France vs South Korea
France vs South Korea: Median age
Median age in 2023: 41.8 years in France and 44.5 years in South Korea, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in South Korea, by 2.7 years, or 1.06 times that in France.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- South Korea has been higher since 2017, when it overtook France.
- In 2023, France ranked 38 and South Korea ranked 19 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts France at 47.1 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 | France | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41.8 | 44.5 | 30.4 |
| 2022 | 41.6 | 43.9 | 30.1 |
| 2021 | 41.4 | 43.4 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 41.3 | 42.8 | 29.6 |
| 2019 | 41.1 | 42.2 | 29.3 |
| 2018 | 40.9 | 41.6 | 29 |
| 2017 | 40.7 | 41.1 | 28.8 |
| 2016 | 40.5 | 40.5 | 28.5 |
| 2015 | 40.3 | 39.9 | 28.3 |
| 2014 | 40 | 39.2 | 28.1 |
| 2013 | 39.8 | 38.5 | 27.8 |
| 2012 | 39.5 | 37.9 | 27.6 |
| 2011 | 39.3 | 37.2 | 27.4 |
| 2010 | 39 | 36.6 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 38.8 | 36 | 27 |
| 2008 | 38.6 | 35.4 | 26.7 |
| 2007 | 38.4 | 34.8 | 26.5 |
| 2006 | 38.1 | 34.2 | 26.3 |
| 2005 | 37.9 | 33.6 | 26.1 |
| 2004 | 37.7 | 32.9 | 25.9 |
| 2003 | 37.4 | 32.3 | 25.7 |
| 2002 | 37.2 | 31.7 | 25.5 |
| 2001 | 36.9 | 31.2 | 25.3 |
| 2000 | 36.7 | 30.7 | 25.1 |
| 1999 | 36.4 | 30.2 | 24.9 |
| 1998 | 36.1 | 29.7 | 24.7 |
| 1997 | 35.8 | 29.2 | 24.4 |
| 1996 | 35.5 | 28.8 | 24.2 |
| 1995 | 35.2 | 28.3 | 24 |
| 1994 | 34.9 | 27.9 | 23.8 |
| 1993 | 34.6 | 27.4 | 23.5 |
| 1992 | 34.3 | 26.9 | 23.3 |
| 1991 | 34 | 26.3 | 23.1 |
| 1990 | 33.7 | 25.8 | 22.9 |
| 1989 | 33.5 | 25.3 | 22.8 |
| 1988 | 33.2 | 24.8 | 22.6 |
| 1987 | 33 | 24.3 | 22.4 |
| 1986 | 32.7 | 23.8 | 22.2 |
| 1985 | 32.5 | 23.3 | 22 |
| 1984 | 32.3 | 22.8 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 32.1 | 22.3 | 21.8 |
| 1982 | 31.8 | 21.8 | 21.7 |
| 1981 | 31.6 | 21.4 | 21.6 |
| 1980 | 31.3 | 20.9 | 21.5 |
| 1979 | 31.1 | 20.5 | 21.3 |
| 1978 | 30.8 | 20 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 30.6 | 19.6 | 21 |
| 1976 | 30.5 | 19.2 | 20.8 |
| 1975 | 30.5 | 18.9 | 20.7 |
| 1974 | 30.6 | 18.5 | 20.5 |
| 1973 | 30.8 | 18.2 | 20.4 |
| 1972 | 31.1 | 18 | 20.4 |
| 1971 | 31.3 | 17.8 | 20.3 |
| 1970 | 31.4 | 17.7 | 20.3 |
| 1969 | 31.6 | 17.6 | 20.3 |
| 1968 | 31.7 | 17.6 | 20.4 |
| 1967 | 31.7 | 17.5 | 20.5 |
| 1966 | 31.8 | 17.5 | 20.6 |
| 1965 | 31.8 | 17.5 | 20.8 |
| 1964 | 31.8 | 17.7 | 21 |
| 1963 | 31.9 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| 1962 | 31.9 | 18.1 | 21.4 |
| 1961 | 31.8 | 18.3 | 21.4 |
| 1960 | 31.8 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1959 | 31.7 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1958 | 31.7 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1957 | 31.7 | 18.2 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 31.7 | 18 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 31.7 | 17.9 | 21.8 |
