Belgium vs South Korea
Belgium vs South Korea: Median age
Median age in 2023: 41.4 years in Belgium and 44.5 years in South Korea, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in South Korea, by 3.1 years, or 1.07 times that in Belgium.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- South Korea has been higher since 2017, when it overtook Belgium.
- In 2023, Belgium ranked 43 and South Korea ranked 19 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts Belgium at 49 years and South Korea at 59.9 years in 2100.
- The world as a whole: 30.4 years in 2023.
Every year
years · UN
| Year | Belgium | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41.4 | 44.5 | 30.4 |
| 2022 | 41.2 | 43.9 | 30.1 |
| 2021 | 40.9 | 43.4 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 40.8 | 42.8 | 29.6 |
| 2019 | 40.7 | 42.2 | 29.3 |
| 2018 | 40.7 | 41.6 | 29 |
| 2017 | 40.6 | 41.1 | 28.8 |
| 2016 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 28.5 |
| 2015 | 40.4 | 39.9 | 28.3 |
| 2014 | 40.4 | 39.2 | 28.1 |
| 2013 | 40.2 | 38.5 | 27.8 |
| 2012 | 40.1 | 37.9 | 27.6 |
| 2011 | 39.9 | 37.2 | 27.4 |
| 2010 | 39.8 | 36.6 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 39.8 | 36 | 27 |
| 2008 | 39.7 | 35.4 | 26.7 |
| 2007 | 39.6 | 34.8 | 26.5 |
| 2006 | 39.4 | 34.2 | 26.3 |
| 2005 | 39.2 | 33.6 | 26.1 |
| 2004 | 39 | 32.9 | 25.9 |
| 2003 | 38.7 | 32.3 | 25.7 |
| 2002 | 38.4 | 31.7 | 25.5 |
| 2001 | 38.2 | 31.2 | 25.3 |
| 2000 | 37.9 | 30.7 | 25.1 |
| 1999 | 37.6 | 30.2 | 24.9 |
| 1998 | 37.3 | 29.7 | 24.7 |
| 1997 | 37 | 29.2 | 24.4 |
| 1996 | 36.7 | 28.8 | 24.2 |
| 1995 | 36.5 | 28.3 | 24 |
| 1994 | 36.2 | 27.9 | 23.8 |
| 1993 | 35.9 | 27.4 | 23.5 |
| 1992 | 35.7 | 26.9 | 23.3 |
| 1991 | 35.5 | 26.3 | 23.1 |
| 1990 | 35.3 | 25.8 | 22.9 |
| 1989 | 35.1 | 25.3 | 22.8 |
| 1988 | 34.8 | 24.8 | 22.6 |
| 1987 | 34.6 | 24.3 | 22.4 |
| 1986 | 34.4 | 23.8 | 22.2 |
| 1985 | 34.2 | 23.3 | 22 |
| 1984 | 34 | 22.8 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 33.8 | 22.3 | 21.8 |
| 1982 | 33.5 | 21.8 | 21.7 |
| 1981 | 33.3 | 21.4 | 21.6 |
| 1980 | 33.2 | 20.9 | 21.5 |
| 1979 | 33 | 20.5 | 21.3 |
| 1978 | 33 | 20 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 33 | 19.6 | 21 |
| 1976 | 33 | 19.2 | 20.8 |
| 1975 | 33.2 | 18.9 | 20.7 |
| 1974 | 33.3 | 18.5 | 20.5 |
| 1973 | 33.3 | 18.2 | 20.4 |
| 1972 | 33.4 | 18 | 20.4 |
| 1971 | 33.4 | 17.8 | 20.3 |
| 1970 | 33.5 | 17.7 | 20.3 |
| 1969 | 33.6 | 17.6 | 20.3 |
| 1968 | 33.7 | 17.6 | 20.4 |
| 1967 | 33.7 | 17.5 | 20.5 |
| 1966 | 33.8 | 17.5 | 20.6 |
| 1965 | 33.8 | 17.5 | 20.8 |
| 1964 | 33.8 | 17.7 | 21 |
| 1963 | 33.9 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| 1962 | 33.9 | 18.1 | 21.4 |
| 1961 | 33.9 | 18.3 | 21.4 |
| 1960 | 33.9 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1959 | 33.9 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1958 | 33.8 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1957 | 33.8 | 18.2 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 33.7 | 18 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 33.6 | 17.9 | 21.8 |
| 1954 | 33.5 | 17.7 | 21.9 |
| 1953 | 33.6 | 17.6 | 22 |
| 1952 | 34.1 | 17.5 | 22.1 |
