Saudi Arabia vs South Korea
Saudi Arabia vs South Korea: Life expectancy
Life expectancy in 2023: 78.7 years in Saudi Arabia and 84.3 years in South Korea, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in South Korea, by 5.6 years, or 1.07 times that in Saudi Arabia.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- South Korea has been higher since 1954, when it overtook Saudi Arabia.
- In 2023, Saudi Arabia ranked 64 and South Korea ranked 5 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts Saudi Arabia at 90.3 years and South Korea at 93.1 years in 2100.
- The world as a whole: 73.2 years in 2023.
Every year
years · UN
| Year | Saudi Arabia | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 78.7 | 84.3 | 73.2 |
| 2022 | 77.3 | 82.7 | 72.6 |
| 2021 | 77.1 | 83.9 | 70.9 |
| 2020 | 77.6 | 83.7 | 71.9 |
| 2019 | 78.3 | 83.7 | 72.6 |
| 2018 | 78.8 | 83.3 | 72.4 |
| 2017 | 78.7 | 83.3 | 72.1 |
| 2016 | 78.4 | 82.9 | 71.9 |
| 2015 | 77.8 | 82.5 | 71.6 |
| 2014 | 77.1 | 82.4 | 71.4 |
| 2013 | 76.5 | 81.8 | 71.1 |
| 2012 | 76.1 | 81.3 | 70.8 |
| 2011 | 75.8 | 81.2 | 70.4 |
| 2010 | 75.6 | 80.7 | 70.1 |
| 2009 | 75.5 | 80.6 | 69.7 |
| 2008 | 75.3 | 80 | 69.3 |
| 2007 | 75.1 | 79.4 | 69 |
| 2006 | 74.8 | 79 | 68.6 |
| 2005 | 74.4 | 78.5 | 68.1 |
| 2004 | 74 | 78 | 67.7 |
| 2003 | 73.7 | 77.5 | 67.4 |
| 2002 | 73.3 | 77.2 | 67.1 |
| 2001 | 73 | 76.9 | 66.8 |
| 2000 | 72.6 | 76.2 | 66.4 |
| 1999 | 72.3 | 75.6 | 66 |
| 1998 | 72 | 75 | 65.7 |
| 1997 | 71.6 | 74.5 | 65.5 |
| 1996 | 71.3 | 74 | 65.2 |
| 1995 | 70.9 | 73.4 | 64.9 |
| 1994 | 70.6 | 72.9 | 64.3 |
| 1993 | 70.2 | 72.8 | 64.4 |
| 1992 | 69.8 | 72.2 | 64.3 |
| 1991 | 69.3 | 71.4 | 64.1 |
| 1990 | 68.9 | 71 | 64 |
| 1989 | 68.4 | 70.7 | 63.8 |
| 1988 | 67.8 | 70.2 | 63.4 |
| 1987 | 67.2 | 69.3 | 63.2 |
| 1986 | 66.7 | 69 | 62.7 |
| 1985 | 66 | 68.4 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 65.4 | 68.1 | 61.9 |
| 1983 | 64.7 | 66.7 | 61.5 |
| 1982 | 64 | 67.1 | 61.3 |
| 1981 | 63.3 | 67.1 | 60.9 |
| 1980 | 62.4 | 64.9 | 60.5 |
| 1979 | 61.5 | 66.1 | 60.2 |
| 1978 | 60.7 | 65 | 59.5 |
| 1977 | 59.8 | 64.6 | 59.2 |
| 1976 | 58.8 | 65 | 58.6 |
| 1975 | 57.8 | 64.7 | 58.3 |
| 1974 | 56.8 | 64.2 | 58.1 |
| 1973 | 55.8 | 63.8 | 57.7 |
| 1972 | 54.7 | 63.2 | 57.2 |
| 1971 | 53.7 | 62.7 | 56 |
| 1970 | 52.7 | 62.2 | 56.3 |
| 1969 | 51.8 | 61.4 | 56 |
| 1968 | 50.9 | 60.9 | 55.6 |
| 1967 | 50 | 60.9 | 55.1 |
| 1966 | 49.2 | 55.4 | 54.6 |
| 1965 | 48.4 | 55.8 | 54 |
| 1964 | 47.7 | 55.3 | 54.3 |
| 1963 | 47.1 | 55 | 53.7 |
| 1962 | 46.5 | 55 | 53.2 |
| 1961 | 45.9 | 54.4 | 50.4 |
| 1960 | 45.3 | 53.8 | 47.8 |
| 1959 | 44.8 | 52.9 | 49.6 |
| 1958 | 44.2 | 51.8 | 51.6 |
| 1957 | 43.7 | 51.6 | 51.1 |
| 1956 | 43.1 | 50.2 | 50.7 |
| 1955 | 42.6 | 48.4 | 50.2 |
| 1954 | 42.1 | 46.1 | 49.7 |
| 1953 | 41.6 | 40.5 | 48.8 |
| 1952 | 41.1 | 36.6 | 48.2 |
| 1951 | 40.6 | 26.6 | 47.1 |
| 1950 | 40 | 22.2 | 46.4 |
| 1942 | – | 44.9 | – |
| 1938 | – | 42.6 | – |
| 1933 | – | 37.4 | – |
| 1928 | – | 33.6 | – |
| 1923 | – | 29.5 | – |
| 1918 | – | 27 | – |
| 1913 | – | 25 | – |
| 1908 | – | 23.5 | – |
- 12.3Estimates, Our World in Data
