Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea
South Korea: Military spending, per square kilometre was 479,930 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
479,930 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
6th
of 161 countries
All-time high
487,172 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre
in 2021
All-time low
7,563 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre
in 1964
Years of data
63
1961–2023
Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea, 1961–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre.
Analysis
In 2023, military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea stood at 479,930 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre.
That represents a change of up 0.6% on the previous year and up 38.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea peaked at 487,172 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre in 2021 and was at its lowest, 7,563 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre, in 1964.
South Korea ranks 6th of 161 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 2024 US$ per square kilometre | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 8,338 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | — |
| 1962 | 9,674 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +16.0% |
| 1963 | 7,997 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | -17.3% |
| 1964 | 7,563 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | -5.4% |
| 1965 | 7,946 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +5.1% |
| 1966 | 14,350 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +80.6% |
| 1967 | 15,954 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +11.2% |
| 1968 | 18,797 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +17.8% |
| 1969 | 21,671 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +15.3% |
| 1970 | 22,404 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.4% |
| 1971 | 26,332 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +17.5% |
| 1972 | 30,802 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +17.0% |
| 1973 | 30,984 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +0.6% |
| 1974 | 39,631 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +27.9% |
| 1975 | 45,742 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +15.4% |
| 1976 | 65,749 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +43.7% |
| 1977 | 78,152 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +18.9% |
| 1978 | 97,343 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +24.6% |
| 1979 | 91,426 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | -6.1% |
| 1980 | 100,157 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +9.6% |
| 1981 | 103,774 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.6% |
| 1982 | 108,182 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +4.2% |
| 1983 | 112,608 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +4.1% |
| 1984 | 115,458 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.5% |
| 1985 | 124,820 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +8.1% |
| 1986 | 134,202 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +7.5% |
| 1987 | 137,859 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.7% |
| 1988 | 146,453 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +6.2% |
| 1989 | 155,753 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +6.4% |
| 1990 | 161,453 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.7% |
| 1991 | 165,859 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 176,060 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +6.2% |
| 1993 | 184,174 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +4.6% |
| 1994 | 189,501 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 207,158 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +9.3% |
| 1996 | 210,072 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 215,242 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.5% |
| 1998 | 207,725 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | -3.5% |
| 1999 | 202,153 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | -2.7% |
| 2000 | 214,592 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +6.2% |
| 2001 | 220,090 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.6% |
| 2002 | 226,039 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 233,699 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.4% |
| 2004 | 243,916 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 263,720 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +8.1% |
| 2006 | 273,139 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.6% |
| 2007 | 285,392 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +4.5% |
| 2008 | 303,842 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +6.5% |
| 2009 | 322,712 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +6.2% |
| 2010 | 324,925 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 329,410 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 337,382 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.4% |
| 2013 | 347,188 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.9% |
| 2014 | 360,830 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 374,790 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +3.9% |
| 2016 | 384,007 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 390,988 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 410,774 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +5.1% |
| 2019 | 443,502 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +8.0% |
| 2020 | 466,837 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +5.3% |
| 2021 | 487,172 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +4.4% |
| 2022 | 476,949 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | -2.1% |
| 2023 | 479,930 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | +0.6% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 479,930 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre is above the median for high income countries, which is 50,263 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre, 9.5× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 479,930 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 11,236 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre, 42.7× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Military spending, per square kilometre in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | +80.6% | 7,946 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 14,350 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre |
| 1976 | +43.7% | 45,742 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 65,749 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre |
| 1974 | +27.9% | 30,984 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 39,631 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 12,477 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 7,563 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 21,671 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 9 |
| 1970s | 52,856 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 22,404 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 97,343 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1980s | 123,927 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 100,157 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 155,753 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1990s | 191,940 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 161,453 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 215,242 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2000s | 258,714 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 214,592 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 322,712 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2010s | 370,380 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 324,925 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 443,502 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2020s | 477,722 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 466,837 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 487,172 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 3 Qatar 1.40 million constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 4 Israel 1.28 million constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 5 Netherlands 511,250 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 7 Kuwait 448,745 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 8 United Arab Emirates 391,546 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre compare
- 9 United Kingdom 323,097 constant 2024 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 479,930 constant 2024 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 487,172 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre in 2021.
- What is the lowest military spending, per square kilometre recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 7,563 constant 2024 US$ per square kilometre in 1964.
- How does South Korea rank for military spending, per square kilometre?
- South Korea ranks 6th out of 161 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 38.2%. 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 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026) – 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.