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Economy of Chad vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Chad has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 131/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Chad has $6.53B in government debt (30.4% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Chad vs South Korea GDP by year

Chad
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Chad South Korea
2025 $21,472,835,225 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $19,906,706,690 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $18,352,937,976 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $17,828,508,290 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $16,871,937,698 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $14,932,897,821 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $14,905,517,743 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $15,327,000,249 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $13,349,041,409 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $13,026,289,836 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $14,559,599,500 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $18,144,336,904 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $17,865,316,886 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $17,892,228,570 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $16,685,349,674 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $14,058,506,664 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,317,614,054 $983,065,242,417
2008 $13,385,593,990 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $10,865,385,132 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $9,709,626,596 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $8,655,892,393 $971,740,329,984
2004 $4,422,855,661 $823,251,107,639
2003 $2,742,815,072 $728,516,494,684
2002 $1,997,005,709 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,710,843,377 $567,564,806,235
2000 $1,388,506,772 $597,487,173,479
1999 $1,534,673,583 $515,697,079,289
1998 $1,744,794,531 $397,297,216,492
1997 $1,544,689,577 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,607,345,356 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,445,919,895 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,179,837,963 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,463,251,164 $405,705,302,846
1992 $1,881,847,670 $366,921,291,825
1991 $1,877,137,982 $340,851,946,804
1990 $1,738,605,558 $292,064,221,389
1989 $1,433,686,312 $254,236,243,100
1988 $1,482,597,298 $205,477,530,605
1987 $1,163,426,852 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,067,828,246 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,033,069,709 $103,764,281,281
1984 $919,103,735 $99,749,645,089
1983 $832,415,806 $89,621,208,322
1982 $834,369,860 $79,921,300,447
1981 $876,937,558 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,033,002,404 $66,547,970,351
1979 $1,004,316,496 $68,083,884,298
1978 $1,113,920,124 $52,824,793,388
1977 $935,360,465 $39,064,462,810
1976 $866,044,962 $30,371,074,380
1975 $864,602,105 $22,126,033,058
1974 $652,532,795 $19,860,929,977
1973 $647,199,483 $14,067,523,813
1972 $585,427,547 $10,990,490,570
1971 $501,866,730 $10,005,257,131
1970 $469,266,737 $9,085,001,794
1969 $471,635,622 $7,743,940,189
1968 $453,980,096 $6,167,109,472
1967 $449,826,323 $4,895,076,718
1966 $432,794,922 $3,957,064,541
1965 $416,926,303 $3,141,131,708
1964 $392,247,518 $3,476,789,682
1963 $371,767,002 $4,007,692,308
1962 $357,635,713 $2,826,923,077
1961 $333,975,336 $2,427,244,761
1960 $313,582,728 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Chad vs South Korea by year

Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Chad South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,022 - $36,227 -
2024 $981 $2,743 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $950 $2,700 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $966 $2,624 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $946 $2,435 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $867 $2,186 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $893 $2,352 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $949 $2,228 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $854 $2,097 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $862 $2,120 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $994 $2,378 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $1,279 $2,133 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $1,305 $2,110 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $1,354 $2,435 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $1,308 $2,388 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $1,142 $2,320 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $1,036 $2,087 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $1,166 $2,181 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $980 $2,149 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $907 $2,079 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $838 $2,102 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $446 $1,808 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $289.1 $1,378 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $219.1 $1,226 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $194.3 $1,152 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $163.1 $1,044 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $186.6 $1,066 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $219.8 $1,096 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $201.4 $1,049 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $216.9 $1,010 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $204 $1,014 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $173.9 $1,026 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $220.7 $933 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $290.6 $1,107 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $302 $1,046 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $290.6 $967 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $246.4 - $5,989 -
1988 $263.5 - $4,889 -
1987 $213.9 - $3,658 -
1986 $203.4 - $2,911 -
1985 $202.7 - $2,543 -
1984 $182.2 - $2,469 -
1983 $167.2 - $2,246 -
1982 $176.1 - $2,032 -
1981 $194 - $1,918 -
1980 $228.8 - $1,746 -
1979 $222.9 - $1,814 -
1978 $252.5 - $1,429 -
1977 $215.9 - $1,073 -
1976 $203.7 - $847 -
1975 $207.5 - $627 -
1974 $160 - $572 -
1973 $162.4 - $412 -
1972 $150.4 - $328 -
1971 $131.8 - $304 -
1970 $125.9 - $281.8 -
1969 $129.2 - $245.5 -
1968 $126.9 - $200 -
1967 $128.2 - $162.5 -
1966 $125.8 - $134.4 -
1965 $123.6 - $109.4 -
1964 $118.6 - $124.2 -
1963 $114.7 - $147 -
1962 $112.6 - $106.6 -
1961 $107.3 - $94.2 -
1960 $102.8 - $158.8 -