| 1951 | 34.5 | 17.5 | 22.1 |
| 1950 | 34.6 | 17.7 | 22.2 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | Belgium | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41.740.9–42.5 | 45.145–45.1 | 30.6 |
| 2025 | 41.940.3–43.6 | 45.645.5–45.8 | 30.9 |
| 2026 | 42.140.3–43.9 | 46.245.9–46.5 | 31.1 |
| 2027 | 42.340.4–44.2 | 46.846.4–47.2 | 31.3 |
| 2028 | 42.640.5–44.5 | 47.346.8–47.9 | 31.6 |
| 2029 | 42.840.6–44.8 | 47.947.2–48.6 | 31.8 |
| 2030 | 4340.6–45.1 | 48.547.6–49.3 | 32 |
| 2031 | 43.240.7–45.4 | 4948–50 | 32.2 |
| 2032 | 43.440.7–45.8 | 49.648.4–50.8 | 32.4 |
| 2033 | 43.640.7–46.1 | 50.148.7–51.5 | 32.6 |
| 2034 | 43.840.7–46.5 | 50.749–52.2 | 32.8 |
| 2035 | 4440.7–46.8 | 51.249.2–52.9 | 33 |
| 2036 | 44.240.6–47.1 | 51.649.4–53.6 | 33.2 |
| 2037 | 44.440.5–47.5 | 52.149.7–54.2 | 33.4 |
| 2038 | 44.640.4–47.8 | 52.549.8–54.9 | 33.6 |
| 2039 | 44.740.3–48.1 | 52.950–55.5 | 33.8 |
| 2040 | 44.940.3–48.5 | 53.350.2–56.1 | 34 |
| 2041 | 44.940.3–48.8 | 53.750.4–56.7 | 34.2 |
| 2042 | 4540.3–49.1 | 5450.6–57.2 | 34.4 |
| 2043 | 45.140.5–49.3 | 54.450.8–57.7 | 34.6 |
| 2044 | 45.140.6–49.6 | 54.751–58.2 | 34.8 |
| 2045 | 45.140.8–49.8 | 5551.2–58.7 | 35 |
| 2046 | 45.141–50 | 55.351.4–59.2 | 35.2 |
| 2047 | 45.241.3–50.2 | 55.751.6–59.6 | 35.4 |
| 2048 | 45.241.5–50.4 | 5651.8–60.1 | 35.6 |
| 2049 | 45.241.7–50.6 | 56.452–60.5 | 35.9 |
| 2050 | 45.241.8–50.7 | 56.752.2–60.9 | 36.1 |
| 2051 | 45.342–50.8 | 57.152.4–61.4 | 36.3 |
| 2052 | 45.442.1–50.8 | 57.552.6–61.8 | 36.5 |
| 2053 | 45.642.3–50.7 | 57.852.7–62.2 | 36.7 |
| 2054 | 45.742.4–50.4 | 58.252.9–62.6 | 36.9 |
| 2055 | 45.942.5–50.1 | 58.553–63.1 | 37.1 |
| 2056 | 4642.7–49.9 | 58.853.1–63.5 | 37.3 |
| 2057 | 46.242.8–49.9 | 59.253.1–63.9 | 37.5 |
| 2058 | 46.442.9–50.1 | 59.553.1–64.4 | 37.6 |
| 2059 | 46.543–50.2 | 59.853.1–64.9 | 37.8 |
| 2060 | 46.743.1–50.4 | 60.153.1–65.4 | 37.9 |
| 2061 | 46.843.2–50.7 | 60.353.1–65.8 | 38 |
| 2062 | 4743.3–50.9 | 60.653.2–66.3 | 38.1 |
| 2063 | 47.143.4–51.2 | 60.853.2–66.7 | 38.3 |
| 2064 | 47.343.5–51.5 | 60.953.2–67.1 | 38.4 |
| 2065 | 47.443.6–51.7 | 6153.3–67.5 | 38.5 |
| 2066 | 47.543.6–52 | 61.153.4–67.9 | 38.6 |
| 2067 | 47.643.7–52.3 | 61.253.5–68.3 | 38.7 |
| 2068 | 47.743.7–52.5 | 61.353.5–68.7 | 38.8 |
| 2069 | 47.843.7–52.8 | 61.453.5–69 | 38.9 |
| 2070 | 47.943.6–53 | 61.553.6–69.4 | 39 |
| 2071 | 4843.6–53.2 | 61.653.6–69.7 | 39.1 |
| 2072 | 4843.6–53.4 | 61.853.5–70 | 39.2 |
| 2073 | 4843.6–53.6 | 61.953.4–70.2 | 39.3 |
| 2074 | 4843.6–53.8 | 62.153.3–70.3 | 39.4 |
| 2075 | 47.943.6–54 | 62.253.1–70.4 | 39.5 |
| 2076 | 47.943.6–54.1 | 62.452.9–70.4 | 39.6 |
| 2077 | 47.943.6–54.3 | 62.652.7–70.4 | 39.7 |
| 2078 | 47.843.7–54.4 | 62.752.5–70.4 | 39.8 |
| 2079 | 47.843.7–54.5 | 62.952.3–70.4 | 40 |
| 2080 | 47.843.7–54.5 | 6352.2–70.4 | 40.1 |
| 2081 | 47.843.8–54.6 | 6352–70.4 | 40.2 |
| 2082 | 47.843.8–54.7 | 6351.9–70.5 | 40.3 |
| 2083 | 47.843.9–54.7 | 62.951.8–70.6 | 40.4 |
| 2084 | 47.843.9–54.8 | 62.751.7–70.7 | 40.5 |
| 2085 | 47.844–54.8 | 62.551.7–70.8 | 40.6 |
| 2086 | 47.844.1–54.8 | 62.251.7–70.8 | 40.7 |
| 2087 | 47.944.1–54.8 | 61.951.6–70.8 | 40.9 |
