urban Population?

In 2025, United States recorded a higher Urban Population of 274.08M compared to South Korea's 41.95M (a difference of 232.13M).

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

From 2000 to 2025, South Korea's Urban Population changed by +12.2% since 2000, while United States's changed by +22.8% since 2000.

Explore South Korea vs United States Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare South Korea and United States 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 States from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.