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | Saudi Arabia | South Korea | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7978–80 | 84.483.5–85.3 | 73.3 |
| 2025 | 79.277.8–80.5 | 84.583.2–85.9 | 73.5 |
| 2026 | 79.477.7–81 | 84.683.1–86.2 | 73.8 |
| 2027 | 79.677.7–81.5 | 84.783–86.6 | 73.9 |
| 2028 | 79.877.7–81.9 | 84.982.9–86.9 | 74.1 |
| 2029 | 8077.6–82.3 | 8582.8–87.2 | 74.2 |
| 2030 | 80.377.6–82.6 | 85.182.8–87.5 | 74.4 |
| 2031 | 80.577.6–83 | 85.282.8–87.8 | 74.5 |
| 2032 | 80.777.6–83.4 | 85.382.8–88.1 | 74.7 |
| 2033 | 80.977.8–83.9 | 85.482.7–88.4 | 74.8 |
| 2034 | 81.177.8–84.2 | 85.582.8–88.6 | 75 |
| 2035 | 81.377.9–84.4 | 85.682.8–88.9 | 75.1 |
| 2036 | 81.577.9–84.7 | 85.782.7–88.9 | 75.3 |
| 2037 | 81.778.1–85 | 85.882.8–89.2 | 75.4 |
| 2038 | 81.978.2–85.4 | 8682.8–89.5 | 75.5 |
| 2039 | 82.178.2–85.6 | 86.182.8–89.7 | 75.7 |
| 2040 | 82.378.3–85.8 | 86.282.8–90 | 75.8 |
| 2041 | 82.578.5–86 | 86.382.8–90.2 | 75.9 |
| 2042 | 82.678.5–86.3 | 86.482.8–90.3 | 76.1 |
| 2043 | 82.878.6–86.6 | 86.582.9–90.5 | 76.2 |
| 2044 | 8378.6–86.9 | 86.682.9–90.8 | 76.3 |
| 2045 | 83.278.5–87 | 86.882.8–90.8 | 76.5 |
| 2046 | 83.378.6–87.3 | 86.983–91 | 76.6 |
| 2047 | 83.578.6–87.4 | 8782.9–91.3 | 76.7 |
| 2048 | 83.778.7–87.7 | 87.182.9–91.5 | 76.8 |
| 2049 | 83.878.7–87.9 | 87.282.8–91.9 | 76.9 |
| 2050 | 8478.8–88.2 | 87.382.8–91.9 | 77 |
| 2051 | 84.279.3–88.4 | 87.582.9–92.1 | 77.1 |
| 2052 | 84.379.3–88.5 | 87.682.9–92.3 | 77.2 |
| 2053 | 84.579.4–88.8 | 87.783–92.5 | 77.3 |
| 2054 | 84.679.6–89 | 87.882.9–92.5 | 77.4 |
| 2055 | 84.879.9–89.1 | 87.983–92.9 | 77.6 |
| 2056 | 84.979.9–89.4 | 8883.1–93.1 | 77.7 |
| 2057 | 85.180–89.6 | 88.183.1–93.2 | 77.8 |
| 2058 | 85.280.2–89.8 | 88.383.3–93.7 | 77.9 |
| 2059 | 85.480.2–90.1 | 88.483.3–93.7 | 78 |
| 2060 | 85.580.4–90.1 | 88.583.3–93.9 | 78.1 |
| 2061 | 85.780.5–90.4 | 88.683.3–94.1 | 78.2 |
| 2062 | 85.880.5–90.6 | 88.783.2–94.3 | 78.3 |
| 2063 | 8680.7–90.8 | 88.883.4–94.3 | 78.4 |
| 2064 | 86.180.8–91.2 | 88.983.5–94.7 | 78.5 |
| 2065 | 86.281–91.3 | 8983.5–94.8 | 78.6 |
| 2066 | 86.481.1–91.4 | 89.283.7–95.2 | 78.7 |
| 2067 | 86.581.2–91.5 | 89.383.7–95.4 | 78.8 |
| 2068 | 86.681.3–91.9 | 89.483.9–95.4 | 78.9 |
| 2069 | 86.881.4–91.9 | 89.583.8–95.7 | 79 |
| 2070 | 86.981.6–92.3 | 89.683.8–95.9 | 79.1 |
| 2071 | 8781.8–92.5 | 89.783.8–96 | 79.2 |
| 2072 | 87.281.7–92.5 | 89.883.9–96.4 | 79.3 |
| 2073 | 87.381.8–92.6 | 9084–96.5 | 79.4 |
| 2074 | 87.482.1–93 | 90.183.8–96.7 | 79.4 |
| 2075 | 87.582.1–93.1 | 90.283.7–96.9 | 79.5 |
| 2076 | 87.782.1–93.2 | 90.383.9–97.2 | 79.6 |
| 2077 | 87.882.2–93.5 | 90.483.9–97.2 | 79.7 |
| 2078 | 87.982.4–93.6 | 90.583.8–97.3 | 79.8 |
| 2079 | 8882.5–93.8 | 90.683.8–97.5 | 79.9 |
| 2080 | 88.182.6–94.1 | 90.783.9–97.7 | 80 |
| 2081 | 88.382.7–94.2 | 90.984–97.9 | 80.1 |
| 2082 | 88.482.7–94.4 | 9183.8–98.1 | 80.2 |
| 2083 | 88.582.9–94.8 | 91.184–98.3 | 80.3 |
| 2084 | 88.683–95.1 | 91.284–98.5 | 80.3 |
| 2085 | 88.783–95.1 | 91.384–98.6 | 80.4 |
| 2086 | 88.883.1–95.2 | 91.484.2–98.7 | 80.5 |
| 2087 | 8983.1–95.3 | 91.684.4–98.9 | 80.6 |
| 2088 | 89.183.1–95.7 | 91.784.3–99 | 80.7 |
| 2089 | 89.283–95.8 | 91.884.4–99.4 | 80.8 |
| 2090 | 89.383.3–95.9 | 91.984.4–99.5 | 80.9 |
| 2091 | 89.483.4–96.1 | 92.184.5–99.8 | 81 |
