Korea, South Demographics

What is the population of Korea, South?

Population	51,835,110
Population Growth Rate	0.18%
Urban Population	83.200000
Population in Major Urban Areas	SEOUL (capital) 9.736 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.372 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.622 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.447 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.538 million; Gwangju (Kwangju) 1.503 million
Nationality Noun	Korean(s)
Ethnic Groups	homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Language Note	Korean is spoken in both North and South Korea and is written in a phonetic alphabet created and promulgated in the mid-15th century. While the alphabet is called Hangul in South Korea, it is known as Chosongul in North Korea. Although the Korean language is replete with words adapted from Chinese, the North Koreans, unlike the South Koreans, do not use Chinese characters with Chosongul in their newspapers and publications. They prefer to use only Chosongul, which is sufficient for most needs. There are also some differences in vocabulary between the North and the South, influenced somewhat by politics and also by the contact each country has had with other nations. Russian, Chinese, and English are taught as second languages in the schools.

Korea, South Population Comparison

Korea, South Health Information

What are the health conditions in Korea, South?

Life Expectancy at Birth	79.550000
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population	6.5
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births	4.010000
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP	7.2%
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population	2.02
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population	10.3
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved	99.700000
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	16
Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)	29.6
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49	80%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.24
Obesity - adult prevalence rate	7.7%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved	100.000000

Korea, South Life Expectancy

How long do people live in Korea, South?

Life Expectancy at Birth	79.550000
Median Age	39.700000
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	80%
Infant Mortality Rate	4.010000
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	16
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.24

Korea, South median age, birth rate and death rates

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population	39
Median Age	39.700000
Population Growth Rate	0.18%
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female	1.070000
Age Structure	13.450000
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	80%
Infant Mortality Rate	4.010000
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	16
Mother's mean age at first birth	29.6
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.24

Korea, South Medical Information

What are the health conditions in Korea, South?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Hospitals in the Republic of Korea are generally well-equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. High quality general and specialty dental care is available in Seoul. Western-style medical facilities are available in major urban areas of Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and a few other large cities. However, not all doctors and staff in these major urban areas are proficient in English. Most clinics in rural areas do not have an English-speaking doctor. A list of hospitals and medical specialists who speak English is available at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. Pharmacies are first-rate, and most prescribed medications, except psychotropic medications, can be obtained with a prescription. See information on importing prescription medication in the section on Special Circumstances under Customs Regulations.

ROK ambulances do not carry sophisticated medical equipment, and the ambulance personnel do not have the same level of emergency medical training as do those in the United States. However, ambulances operated by the fire department (dial 119) will respond very quickly and take patients to the nearest hospital.

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.2%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

10.3

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.02

Korea, South Education

What is school like in Korea, South?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP	5%
Literacy - female	96.6%
Literacy - male	99.2%
Literacy - total population	97.9%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)	17.000000

Korea, South Literacy

Can people in Korea, South read?

Literacy - female	96.6%
Literacy - male	99.2%
Literacy - total population	97.9%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write

Korea, South Crime

Is Korea, South a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

The crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low. The crimes that occurmost frequently(e.g., pick-pocketing, purse snatching, assault, hotel room and residential crime)occur more often in major metropolitan areas, tourist areas, and crowded markets. Please use caution in all crowded entertainment, nightlife, and shopping districts throughout Korea. Exercise caution when traveling alone at night and use only legitimate taxis or public transportation. Reduce the likelihood of becoming a crime victim by exercising the same type of security precautions you would take when visiting any large city in the United States.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only is buying bootleg goods illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law, too.

Korea, South Penalties for Crime

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws, even if you are a U.S. citizen. Persons violating the Republic of Korea’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Republic of Korea can be severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences, heavy fines, and deportation at the end of their sentence. U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea have been arrested for past use of illegal drugs based on evidence from urine tests and hair sampling. ROK authorities frequently arrest U.S. citizens on drug charges based on suspicious packages sent through the mail or information provided by other persons charged with drug possession or use. Several U.S. citizens have been arrested after accepting international mail packages that contained marijuana-laced items. ROK authorities thoroughly screen international mail for illegal items and substances. See also information on drugs in the section on Special Circumstances under Customs Regulations. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct or using or disseminating child pornography is a crime in the Republic of Korea, but it is also prosecutable in the United States.

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