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Economy of Armenia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Armenia has a GDP of $29.2B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 115/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Armenia has $14.3B in government debt (49% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Armenia vs South Korea GDP by year

Armenia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Armenia South Korea
2025 $29,243,452,882 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $25,955,275,380 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $24,185,982,216 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $19,513,506,553 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $13,878,908,629 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $12,641,698,583 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $13,619,290,539 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $12,457,940,695 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $11,527,458,709 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $10,546,136,236 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $10,553,337,518 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $11,609,513,247 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $11,121,464,437 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $10,619,320,683 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $10,142,111,825 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $9,260,285,756 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $8,647,937,081 $983,065,242,417
2008 $11,662,040,714 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $9,206,301,270 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $6,384,452,067 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $4,900,469,511 $971,740,329,984
2004 $3,576,615,240 $823,251,107,639
2003 $2,807,061,009 $728,516,494,684
2002 $2,376,335,048 $650,014,391,470
2001 $2,118,467,913 $567,564,806,235
2000 $1,911,563,669 $597,487,173,479
1999 $1,845,482,173 $515,697,079,289
1998 $1,893,726,437 $397,297,216,492
1997 $1,639,492,445 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,596,968,946 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,468,317,435 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,315,158,637 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,201,312,829 $405,705,302,846
1992 $1,272,835,453 $366,921,291,825
1991 $2,069,870,130 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,256,863,449 $292,064,221,389
1989 - $254,236,243,100
1988 - $205,477,530,605
1987 - $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Armenia vs South Korea by year

