Ethiopia vs South Korea
Ethiopia vs South Korea: Median age
Median age in 2023: 18.7 years in Ethiopia and 44.5 years in South Korea, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in South Korea, by 25.8 years, or 2.38 times that in Ethiopia.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- South Korea has been higher since 1967, when it overtook Ethiopia.
- In 2023, Ethiopia ranked 199 and South Korea ranked 19 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts Ethiopia at 36.6 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 | Ethiopia | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 18.7 | 44.5 | 30.4 |
| 2022 | 18.5 | 43.9 | 30.1 |
| 2021 | 18.3 | 43.4 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 18.1 | 42.8 | 29.6 |
| 2019 | 17.9 | 42.2 | 29.3 |
| 2018 | 17.7 | 41.6 | 29 |
| 2017 | 17.5 | 41.1 | 28.8 |
| 2016 | 17.3 | 40.5 | 28.5 |
| 2015 | 17 | 39.9 | 28.3 |
| 2014 | 16.8 | 39.2 | 28.1 |
| 2013 | 16.5 | 38.5 | 27.8 |
| 2012 | 16.3 | 37.9 | 27.6 |
| 2011 | 16 | 37.2 | 27.4 |
| 2010 | 15.8 | 36.6 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 15.6 | 36 | 27 |
| 2008 | 15.4 | 35.4 | 26.7 |
| 2007 | 15.3 | 34.8 | 26.5 |
| 2006 | 15.2 | 34.2 | 26.3 |
| 2005 | 15.1 | 33.6 | 26.1 |
| 2004 | 15.1 | 32.9 | 25.9 |
| 2003 | 15 | 32.3 | 25.7 |
| 2002 | 15 | 31.7 | 25.5 |
| 2001 | 15 | 31.2 | 25.3 |
| 2000 | 15.1 | 30.7 | 25.1 |
| 1999 | 15.2 | 30.2 | 24.9 |
| 1998 | 15.3 | 29.7 | 24.7 |
| 1997 | 15.4 | 29.2 | 24.4 |
| 1996 | 15.5 | 28.8 | 24.2 |
| 1995 | 15.5 | 28.3 | 24 |
| 1994 | 15.6 | 27.9 | 23.8 |
| 1993 | 15.7 | 27.4 | 23.5 |
| 1992 | 15.8 | 26.9 | 23.3 |
| 1991 | 15.8 | 26.3 | 23.1 |
| 1990 | 15.8 | 25.8 | 22.9 |
| 1989 | 15.8 | 25.3 | 22.8 |
| 1988 | 15.9 | 24.8 | 22.6 |
| 1987 | 15.9 | 24.3 | 22.4 |
| 1986 | 15.8 | 23.8 | 22.2 |
| 1985 | 15.8 | 23.3 | 22 |
| 1984 | 15.7 | 22.8 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 15.6 | 22.3 | 21.8 |
| 1982 | 15.6 | 21.8 | 21.7 |
| 1981 | 15.7 | 21.4 | 21.6 |
| 1980 | 15.7 | 20.9 | 21.5 |
| 1979 | 15.8 | 20.5 | 21.3 |
| 1978 | 15.8 | 20 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 15.9 | 19.6 | 21 |
| 1976 | 16 | 19.2 | 20.8 |
| 1975 | 16.2 | 18.9 | 20.7 |
| 1974 | 16.3 | 18.5 | 20.5 |
| 1973 | 16.5 | 18.2 | 20.4 |
| 1972 | 16.7 | 18 | 20.4 |
| 1971 | 16.8 | 17.8 | 20.3 |
| 1970 | 17 | 17.7 | 20.3 |
| 1969 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 20.3 |
| 1968 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 20.4 |
| 1967 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 20.5 |
| 1966 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 20.6 |
| 1965 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 20.8 |
| 1964 | 17.6 | 17.7 | 21 |
| 1963 | 17.6 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| 1962 | 17.6 | 18.1 | 21.4 |
| 1961 | 17.5 | 18.3 | 21.4 |
| 1960 | 17.5 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1959 | 17.5 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1958 | 17.5 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1957 | 17.4 | 18.2 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 17.4 | 18 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 17.3 | 17.9 | 21.8 |
