Saudi Arabia vs South Korea

South Korea scores 84.5 in the NationsTree Index (1st in the world) and Saudi Arabia scores 76.5 (15th), a gap of 8.0 points. Their trees are 35 m and 40 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

South Korea has 40% more people than Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is 21 times larger than South Korea by land area. The economy of South Korea is 20% larger than that of Saudi Arabia (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Saudi Arabia 37.0 million and South Korea 51.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $73,784 in Saudi Arabia and $63,125 in South Korea (2025, international dollars). People in South Korea live on average 4.6 years longer (83.6 vs 79.0 years).

Of 33 indicators reported by both countries, Saudi Arabia ranks higher in the world on 7 and South Korea on 26. Saudi Arabia is clearly stronger in tourism, natural resources and land & people. South Korea is clearly stronger in environment & energy, institutions & safety and science & innovation.

As a nation, South Korea is the older of the two (statehood since 57 BC, 2,082 years), compared with Saudi Arabia (since 1727). Over the last five years Saudi Arabia improved faster (direction score 100 vs 75 out of 100).