South Korea in world rankings
South Korea appears in 208 of our ranked charts. It is number one in 4 of them and in the top three in 25. Each position below is its place in the latest year of that chart; open a chart for the full data, history and sources.
208Ranked charts
4First places
25Top-3 places
Every ranking for South Korea
#1of 10
Researchers per Million People by Country 2022
Research and Development
9,435 per million people2022
#1of 10
AFC Champions League Titles by Country
Football
12All Time
#1of 8
Countries by Tertiary Education Enrollment Rate 2025
Education
94 %2025
#1of 8
Countries by R&D Spending (% of GDP) 2024
Technology
5.21 % of GDP2024
#2of 25
Public EV Charging Points by Country 2025
Automotive
491,1702025
#2of 20
Countries with the Fewest Children per Woman 2024
Population
0.752024
#2of 20
Countries That Spend the Most on Research and Development 2022
Research and Development
4.85 % of GDP2022
#2of 20
Countries That Spend the Most on Research and Development 2021
Research and Development
4.60 % of GDP2021
#2of 20
Countries with the Highest Suicide Mortality Rate 2021
Health
27.53 per 100,0002021
#2of 10
Countries with the Most Hospital Beds Per Capita
Health
12.65All Time
#2of 8
Countries by Research and Development Spending as % of GDP 2024
Research and Development
4.902024
#2of 8
Countries by Number of Public EV Charging Stations 2024
Technology
265 Thousands2024
#2of 8
Countries by Average Mobile Internet Speed 2025
Technology
290 Mbps2025
#2of 8
Countries by Hospital Beds Per 1,000 Population 2024
Health
12.402024
#2of 8
Countries by Research and Development Spending 2024
Research and Development
4.90 % of GDP2024
#3of 25
Electric Bus Sales by Country 2025
Automotive
2,9002025
#3of 20
Countries That Spend the Most on Research and Development 2023
Research and Development
4.94 % of GDP2023
#3of 20
Countries with the Most Cash Machines 2023
Finance
245 per 100,000 Adults2023
#3of 20
Countries with the Most Cash Machines 2022
Finance
253 per 100,000 Adults2022
#3of 15
Countries by Seaweed Farming 2024
Agriculture
1,720,921 tonnes, wet weight2024
#3of 10
ATMs per 100,000 Adults by Country 2023
Finance
245 per 100,000 adults2023
#3of 8
Countries by Average IQ Score
Education
105All Time
#3of 8
Countries by Average Annual Working Hours 2024
Economy
1,9012024
#3of 8
Countries with the Highest Household Debt-to-GDP Ratio 2024
Economy
108 % of GDP2024
#3of 7
Years to First World Cup Win by Country
Football
482026
#4of 20
Countries with the Busiest Container Ports 2024
Infrastructure
31.90 Million TEU2024
#4of 20
Countries with the Most People in Higher Education 2024
Education
112 % of Age Group2024
#4of 12
Countries Building the Most High-Speed Rail 2026
Transportation
1,122 km2026
#4of 10
Container Port Traffic by Country 2023
Infrastructure
30,003,141 TEU2023
#4of 9
AFC Asian Cup Titles by Country
Football
2All Time
#4of 8
Countries by Patent Applications 2025
Technology
240 Thousands2025
#4of 8
Countries by Proportion of Population with University Degree 2024
Education
52 %2024
#4of 8
Countries by Patent Applications Filed 2024
Technology
242,0002024
#4of 8
Countries with the Most UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Items
Culture
212024
#4of 8
Most Patent Applications Filed by Country 2024
Technology
244 Thousands2024
#4of 8
Countries by Ease of Doing Business Index 2024
Economy
842024
#4of 8
Countries by Internet Penetration Rate 2026
Technology
97.80 %2026
#4of 8
Countries by Mobile Subscriptions per 100 People 2026
Technology
1752026
#4of 8
Countries with the Most AFC Asian Cup Titles
Sports
2All Time
#4of 8
Most Powerful Militaries in the World — Global Firepower Index 2025
Military
52025
#4of 8
Countries Sending the Most International Students Abroad 2024
Education
130 Thousands2024
#5of 20
Countries with the Lowest Murder Rate 2023
Crime
0.48 per 100,000 People2023
#5of 20
Countries That Manufacture the Most 2025
Industry
27.43 % of GDP2025
#5of 16
Countries With the Most Aircraft Carriers 2026
Military
22026
#5of 14
Countries With the Most Nuclear Reactors in Operation 2026
Energy
262026
#5of 12
Countries With the Longest Metro Networks 2026
Transportation
761 km2026
#5of 12
Countries With the Most Metro Stations 2026
Transportation
6862026
#5of 11