| 2092 | 89.583.7–96.3 | 92.284.8–99.8 | 81 |
| 2093 | 89.683.6–96.4 | 92.384.9–100.1 | 81.1 |
| 2094 | 89.783.8–96.6 | 92.484.9–100.4 | 81.2 |
| 2095 | 89.883.9–96.8 | 92.584.9–100.8 | 81.3 |
| 2096 | 89.983.9–97 | 92.785.1–100.9 | 81.4 |
| 2097 | 9084–97.3 | 92.885.2–101.1 | 81.5 |
| 2098 | 90.184–97.5 | 92.985.3–101.4 | 81.6 |
| 2099 | 90.284.2–97.7 | 9385.3–101.5 | 81.7 |
| 2100 | 90.384.3–97.9 | 93.185.4–101.6 | 81.7 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- How long a newborn would live on average if the year’s death rates held all its life.
- Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024.
- Before 1950: Our World in Data, long-run life expectancy.
- 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
Saudi Arabia vs South Korea
Health
- Child mortalitySaudi Arabia: 0.6 per 100 live births in 2024South Korea: 0.3 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalitySaudi Arabia: 5.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023South Korea: 2.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- DepressionSaudi Arabia: 3.54% in 2017South Korea: 3.17% in 2017
- Suicide rateSaudi Arabia: 2.9 per 100,000 people in 2017South Korea: 20.8 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationSaudi Arabia: 33.3 million people in 2023South Korea: 51.8 million people in 2023
- Population growthSaudi Arabia: 2.39% a year in 2023South Korea: -0.04% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateSaudi Arabia: 2.28 births per woman in 2023South Korea: 0.72 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationSaudi Arabia: 84.6% in 2025South Korea: 81.2% in 2025
- Median ageSaudi Arabia: 29.3 years in 2023South Korea: 44.5 years in 2023
- People aged 65 and overSaudi Arabia: 2.8% in 2023South Korea: 18.3% in 2023
- Net migration rateSaudi Arabia: 9.8 per 1,000 people in 2023South Korea: 1.7 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
- GDP per personSaudi Arabia: $25,070 in 2025South Korea: $37,470 in 2025
- GDP growthSaudi Arabia: 4.6% a year in 2025South Korea: 1.1% a year in 2025
- InflationSaudi Arabia: 2% a year in 2025South Korea: 2.1% a year in 2025
- Government debtSaudi Arabia: 31.8% of GDP in 2025South Korea: 49.6% of GDP in 2024
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingSaudi Arabia: 6.48% of GDP in 2025South Korea: 2.6% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsSaudi Arabia: $81.5B in 2025South Korea: $48.9B in 2025
- Military spending per personSaudi Arabia: $2,428 in 2025South Korea: $924 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingSaudi Arabia: 23.5% of government spending in 2025South Korea: 10.8% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelSaudi Arabia: 282,000 people in 2020South Korea: 569,000 people in 2020
- National powerSaudi Arabia: 1.34% of world capability in 2022South Korea: 2% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersSaudi Arabia: 1.92% of the labour force in 2020South Korea: 2.01% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsSaudi Arabia: 3.04 billion TIV in 2025South Korea: 222 million TIV in 2025
- Arms exportsSaudi Arabia: 3 million TIV in 2023South Korea: 2.02 billion TIV in 2025