Moving from Pakistan
Pakistan vs 
South Korea
Photo: Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul · Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
To live as well as on Rs 100,000 a month in Pakistan, you would need about
KRW 1,284,790 a month in South Korea (US$961)
Everyday prices in South Korea are about 2.7× Pakistan's.
| In Pakistan | Equivalent in South Korea |
|---|---|
| Rs 50,000 | KRW 642,390 (US$481) |
| Rs 100,000 | KRW 1,284,790 (US$961) |
| Rs 200,000 | KRW 2,569,570 (US$1,920) |
| Rs 400,000 | KRW 5,139,140 (US$3,840) |
Try your own amount in the cost of living calculator → National averages: rents in the biggest cities are usually higher.
Side by side
| Pakistan | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Coldest / warmest month (main city) | 20° / 31°C (Karachi) | -3° / 25°C (Seoul) |
| Everyday prices (US = 100) | 23 | 62 |
| Income per person a year (PPP $) | 6,600 | 63,100 |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | 2.7% |
| Homicides per 100,000 | 4.3 | 0.5 |
| Political stability (-2.5 to 2.5) | -1.95 | 0.92 |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 years | 83.6 years |
| Fine-particle pollution (µg/m³) | 58 | 22 |
| Languages (editorial) | Urdu, English, regional languages | Korean |
Green marks where South Korea does better than Pakistan on that measure. Sources and years are on the country page.
Language and daily life
A mountainous peninsula with Seoul as a fast-paced tech capital, hot humid summers, cold winters and excellent public transport. Editorial
Daily life is mostly in Korean; plan to learn it, especially for jobs outside international companies.
Visas for Pakistanis
- Visiting: Pakistani passport holders need a visa arranged in advance. All visa-free countries.
- Living there: you need a residence route (work, study, family or investment). Rules change often; check the official site: www.hikorea.go.kr.
- South Korea student visa guide
- South Korea tourist / visit visa guide
- Study in South Korea
- Scholarships in South Korea
Questions
How much money do I need in South Korea compared with Pakistan?
To live as well as on Rs 100,000 a month in Pakistan, you would need about KRW 1,284,790 a month in South Korea (about US$960), based on World Bank price levels and today's exchange rate. Everyday prices in South Korea are about 2.7 times those in Pakistan.
Is South Korea safer than Pakistan?
South Korea records 0.5 intentional homicides per 100,000 people a year, against 4.3 in Pakistan (UNODC via the World Bank). Political stability scores are 0.92 and -1.95 respectively.
Can Pakistanis move to South Korea?
It depends on the route: work, study, family or investment, each with its own rules. Start with the official immigration website (www.hikorea.go.kr). For a short visit, Pakistani passport holders currently need visa required.
Figures from the World Bank (CC BY 4.0) and NASA POWER, with today's exchange rates. National averages hide differences between cities. Not immigration advice.