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China vs South Korea Population
China has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 South Korea stood at roughly 4% of China’s Population; today the figure is about 4%, and the pair was closest in 1965 (4%).
| Year | China | South Korea | South Korea as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 667,070,000 | 25,012,374 | 4% |
| 1970 | 818,315,000 | 32,240,827 | 4% |
| 1980 | 981,235,000 | 38,123,775 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1,135,185,000 | 42,869,283 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1,262,645,000 | 47,008,111 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1,337,705,000 | 49,554,112 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1,411,100,000 | 51,836,239 | 4% |
| 2025 | 1,406,585,000 | 51,684,564 | 4% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass South Korea in Population?
It has not come to that. China has posted the larger Population in every published year (1960–2025).
How do China and Korea, Rep. compare today?
China is ahead: 1,406,585,000 against 51,684,564 — the trailing economy stands at about 4% of the leader.
Are these Population figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — people — with no interpolation or estimation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: