Quick answerDaegu is a city in South Korea, with 2,351,461 people inside the city limits in 2026. The wider metropolitan area had about 3.5 million people in 2026. It is best known for the Textiles and fashion, the Seomun Market and the Dongseongno. Its official languages are Korean and Korean Sign Language, and its currency is the South Korean won.
Daegu is the fourth-largest city in South Korea, with 2,351,461 people (January 2026) and about 3.5 million in the metropolitan area. It is a historic textile city in the south-east, known for the Seomun Market and Dongseongno.
Key facts
| Country | South Korea |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 2,351,461 (2026) |
| Population (metro) | 3,466,452 (2026) · Daegu metropolitan area |
| Elevation | 106 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Asia/Seoul |
| Language | Korean, Korean Sign Language |
| Currency | South Korean won (KRW, ₩) |
| Coordinates | 35.87167° N, 128.60167° E |
Overview
Daegu is the fourth-largest city in South Korea, with 2,351,461 people in January 2026 and about 3.5 million in the wider metropolitan area. It stands in the south-east of the country, in a basin ringed by low mountains, and is the capital of its own metropolitan city. Daegu is one of the hottest cities in Korea in summer.
Daegu grew rich on textiles and is still known as a centre of fashion and fabric, with the Seomun Market, one of Korea's oldest traditional markets, at its heart. Its best-known sights are the Dongseongno shopping street, Apsan Park, the 83 Tower and the Donghwasa Temple on the slopes of Mount Palgong. The city is also known for its apples and for the lively street named for the folk singer Kim Gwang-seok.
What Daegu is known for
- Textiles and fashion
- Seomun Market
- Dongseongno
- Apsan Park
- 83 Tower
- Donghwasa Temple
Landmarks
- Seomun Market
- Dongseongno
- Apsan Park
- E-World (83 Tower)
- Donghwasa Temple
- Kim Gwang-seok Street
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Daegu?
Daegu had 2,351,461 people in January 2026, making it South Korea's fourth-largest city, after Seoul, Busan and Incheon. The wider metropolitan area had 3,466,452 people. Daegu is the largest city in the south-east outside the Busan area. The city covers 1,499.51 square kilometres.
Where is Daegu and what is it known for?
Daegu is in south-eastern South Korea, in a basin ringed by low mountains. It is known for textiles and fashion, the Seomun Market, Dongseongno shopping street, Apsan Park, the Donghwasa Temple, and its hot summers. Daegu is also known for its apples.
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Keep exploring
- South Korea — the country Daegu is in
- Seoul — another city in South Korea
- Busan — another city in South Korea
- Incheon — another city in South Korea
- All cities in South Korea
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.