Skip to content

Economy of Cambodia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cambodia has a GDP of $46.4B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 97/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cambodia has $12B in government debt (25.9% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Cambodia vs South Korea GDP by year

Cambodia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cambodia South Korea
2024 $46,352,647,037 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $42,335,646,896 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $39,994,532,960 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $36,790,163,687 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $34,818,073,901 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $36,685,356,408 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $33,145,892,169 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $29,355,665,910 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $26,556,545,153 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $24,174,170,369 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $22,041,463,968 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $19,807,135,253 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $17,826,536,700 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $16,032,622,024 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $13,808,673,288 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,502,901,170 $983,065,242,417
2008 $12,174,303,999 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $10,127,916,460 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $8,350,531,017 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $7,066,296,463 $971,740,329,984
2004 $5,883,297,160 $823,251,107,639
2003 $5,046,693,484 $728,516,494,684
2002 $4,501,227,627 $650,014,391,470
2001 $4,145,665,970 $567,564,806,235
2000 $3,694,168,979 $597,487,173,479
1999 $3,517,242,477 $515,697,079,289
1998 $3,120,425,503 $397,297,216,492
1997 $3,443,413,389 $589,202,526,424
1996 $3,506,695,720 $631,196,863,758
1995 $3,441,205,693 $586,286,469,401
1994 $2,791,435,272 $479,181,794,217
1993 $2,533,727,592 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,491,486,594 $366,921,291,825
1991 $2,054,974,089 $340,851,946,804
1990 $1,402,541,177 $292,064,221,389
1989 $1,353,137,648 $254,236,243,100
1988 $1,662,877,859 $205,477,530,605
1987 $1,036,974,910 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,167,630,318 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,102,669,184 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,021,176,059 $99,749,645,089
1983 $939,291,262 $89,621,208,322
1982 $865,516,040 $79,921,300,447
1981 $815,153,652 $74,287,368,087
1980 $744,384,130 $66,547,970,351
1979 $723,738,503 $68,083,884,298
1978 $766,642,356 $52,824,793,388
1977 $716,261,764 $39,064,462,810
1976 $790,357,255 $30,371,074,380
1975 $749,129,748 $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/cambodia/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cambodia vs South Korea by year

Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cambodia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,628 $7,967 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $2,430 $7,431 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $2,325 $6,919 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $2,167 $6,226 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $2,082 $5,942 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $2,226 $6,154 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $2,037 $5,617 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $1,826 $5,050 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $1,675 $4,748 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $1,547 $4,434 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $1,432 $4,118 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $1,306 $3,891 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $1,193 $3,583 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $1,089 $3,223 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $952 $2,989 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $876 $2,854 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $866 $2,769 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $732 $2,566 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $612 $2,297 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $526 $2,038 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $444 $1,770 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $387 $1,598 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $350 $1,442 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $328 $1,357 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $296.4 $1,256 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $286.8 $1,134 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $258.8 $1,009 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $297.6 $994 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $325 $1,006 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $343 $1,006 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $302 $972 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $294.1 $1,565 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $307 $1,560 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $267.3 $1,504 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $190.2 $1,410 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $191.3 - $5,989 -
1988 $244.1 - $4,889 -
1987 $158.1 - $3,658 -
1986 $185.8 - $2,911 -
1985 $182.4 - $2,543 -
1984 $174.7 - $2,469 -
1983 $166.7 - $2,246 -
1982 $159.2 - $2,032 -
1981 $154.3 - $1,918 -
1980 $143.2 - $1,746 -
1979 $142.2 - $1,814 -
1978 $147.1 - $1,429 -
1977 $126.4 - $1,073 -
1976 $128.8 - $847 -
1975 $113.8 - $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/cambodia/south-korea | CC BY

