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Economy of Bahamas vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 145/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.7B in government debt (73.8% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Bahamas vs South Korea GDP by year

Bahamas
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas South Korea
2025 - $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $15,832,800,000 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $15,271,300,000 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $13,896,800,000 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $12,037,000,000 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $10,363,200,000 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $13,277,000,000 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $12,819,200,000 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $12,446,900,000 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $11,880,900,000 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $11,837,600,000 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $11,139,100,000 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $10,475,300,000 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $10,720,400,000 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $10,070,450,000 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $10,095,760,000 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $9,981,960,000 $983,065,242,417
2008 $10,526,000,000 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $10,618,340,000 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $10,167,250,000 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $9,836,200,000 $971,740,329,984
2004 $9,055,290,000 $823,251,107,639
2003 $8,870,090,000 $728,516,494,684
2002 $8,881,160,000 $650,014,391,470
2001 $8,317,830,000 $567,564,806,235
2000 $8,076,470,000 $597,487,173,479
1999 $7,683,870,000 $515,697,079,289
1998 $6,833,220,000 $397,297,216,492
1997 $6,332,360,000 $589,202,526,424
1996 $3,609,000,000 $631,196,863,758
1995 $3,429,000,000 $586,286,469,401
1994 $3,259,000,000 $479,181,794,217
1993 $3,092,000,000 $405,705,302,846
1992 $3,109,000,000 $366,921,291,825
1991 $3,111,160,000 $340,851,946,804
1990 $3,166,000,000 $292,064,221,389
1989 $3,062,000,000 $254,236,243,100
1988 $2,817,900,000 $205,477,530,605
1987 $2,713,999,900 $152,240,393,646
1986 $2,472,500,000 $119,965,960,795
1985 $2,320,699,900 $103,764,281,281
1984 $2,041,100,000 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,732,800,000 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,578,300,000 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,426,500,000 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,335,300,000 $66,547,970,351
1979 $1,139,800,100 $68,083,884,298
1978 $832,400,000 $52,824,793,388
1977 $713,000,000 $39,064,462,810
1976 $642,100,000 $30,371,074,380
1975 $596,200,000 $22,126,033,058
1974 $632,400,000 $19,860,929,977
1973 $670,900,000 $14,067,523,813
1972 $590,900,000 $10,990,490,570
1971 $573,400,000 $10,005,257,131
1970 $539,500,000 $9,085,001,794
1969 $538,700,000 $7,743,940,189
1968 $453,800,000 $6,167,109,472
1967 $398,000,000 $4,895,076,718
1966 $346,800,000 $3,957,064,541
1965 $300,272,048 $3,141,131,708
1964 $266,560,043 $3,476,789,682
1963 $237,650,038 $4,007,692,308
1962 $212,170,034 $2,826,923,077
1961 $190,022,030 $2,427,244,761
1960 $169,736,027 $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs South Korea by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $36,227 -
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $11,291 - $5,989 -
1988 $10,576 - $4,889 -
1987 $10,361 - $3,658 -
1986 $9,601 - $2,911 -
1985 $9,167 - $2,543 -
1984 $8,202 - $2,469 -
1983 $7,081 - $2,246 -
1982 $6,559 - $2,032 -
1981 $6,029 - $1,918 -
1980 $5,743 - $1,746 -
1979 $4,994 - $1,814 -
1978 $3,720 - $1,429 -
1977 $3,253 - $1,073 -
1976 $2,993 - $847 -
1975 $2,841 - $627 -
1974 $3,080 - $572 -
1973 $3,341 - $412 -
1972 $3,014 - $328 -
1971 $3,004 - $304 -
1970 $2,916 - $281.8 -
1969 $3,027 - $245.5 -
1968 $2,668 - $200 -
1967 $2,453 - $162.5 -
1966 $2,239 - $134.4 -
1965 $2,030 - $109.4 -
1964 $1,883 - $124.2 -
1963 $1,759 - $147 -
1962 $1,651 - $106.6 -
1961 $1,555 - $94.2 -
1960 $1,459 - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Bahamas South Korea
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
145/197
2024
13/197
2025
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2024
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.8%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$29,123
2024
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,621
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.5%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.3%
2023
2.79%
2025
Population
405486
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.5% 73.8% 24% 52.3%
2024 21% 73.8% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 23.2% 78.3% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 25.6% 84.7% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 28.9% 90.7% 24.1% 48%
2020 24.8% 71.9% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 20.3% 60.3% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 19.4% 61.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 23.1% 54.6% 18.6% 38%
2016 19.4% 51.1% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 18.4% 49.9% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 18.1% 47.7% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 18.1% 44.2% 19% 36%
2012 17% 37.6% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 15.4% 33.9% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 15.2% 30.1% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 14.3% 25.3% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 13.6% 23.5% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 13.2% 23.2% 18.7% 27%
2005 12.9% 23% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 12.5% 21.6% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 11.8% 20.8% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 11.6% 19.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 11.4% 18.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 11.6% 19.2% 16% 16.1%
1999 9.3% 19.8% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 12% 20.8% 16% 13.8%
1997 12.9% 21.5% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 11.5% 20.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 11.5% 21% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 11.7% 20.9% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 11.5% 19.7% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 11.9% 15.3% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 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/bahamas/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.32B, accounting for 21.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.8% in the Bahamas and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 52/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas South Korea
2025 -0.49% -1.43%
2024 -1.2% -0.78%
2023 -3.65% -0.67%
2022 -5.53% -1.49%
2021 -11.9% -0.02%
2020 -7.11% -2.11%
2019 -1.68% 0.35%
2018 -3.28% 2.42%
2017 -6.05% 2.08%
2016 -2.61% 1.56%
2015 -3.34% 0.5%
2014 -4.51% 0.57%
2013 -5.1% 0.79%
2012 -3.25% 1.63%
2011 -2.87% 1.72%
2010 -2.57% 1.61%
2009 -2.39% 0.24%
2008 -0.82% 1.58%
2007 -0.77% 2.49%
2006 -0.44% 1.18%
2005 -1.16% 0.95%
2004 -1.95% 0.09%
2003 -1.63% 1.51%
2002 -1.67% 3.23%
2001 0.3% 2.42%
2000 0.09% 3.91%
1999 1.78% 1.15%
1998 -0.43% 1.09%
1997 -1.6% 2.31%
1996 -0.15% 2.3%
1995 0.18% 2.16%
1994 -0.4% 2.06%
1993 -1.05% 3.21%
1992 -2.23% 2.42%
1991 -2.27% 1.94%
1990 -2.64% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $190M, equivalent to 1.2% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas South Korea
2025 - 2.12%
2024 0.41% 2.32%
2023 3.05% 3.6%
2022 5.61% 5.09%
2021 2.9% 2.5%
2020 0.04% 0.54%
2019 2.49% 0.38%
2018 2.27% 1.48%
2017 1.52% 1.94%
2016 -0.35% 0.97%
2015 1.86% 0.71%
2014 1.51% 1.27%
2013 0.72% 1.3%
2012 1.97% 2.19%
2011 3.2% 4.03%
2010 1.34% 2.94%
2009 2.06% 2.76%
2008 4.49% 4.67%
2007 2.49% 2.53%
2006 2.39% 2.24%
2005 1.59% 2.75%
2004 0.98% 3.59%
2003 3.03% 3.51%
2002 2.17% 2.76%
2001 2.04% 4.07%
2000 1.61% 2.26%
1999 1.25% 0.81%
1998 1.34% 7.51%
1997 0.54% 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $199K
Metals $58K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $357M
Raw materials & minerals $784K
Chemicals & pharma $206K
Metals $81K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K

