Korea Hospital Beds
Hospital beds per 1,000 people SH.MED.BEDS.ZS
Korea's hospital beds was 13.15 in 2025, ranked 1st globally. This represents a 2.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Korea's hospital beds stood at 13.15 in 2025, a rise of +0.34 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 13.15 by 2025. Korea ranked 1st globally.
South Korea’s hospital‑bed density has risen dramatically over the 37‑year span from 1.70 beds per 1,000 people in 1980 to an all‑time peak of 13.15 in 2025, the highest level among World Bank‑reported economies. This expansion reflects sustained public‑health investment, rapid urbanisation and an ageing population that has driven demand for inpatient services. By 2025 South Korea outpaces its closest peer, Japan, which records 12.27 beds per 1,000, and far exceeds the levels observed in Belarus (9.76), Mongolia (9.53) and Bulgaria (8.38). The steep upward trajectory contrasts with many OECD countries where bed numbers have plateaued or declined as outpatient care and telemedicine grow. Continued demographic pressure and policy emphasis on universal coverage suggest that the upward momentum may persist, although a shift toward community‑based care could temper future growth in bed capacity.
Data & projection
| Year | Hospital Beds | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 13.15 | - | - |
| 2025 | 13.15 | +0.34 | #1 |
| 2022 | 12.81 | +0.06 | #1 |
| 2021 | 12.75 | +0.10 | #1 |
| 2020 | 12.65 | +0.22 | #1 |
| 2019 | 12.43 | +0.00 | #2 |
| 2018 | 12.43 | +0.17 | #3 |
| 2017 | 12.26 | +0.29 | #2 |
| 2016 | 11.97 | +0.35 | #2 |
| 2015 | 11.62 | −0.01 | #2 |
| 2014 | 11.63 | +0.63 | #3 |
| 2013 | 11.00 | +0.62 | #3 |
| 2012 | 10.38 | +0.70 | #5 |
| 2011 | 9.68 | +0.80 | #4 |
| 2010 | 8.88 | +0.56 | #6 |
| 2009 | 8.32 | +0.48 | #7 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw hospital beds improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's hospital beds was 13.15 in 2025. Ranked 1st globally. This represents a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
Korea's hospital beds peaked at 13.15 in 2025.
The lowest hospital beds in Korea was 1.70 in 1980.
Korea ranks 1st globally in hospital beds as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.BEDS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's hospital beds is projected to reach 13.15 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The hospital beds of Korea in 2025 was 13.15. This ranks 1st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_hospital-beds,
title = {Korea Hospital Beds},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/hospital-beds/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}