Manufacturing Share of GDP by Country 2024
Industry
26.60 % of GDP2024
#5of 10
Publicly Listed Companies by Country 2023
Finance
2,5362023
#5of 8
Countries by Internet Penetration Rate 2025
Technology
98.10 %2025
#5of 8
Countries by Average Fixed Broadband Speed 2025
Technology
271 Mbps2025
#5of 8
Countries with the Most Nuclear Power Reactors 2025
Energy
262025
#5of 8
Countries with the Highest Suicide Rate 2024
Health
24.10 per 100,0002024
#5of 8
Countries by Annual Cinema Admissions 2024
Entertainment
140 Millions2024
#6of 20
Countries Where Women Live the Longest 2024
Health
86.60 Years2024
#6of 20
The World's Biggest Goods Exporters 2024
Economy
684 USD Billion2024
#6of 20
The World's Biggest Goods Exporters 2022
Economy
684 USD Billion2022
#6of 20
Countries with the Most Fixed Broadband Connections 2023
Internet
46.572023
#6of 20
Countries with the Most Fixed Broadband Connections 2024
Internet
47.802024
#6of 20
Countries with the Highest University Enrollment Rate 2023
107 % gross2023
#6of 16
Countries Building the Most Nuclear Reactors 2026
Energy
22026
#6of 15
Crude Steel Production by Country
61.90 Million Metric Tons2025
#6of 15
Countries by Aquaculture Production 2024
Agriculture
2,281,884 tonnes, live weight2024
#6of 15
Nuclear Power Capacity by Country 2024
Energy
26.10 GW2024
#6of 12
Military Spending as a Share of GDP by Country
Military
2.56 % of GDP2024
#6of 10
University Enrollment Rate by Country 2023
Education
107 % gross2023
#6of 10
Motor Vehicle Production by Country (2024)
Cars
4.132024
#6of 10
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions by Country 2023
Infrastructure
46.60 per 100 people2023
#6of 8
Countries with the Largest Active Submarine Fleets 2025
Military
222025
#6of 8
Top Exporting Countries in the World 2024
Economy
632 Billion USD2024
#6of 8
Top Steel Producing Countries 2024
Economy
66 Million Tonnes2024
#6of 8
Countries by Total Electricity Consumption 2024
Energy
630 TWh2024
#6of 8
Countries by Median Age 2026
Population
44.20 Years2026
#6of 8
Countries by Total Export Value 2025
Economy
670 Billion USD2025
#6of 8
Countries by Crude Steel Production 2024
Economy
66 Million Metric Tons2024
#6of 8
Countries by Crude Steel Production 2025
Economy
65 Million Tonnes2025
#6of 8
Countries by Total Electricity Consumption 2025
Energy
580 TWh2025
#7of 20
Countries That Save the Most of Their Income 2025
Economy
35.60 % of GDP2025
#7of 15
Countries With the Most of the World's Tallest Buildings 2026
Architecture
22026
#7of 15
Satellites Launched by Owner Country 2025
Space
242025
#7of 15
Coal Power Capacity by Country 2024
Energy
41.20 GW2024
#7of 12
Countries With the Longest High-Speed Rail Networks 2026
Transportation
1,549 km2026
#7of 12
Health Expenditure per Capita by Country
Health
3,044 current US$2023
#7of 11
Orbital Launch Attempts by Country 2023
Space
22023
#7of 9
Orbital Launch Attempts by Country 2022
Space
12022
#7of 8
Countries by Adult Obesity Rate 2024
Health
5.30 %2024
#7of 8
Countries by Foreign Exchange Reserves 2025
Economy
415 Billion USD2025
#7of 8
Countries by Nuclear Energy Share of Electricity 2025
Energy
28.50 %2025
#7of 8
Countries by Number of Fortune Global 500 Companies 2024
Economy
152024
#7of 8
Countries by Outbound Tourism Expenditure 2024
Travel
35 Billion USD2024
#7of 8
Countries by Electric Vehicle Sales Volume 2025
Technology
0.32 Millions2025
#7of 8
Countries by Strawberry Production 2024
Agriculture
0.23 Million Metric Tons2024
#7of 8
Countries by Total CO2 Emissions 2025
Environment
575 Million Tonnes2025
#7of 8
Countries by Nuclear Power Share of Electricity 2024
Energy
30 %2024
#7of 8
Countries by Foreign Exchange Reserves 2025
Economy
415 Billion USD2025
#7of 8
Countries by Number of Films Produced Annually 2024
Entertainment
2802024
#8of 25
Countries With the Most Buddhists 2020
Culture
9.85 millions2020
#8of 20
Countries Where Women Live the Longest 2023
Health
86.40 Years2023
#8of 20
The World's Biggest Goods Exporters 2023
Economy
632 USD Billion2023
#8of 20
The World's Biggest Goods Exporters 2025
Economy
709 USD Billion2025
#8of 20
Countries with the Longest Life Expectancy 2021
Health
83.53 Years2021
#8of 15
2024 Summer Olympics Gold Medals by Country
Sports
132024
#8of 15
Solar Electricity Generation by Country 2022
Energy
30.70 TWh2022
