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South Korea Population and religion percentage 2026
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, and sharing a land border with North Korea.
As per the UN World Population Prospects report, the estimated population of South Korea in 2026 is 51,630,818 (52 million or 5.2 Crore)
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South Korea Demographics
| South Korea | 2026 Population |
| Total Population | 51,630,818 (52 million) |
| Global Rank | 29th |
| Share of World Pop. | 0.66% |
| Land Area | 99,909 sq. km (38,575 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank | 107 |
| Pop. Density | 516 people/sq.km |
| Growth rate | -0.6% |
| Fertility Rate* | 1.1 |
| Infant mortality rate** | 1.8 |
| Median Age | 43.7 years |
| Life Expectancy | 83.50 years |
| Urban Population | 82 % |
Religious Demographics of South Korea (2026 Updated)
As per the 2015 Census, more than half of the South Korean population (56.1%) is irreligious and doesn’t affiliate with any religion. Among organized religions, Christianity has the largest number of adherents, followed by Buddhism.
Chrisanity in South Korea
Chrisanity is the largest religion in South Korea and 27.6% of the population were Christians (19.7% identified themselves as Protestants, 7.9% as Roman Catholics). Among Christian denominations, Presbyterianism is the largest. About nine million people belong to one of the hundred different Presbyterian churches; the biggest ones are the HapDong Presbyterian Church, TongHap Presbyterian Church, and the Koshin Presbyterian Church. South Korea is also the second-largest missionary-sending nation, after the United States.
Buddsimim in South Korea
Buddsimim is the Second largest religion and it is followed by 5.5% of the population. Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 4th century. and once its dominant religion but declined rapidly in modern times.
Others
Other religions include Islam, Won Buddhism, and a variety of indigenous religions, including Cheondoism (a Confucianizing religion), Jeungsanism, Daejongism, Daesun Jinrihoe, and others. Islam is followed by 130,000 and mostly migrant workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh but including some 35,000 Korean Muslims
Religion percentage in South Korea (Census 2015)
| Religion/ Affiliations | Percentage |
| No religion | 56.10% |
| Christians | 28.60% |
| – Protestantism | – 19.70% |
| – Catholicism | – 7.90% |
| Korean Buddhism | 15.50% |
| Others | 0.80% |
Source: Census 2015
Projected Religious Composition (2010-2050)
The religious landscape of South Korea is marked by a steady increase in Christianity, while Buddhism is gradually declining. The unaffiliated population remains the largest, indicating a strong secular or non-religious trend in South Korean society. Folk religions continue to have a minor presence, while “Others,” including Muslims, remain a small but slightly growing group.
| Year | Christians | Buddhists | Unaffiliated | Folk Religions | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 30.1% | 22.0% | 46.6% | <1% | <1% |
| 2020 | 29.4% | 23.0% | 46.4% | <1% | <1% |
| 2030 | 30.1% | 21.9% | 46.6% | <1% | <1% |
| 2040 | 31.2% | 20.7% | 46.5% | <1% | <1% |
| 2050 | 32.4% | 19.4% | 46.5% | <1% | 1.0% |
Source: PEW research center
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Largest Cities in South Korea by Population
| # | City | Province | Population |
| 1 | Seoul | Seoul | 99,04,312 |
| 2 | Busan | Busan | 34,48,737 |
| 3 | Incheon | Incheon | 28,90,451 |
| 4 | Daegu | Daegu | 24,46,052 |
| 5 | Daejeon | Daejeon | 15,38,394 |
| 6 | Gwangju | Gwangju | 15,02,881 |
| 7 | Suwon | Gyeonggi | 11,94,313 |
| 8 | Ulsan | Ulsan | 11,66,615 |
| 9 | Changwon | South Gyeongsang | 10,59,241 |
| 10 | Goyang | Gyeonggi | 9,90,073 |
| 11 | Yongin | Gyeonggi | 9,71,327 |
| 12 | Seongnam | Gyeonggi | 9,48,757 |
| 13 | Bucheon | Gyeonggi | 8,43,794 |
| 14 | Cheongju | North Chungcheong | 8,33,276 |
| 15 | Ansan | Gyeonggi | 7,47,035 |
| 16 | Jeonju | North Jeolla | 6,58,172 |
| 17 | Cheonan | South Chungcheong | 6,29,062 |
| 18 | Namyangju | Gyeonggi | 6,29,061 |
| 19 | Hwaseong | Gyeonggi | 6,08,725 |
| 20 | Anyang | Gyeonggi | 5,85,177 |