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Economy of Belarus vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belarus has a GDP of $76B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 83/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belarus has $30.3B in government debt (39.9% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Belarus vs South Korea GDP by year

Belarus
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belarus South Korea
2024 $75,961,865,472 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $72,478,760,370 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $73,775,179,925 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $69,673,747,132 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $61,371,673,345 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $64,410,170,653 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $60,031,026,576 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $54,725,405,751 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $47,723,545,321 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $56,454,769,845 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $78,813,069,121 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $75,527,558,966 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $65,685,890,439 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $61,762,382,328 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $57,231,904,543 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $50,873,167,326 $983,065,242,417
2008 $60,752,106,347 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $45,275,711,996 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $36,961,894,281 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $30,210,091,837 $971,740,329,984
2004 $23,141,566,293 $823,251,107,639
2003 $17,825,444,724 $728,516,494,684
2002 $14,594,900,945 $650,014,391,470
2001 $12,354,820,144 $567,564,806,235
2000 $12,736,856,828 $597,487,173,479
1999 $12,138,486,532 $515,697,079,289
1998 $15,222,012,660 $397,297,216,492
1997 $14,128,408,566 $589,202,526,424
1996 $14,500,437,520 $631,196,863,758
1995 $13,972,683,274 $586,286,469,401
1994 $14,931,435,232 $479,181,794,217
1993 $16,275,073,527 $405,705,302,846
1992 $16,939,790,094 $366,921,291,825
1991 $18,404,907,975 $340,851,946,804
1990 $17,389,558,233 $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/belarus/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belarus vs South Korea by year

Belarus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belarus South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,318 $33,010 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $7,897 $30,834 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $7,995 $28,429 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $7,490 $27,611 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $6,543 $24,872 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,838 $22,302 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $6,360 $20,026 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $5,786 $18,414 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $5,040 $17,832 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $5,967 $18,134 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $8,341 $19,038 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $7,998 $19,014 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $6,953 $18,115 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $6,528 $16,563 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $6,035 $15,339 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $5,352 $14,034 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $6,376 $13,886 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $4,735 $12,320 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $3,848 $10,995 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $3,126 $9,637 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $2,378 $8,483 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $1,820 $7,362 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $1,479 $6,697 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,244 $6,238 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,276 $5,796 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,211 $5,331 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,511 $5,061 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $1,396 $4,596 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $1,427 $4,039 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $1,371 $3,846 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $1,460 $4,190 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $1,590 $4,641 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,658 $4,917 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,805 $5,330 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,707 $5,220 $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/belarus/south-korea | CC BY

Belarus' GDP per capita is $8,318, ranking 92/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belarus ranks 68th at $33,010, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Belarus South Korea
Gross domestic product
$76B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
83/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
4.01%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,318
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
92/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,010
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
68/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$30.3B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.9%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,318
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,345
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.01B
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%
20.7%
2020
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4.5%
2020
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.7%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.04%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
9013835
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belarus
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belarus South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 40.9% 39.9% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 40.3% 40.7% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 38% 40.8% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 36.7% 41.2% 24.1% 48%
2020 38% 47.5% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 37.4% 41% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 37.8% 47.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 39% 53.2% 18.6% 38%
2016 40.7% 53.5% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 41.8% 53% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 38.8% 38.8% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 40.8% 36.9% 19% 36%
2012 38.9% 36.9% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 40.3% 58.2% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 44.3% 36.8% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 51.7% 32.5% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 60% 20.3% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 49.2% 15.8% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 47.2% 12.3% 18.7% 27%
2005 45% 8.12% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 44% 9.22% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 43.5% - 17.9% 19.1%
2002 43.8% - 15.9% 16.4%
2001 42.4% - 16.9% 16.6%
2000 - - 16% 16.1%
1999 - - 16.1% 15.8%
1998 - - 16% 13.8%
1997 - - 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/belarus/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Belarus' government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 40.9% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.9% in Belarus and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 133/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belarus

