Urban area over the long-term in South Korea
South Korea: Urban area over the long-term was 2,837 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
2,837 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
44th
of 202 countries
All-time high
2,837 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0029 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in South Korea, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in South Korea stood at 2,837 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.6% on the previous year and up 9.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in South Korea peaked at 2,837 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0029 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places South Korea 44th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in South Korea, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0104 km² per grid cell | +260.0% |
| 1200 | 0.0414 km² per grid cell | +300.0% |
| 1300 | 0.0932 km² per grid cell | +125.0% |
| 1400 | 0.3262 km² per grid cell | +250.0% |
| 1500 | 1.12 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1600 | 4.19 km² per grid cell | +275.0% |
| 1700 | 15.73 km² per grid cell | +275.0% |
| 1710 | 19.49 km² per grid cell | +23.9% |
| 1720 | 22.87 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1730 | 26.84 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1740 | 31.49 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1750 | 36.95 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1760 | 43.36 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1770 | 50.88 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1780 | 59.71 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1790 | 70.07 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1800 | 82.22 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1810 | 96.49 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1820 | 113.23 km² per grid cell | +17.3% |
| 1830 | 125.49 km² per grid cell | +10.8% |
| 1840 | 137.71 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 1850 | 151.13 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 1860 | 167.33 km² per grid cell | +10.7% |
| 1870 | 185.23 km² per grid cell | +10.7% |
| 1880 | 203.81 km² per grid cell | +10.0% |
| 1890 | 223.92 km² per grid cell | +9.9% |
| 1900 | 244.39 km² per grid cell | +9.1% |
| 1910 | 264.35 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1920 | 307.91 km² per grid cell | +16.5% |
| 1930 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1940 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 325.83 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 337.19 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1956 | 350.6 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1957 | 365.37 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1958 | 381.12 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1959 | 397.46 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1960 | 414.08 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1961 | 432.63 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1962 | 452.78 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1963 | 473.35 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1964 | 494.76 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1965 | 517.27 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1966 | 540.98 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1967 | 575.98 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1968 | 616.75 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1969 | 660.26 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1970 | 707 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1971 | 749.38 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1972 | 791.35 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1973 | 834.91 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1974 | 879.55 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1975 | 924.77 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1976 | 974.73 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1977 | 1,027 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1978 | 1,080 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1979 | 1,134 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1980 | 1,191 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1981 | 1,250 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1982 | 1,297 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1983 | 1,342 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1984 | 1,387 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 1,499 km² per grid cell | +8.1% |
| 1986 | 1,549 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 1,601 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1988 | 1,646 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1989 | 1,688 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 1,729 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1991 | 1,796 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1992 | 1,838 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1993 | 1,948 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1994 | 1,991 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 2,030 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1996 | 2,058 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 2,108 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1998 | 2,145 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 2,181 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 2,216 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 2,242 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 2,268 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 2,294 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 2,319 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 2,343 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2006 | 2,369 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 2,395 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 2,421 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 2,448 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 2,475 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 2,498 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 2,520 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 2,541 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 2,562 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 2,583 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 2,603 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 2,624 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 2,645 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 2,666 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 2,687 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 2,704 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 2,720 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 2,737 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 2,821 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 2025 | 2,837 km² per grid cell | +0.6% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 2,837 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 2.8× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 2,837 km² per grid cell is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 954.94 km² per grid cell, 3.0× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 | +300.0% | 0.0104 km² per grid cell | 0.0414 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +275.0% | 1.12 km² per grid cell | 4.19 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +275.0% | 4.19 km² per grid cell | 15.73 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +260.0% | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 0.0104 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +250.0% | 0.0932 km² per grid cell | 0.3262 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +242.9% | 0.3262 km² per grid cell | 1.12 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 0.0029 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0104 km² per grid cell | 0.0104 km² per grid cell | 0.0104 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0414 km² per grid cell | 0.0414 km² per grid cell | 0.0414 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0932 km² per grid cell | 0.0932 km² per grid cell | 0.0932 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.3262 km² per grid cell | 0.3262 km² per grid cell | 0.3262 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 1.12 km² per grid cell | 1.12 km² per grid cell | 1.12 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 4.19 km² per grid cell | 4.19 km² per grid cell | 4.19 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 15.73 km² per grid cell | 15.73 km² per grid cell | 15.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 19.49 km² per grid cell | 19.49 km² per grid cell | 19.49 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 22.87 km² per grid cell | 22.87 km² per grid cell | 22.87 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 26.84 km² per grid cell | 26.84 km² per grid cell | 26.84 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 31.49 km² per grid cell | 31.49 km² per grid cell | 31.49 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 36.95 km² per grid cell | 36.95 km² per grid cell | 36.95 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 43.36 km² per grid cell | 43.36 km² per grid cell | 43.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 50.88 km² per grid cell | 50.88 km² per grid cell | 50.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 59.71 km² per grid cell | 59.71 km² per grid cell | 59.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 70.07 km² per grid cell | 70.07 km² per grid cell | 70.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 82.22 km² per grid cell | 82.22 km² per grid cell | 82.22 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 96.49 km² per grid cell | 96.49 km² per grid cell | 96.49 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 113.23 km² per grid cell | 113.23 km² per grid cell | 113.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 125.49 km² per grid cell | 125.49 km² per grid cell | 125.49 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 137.71 km² per grid cell | 137.71 km² per grid cell | 137.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 151.13 km² per grid cell | 151.13 km² per grid cell | 151.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 167.33 km² per grid cell | 167.33 km² per grid cell | 167.33 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 185.23 km² per grid cell | 185.23 km² per grid cell | 185.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 203.81 km² per grid cell | 203.81 km² per grid cell | 203.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 223.92 km² per grid cell | 223.92 km² per grid cell | 223.92 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 244.39 km² per grid cell | 244.39 km² per grid cell | 244.39 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 264.35 km² per grid cell | 264.35 km² per grid cell | 264.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 307.91 km² per grid cell | 307.91 km² per grid cell | 307.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 346.09 km² per grid cell | 325.83 km² per grid cell | 397.46 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 517.88 km² per grid cell | 414.08 km² per grid cell | 660.26 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 910.19 km² per grid cell | 707 km² per grid cell | 1,134 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,445 km² per grid cell | 1,191 km² per grid cell | 1,688 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,983 km² per grid cell | 1,729 km² per grid cell | 2,181 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,332 km² per grid cell | 2,216 km² per grid cell | 2,448 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,572 km² per grid cell | 2,475 km² per grid cell | 2,666 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,751 km² per grid cell | 2,687 km² per grid cell | 2,837 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
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 urban area over the long-term in South Korea?
- Urban area over the long-term in South Korea was 2,837 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 2,837 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0029 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does South Korea rank for urban area over the long-term?
- South Korea ranks 44th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.