In a previous post I began comparing Korea and Canada and wrote mostly about the difference in size between the countries and how that relates to space. This is one of the most common things that I hear about when talking with people who have lived in Korea; the lack of personal space (at least from a Canadian perspective).
In this post I wanted to continue comparing the two nations.
As was stated in the previous post, Korea has more people than Canada, but what else is there to know about the people of each nation? Lots.
The median age of a Canadian is 40.1 years, with an average life expectancy of 81.16 years. The median age of a Korean is 36.4 years with an average life expectancy of 77.42 years.
Canada's population grows at a rate of 0.83% with 1.57 children born per woman. A birth rate of 2+ per woman would suffice to keep a nations population steady, so while Canada's is below this rate our population continues to grow pointing to the impact of immigration on Canada's national population. Korea's population grows at a rate of 0.371% with 1.29 children born per woman. While Korea is growing at a slower rate immigration too is playing its part.
Surprisingly the religion in Korea with the most adherents is Christianity with about 26.3% of the population. This is followed closely behind by Buddhism at 23.2% of the population. Nearly half of Koreans, 49.3% profess no religious affiliation. Not surprisingly the majority of Canadians profess adherence to Christianity at 70.3% with 16% of Canadians claim no religious affiliation.
Canada is a member of the G8, and is recognized as being a very wealthy nation. Canada has an budget exceeding $569 billion, while Korea's budget exceeds only (in comparison) $248 billion. Canada's GDP is a healthy $1.266 trillion with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $38,400. Korea too is a wealthy nation whose GDP is also a healthy $1.201 trillion with a per capita GDP of $24,800. Currently Canada is ranked as the world's 9th largest economy followed closely by Korea in 12th. In PPP Canada ranks 19th while Korea ranks 33rd. Despite this wealth Canada ranks 117th in the world with roughly 15.9% of the population living below the poverty line. Korea ranks 118th with roughly 15% of the population living below the poverty line.
In terms of crime, Canada ranks 12th in the world with approximately 9 out of every 1000 people having been convicted of a crime. Korea ranks 37th with approximately 3.6 out of every 1000 people having been convicted of a crime. In terms of assaults, Canada ranks 9th in the world with approximately 7 out of every 1000 people having been assaulted. Korea ranks 46th with approximately 0.3 out of every 1000 people having been assaulted. Canada ranks 44th in the world with approximately 0.015 murder per 1000 people. Korea ranks 32nd in the world with approximately 0.02 murders per 1000 people. In terms of total crimes, Canada ranks 12th in the world with approximately 75.5 per 1000 people. Korea ranks 24th with approximately 31.7 per 1000 people.
On paper there are some distinct differences between Canada and Korea. I can't wait to experience them for myself.
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