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belarus South Korea
2024 1.05% -0.78%
2023 0.76% -0.67%
2022 -1.98% -1.49%
2021 -0.22% -0.02%
2020 -2.87% -2.11%
2019 0.91% 0.35%
2018 1.8% 2.42%
2017 -0.34% 2.08%
2016 -1.66% 1.56%
2015 -2.96% 0.5%
2014 0.09% 0.57%
2013 -0.98% 0.79%
2012 0.36% 1.63%
2011 -2.81% 1.72%
2010 -4.19% 1.61%
2009 -7.23% 0.24%
2008 -10.9% 1.58%
2007 -7.82% 2.49%
2006 -7.71% 1.18%
2005 -6.71% 0.95%
2004 -7.06% 0.09%
2003 -6.74% 1.51%
2002 -7.81% 3.23%
2001 -4.74% 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belarus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $796M, equivalent to 1.05% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Belarus recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Belarus posted an annual deficit equal to 3.32% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.91% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belarus

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belarus South Korea
2024 5.7% 2.32%
2023 5% 3.6%
2022 15.2% 5.09%
2021 9.5% 2.5%
2020 5.5% 0.54%
2019 5.6% 0.38%
2018 4.9% 1.48%
2017 6% 1.94%
2016 11.8% 0.97%
2015 13.5% 0.71%
2014 18.1% 1.27%
2013 18.3% 1.3%
2012 59.2% 2.19%
2011 53.2% 4.03%
2010 7.7% 2.94%
2009 13% 2.76%
2008 14.8% 4.67%
2007 8.4% 2.53%
2006 7% 2.24%
2005 10.3% 2.75%
2004 18.1% 3.59%
2003 28.4% 3.51%
2002 42.6% 2.76%
2001 61.1% 4.07%
2000 168.6% 2.26%
1999 293.7% 0.81%
1998 73% 7.51%
1997 63.8% 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/belarus/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belarus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 37.2%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 5.7% in Belarus and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Belarus
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $29.9M
IT & IP services $17.9M
Transport & tourism services $15.3M
Machinery & equipment $6.42M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.09M
Chemicals & pharma $2.34M
Business & finance services $1.94M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $365K
Metals $143K
Wood & paper products $127K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $65.4M
Chemicals & pharma $15.9M
Raw materials & minerals $5.54M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.42M
Metals $2.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $607K
Miscellaneous $123K
Animal & marine products $71K
Wood & paper products $40K
Raw agricultural goods $29K

Balance of trade

Belarus South Korea
Current account balance
-$1.94B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
142/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$44.2B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$39.5B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$6.82B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.1%
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.

Belarus South Korea
Economic freedom 49.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 166/197 24/197
Property rights 20 89.6
Government integrity 28.3 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 11.5 77.5
Tax burden 93.5 61.5
Government spending 52.6 82.6
Fiscal health 96.8 93.5
Business freedom 50.3 81.5
Labor freedom 48 55
Monetary freedom 69 79.3
Trade freedom 69.2 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belarus
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belarus South Korea
2026 49.1 73.7
2025 48.9 74
2024 48.4 73.1
2023 51 73.7
2022 53 74.6
2021 61 74
2020 61.7 74
2019 57.9 72.3
2018 58.1 73.8
2017 58.6 74.3
2016 48.8 71.7
2015 49.8 71.5
2014 50.1 71.2
2013 48 70.3
2012 49 69.9
2011 47.9 69.8
2010 48.7 69.9
2009 45 68.1
2008 45.3 68.6
2007 47 67.8
2006 47.5 67.5
2005 46.7 66.4
2004 43.1 67.8
2003 39.7 68.3
2002 39 69.5
2001 38 69.1
2000 41.3 69.7
1999 35.4 69.7
1998 38 73.3
1997 39.8 69.8
1996 38.7 73
1995 40.4 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belarus is 49.1, ranking 166/197, 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

Belarus South Korea
Services, % of GDP
49.7%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.87%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$75.4B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$32,300
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$8.91B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
82/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.57B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.74B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$170M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.19%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
3.9%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
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/belarus/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 (2021–2024, 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.