Bangladesh vs South Korea
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 3.4 times as many people as South Korea (178 million vs 51.6 million in 2026). Bangladesh is 1.3 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in South Korea ($36,227 vs $2,597). People live longer on average in South Korea (83.6 vs 74.9 years).
| Bangladesh | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 51,578,532 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | −0.21% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 44.4 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 97,600 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 528/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $1.87 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $36,227 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 83.6 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 0.75 |
| Urban population | 33% | 81% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Seoul |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | won (KRW) |
| Calling code | +880 | +82 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, South Korea 0.62%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or South Korea?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 51.6 million in South Korea (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than South Korea?
By land area, Bangladesh is larger: 130,170 km² versus 97,600 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or South Korea?
South Korea, with a GDP of $1.87 trillion versus $456 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).