South Korea Deaths
South Korea's number of deaths was 362,968 in 2025, up 4,399 from 2024. The record high was 372,939 in 2022. By province, Sejong was lowest (4.2 per 1,000 people) and South Jeolla highest (11.2 per 1,000 people).
1990–2025
Data table
| Year | Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 362,968 |
| 2024 | 358,569 |
| 2023 | 352,511 |
| 2022 | 372,939 |
| 2021 | 317,680 |
| 2020 | 304,948 |
| 2019 | 295,110 |
| 2018 | 298,820 |
| 2017 | 285,534 |
| 2016 | 280,827 |
| 2015 | 275,895 |
| 2014 | 267,692 |
| 2013 | 266,257 |
| 2012 | 267,221 |
| 2011 | 257,396 |
| 2010 | 255,405 |
| 2009 | 246,942 |
| 2008 | 246,113 |
| 2007 | 246,482 |
| 2006 | 244,162 |
| 2005 | 245,874 |
| 2004 | 246,220 |
| 2003 | 246,463 |
| 2002 | 247,524 |
| 2001 | 243,813 |
| 2000 | 248,740 |
| 1999 | 247,734 |
| 1998 | 245,825 |
| 1997 | 244,693 |
| 1996 | 241,149 |
| 1995 | 242,838 |
| 1994 | 242,439 |
| 1993 | 234,257 |
| 1992 | 236,162 |
| 1991 | 242,270 |
| 1990 | 241,616 |
By province, 2025 (per 1,000 people)
Data table
| Province | Deaths, per 1,000 people |
|---|---|
| South Jeolla | 11.2 |
| North Gyeongsang | 10.4 |
| Jeonbuk | 10.1 |
| Gangwon | 9.6 |
| South Chungcheong | 8.8 |
| North Chungcheong | 8.7 |
| South Gyeongsang | 8.5 |
| Busan | 8.4 |
| Daegu | 7.4 |
| Jeju | 7.0 |
| Gwangju | 6.6 |
| Daejeon | 6.4 |
| Incheon | 6.3 |
| Ulsan | 5.9 |
| Gyeonggi | 5.7 |
| Seoul | 5.7 |
| Sejong | 4.2 |
Context
This page counts all deaths registered in South Korea in a given year. As the population ages, the number of deaths rises even when life expectancy keeps improving.
Deaths stayed around 240,000 to 260,000 a year from 1990 to 2010. They have climbed since, crossing 300,000 in 2020. In 2022, deaths jumped 17.4% to a record 372,939 as the Omicron wave of COVID-19 hit an older population.
Deaths eased in 2023 but have risen again since, reaching 362,968 in 2025. With the large baby-boom generation born in the 1950s and 1960s moving into old age, deaths are widely expected to keep rising for decades.