Korea, South Demographics

What is the population of Korea, South?

Population 51,835,110
Population Growth Rate 0.18%
Urban Population 83.2%
Population in Major Urban Areas SEOUL (capital) 9.736 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.372 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.622 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.447 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.538 million; Gwangju (Kwangju) 1.503 million
Nationality Noun Korean(s)
Nationality Adjective Korean
Ethnic Groups homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Languages Spoken Korean
Language Note

Korean is spoken in both North and South Korea and is written in a phonetic alphabet created and promulgated in the mid-15th century. While the alphabet is called Hangul in South Korea, it is known as Chosongul in North Korea. Although the Korean language is replete with words adapted from Chinese, the North Koreans, unlike the South Koreans, do not use Chinese characters with Chosongul in their newspapers and publications. They prefer to use only Chosongul, which is sufficient for most needs.

There are also some difference in vocabulary between the North and the South, influenced somewhat by politics and also by the contact each country has had with other nations. Russian, Chinese, and English are taught as second languages in the schools.

Korea, South Health Information

What are the health conditions in Korea, South?

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 15-49 80%
Contraceptive Prevalence - note note: percent of women aged 15-44
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 6.5
Drinking Water Source - percent of rural population improved 87.9%
Drinking Water Source - percent of total population unimproved 2.2%
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved 99.7%
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP 7.2%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate 0.07%
HIV/Aids Deaths 450
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population 10.3
Infant Mortality Rate - female deaths/1,000 live births 3.79
Infant Mortality Rate - male deaths/1,000 live births 4.21
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births 4.01
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 16
Mean Age for Mother's First Birth 29.6
Obesity - adult prevalence rate 7.7%
People Living with HIV/AIDS 9,500
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population 2.02
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved 100%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of rural population improved 100%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 1.24

Korea, South Life Expectancy

How long do people live in Korea, South?

Life Expectancy at Birth 79 Years
Life Expectancy at Birth - female 82 Years
Life Expectancy at Birth - male 76 Years
Median Age 39 Years
Median Age - female 41 Years
Median Age - male 38 Years

Korea, South Infant Mortality - per 1,000 live births

Korea, South median age, birth rate and death rates

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population 39
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 6.5
Median Age 39 Years
Median Age - female 41 Years
Median Age - male 38 Years
Population Growth Rate 0.18%
Sex Ratio 0-14 Years - male/female 1.08
Sex Ratio 15-24 Years - male/female 1.13
Sex Ratio 25-54 Years - male/female 1.01
Sex Ratio 55-64 Years - male/female 1
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female 1.07
Sex Ratio of Total Population - male/female 1
Sex Ratio Over 64 Years - male/female .69

Korea, South Medical Information

What are the health conditions in Korea, South?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Hospitals in the Republic of Korea are generally well-equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. High quality general and specialty dental care is available in Seoul. Western-style medical facilities are available in major urban areas of Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and a few other large cities. However, not all doctors and staff in these major urban areas are proficient in English. Most clinics in rural areas do not have an English-speaking doctor. A list of hospitals and medical specialists who speak English is available at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. Pharmacies are first-rate, and most prescribed medications, except psychotropic medications, can be obtained with a prescription. See information on importing prescription medication in the section on Special Circumstances under Customs Regulations.

ROK ambulances do not carry sophisticated medical equipment, and the ambulance personnel do not have the same level of emergency medical training as do those in the United States. However, ambulances operated by the fire department (dial 119) will respond very quickly and take patients to the nearest hospital.

Korea, South Education

What is school like in Korea, South?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP 5%
Literacy - female 96.6%
Literacy - male 99.2%
Literacy - total population 97.9%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
School Life Expectancy - female 16 Years
School Life Expectancy - male 18 Years
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary) 17 Years

Korea, South Literacy

Can people in Korea, South read?

Literacy - female 96.6%
Literacy - male 99.2%
Literacy - total population 97.9%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
Predominant Language Korean

Korea, South Crime

Is Korea, South a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

The crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low. The crimes that occurmost frequently(e.g., pick-pocketing, purse snatching, assault, hotel room and residential crime)occur more often in major metropolitan areas, tourist areas, and crowded markets. Please use caution in all crowded entertainment, nightlife, and shopping districts throughout Korea. Exercise caution when traveling alone at night and use only legitimate taxis or public transportation. Reduce the likelihood of becoming a crime victim by exercising the same type of security precautions you would take when visiting any large city in the United States.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only is buying bootleg goods illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law, too.

Korea, South Penalties for Crime

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws, even if you are a U.S. citizen. Persons violating the Republic of Korea’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Republic of Korea can be severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences, heavy fines, and deportation at the end of their sentence. U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea have been arrested for past use of illegal drugs based on evidence from urine tests and hair sampling. ROK authorities frequently arrest U.S. citizens on drug charges based on suspicious packages sent through the mail or information provided by other persons charged with drug possession or use. Several U.S. citizens have been arrested after accepting international mail packages that contained marijuana-laced items. ROK authorities thoroughly screen international mail for illegal items and substances. See also information on drugs in the section on Special Circumstances under Customs Regulations. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct or using or disseminating child pornography is a crime in the Republic of Korea, but it is also prosecutable in the United States.

Korea, South Population Comparison

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