#8of 15
Total Electricity Generation by Country 2024
Energy
625 TWh2024
#8of 15
Total Electricity Generation by Country 2023
Energy
618 TWh2023
#8of 12
Orbital Launch Attempts by Country 2025
Space
22025
#8of 12
Countries With the Most of the World's Largest Art Museums
Art
32026
#8of 8
Countries by Life Expectancy 2025
Health
83 Years2025
#8of 8
Countries by Total Fertility Rate 2025
Population
0.72 Children Per Woman2025
#8of 8
Countries by Active Military Personnel 2025
Military
555 Thousands2025
#8of 8
CO2 Emissions by Country 2023
Environment
611 Million Tonnes2023
#8of 8
Countries by Number of Startup Unicorns 2025
Technology
222025
#8of 8
Countries by Installed Solar Power Capacity 2024
Environment
28 GW2024
#8of 8
Paris Olympics 2024 — Gold Medal Table
Sports
132024
#9of 25
Electric Car Sales by Country 2025
Automotive
220,0002025
#9of 25
Electric Cars on the Road by Country 2025
Automotive
840,0002025
#9of 20
Countries with the Biggest Stock Markets 2025
Finance
147 % of GDP2025
#9of 20
Electricity Consumption per Person by Country 2025
Energy
12.09 MWh2025
#9of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2020
Economy
1.74 USD Trillion2020
#9of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2022
Military
46.40 USD Billion2022
#9of 15
Solar Electricity Generation by Country 2023
Energy
33.20 TWh2023
#9of 12
Health Expenditure as a Share of GDP by Country
Health
8.60 % of GDP2023
#9of 10
Fish and Seafood Consumption by Country 2023
Food & Drink
52.80 kg2023
#9of 10
Fish and Seafood Consumption by Country 2022
Food & Drink
52.80 kg2022
#9of 10
Largest Contributors to the UN Regular Budget 2025
Government
80.40 US$ MillionAll Time
#9of 10
Scientific Journal Articles by Country 2020
Research and Development
69,0902020
#9of 10
Largest Arms Exporters 2021-2025
Military
3 %All Time
#9of 9
Orbital Launch Attempts by Country 2021
Space
12021
#10of 25
Countries With the Most Religiously Unaffiliated People 2020
Culture
25.03 millions2020
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2021
Military
50.90 USD Billion2021
#10of 20
Countries Where Women Live the Longest 2022
Health
85.60 Years2022
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2020
Military
46.10 USD Billion2020
#10of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2018
Economy
1.82 USD Trillion2018
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2019
Military
44.10 USD Billion2019
#10of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2017
Economy
1.71 USD Trillion2017
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2018
Military
43.10 USD Billion2018
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2017
Military
39.20 USD Billion2017
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2016
Military
36.90 USD Billion2016
#10of 20
Solar Power Generation by Country 2025
Energy
37.80 TWh2025
#10of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2021
Economy
1.94 USD Trillion2021
#10of 20
Countries with the Biggest Current Account Surplus 2025
Economy
6.57 % of GDP2025
#10of 20
Countries with the Most Fixed Broadband Connections 2022
Internet
45.452022
#10of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2019
Economy
1.75 USD Trillion2019
#10of 15
2024 Summer Olympics Total Medals by Country
Sports
322024
#10of 15
Electric Car Share of New Car Sales by Country 2025
Automotive
11 %2025
#10of 15
Countries With the Most of the World's Largest Churches
Architecture
4All Time
#10of 15
Solar Electricity Generation by Country 2024
Energy
32.70 TWh2024
#11of 20
Nuclear Share of Electricity by Country 2025
Energy
29.60 %2025
#11of 20
Countries with the Most Air Passengers 2021
Aviation
34,020,0882021
#11of 20
Countries with the Largest Armed Forces 2020
Military
569 Thousand2020
#11of 20
Countries with the Longest Life Expectancy 2023
Health
83.43 Years2023
#11of 20
Countries with the Highest Share of Internet Users 2024
Internet
97.90 % of Population2024
#11of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2023
Military
47.80 USD Billion2023
#11of 20
Countries with the Biggest Military Budgets 2024
Military
47.60 USD Billion2024
#11of 20
Countries with the Most Landline Phones 2024
Technology
41.17 per 100 People2024
#11of 12
Unemployment Rate by Country
Economy
2.80 % of labour force2024
#12of 25
