Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea
South Korea: Military spending, per square kilometre was 584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
5th
of 171 countries
All-time high
595,104 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre
in 2021
All-time low
8,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre
in 1965
Years of data
63
1961–2023
Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea, 1961–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea is 584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 1.3% on the previous year and up 56.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea peaked at 595,104 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2021 and was at its lowest, 8,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, in 1965.
South Korea ranks 5th of 171 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea, year by year
| Year | constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 10,141 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | — |
| 1962 | 11,152 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.0% |
| 1963 | 9,800 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -12.1% |
| 1964 | 9,716 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -0.9% |
| 1965 | 8,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -16.4% |
| 1966 | 11,916 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +46.6% |
| 1967 | 13,517 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +13.4% |
| 1968 | 16,874 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +24.8% |
| 1969 | 20,240 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +19.9% |
| 1970 | 20,428 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +0.9% |
| 1971 | 24,871 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +21.7% |
| 1972 | 25,804 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.8% |
| 1973 | 26,802 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.9% |
| 1974 | 32,574 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +21.5% |
| 1975 | 39,345 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +20.8% |
| 1976 | 53,404 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +35.7% |
| 1977 | 65,990 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +23.6% |
| 1978 | 79,377 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +20.3% |
| 1979 | 92,918 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +17.1% |
| 1980 | 93,064 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +0.2% |
| 1981 | 108,202 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +16.3% |
| 1982 | 113,294 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.7% |
| 1983 | 107,290 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -5.3% |
| 1984 | 111,931 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.3% |
| 1985 | 119,751 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.0% |
| 1986 | 132,659 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.8% |
| 1987 | 141,441 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.6% |
| 1988 | 160,468 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +13.5% |
| 1989 | 176,204 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +9.8% |
| 1990 | 187,226 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.3% |
| 1991 | 187,889 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 206,821 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.1% |
| 1993 | 214,188 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.6% |
| 1994 | 225,663 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +5.4% |
| 1995 | 250,496 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +11.0% |
| 1996 | 256,343 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +2.3% |
| 1997 | 266,555 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +4.0% |
| 1998 | 211,910 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -20.5% |
| 1999 | 210,944 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 202,247 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -4.1% |
| 2001 | 200,457 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -0.9% |
| 2002 | 214,765 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.1% |
| 2003 | 233,041 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +8.5% |
| 2004 | 256,344 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.0% |
| 2005 | 284,118 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.8% |
| 2006 | 315,071 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.9% |
| 2007 | 334,475 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.2% |
| 2008 | 318,947 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -4.6% |
| 2009 | 296,217 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -7.1% |
| 2010 | 327,620 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.6% |
| 2011 | 338,582 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +3.3% |
| 2012 | 363,407 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.3% |
| 2013 | 374,078 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +2.9% |
| 2014 | 414,508 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +10.8% |
| 2015 | 398,715 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -3.8% |
| 2016 | 420,387 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +5.4% |
| 2017 | 478,325 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +13.8% |
| 2018 | 507,604 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.1% |
| 2019 | 543,651 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +7.1% |
| 2020 | 559,677 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 595,104 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +6.3% |
| 2022 | 576,438 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | -3.1% |
| 2023 | 584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | +1.3% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre is above the median for high income countries, which is 56,388 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, 10.4× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 13,365 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre, 43.7× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 12,387 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 8,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 20,240 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 9 |
| 1970s | 46,151 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 20,428 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 92,918 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1980s | 126,430 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 93,064 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 176,204 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1990s | 221,804 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 187,226 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 266,555 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2000s | 265,568 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 200,457 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 334,475 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2010s | 416,688 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 327,620 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 543,651 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2020s | 578,853 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 559,677 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 595,104 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 2 Bahrain 2.18 million constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 3 Israel 1.46 million constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 4 Qatar 1.25 million constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 6 Netherlands 552,144 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 7 Kuwait 549,245 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 8 Malta 370,300 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre compare
More reference data data for South Korea
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9638 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9281 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2074 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 19.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.13 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea?
- Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea was 584,193 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest military spending, per square kilometre recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 595,104 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 2021.
- What is the lowest military spending, per square kilometre recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,126 constant 2022 US$ per square kilometre in 1965.
- How does South Korea rank for military spending, per square kilometre?
- South Korea ranks 5th out of 171 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending, per square kilometre rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Military spending, per square kilometre. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 63 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Military spending divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Military spending ÷ Land area (sq. km)
Computed from
- Military spending Barnum et al. – Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
- Land area FAOSTAT, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Military spending divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.