Urban Population: Korea, Republic of
Korea, Republic of's urban population is currently 81.2% as of 2024. # Korea, Republic of Urban Population South Korea's urban population reached 81.
Current (2024)
81.2%
+0.0% y/y
Peak (2010)
82.0%
Low (1960)
27.7%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Korea, Republic of
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Korea, Republic of
Analysis# Korea, Republic of Urban Population
South Korea's urban population reached 81.168% in 2024, reflecting nearly complete urbanization after six decades of dramatic transformation. The country's urban share has grown 193.2% since 1960, when only 27.686% of the population lived in cities. The peak urbanization rate of 81.969% occurred in 2010, slightly higher than current levels.
The recent decade shows a stabilization pattern rather than continued growth. From 2015 through 2024, the urban percentage has fluctuated within a narrow 0.5-point band between 81.162% and 81.639%, suggesting South Korea has reached a natural saturation point. With over four-fifths of the population already urban-concentrated, further significant increases appear unlikely, marking a demographic milestone for one of the world's most rapidly urbanized nations.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 81.2% | +0.00% |
| 2023 | 81.2% | +0.00% |
| 2022 | 81.2% | +0.00% |
| 2021 | 81.2% | -0.02% |
| 2020 | 81.2% | -0.14% |
| 2019 | 81.3% | -0.11% |
| 2018 | 81.4% | -0.11% |
| 2017 | 81.5% | -0.10% |
| 2016 | 81.6% | -0.10% |
| 2015 | 81.6% | -0.11% |
| 2014 | 81.7% | -0.12% |
| 2013 | 81.8% | -0.10% |
| 2012 | 81.9% | -0.06% |
| 2011 | 82.0% | -0.01% |
| 2010 | 82.0% | +0.05% |
| 2009 | 81.9% | +0.11% |
| 2008 | 81.8% | +0.15% |
| 2007 | 81.7% | +0.18% |
| 2006 | 81.6% | +0.22% |
| 2005 | 81.4% | +0.35% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 81.1% | +0.49% |
| 2003 | 80.7% | +0.54% |
| 2002 | 80.3% | +0.50% |
| 2001 | 79.9% | +0.38% |
| 2000 | 79.6% | +0.27% |
| 1999 | 79.4% | +0.23% |
| 1998 | 79.2% | +0.24% |
| 1997 | 79.0% | +0.31% |
| 1996 | 78.8% | +0.45% |
| 1995 | 78.4% | +0.69% |
| 1994 | 77.9% | +0.97% |
| 1993 | 77.1% | +1.20% |
| 1992 | 76.2% | +1.38% |
| 1991 | 75.2% | +1.59% |
| 1990 | 74.0% | +2.10% |
| 1989 | 72.5% | +2.66% |
| 1988 | 70.6% | +2.95% |
| 1987 | 68.6% | +2.98% |
| 1986 | 66.6% | +2.75% |
| 1985 | 64.8% | +2.61% |
| 1984 | 63.1% | +2.61% |
| 1983 | 61.5% | +2.66% |
| 1982 | 60.0% | +2.77% |
| 1981 | 58.3% | +2.96% |
| 1980 | 56.7% | +3.20% |
| 1979 | 54.9% | +3.40% |
| 1978 | 53.1% | +3.49% |
| 1977 | 51.3% | +3.49% |
| 1976 | 49.6% | +3.35% |
| 1975 | 48.0% | +3.13% |
| 1974 | 46.5% | +3.02% |
| 1973 | 45.1% | +3.10% |
| 1972 | 43.8% | +3.40% |
| 1971 | 42.3% | +4.03% |
| 1970 | 40.7% | +5.16% |
| 1969 | 38.7% | +5.96% |
| 1968 | 36.5% | +5.71% |
| 1967 | 34.6% | +4.40% |
| 1966 | 33.1% | +3.56% |
| 1965 | 32.0% | +3.26% |
| 1964 | 31.0% | +2.99% |
| 1963 | 30.1% | +2.82% |
| 1962 | 29.2% | +2.76% |
| 1961 | 28.4% | +2.76% |
| 1960 | 27.7% | — |
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