Pork Production by Country 2024
Agriculture
1,455 thousand tonnes2024
#12of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2024
Economy
1.88 USD Trillion2024
#12of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2023
Economy
1.84 USD Trillion2023
#12of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2022
Economy
1.80 USD Trillion2022
#12of 20
Countries That Export the Most High-Tech Goods 2024
Technology
36.262024
#12of 20
Countries That Added the Most Solar Power in 2025
Energy
5.10 TWh2025
#13of 25
Top 25 Largest Economies by Annual GDP Growth Rate
Economy
1.90 %2025
#13of 20
Countries with the Longest Life Expectancy 2024
Health
83.63 Years2024
#13of 20
Countries by Life Expectancy 2024 (World Bank)
83.60 years2024
#13of 20
Countries with the Most Air Passengers 2019
Aviation
92,434,0792019
#13of 20
The World's Largest Economies 2025
Economy
1.87 USD Trillion2025
#13of 17
2022 Winter Olympics Gold Medals by Country
Sports
22022
#13of 15
Countries by Military Expenditure 2025
Military
47.80 US$ billion2025
#13of 15
2026 Winter Olympics Gold Medals by Country
Sports
32026
#13of 15
2026 Winter Olympics Total Medals by Country
Sports
102026
#14of 20
Countries with Most FIFA World Cup Appearances
Sports
12All Time
#14of 20
Countries with the Highest Share of Internet Users 2023
Internet
97.40 % of Population2023
#14of 20
Countries with the Lowest Maternal Mortality 2023
Health
4 per 100,000 Births2023
#14of 20
Countries with Most World Cup Qualifications
Football
12 QualificationsAll Time
#14of 20
Most Appearances at the Men's FIFA World Cup
Sports
12All Time
#14of 15
2022 Winter Olympics Total Medals by Country
Sports
92022
#14of 15
Electricity Demand Per Person by Country 2024
Energy
12.10 MWh2024
#14of 15
Electricity Demand Per Person by Country 2023
Energy
11.90 MWh2023
#15of 20
Countries with the Highest Share of Internet Users 2022
Internet
97.20 % of Population2022
#15of 20
Countries That Earn the Most from Tourism 2019
Travel
25.50 USD Billion2019
#15of 18
Natural Graphite Mine Production by Country 2025
Mining
500 metric tons2025
#16of 25
Top 25 Largest Economies by Nominal GDP Per Capita
Economy
37,412 USD2025
#16of 25
Honey Production by Country 2024
Agriculture
31,216 tonnes2024
#16of 20
Countries with the Most Air Passengers 2023
Aviation
76,272,4542023
#16of 20
Countries With the Largest Historical CO2 Emissions, 1750-2024
Environment
20.70 billion tonnes1750-2024
#17of 20
Countries with the Lowest Child Mortality 2024
Health
2.80 per 1,000 Births2024
#17of 20
Countries by CO2 Emissions per Capita 2024
11.36 tonnes2024
#17of 20
Countries with the Highest CO2 Emissions per Person 2024
Environment
11.36 Tonnes per Person2024
#17of 20
Countries with the Most Flight Departures 2023
Aviation
460 Thousand2023
#17of 20
Countries That Earn the Most from Tourism 2018
Travel
23.10 USD Billion2018
#18of 25
Top 25 Largest Economies by PPP-Adjusted GDP
Economy
3.54 USD Trillions2025
#18of 25
Electric Two- and Three-Wheeler Sales by Country 2025
Automotive
6,8002025
#18of 25
Egg Production by Country 2024
Agriculture
807 thousand tonnes2024
#18of 20
Coal Share of Electricity by Country 2025
Energy
31.10 %2025
#18of 20
Countries with the Most Nurses per 1,000 People 2022
9.09 per 1,000 people2022
#18of 20
Countries with the Highest CO2 Emissions per Person 2023
Environment
11.42 Tonnes per Person2023
#18of 20
Countries with the Highest CO2 Emissions per Person 2022
Environment
11.87 Tonnes per Person2022
#18of 20
Countries That Catch the Most Fish 2024
Agriculture
1.27 Million Tonnes2024
#19of 25
Top 25 Largest Economies in the World by Nominal GDP
Economy
1.93 USD Trillions2025
#19of 20
Countries with the Most Air Passengers 2022
Aviation
46,853,3012022
#19of 20
Countries with the Highest Cereal Yield 2023
6,615 kg per hectare2023
#19of 20
Countries with the Longest Life Expectancy 2022
Health
82.68 Years2022
#20of 20
Countries with the Most Forest Cover 2022
Environment
64.21 % of Land2022
#20of 20
Countries with the Most Forest Cover 2021
Environment
64.31 % of Land2021
#20of 20
Countries with the Most Forest Cover 2020
Environment
64.42 % of Land2020
#22of 25
Tobacco Production by Country 2024
Agriculture
27.90 thousand tonnes2024
#24of 25
Mushroom Production by Country 2024
Agriculture
23.40 thousand tonnes2024