China vs Republic of Korea: population pyramids in 1955
ChinaRepublic of Korea
Each bar is the share of the total population at that single year of age (men left, women right), so countries of different sizes can be compared.
China and Republic of Korea compared
In 1955, China has a population of 596.8 million and the Republic of Korea 21.8 million; China is about 27 times the size of the Republic of Korea.
The share aged 65 and over is 4.5% in China and 2.9% in the Republic of Korea, 1.6 points higher in China. The median age is 21.8 years in China and 18.8 years in the Republic of Korea.
The total fertility rate is 6.26 in China and 6.17 in the Republic of Korea, both above the replacement level of about 2.1. Life expectancy at birth is 47.2 years in China and 48.4 years in the Republic of Korea.
By 2050, the population of China is projected to grow by 112.0% and that of the Republic of Korea to grow by 108.1% compared with 1955.
GDP per person is $14K in China (2025) and $36K in the Republic of Korea (2025).
Key figures (1955)
| China | Republic of Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 596.8 million | 21.8 million |
| Aged 0–14 | 37.9% | 41.1% |
| Aged 15–64 | 57.7% | 56.0% |
| Aged 65+ | 4.5% | 2.9% |
| Median age | 21.8 yrs | 18.8 yrs |
| Old-age dependency | 7.8 | 5.2 |
| Total fertility rate | 6.26 | 6.17 |
| Life expectancy | 47.2 yrs | 48.4 yrs |
| Population growth | +2.25% | +3.30% |
| Net migration (per year) | -2,402 | +151,123 |
| GDP | $19.5T (2025) | $1.87T (2025) |
| GDP per person | $14K (2025) | $36K (2025) |
| Unemployment | 4.6% (2025) | 2.7% (2025) |
Economic figures are the latest year published for each country.