| 1954 | 31.7 | 17.7 | 21.9 |
| 1953 | 31.7 | 17.6 | 22 |
| 1952 | 31.8 | 17.5 | 22.1 |
| 1951 | 32.4 | 17.5 | 22.1 |
| 1950 | 33.4 | 17.7 | 22.2 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | France | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42.142–42.1 | 45.145–45.1 | 30.6 |
| 2025 | 42.342.2–42.4 | 45.645.5–45.8 | 30.9 |
| 2026 | 42.542.3–42.6 | 46.245.9–46.5 | 31.1 |
| 2027 | 42.642.3–42.9 | 46.846.4–47.2 | 31.3 |
| 2028 | 42.742.4–43.1 | 47.346.8–47.9 | 31.6 |
| 2029 | 42.942.4–43.4 | 47.947.2–48.6 | 31.8 |
| 2030 | 4342.5–43.6 | 48.547.6–49.3 | 32 |
| 2031 | 43.242.5–43.9 | 4948–50 | 32.2 |
| 2032 | 43.342.5–44.1 | 49.648.4–50.8 | 32.4 |
| 2033 | 43.442.5–44.3 | 50.148.7–51.5 | 32.6 |
| 2034 | 43.542.5–44.5 | 50.749–52.2 | 32.8 |
| 2035 | 43.542.4–44.7 | 51.249.2–52.9 | 33 |
| 2036 | 43.642.3–44.9 | 51.649.4–53.6 | 33.2 |
| 2037 | 43.542.1–45.1 | 52.149.7–54.2 | 33.4 |
| 2038 | 43.541.9–45.2 | 52.549.8–54.9 | 33.6 |
| 2039 | 43.441.7–45.3 | 52.950–55.5 | 33.8 |
| 2040 | 43.341.5–45.4 | 53.350.2–56.1 | 34 |
| 2041 | 43.341.4–45.5 | 53.750.4–56.7 | 34.2 |
| 2042 | 43.241.2–45.6 | 5450.6–57.2 | 34.4 |
| 2043 | 43.241.1–45.7 | 54.450.8–57.7 | 34.6 |
| 2044 | 43.241–45.8 | 54.751–58.2 | 34.8 |
| 2045 | 43.241–46 | 5551.2–58.7 | 35 |
| 2046 | 43.240.9–46.1 | 55.351.4–59.2 | 35.2 |
| 2047 | 43.340.9–46.3 | 55.751.6–59.6 | 35.4 |
| 2048 | 43.341–46.4 | 5651.8–60.1 | 35.6 |
| 2049 | 43.441.1–46.6 | 56.452–60.5 | 35.9 |
| 2050 | 43.541.1–46.8 | 56.752.2–60.9 | 36.1 |
| 2051 | 43.741.2–47 | 57.152.4–61.4 | 36.3 |
| 2052 | 43.841.3–47.2 | 57.552.6–61.8 | 36.5 |
| 2053 | 43.941.4–47.4 | 57.852.7–62.2 | 36.7 |
| 2054 | 44.141.4–47.7 | 58.252.9–62.6 | 36.9 |
| 2055 | 44.241.5–47.9 | 58.553–63.1 | 37.1 |
| 2056 | 44.441.5–48.1 | 58.853.1–63.5 | 37.3 |
| 2057 | 44.541.6–48.3 | 59.253.1–63.9 | 37.5 |
| 2058 | 44.641.6–48.5 | 59.553.1–64.4 | 37.6 |
| 2059 | 44.741.7–48.7 | 59.853.1–64.9 | 37.8 |
| 2060 | 44.841.7–49 | 60.153.1–65.4 | 37.9 |
| 2061 | 44.941.7–49.2 | 60.353.1–65.8 | 38 |
| 2062 | 4541.6–49.4 | 60.653.2–66.3 | 38.1 |
| 2063 | 45.141.6–49.6 | 60.853.2–66.7 | 38.3 |
| 2064 | 45.241.6–49.8 | 60.953.2–67.1 | 38.4 |
| 2065 | 45.241.5–50 | 6153.3–67.5 | 38.5 |
| 2066 | 45.241.4–50.2 | 61.153.4–67.9 | 38.6 |
| 2067 | 45.241.4–50.3 | 61.253.5–68.3 | 38.7 |
| 2068 | 45.341.3–50.6 | 61.353.5–68.7 | 38.8 |
| 2069 | 45.341.2–50.7 | 61.453.5–69 | 38.9 |
| 2070 | 45.341.1–50.8 | 61.553.6–69.4 | 39 |
| 2071 | 45.241–50.9 | 61.653.6–69.7 | 39.1 |
| 2072 | 45.240.9–51 | 61.853.5–70 | 39.2 |
| 2073 | 45.240.9–51.1 | 61.953.4–70.2 | 39.3 |
| 2074 | 45.240.9–51.3 | 62.153.3–70.3 | 39.4 |
| 2075 | 45.240.9–51.4 | 62.253.1–70.4 | 39.5 |
| 2076 | 45.140.9–51.5 | 62.452.9–70.4 | 39.6 |
| 2077 | 45.240.9–51.6 | 62.652.7–70.4 | 39.7 |
| 2078 | 45.241–51.6 | 62.752.5–70.4 | 39.8 |
| 2079 | 45.241–51.7 | 62.952.3–70.4 | 40 |
| 2080 | 45.341.1–51.8 | 6352.2–70.4 | 40.1 |