Cambodia's GDP per capita is $2,628, ranking 145/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Cambodia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$46.4B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
97/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
5.98%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,628
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
145/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,967
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
142/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$12B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.9%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$681
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,258
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% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.26%
2023
2.78%
2024
Population
18113986
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cambodia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cambodia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.3% 25.9% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 19.1% 26.3% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 18.7% 25.5% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 21% 25.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 20.3% 25.2% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 17.6% 20.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 16.1% 21.1% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 16.2% 22.6% 18.6% 38%
2016 15.2% 21.8% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 14.5% 23.3% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 16.5% 24.2% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 16.4% 24.4% 19% 36%
2012 17.1% 24.9% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 16.5% 23.8% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 17% 23.4% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 17% 23.7% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 13.1% 23% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 12.3% 25.1% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 11.3% 26.7% 18.7% 27%
2005 11% 31.7% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 12.6% 38.7% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 14.5% 39.8% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 16.1% 37.8% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 14.5% 33.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 14.9% 34.9% 16% 16.1%
1999 13.8% 34.6% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 13.4% 37.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 12.4% 31.4% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 15.7% 30.1% 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/cambodia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Cambodia's government spending was $8B, accounting for 17.3% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.9% in Cambodia and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 164/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cambodia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cambodia South Korea
2024 -2.67% -0.78%
2023 -2.83% -0.67%
2022 -0.29% -1.49%
2021 -5.18% -0.02%
2020 -2.53% -2.11%
2019 2.19% 0.35%
2018 0.28% 2.42%
2017 -0.76% 2.08%
2016 -0.29% 1.56%
2015 -0.65% 0.5%
2014 -1.24% 0.57%
2013 -2.01% 0.79%
2012 -3.57% 1.63%
2011 -3.76% 1.72%
2010 -3.09% 1.61%
2009 -3.98% 0.24%
2008 0.43% 1.58%
2007 0.62% 2.49%
2006 -0.15% 1.18%
2005 -0.34% 0.95%
2004 -3.23% 0.09%
2003 -5.69% 1.51%
2002 -6.07% 3.23%
2001 -4.95% 2.42%
2000 -4.76% 3.91%
1999 -3.79% 1.15%
1998 -5.35% 1.09%
1997 -3.7% 2.31%
1996 -7.53% 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/cambodia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Cambodia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.24B, equivalent to 2.67% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Cambodia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Cambodia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.12% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cambodia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cambodia South Korea
2024 0.9% 2.32%
2023 2.1% 3.6%
2022 5.3% 5.09%
2021 2.9% 2.5%
2020 2.9% 0.54%
2019 2% 0.38%
2018 2.4% 1.48%
2017 2.9% 1.94%
2016 3% 0.97%
2015 1.2% 0.71%
2014 3.9% 1.27%
2013 2.9% 1.3%
2012 2.9% 2.19%
2011 5.5% 4.03%
2010 4% 2.94%
2009 -0.7% 2.76%
2008 25% 4.67%
2007 7.7% 2.53%
2006 6.1% 2.24%
2005 6.3% 2.75%
2004 3.9% 3.59%
2003 1% 3.51%
2002 0% 2.76%
2001 -0.1% 4.07%
2000 -0.8% 2.26%
1999 2% 0.81%
1998 12.9% 7.51%
1997 10.5% 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/cambodia/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cambodia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.24%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 0.9% in Cambodia and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Cambodia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $170M
Machinery & equipment $116M
Metals $16.7M
Chemicals & pharma $6.56M
Raw agricultural goods $4.34M
Wood & paper products $2.43M
Raw materials & minerals $1.99M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.18M
Animal & marine products $566K
Miscellaneous $76K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $199M
Textiles & consumer goods $138M
Chemicals & pharma $115M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $101M
Animal & marine products $68.8M
Metals $15.2M
Raw materials & minerals $15.1M
Wood & paper products $3.17M
Raw agricultural goods $1.47M
Miscellaneous $714K

Balance of trade

Cambodia South Korea
Current account balance
$228M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.49%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$31.2B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$26.8B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$3.08B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$4.97B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.1%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
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.

Cambodia South Korea
Economic freedom 58.7 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 108/197 24/197
Property rights 38.1 89.6
Government integrity 18.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 21.2 77.5
Tax burden 90.3 61.5
Government spending 89.9 82.6
Fiscal health 92.7 93.5
Business freedom 60.8 81.5
Labor freedom 48.3 55
Monetary freedom 77 79.3
Trade freedom 67.8 73
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cambodia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cambodia South Korea
2026 58.7 73.7
2025 58.2 74
2024 55.6 73.1
2023 56.5 73.7
2022 57.1 74.6
2021 57.3 74
2020 57.3 74
2019 57.8 72.3
2018 58.7 73.8
2017 59.5 74.3
2016 57.9 71.7
2015 57.5 71.5
2014 57.4 71.2
2013 58.5 70.3
2012 57.6 69.9
2011 57.9 69.8
2010 56.6 69.9
2009 56.6 68.1
2008 55.9 68.6
2007 55.9 67.8
2006 56.7 67.5
2005 60 66.4
2004 61.1 67.8
2003 63.7 68.3
2002 60.7 69.5
2001 59.6 69.1
2000 59.3 69.7
1999 59.9 69.7
1998 59.8 73.3
1997 52.8 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cambodia is 58.7, ranking 108/197, 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

Cambodia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
41.8%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.9B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,910
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.5B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.22B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.39B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.41%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.7%
2012
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.2%
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/cambodia/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (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.