| 1954 | 17.3 | 17.7 | 21.9 |
| 1953 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 22 |
| 1952 | 17.2 | 17.5 | 22.1 |
| 1951 | 17.1 | 17.5 | 22.1 |
| 1950 | 17 | 17.7 | 22.2 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | Ethiopia | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18.918.9–18.9 | 45.145–45.1 | 30.6 |
| 2025 | 19.119.1–19.2 | 45.645.5–45.8 | 30.9 |
| 2026 | 19.319.2–19.4 | 46.245.9–46.5 | 31.1 |
| 2027 | 19.619.4–19.7 | 46.846.4–47.2 | 31.3 |
| 2028 | 19.819.5–20 | 47.346.8–47.9 | 31.6 |
| 2029 | 2019.6–20.3 | 47.947.2–48.6 | 31.8 |
| 2030 | 20.219.7–20.7 | 48.547.6–49.3 | 32 |
| 2031 | 20.419.7–21 | 4948–50 | 32.2 |
| 2032 | 20.619.8–21.3 | 49.648.4–50.8 | 32.4 |
| 2033 | 20.719.8–21.6 | 50.148.7–51.5 | 32.6 |
| 2034 | 20.919.9–22 | 50.749–52.2 | 32.8 |
| 2035 | 21.119.9–22.3 | 51.249.2–52.9 | 33 |
| 2036 | 21.319.9–22.7 | 51.649.4–53.6 | 33.2 |
| 2037 | 21.520–23 | 52.149.7–54.2 | 33.4 |
| 2038 | 21.720–23.3 | 52.549.8–54.9 | 33.6 |
| 2039 | 21.920.1–23.7 | 52.950–55.5 | 33.8 |
| 2040 | 22.120.2–24 | 53.350.2–56.1 | 34 |
| 2041 | 22.320.3–24.3 | 53.750.4–56.7 | 34.2 |
| 2042 | 22.620.4–24.7 | 5450.6–57.2 | 34.4 |
| 2043 | 22.820.6–25.1 | 54.450.8–57.7 | 34.6 |
| 2044 | 23.120.7–25.4 | 54.751–58.2 | 34.8 |
| 2045 | 23.320.8–25.8 | 5551.2–58.7 | 35 |
| 2046 | 23.620.9–26.2 | 55.351.4–59.2 | 35.2 |
| 2047 | 23.821.1–26.6 | 55.751.6–59.6 | 35.4 |
| 2048 | 24.121.3–26.9 | 5651.8–60.1 | 35.6 |
| 2049 | 24.421.5–27.3 | 56.452–60.5 | 35.9 |
| 2050 | 24.621.7–27.7 | 56.752.2–60.9 | 36.1 |
| 2051 | 24.921.9–28.1 | 57.152.4–61.4 | 36.3 |
| 2052 | 25.122.1–28.5 | 57.552.6–61.8 | 36.5 |
| 2053 | 25.422.3–28.9 | 57.852.7–62.2 | 36.7 |
| 2054 | 25.622.5–29.2 | 58.252.9–62.6 | 36.9 |
| 2055 | 25.922.7–29.6 | 58.553–63.1 | 37.1 |
| 2056 | 26.222.9–29.9 | 58.853.1–63.5 | 37.3 |
| 2057 | 26.423–30.2 | 59.253.1–63.9 | 37.5 |
| 2058 | 26.723.2–30.5 | 59.553.1–64.4 | 37.6 |
| 2059 | 26.923.4–30.8 | 59.853.1–64.9 | 37.8 |
| 2060 | 27.223.5–31 | 60.153.1–65.4 | 37.9 |
| 2061 | 27.423.7–31.3 | 60.353.1–65.8 | 38 |
| 2062 | 27.723.8–31.6 | 60.653.2–66.3 | 38.1 |
| 2063 | 27.924–31.8 | 60.853.2–66.7 | 38.3 |
| 2064 | 28.224.2–32.1 | 60.953.2–67.1 | 38.4 |
| 2065 | 28.424.3–32.3 | 6153.3–67.5 | 38.5 |
| 2066 | 28.724.4–32.6 | 61.153.4–67.9 | 38.6 |
| 2067 | 28.924.6–32.8 | 61.253.5–68.3 | 38.7 |
| 2068 | 29.224.7–33 | 61.353.5–68.7 | 38.8 |
| 2069 | 29.424.8–33.2 | 61.453.5–69 | 38.9 |
| 2070 | 29.624.9–33.4 | 61.553.6–69.4 | 39 |
| 2071 | 29.925.1–33.6 | 61.653.6–69.7 | 39.1 |
| 2072 | 30.125.2–33.8 | 61.853.5–70 | 39.2 |
| 2073 | 30.425.4–34 | 61.953.4–70.2 | 39.3 |
| 2074 | 30.625.6–34.2 | 62.153.3–70.3 | 39.4 |
| 2075 | 30.925.7–34.4 | 62.253.1–70.4 | 39.5 |
| 2076 | 31.125.8–34.6 | 62.452.9–70.4 | 39.6 |
| 2077 | 31.426–34.8 | 62.652.7–70.4 | 39.7 |
| 2078 | 31.626.2–34.9 | 62.752.5–70.4 | 39.8 |
| 2079 | 31.826.3–35.1 | 62.952.3–70.4 | 40 |