Balance of trade

Bahamas South Korea
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
120/190
2024
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$719B
2025
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$185B
2025
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas South Korea
Economic freedom 65.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 24/197
Property rights 62.7 89.6
Government integrity 67.1 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 77.5
Tax burden 96.1 61.5
Government spending 83.8 82.6
Fiscal health 9.1 93.5
Business freedom 69.4 81.5
Labor freedom 66.5 55
Monetary freedom 77.2 79.3
Trade freedom 59.4 73
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas South Korea
2026 65.1 73.7
2025 63.2 74
2024 62.5 73.1
2023 62.6 73.7
2022 68.7 74.6
2021 64.6 74
2020 64.5 74
2019 62.9 72.3
2018 63.3 73.8
2017 61.1 74.3
2016 70.9 71.7
2015 68.7 71.5
2014 69.8 71.2
2013 70.1 70.3
2012 68 69.9
2011 68 69.8
2010 67.3 69.9
2009 70.3 68.1
2008 71.1 68.6
2007 72 67.8
2006 72.3 67.5
2005 72.6 66.4
2004 72.1 67.8
2003 73.5 68.3
2002 74.4 69.5
2001 74.8 69.1
2000 73.9 69.7
1999 74.7 69.7
1998 74.5 73.3
1997 74.5 69.8
1996 74 73
1995 71.8 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, 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

Bahamas South Korea
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,610
2024
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.63B
2024
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
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/bahamas/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 (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.