| 2081 | 45.341.1–51.9 | 6352–70.4 | 40.2 |
| 2082 | 45.441.2–52 | 6351.9–70.5 | 40.3 |
| 2083 | 45.541.3–52.1 | 62.951.8–70.6 | 40.4 |
| 2084 | 45.641.4–52.1 | 62.751.7–70.7 | 40.5 |
| 2085 | 45.741.5–52.3 | 62.551.7–70.8 | 40.6 |
| 2086 | 45.841.6–52.4 | 62.251.7–70.8 | 40.7 |
| 2087 | 45.941.7–52.6 | 61.951.6–70.8 | 40.9 |
| 2088 | 4641.8–52.8 | 61.651.5–70.9 | 41 |
| 2089 | 46.141.9–53 | 61.451.5–70.7 | 41.1 |
| 2090 | 46.341.9–53.2 | 61.251.5–70.2 | 41.2 |
| 2091 | 46.442–53.4 | 6151.4–69.6 | 41.3 |
| 2092 | 46.542.1–53.6 | 60.951.3–69 | 41.4 |
| 2093 | 46.642.1–53.7 | 60.751.3–68.3 | 41.5 |
| 2094 | 46.742.2–53.9 | 60.651.3–67.6 | 41.6 |
| 2095 | 46.842.3–54.1 | 60.551.2–67 | 41.7 |
| 2096 | 46.942.3–54.3 | 60.451.2–66.4 | 41.8 |
| 2097 | 4742.3–54.5 | 60.251.1–65.9 | 41.9 |
| 2098 | 4742.4–54.7 | 60.151.1–65.3 | 42 |
| 2099 | 47.142.4–54.8 | 6051.1–64.7 | 42 |
| 2100 | 47.142.4–55 | 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
France vs South Korea
Health
- Life expectancyFrance: 83.3 years in 2023South Korea: 84.3 years in 2023
- Child mortalityFrance: 0.4 per 100 live births in 2024South Korea: 0.3 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityFrance: 3.5 per 1,000 live births in 2023South Korea: 2.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- Safe drinking waterFrance: 99.7% in 2022South Korea: 99.3% in 2022
- DepressionFrance: 4.25% in 2017South Korea: 3.17% in 2017
- Suicide rateFrance: 12.4 per 100,000 people in 2017South Korea: 20.8 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationFrance: 66.4 million people in 2023South Korea: 51.8 million people in 2023
- Population growthFrance: 0.17% a year in 2023South Korea: -0.04% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateFrance: 1.64 births per woman in 2023South Korea: 0.72 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationFrance: 78.8% in 2025South Korea: 81.2% in 2025
- People aged 65 and overFrance: 21.8% in 2023South Korea: 18.3% in 2023
- Net migration rateFrance: 1.4 per 1,000 people in 2023South Korea: 1.7 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingFrance: 2.03% of GDP in 2025South Korea: 2.6% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsFrance: $64.5B in 2025South Korea: $48.9B in 2025
- Military spending per personFrance: $1,021 in 2025South Korea: $924 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingFrance: 3.5% of government spending in 2025South Korea: 10.8% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelFrance: 304,000 people in 2020South Korea: 569,000 people in 2020
- National powerFrance: 1.09% of world capability in 2022South Korea: 2% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersFrance: 1% of the labour force in 2020South Korea: 2.01% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsFrance: 236 million TIV in 2025South Korea: 222 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsFrance: 3.37 billion TIV in 2025South Korea: 2.02 billion TIV in 2025