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Economy of Albania vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Albania has a GDP of $27B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 112/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $15.2B in government debt (56% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Albania vs South Korea GDP by year

Albania
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania South Korea
2024 $27,046,429,297 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $23,491,242,727 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $19,017,247,014 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $18,031,989,573 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $15,241,458,745 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $15,585,111,614 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $15,379,508,330 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $13,258,268,436 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $11,988,668,785 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $11,470,171,827 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $13,296,322,588 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $12,796,985,886 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $12,246,499,748 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $12,973,755,875 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $12,086,545,641 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,335,540,656 $983,065,242,417
2008 $13,258,506,375 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $11,116,937,870 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $9,150,528,132 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $8,256,658,250 $971,740,329,984
2004 $7,406,645,793 $823,251,107,639
2003 $5,801,712,040 $728,516,494,684
2002 $4,515,003,117 $650,014,391,470
2001 $4,059,064,033 $567,564,806,235
2000 $3,584,570,165 $597,487,173,479
1999 $3,283,941,510 $515,697,079,289
1998 $2,600,356,999 $397,297,216,492
1997 $2,293,666,030 $589,202,526,424
1996 $3,234,486,232 $631,196,863,758
1995 $2,905,092,799 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,880,950,864 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,185,315,468 $405,705,302,846
1992 $652,174,991 $366,921,291,825
1991 $1,099,559,028 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,028,553,750 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,253,090,000 $254,236,243,100
1988 $2,051,236,250 $205,477,530,605
1987 $2,080,796,250 $152,240,393,646
1986 $2,097,326,250 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,897,050,117 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,857,337,995 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,881,412,587 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,861,163,170 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,808,177,156 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,578,102,105 $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs South Korea by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,378 $26,702 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $9,731 $24,822 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $831 $3,086 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $729 $2,760 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $911 $2,777 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $586 $2,385 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $367 $2,143 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $337 $1,989 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $617 $2,656 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $698 - $5,989 -
1988 $653 - $4,889 -
1987 $675 - $3,658 -
1986 $694 - $2,911 -
1985 $640 - $2,543 -
1984 $639 - $2,469 -
1983 $662 - $2,246 -
1982 $668 - $2,032 -
1981 $663 - $1,918 -
1980 $591 - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 - - $1,073 -
1976 - - $847 -
1975 - - $627 -
1974 - - $572 -
1973 - - $412 -
1972 - - $328 -
1971 - - $304 -
1970 - - $281.8 -
1969 - - $245.5 -
1968 - - $200 -
1967 - - $162.5 -
1966 - - $134.4 -
1965 - - $109.4 -
1964 - - $124.2 -
1963 - - $147 -
1962 - - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $11,378, ranking 82/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Albania South Korea
Gross domestic product
$27B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
112/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,378
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
82/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,375
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,075
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2023
2.78%
2024
Population
2342753
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.9% 56% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 28.5% 58% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 30.3% 65.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 24.1% 48%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 28.8% 66.6% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 31.7% 72% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 19% 36%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 18.7% 27%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 29.7% 60.2% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 31.5% 64.1% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 32.7% 60.6% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 33.8% 63.8% 16% 16.1%
1999 37.1% 68.2% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 36.8% 71.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 30.3% 72.2% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 - - 14% 7.81%
1995 - - 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 - - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 - - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - - 15% 12.4%
1988 - - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government spending was $7.83B, accounting for 28.9% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56% in Albania and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 94/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania South Korea
2024 -0.72% -0.78%
2023 -1.32% -0.67%
2022 -3.64% -1.49%
2021 -4.57% -0.02%
2020 -6.67% -2.11%
2019 -1.92% 0.35%
2018 -1.6% 2.42%
2017 -1.41% 2.08%
2016 -1.5% 1.56%
2015 -4.32% 0.5%
2014 -5.46% 0.57%
2013 -5.22% 0.79%
2012 -3.44% 1.63%
2011 -3.52% 1.72%
2010 -3.52% 1.61%
2009 -6.59% 0.24%
2008 -4.88% 1.58%
2007 -3.18% 2.49%
2006 -3.26% 1.18%
2005 -3.46% 0.95%
2004 -5.16% 0.09%
2003 -5.01% 1.51%
2002 -6.21% 3.23%
2001 -6.84% 2.42%
2000 -7.77% 3.91%
1999 -8.84% 1.15%
1998 -9.93% 1.09%
1997 -11.9% 2.31%
1996 - 2.3%
1995 - 2.16%
1994 - 2.06%
1993 - 3.21%
1992 - 2.42%
1991 - 1.94%
1990 - 2.98%
1989 - 2.27%
1988 - 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $196M, equivalent to 0.72% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.71% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania South Korea
2024 2.2% 2.32%
2023 4.8% 3.6%
2022 6.7% 5.09%
2021 2% 2.5%
2020 1.6% 0.54%
2019 1.4% 0.38%
2018 2% 1.48%
2017 2% 1.94%
2016 1.3% 0.97%
2015 1.9% 0.71%
2014 1.6% 1.27%
2013 1.9% 1.3%
2012 2% 2.19%
2011 3.4% 4.03%
2010 3.6% 2.94%
2009 2.2% 2.76%
2008 3.3% 4.67%
2007 3% 2.53%
2006 2.4% 2.24%
2005 2.4% 2.75%
2004 2.9% 3.59%
2003 2.4% 3.51%
2002 5.2% 2.76%
2001 3.1% 4.07%
2000 0% 2.26%
1999 0.4% 0.81%
1998 20.6% 7.51%
1997 33.2% 4.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.87M
Chemicals & pharma $533K
IT & IP services $118K
Business & finance services $114K
Raw agricultural goods $85K
Textiles & consumer goods $55K
Metals $46K
Wood & paper products $15K
Miscellaneous $13K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $200M
Chemicals & pharma $15.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.24M
Animal & marine products $664K
Raw materials & minerals $592K
Wood & paper products $456K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $135K
Raw agricultural goods $57K
Metals $47K
Precious metals & jewellery $26K

Balance of trade

Albania South Korea
Current account balance
-$648M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.4%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$7.87B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$1.82B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$3.83B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$8.03B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Albania South Korea
Economic freedom 68 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 24/197
Property rights 57.6 89.6
Government integrity 41.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 77.5
Tax burden 89.3 61.5
Government spending 74.3 82.6
Fiscal health 88 93.5
Business freedom 76.6 81.5
Labor freedom 46.2 55
Monetary freedom 78.6 79.3
Trade freedom 83 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania South Korea
2026 68 73.7
2025 66.6 74
2024 64.8 73.1
2023 65.3 73.7
2022 66.6 74.6
2021 65.2 74
2020 66.9 74
2019 66.5 72.3
2018 64.5 73.8
2017 64.4 74.3
2016 65.9 71.7
2015 65.7 71.5
2014 66.9 71.2
2013 65.2 70.3
2012 65.1 69.9
2011 64 69.8
2010 66 69.9
2009 63.7 68.1
2008 62.4 68.6
2007 61.4 67.8
2006 60.3 67.5
2005 57.8 66.4
2004 58.5 67.8
2003 56.8 68.3
2002 56.8 69.5
2001 56.6 69.1
2000 53.6 69.7
1999 53.4 69.7
1998 53.9 73.3
1997 54.8 69.8
1996 53.8 73
1995 49.7 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania South Korea
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.5%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,500
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.52B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
89/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.45B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
30%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.