Armenia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Armenia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $9,474 - $36,227 -
2024 $8,556 $22,823 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $8,159 $21,534 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $6,572 $19,161 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $4,685 $15,922 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $4,269 $14,706 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $4,597 $14,976 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $4,196 $12,877 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $3,869 $12,066 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $3,524 $10,570 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $3,512 $9,757 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $3,852 $9,736 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $3,680 $9,455 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $3,512 $8,943 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $3,350 $7,624 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $3,041 $7,095 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $2,821 $6,812 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $3,778 $7,827 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $2,963 $7,137 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $2,042 $6,073 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $1,557 $5,172 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $1,130 $4,377 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $882 $3,836 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $743 $3,282 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $660 $2,844 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $593 $2,531 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $583 $2,377 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $590 $2,239 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $505 $2,040 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $487 $1,922 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $444 $1,767 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $391 $1,591 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $348 $1,440 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $356 $1,492 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $573 $2,477 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $635 $2,760 $6,813 $8,567
1989 - - $5,989 -
1988 - - $4,889 -
1987 - - $3,658 -
1986 - - $2,911 -
1985 - - $2,543 -
1984 - - $2,469 -
1983 - - $2,246 -
1982 - - $2,032 -
1981 - - $1,918 -
1980 - - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Armenia's GDP per capita is $9,474, ranking 92/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Armenia ranks 86th at $22,823, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Armenia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$29.2B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
115/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
7.2%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$9,474
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
92/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,823
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
86/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$14.3B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,639
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
89/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,675
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.85B
2024
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2024
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2024
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.3%
2023
2.79%
2025
Population
3064036
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Armenia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Armenia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.2% 49% 24% 52.3%
2024 29% 50% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 26.9% 50.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 26.4% 49.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 28.7% 63.4% 24.1% 48%
2020 30.7% 67.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 24.9% 53.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 24.1% 55.7% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 25.9% 58.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 27% 56.7% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 26.3% 48.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 24% 43.7% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 23.8% 40.9% 19% 36%
2012 22.4% 41.4% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 25% 42.2% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 26.2% 40% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 28.6% 40.6% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 22.2% 16.4% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 22.4% 16.1% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 20% 18.7% 18.7% 27%
2005 19.9% 24.4% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 - 26.4% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 - 33% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 - 38.2% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 - 38.1% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 - 39.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 - 39.2% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 - 45.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 - 46.5% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 - 40.8% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Armenia's government spending was $8.55B, accounting for 29.2% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49% in Armenia and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 107/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Armenia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Armenia South Korea
2025 -3.74% -1.43%
2024 -3.67% -0.78%
2023 -2.02% -0.67%
2022 -2.12% -1.49%
2021 -4.6% -0.02%
2020 -5.4% -2.11%
2019 -0.98% 0.35%
2018 -1.76% 2.42%
2017 -4.7% 2.08%
2016 -5.57% 1.56%
2015 -4.83% 0.5%
2014 -1.94% 0.57%
2013 -1.59% 0.79%
2012 -1.49% 1.63%
2011 -2.87% 1.72%
2010 -4.98% 1.61%
2009 -7.69% 0.24%
2008 -1.76% 1.58%
2007 -2.33% 2.49%
2006 -1.95% 1.18%
2005 -1.98% 0.95%
2004 - 0.09%
2003 - 1.51%
2002 - 3.23%
2001 - 2.42%
2000 - 3.91%
1999 - 1.15%
1998 - 1.09%
1997 - 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Armenia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.09B, equivalent to 3.74% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Armenia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Armenia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.63% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Armenia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Armenia South Korea
2025 3.3% 2.12%
2024 0.3% 2.32%
2023 2% 3.6%
2022 8.6% 5.09%
2021 7.2% 2.5%
2020 1.2% 0.54%
2019 1.4% 0.38%
2018 2.5% 1.48%
2017 1% 1.94%
2016 -1.4% 0.97%
2015 3.7% 0.71%
2014 3% 1.27%
2013 5.7% 1.3%
2012 2.5% 2.19%
2011 7.5% 4.03%
2010 8.2% 2.94%
2009 3.5% 2.76%
2008 9.1% 4.67%
2007 4.4% 2.53%
2006 2.9% 2.24%
2005 0.6% 2.75%
2004 6.9% 3.59%
2003 4.7% 3.51%
2002 1% 2.76%
2001 3.2% 4.07%
2000 -0.8% 2.26%
1999 0.7% 0.81%
1998 8.7% 7.51%
1997 14% 4.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Armenia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.99%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 3.3% in Armenia and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Armenia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $12.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $701K
Machinery & equipment $589K
Metals $581K
Chemicals & pharma $81K
Animal & marine products $39K
Precious metals & jewellery $38K
Miscellaneous $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $22.2M
Chemicals & pharma $4.47M
Metals $2.02M
Raw materials & minerals $955K
Textiles & consumer goods $348K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $263K
Wood & paper products $67K
Miscellaneous $53K
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Armenia South Korea
Current account balance
-$2.11B
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
142/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.22%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$11.6B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$8.53B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$4.65B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$6.12B
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.6%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.1%
2025
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Armenia South Korea
Economic freedom 67.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 58/197 24/197
Property rights 48.6 89.6
Government integrity 51.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 31.4 77.5
Tax burden 87.2 61.5
Government spending 77.5 82.6
Fiscal health 84.1 93.5
Business freedom 72.9 81.5
Labor freedom 59.2 55
Monetary freedom 77.2 79.3
Trade freedom 75 73
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Armenia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Armenia South Korea
2026 67.1 73.7
2025 65.4 74
2024 64.9 73.1
2023 65.1 73.7
2022 65.3 74.6
2021 71.9 74
2020 70.6 74
2019 67.7 72.3
2018 68.7 73.8
2017 70.3 74.3
2016 67 71.7
2015 67.1 71.5
2014 68.9 71.2
2013 69.4 70.3
2012 68.8 69.9
2011 69.7 69.8
2010 69.2 69.9
2009 69.9 68.1
2008 69.9 68.6
2007 68.6 67.8
2006 70.6 67.5
2005 69.8 66.4
2004 70.3 67.8
2003 67.3 68.3
2002 68 69.5
2001 66.4 69.1
2000 63 69.7
1999 56.4 69.7
1998 49.6 73.3
1997 46.7 69.8
1996 42.2 73
1995 - 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Armenia is 67.1, ranking 58/197, 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

Armenia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
61.3%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.93%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$27.8B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,020
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.09B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
104/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$353M
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$132M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.8M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.26%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2024
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.2%
2025
29.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.