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South Korea vs Turkiye Population
Turkiye has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 South Korea stood at roughly 88% of Turkiye’s Population; today the figure is about 60%, and the pair was closest in 1965 (89%).
| Year | South Korea | Turkiye | Turkiye as % of South Korea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 28,329,898 | 25,012,374 | 88% |
| 1970 | 36,638,465 | 32,240,827 | 88% |
| 1980 | 45,408,815 | 38,123,775 | 84% |
| 1990 | 56,015,628 | 42,869,283 | 77% |
| 2000 | 65,425,961 | 47,008,111 | 72% |
| 2010 | 73,142,150 | 49,554,112 | 68% |
| 2020 | 83,384,680 | 51,836,239 | 62% |
| 2025 | 85,878,556 | 51,684,564 | 60% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Turkiye pass South Korea in Population?
It has not come to that. Turkiye has posted the larger Population in every published year (1960–2025).
How do Korea, Rep. and Turkiye compare today?
Turkiye is ahead: 85,878,556 against 51,684,564 — the trailing economy stands at about 60% 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: