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Economy of Azerbaijan vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Azerbaijan has a GDP of $74.3B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 84/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Azerbaijan has $16.1B in government debt (21.7% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Azerbaijan vs South Korea GDP by year

Azerbaijan
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Azerbaijan South Korea
2024 $74,315,882,353 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $72,428,470,588 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $78,807,470,588 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $54,825,411,765 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $42,693,000,000 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $48,174,235,294 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $47,112,470,052 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $40,866,627,352 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $37,866,996,883 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $53,076,235,355 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $75,239,785,452 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $74,160,560,124 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $69,679,944,504 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $65,952,796,428 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $52,909,294,792 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $44,292,427,185 $983,065,242,417
2008 $48,851,293,785 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $33,049,419,431 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $20,981,929,498 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $13,245,421,881 $971,740,329,984
2004 $8,680,405,741 $823,251,107,639
2003 $7,276,413,079 $728,516,494,684
2002 $6,236,087,738 $650,014,391,470
2001 $5,707,616,204 $567,564,806,235
2000 $5,272,615,723 $597,487,173,479
1999 $4,581,248,567 $515,697,079,289
1998 $4,446,368,571 $397,297,216,492
1997 $3,962,362,387 $589,202,526,424
1996 $3,176,507,376 $631,196,863,758
1995 $2,417,331,193 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,193,141,110 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,570,392,598 $405,705,302,846
1992 $444,658,672 $366,921,291,825
1991 $5,344,000,000 $340,851,946,804
1990 $8,884,848,485 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Azerbaijan vs South Korea by year

Azerbaijan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Azerbaijan South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,284 $25,089 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $7,133 $23,652 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $7,771 $22,552 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $5,408 $20,111 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $4,230 $15,164 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $4,806 $16,675 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $4,740 $15,283 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $4,147 $14,316 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $3,881 $14,536 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $5,501 $15,075 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $7,891 $17,564 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $7,875 $17,268 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $7,496 $15,994 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $7,190 $14,805 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $5,844 $14,930 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $4,950 $14,246 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $5,574 $13,217 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $3,851 $11,974 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $2,473 $9,398 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $1,578 $6,855 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $1,045 $5,248 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $884 $4,718 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $763 $4,230 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $704 $3,835 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $655 $3,439 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $574 $3,052 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $562 $2,827 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $506 $2,565 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $409 $2,407 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $315 $2,357 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $157.1 $2,648 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $209.5 $3,272 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $60.2 $4,220 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $735 $5,412 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,238 $5,343 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Azerbaijan's GDP per capita is $7,284, ranking 101/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Azerbaijan ranks 82nd at $25,089, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Azerbaijan South Korea
Gross domestic product
$74.3B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
84/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
4.07%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,284
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
101/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,089
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
82/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$16.1B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.7%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,579
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,324
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.64B
2024
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2005
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4.8%
2005
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.65%
2022
2.78%
2024
Population
10338778
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Azerbaijan
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Azerbaijan South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.9% 21.7% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 32.7% 21.8% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 26.2% 17.3% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 32.2% 26.3% 24.1% 48%
2020 40.2% 21.3% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 32.5% 17.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 33.2% 18.7% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 35.6% 22.5% 18.6% 38%
2016 35.4% 20.6% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 38.7% 18% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 36.4% 8.53% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 37.8% 6.18% 19% 36%
2012 36.6% 5.83% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 33.7% 4.97% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 32% 4.98% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 34.5% 4.73% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 31.4% 3.22% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 26.1% 4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 25.3% 5.3% 18.7% 27%
2005 22.5% 6.85% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 24.2% 9.71% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 21.7% 10.7% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 23.1% 11.9% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 16.8% 13% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 18.2% 13.1% 16% 16.1%
1999 19.5% 25.4% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 18.7% 14.3% 16% 13.8%
1997 18.5% 11.4% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 19.8% 16.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 18.9% 19.2% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 14.7% 11.7% 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/azerbaijan/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Azerbaijan's government spending was $25.2B, accounting for 33.9% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.7% in Azerbaijan and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 174/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Azerbaijan

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Azerbaijan South Korea
2024 4.06% -0.78%
2023 7.92% -0.67%
2022 5.96% -1.49%
2021 4.21% -0.02%
2020 -6.44% -2.11%
2019 8.95% 0.35%
2018 5.43% 2.42%
2017 -1.34% 2.08%
2016 -1.17% 1.56%
2015 -4.83% 0.5%
2014 2.74% 0.57%
2013 1.64% 0.79%
2012 3.71% 1.63%
2011 10.9% 1.72%
2010 13.8% 1.61%
2009 5.86% 0.24%
2008 17.2% 1.58%
2007 2.34% 2.49%
2006 0.66% 1.18%
2005 2.74% 0.95%
2004 1.78% 0.09%
2003 1.6% 1.51%
2002 19.4% 3.23%
2001 21.8% 2.42%
2000 0.14% 3.91%
1999 -1.03% 1.15%
1998 1.63% 1.09%
1997 -0.94% 2.31%
1996 -2.25% 2.3%
1995 -1.34% 2.16%
1994 3.21% 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Azerbaijan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.01B, equivalent to 4.06% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Azerbaijan recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Azerbaijan posted an annual surplus equal to 4.14% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.19% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Azerbaijan

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Azerbaijan South Korea
2024 2.21% 2.32%
2023 8.79% 3.6%
2022 13.9% 5.09%
2021 6.65% 2.5%
2020 2.76% 0.54%
2019 2.61% 0.38%
2018 2.27% 1.48%
2017 12.9% 1.94%
2016 12.4% 0.97%
2015 4.03% 0.71%
2014 1.37% 1.27%
2013 2.42% 1.3%
2012 1.07% 2.19%
2011 7.86% 4.03%
2010 5.73% 2.94%
2009 1.46% 2.76%
2008 20.8% 4.67%
2007 16.7% 2.53%
2006 8.33% 2.24%
2005 9.68% 2.75%
2004 6.71% 3.59%
2003 2.23% 3.51%
2002 2.77% 2.76%
2001 1.55% 4.07%
2000 1.81% 2.26%
1999 -8.53% 0.81%
1998 -0.77% 7.51%
1997 3.67% 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Azerbaijan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.48%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 2.21% in Azerbaijan and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Azerbaijan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $258K
Raw agricultural goods $195K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $83K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Chemicals & pharma $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Metals $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $183M
Chemicals & pharma $14.2M
Raw materials & minerals $3.63M
Weapons & explosives $1.3M
Metals $778K
Textiles & consumer goods $582K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $553K
Raw agricultural goods $276K
Precious metals & jewellery $57K
Wood & paper products $16K

Balance of trade

Azerbaijan South Korea
Current account balance
$4.67B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
34/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.29%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$17.2B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$26B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$10.2B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$8.12B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.9%
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.

Azerbaijan South Korea
Economic freedom 64.3 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 74/197 24/197
Property rights 53.3 89.6
Government integrity 23.6 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 16.5 77.5
Tax burden 87.9 61.5
Government spending 71.3 82.6
Fiscal health 99.1 93.5
Business freedom 71.2 81.5
Labor freedom 56.9 55
Monetary freedom 76 79.3
Trade freedom 75.8 73
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Azerbaijan
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Azerbaijan South Korea
2026 64.3 73.7
2025 62.5 74
2024 61.6 73.1
2023 61.4 73.7
2022 61.6 74.6
2021 70.1 74
2020 69.3 74
2019 65.4 72.3
2018 64.3 73.8
2017 63.6 74.3
2016 60.2 71.7
2015 61 71.5
2014 61.3 71.2
2013 59.7 70.3
2012 58.9 69.9
2011 59.7 69.8
2010 58.8 69.9
2009 58 68.1
2008 55.3 68.6
2007 54.6 67.8
2006 53.2 67.5
2005 54.4 66.4
2004 53.4 67.8
2003 54.1 68.3
2002 53.3 69.5
2001 50.3 69.1
2000 49.8 69.7
1999 47.4 69.7
1998 43.1 73.3
1997 34 69.8
1996 30 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Azerbaijan is 64.3, ranking 74/197, 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

Azerbaijan South Korea
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.66%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$74.8B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,220
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
72/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$511M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$231M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$742M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.83%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
6%
2012
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
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/azerbaijan/south-korea | CC BY

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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 (2023–2024, 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.