| 2080 | 32.126.5–35.3 | 6352.2–70.4 | 40.1 |
| 2081 | 32.326.6–35.4 | 6352–70.4 | 40.2 |
| 2082 | 32.626.8–35.6 | 6351.9–70.5 | 40.3 |
| 2083 | 32.827–35.8 | 62.951.8–70.6 | 40.4 |
| 2084 | 3327.1–36 | 62.751.7–70.7 | 40.5 |
| 2085 | 33.327.3–36.2 | 62.551.7–70.8 | 40.6 |
| 2086 | 33.527.5–36.4 | 62.251.7–70.8 | 40.7 |
| 2087 | 33.727.7–36.6 | 61.951.6–70.8 | 40.9 |
| 2088 | 3427.9–36.7 | 61.651.5–70.9 | 41 |
| 2089 | 34.228–36.9 | 61.451.5–70.7 | 41.1 |
| 2090 | 34.428.2–37 | 61.251.5–70.2 | 41.2 |
| 2091 | 34.728.4–37.2 | 6151.4–69.6 | 41.3 |
| 2092 | 34.928.6–37.4 | 60.951.3–69 | 41.4 |
| 2093 | 35.128.8–37.5 | 60.751.3–68.3 | 41.5 |
| 2094 | 35.328.9–37.7 | 60.651.3–67.6 | 41.6 |
| 2095 | 35.629.1–37.8 | 60.551.2–67 | 41.7 |
| 2096 | 35.829.3–37.9 | 60.451.2–66.4 | 41.8 |
| 2097 | 3629.5–38 | 60.251.1–65.9 | 41.9 |
| 2098 | 36.229.7–38.1 | 60.151.1–65.3 | 42 |
| 2099 | 36.429.9–38.1 | 6051.1–64.7 | 42 |
| 2100 | 36.630–38.2 | 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
Ethiopia vs South Korea
Health
- Life expectancyEthiopia: 67.3 years in 2023South Korea: 84.3 years in 2023
- Child mortalityEthiopia: 4.5 per 100 live births in 2024South Korea: 0.3 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityEthiopia: 33 per 1,000 live births in 2023South Korea: 2.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- Safe drinking waterEthiopia: 13.2% in 2022South Korea: 99.3% in 2022
- DepressionEthiopia: 3.82% in 2017South Korea: 3.17% in 2017
- Suicide rateEthiopia: 9.6 per 100,000 people in 2017South Korea: 20.8 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationEthiopia: 129 million people in 2023South Korea: 51.8 million people in 2023
- Population growthEthiopia: 2.59% a year in 2023South Korea: -0.04% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateEthiopia: 3.99 births per woman in 2023South Korea: 0.72 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationEthiopia: 24.1% in 2025South Korea: 81.2% in 2025
- People aged 65 and overEthiopia: 3.2% in 2023South Korea: 18.3% in 2023
- Net migration rateEthiopia: -0.1 per 1,000 people in 2023South Korea: 1.7 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingEthiopia: 0.49% of GDP in 2025South Korea: 2.6% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsEthiopia: $785M in 2025South Korea: $48.9B in 2025
- Military spending per personEthiopia: $4 in 2025South Korea: $924 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingEthiopia: 4.1% of government spending in 2025South Korea: 10.8% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelEthiopia: 138,000 people in 2020South Korea: 569,000 people in 2020
- National powerEthiopia: 0.85% of world capability in 2022South Korea: 2% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersEthiopia: 0.28% of the labour force in 2020South Korea: 2.01% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsEthiopia: 63 million TIV in 2025South Korea: 222 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsEthiopia: 17 million TIV in 1997South Korea: 2.02 billion TIV in 2025