Busan Population 2026

Busan has a population of 3,285,147, making it the #2 biggest city in 🇰🇷 South Korea, located in Busan. Roughly 6.4% of South Korea's population lives here. It is about 3.2× smaller than Seoul, the country's biggest city.

Location of Busan (capital Seoul shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

3,285,147

Rank in South Korea

Coordinates

35.10°N, 129.03°E

~15 m elevation · Asia/Seoul

Distance to capital (Seoul)

330 km

205 miles, straight line

Other big cities in Busan

City	Population	Rank in South Korea
Gijang	176,388	#50

Cities near Busan

Kimhae531,966 people · ~20 km away
Gijang176,388 people · ~23 km away
Yangsan358,074 people · ~27 km away
Changwon1,025,702 people · ~35 km away
Ungsang83,360 people · ~36 km away
Geoje232,921 people · ~44 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Busan?

Busan has a population of 3,285,147 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2 biggest city in South Korea.

What region is Busan in?

Busan is located in Busan, South Korea.

Is Busan the capital of South Korea?

No, the capital of South Korea is Seoul, about 330 km away.

Sources & notes

Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.

← All biggest cities in South Korea · South Korea population by year