| 2088 | 4844.2–54.9 | 61.651.5–70.9 | 41 |
| 2089 | 4844.2–54.9 | 61.451.5–70.7 | 41.1 |
| 2090 | 48.144.2–54.9 | 61.251.5–70.2 | 41.2 |
| 2091 | 48.244.2–54.9 | 6151.4–69.6 | 41.3 |
| 2092 | 48.344.3–55 | 60.951.3–69 | 41.4 |
| 2093 | 48.444.3–55 | 60.751.3–68.3 | 41.5 |
| 2094 | 48.544.3–55.1 | 60.651.3–67.6 | 41.6 |
| 2095 | 48.644.3–55.2 | 60.551.2–67 | 41.7 |
| 2096 | 48.744.3–55.3 | 60.451.2–66.4 | 41.8 |
| 2097 | 48.844.3–55.4 | 60.251.1–65.9 | 41.9 |
| 2098 | 48.844.3–55.6 | 60.151.1–65.3 | 42 |
| 2099 | 48.944.4–55.7 | 6051.1–64.7 | 42 |
| 2100 | 4944.4–55.8 | 59.951–64.1 | 42.1 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- Half the people are older than this age and half are younger.
- Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024.
- The dashed line is the UN projection (medium variant), a scenario rather than a forecast; the band is its 95% prediction interval.
- Ranks count the 229 countries with a value in 2023, highest first.
- The faint line is the world as a whole, as the same source counts it.
How the layers work, where their data comes from and what they can’t tell you: Countries through time
Belgium vs South Korea
Health
- Life expectancyBelgium: 82.1 years in 2023South Korea: 84.3 years in 2023
- Child mortalityBelgium: 0.4 per 100 live births in 2024South Korea: 0.3 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityBelgium: 3.3 per 1,000 live births in 2023South Korea: 2.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- Safe drinking waterBelgium: 99.7% in 2022South Korea: 99.3% in 2022
- DepressionBelgium: 4.11% in 2017South Korea: 3.17% in 2017
- Suicide rateBelgium: 14.3 per 100,000 people in 2017South Korea: 20.8 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationBelgium: 11.7 million people in 2023South Korea: 51.8 million people in 2023
- Population growthBelgium: 0.25% a year in 2023South Korea: -0.04% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateBelgium: 1.38 births per woman in 2023South Korea: 0.72 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationBelgium: 87.7% in 2025South Korea: 81.2% in 2025
- People aged 65 and overBelgium: 20.2% in 2023South Korea: 18.3% in 2023
- Net migration rateBelgium: 3.6 per 1,000 people in 2023South Korea: 1.7 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingBelgium: 2.01% of GDP in 2025South Korea: 2.6% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsBelgium: $13.6B in 2025South Korea: $48.9B in 2025
- Military spending per personBelgium: $1,237 in 2025South Korea: $924 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingBelgium: 3.7% of government spending in 2025South Korea: 10.8% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelBelgium: 24,000 people in 2020South Korea: 569,000 people in 2020
- National powerBelgium: 0.22% of world capability in 2022South Korea: 2% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersBelgium: 0.47% of the labour force in 2020South Korea: 2.01% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsBelgium: 430 million TIV in 2025South Korea: 222 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsBelgium: 86 million TIV in 2025South Korea: 2.02 billion TIV in 2025