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Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a GDP of $29.6B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 111/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has $8.74B in government debt (29.5% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Korea GDP by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bosnia South Korea
2024 $29,613,572,023 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $27,592,361,498 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $24,534,663,636 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $23,672,712,121 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $20,226,038,370 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $20,482,608,984 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $20,484,058,033 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $18,326,373,136 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $17,116,926,554 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $16,404,348,361 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $18,558,734,107 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $18,179,109,209 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $17,226,735,996 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $18,644,233,537 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $17,176,315,804 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $17,613,949,091 $983,065,242,417
2008 $19,112,796,623 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $15,778,734,264 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $12,864,841,906 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $11,222,796,337 $971,740,329,984
2004 $10,156,541,221 $823,251,107,639
2003 $8,498,894,359 $728,516,494,684
2002 $6,728,220,983 $650,014,391,470
2001 $5,800,615,375 $567,564,806,235
2000 $5,567,772,769 $597,487,173,479
1999 $4,686,256,363 $515,697,079,289
1998 $4,116,774,301 $397,297,216,492
1997 $3,671,909,673 $589,202,526,424
1996 $2,786,045,322 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,866,572,954 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,255,802,469 $479,181,794,217
1993 $3,630,668,950 $405,705,302,846
1992 $4,735,044,707 $366,921,291,825
1991 $6,122,959,184 $340,851,946,804
1990 $7,753,478,261 $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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Korea by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bosnia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $9,359 $25,043 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $8,663 $23,376 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $7,656 $21,651 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $7,295 $18,287 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $6,130 $16,370 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,122 $16,429 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $6,048 $14,859 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $5,345 $13,627 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $4,929 $12,899 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $4,662 $11,845 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $5,206 $11,168 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $5,035 $10,808 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $4,694 $10,121 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $4,983 $9,761 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $4,506 $9,086 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $4,540 $8,698 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $4,842 $8,587 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $3,931 $7,686 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $3,166 $6,869 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $2,740 $5,956 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $2,453 $5,407 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $2,034 $4,917 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $1,607 $4,665 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,388 $4,307 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,338 $4,148 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,135 $3,875 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,007 $3,524 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $914 $3,041 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $719 $2,269 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $502 $1,507 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $337 $1,269 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $930 $1,067 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,118 $982 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,373 $975 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,743 $1,043 $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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-korea | CC BY

Bosnia and Herzegovina's GDP per capita is $9,359, ranking 87/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 83rd at $25,043, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Bosnia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$29.6B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
111/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$9,359
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
87/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,043
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
83/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$8.74B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
29.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,763
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
107/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,501
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 n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2011
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2011
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.3%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
3116111
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bosnia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.3% 29.5% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 41.7% 29% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 39.4% 31.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 40.6% 35.8% 24.1% 48%
2020 45.4% 37.2% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 39.9% 32.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 40.4% 34.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 40% 38.6% 18.6% 38%
2016 41.5% 44.9% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 42.7% 46.4% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 46.2% 47.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 44.5% 43.8% 19% 36%
2012 46.9% 43.6% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 46.4% 40.9% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 48.7% 42.2% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 49% 36.4% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 48.4% 30.3% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 45.2% 18.2% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 44.2% 20.6% 18.7% 27%
2005 44.5% 24.9% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 45.6% 25.5% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 47.3% 27.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 47.4% 31.1% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 50.2% 35.1% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 56.2% 34.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 57.5% 56% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 54.4% 54.4% 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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government spending was $12.8B, accounting for 43.3% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 29.5% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 159/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bosnia and Herzegovina

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bosnia South Korea
2024 -1.88% -0.78%
2023 -1.67% -0.67%
2022 0.15% -1.49%
2021 -0.18% -0.02%
2020 -4.5% -2.11%
2019 1.37% 0.35%
2018 1.63% 2.42%
2017 1.79% 2.08%
2016 0.34% 1.56%
2015 -0.19% 0.5%
2014 -2.87% 0.57%
2013 -1.28% 0.79%
2012 -2.68% 1.63%
2011 -2.73% 1.72%
2010 -4.06% 1.61%
2009 -5.34% 0.24%
2008 -3.82% 1.58%
2007 0.17% 2.49%
2006 2.08% 1.18%
2005 0.74% 0.95%
2004 -0.18% 0.09%
2003 -0.44% 1.51%
2002 -2.99% 3.23%
2001 -3.44% 2.42%
2000 -4.63% 3.91%
1999 -2.78% 1.15%
1998 -0.98% 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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $557M, equivalent to 1.88% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Bosnia and Herzegovina posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.04% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bosnia and Herzegovina

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bosnia South Korea
2024 1.7% 2.32%
2023 6.1% 3.6%
2022 14% 5.09%
2021 2% 2.5%
2020 -1.1% 0.54%
2019 0.6% 0.38%
2018 1.4% 1.48%
2017 0.8% 1.94%
2016 -1.6% 0.97%
2015 -1% 0.71%
2014 -0.9% 1.27%
2013 -0.1% 1.3%
2012 2.1% 2.19%
2011 4% 4.03%
2010 2.1% 2.94%
2009 -0.4% 2.76%
2008 7.4% 4.67%
2007 1.5% 2.53%
2006 6.1% 2.24%
2005 3.6% 2.75%
2004 0.3% 3.59%
2003 0.5% 3.51%
2002 0.3% 2.76%
2001 3.2% 4.07%
2000 5% 2.26%
1999 2.8% 0.81%
1998 -0.3% 7.51%
1997 5.7% 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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.35%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 1.7% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Bosnia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.17M
Textiles & consumer goods $999K
IT & IP services $996K
Weapons & explosives $976K
Metals $240K
Transport & tourism services $114K
Machinery & equipment $58K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Metals $7.28M
Machinery & equipment $3.87M
Raw materials & minerals $1.14M
Chemicals & pharma $1.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $78K
Precious metals & jewellery $26K
Wood & paper products $12K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Bosnia South Korea
Current account balance
-$1.03B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
123/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.47%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$14.8B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$8.36B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$3.74B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.3%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.9%
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.

Bosnia South Korea
Economic freedom 63.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 83/197 24/197
Property rights 46.9 89.6
Government integrity 36.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 36.1 77.5
Tax burden 93.9 61.5
Government spending 48.4 82.6
Fiscal health 96.2 93.5
Business freedom 65.1 81.5
Labor freedom 62.7 55
Monetary freedom 77.5 79.3
Trade freedom 69 73
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bosnia South Korea
2026 63.1 73.7
2025 63.5 74
2024 62 73.1
2023 62.9 73.7
2022 63.4 74.6
2021 62.9 74
2020 62.6 74
2019 61.9 72.3
2018 61.4 73.8
2017 60.2 74.3
2016 58.6 71.7
2015 59 71.5
2014 58.4 71.2
2013 57.3 70.3
2012 57.3 69.9
2011 57.5 69.8
2010 56.2 69.9
2009 53.1 68.1
2008 53.9 68.6
2007 54.4 67.8
2006 55.6 67.5
2005 48.8 66.4
2004 44.7 67.8
2003 40.6 68.3
2002 37.4 69.5
2001 36.6 69.1
2000 45.1 69.7
1999 29.4 69.7
1998 29.4 73.3
1997 - 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bosnia and Herzegovina is 63.1, ranking 83/197, 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

Bosnia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.53%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$27.8B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,990
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.42B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
79/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$885M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$119M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.93%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.9%
2015
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.5%
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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/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 (2016–2024, 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.