Living in Cities in South Korea: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

To live in South Korea is to inhabit a landscape defined by a profound migration from the soil to the skyline. These statistics represent more than mere geography; they chart the movement of millions from the rhythmic, agrarian routines of rural settlements to the high-energy density of metropolitan spaces. Every percentage point reflects a fundamental shift in how people find community, seek employment, and build shelter, transforming the very essence of the daily human experience within evolving municipal borders.

The trajectory began with a quiet stability, where the 1800s estimate stood at 6.75 percent, rising gradually to reach 11.71 percent by the 1900s estimate. This steady climb accelerated through the mid-century, passing 20.7 and 24.33, before surging through the late twentieth century to 40.69 and 49.79. This acceleration represents a societal metamorphosis, moving rapidly from a decentralized countryside toward the concentrated urban centers that define the nation's modern architecture.

Today, living in cities in South Korea stands at 81.4 % — ranking #21 of 157 countries. For an individual born into this era, life is lived within one of the world's most concentrated urban societies, a stark contrast to the rural rhythms of the past. As projections extend toward 95 by the 2090s projection and 2100s projection, the boundary between city and country continues to dissolve.

Explore MYRIAD to compute the statistics of your own parallel lives.