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

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

Chad's GDP per capita is $1,022, ranking 181/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Chad South Korea
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
131/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
5.59%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,022
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,743
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
182/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$6.53B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30.4%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$311
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
178/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
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%
29.5%
2022
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.6%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-2.6%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.11%
2022
2.79%
2025
Population
21855137
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Chad
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Chad South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.6% 30.4% 24% 52.3%
2024 18.1% 31.4% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 17.1% 32.2% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 12.6% 32.1% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 13% 41.7% 24.1% 48%
2020 14.1% 41.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 10.6% 38.4% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 9.73% 33.8% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 11.3% 39.1% 18.6% 38%
2016 11.2% 40.2% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 13.8% 31.3% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 16.9% 29.4% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 16.6% 22.3% 19% 36%
2012 16.6% 20% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 16.3% 22.3% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 18.5% 22.9% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 19.8% 23.9% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 14.6% 15.7% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 13.6% 17.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 10.7% 20.1% 18.7% 27%
2005 8.87% 22% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 9.84% 25.2% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 14.9% 34.4% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 13.8% 42% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 12% 43.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 14% 52.4% 16% 16.1%
1999 12.9% 44.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 10.1% 34.7% 16% 13.8%
1997 12% 41.3% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 12% 40.5% 14% 7.81%
1995 12.3% 41.1% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Chad's government spending was $3.99B, accounting for 18.6% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30.4% in Chad and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 152/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Chad

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Chad South Korea
2025 -1.26% -1.43%
2024 -2.03% -0.78%
2023 -1.26% -0.67%
2022 3.79% -1.49%
2021 -1.29% -0.02%
2020 1.24% -2.11%
2019 -0.11% 0.35%
2018 1.39% 2.42%
2017 -0.18% 2.08%
2016 -1.51% 1.56%
2015 -3.29% 0.5%
2014 -3.22% 0.57%
2013 -1.5% 0.79%
2012 0.33% 1.63%
2011 1.75% 1.72%
2010 -3.16% 1.61%
2009 -8.44% 0.24%
2008 2.82% 1.58%
2007 2.02% 2.49%
2006 1.7% 1.18%
2005 -0.05% 0.95%
2004 -1.84% 0.09%
2003 -4.32% 1.51%
2002 -4.08% 3.23%
2001 -3.53% 2.42%
2000 -4.68% 3.91%
1999 -4.07% 1.15%
1998 -1.73% 1.09%
1997 -2.58% 2.31%
1996 -2.86% 2.3%
1995 -3.12% 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Chad's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $271M, equivalent to 1.26% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Chad recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Chad posted an annual deficit equal to 1.45% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Chad

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Chad South Korea
2025 -2.6% 2.12%
2024 5.7% 2.32%
2023 4.1% 3.6%
2022 5.8% 5.09%
2021 -0.8% 2.5%
2020 -2.7% 0.54%
2019 -1% 0.38%
2018 4% 1.48%
2017 -0.9% 1.94%
2016 -1.6% 0.97%
2015 4.8% 0.71%
2014 -5.5% 1.27%
2013 0.2% 1.3%
2012 7.5% 2.19%
2011 2% 4.03%
2010 -2.1% 2.94%
2009 10.1% 2.76%
2008 8.3% 4.67%
2007 -7.4% 2.53%
2006 9.6% 2.24%
2005 4.4% 2.75%
2004 -4.8% 3.59%
2003 -1.8% 3.51%
2002 5.2% 2.76%
2001 12.4% 4.07%
2000 3.8% 2.26%
1999 -8.4% 0.81%
1998 4.3% 7.51%
1997 5.6% 4.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Chad has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.01%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was -2.6% in Chad and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Chad
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $5.37M
Machinery & equipment $796K
Textiles & consumer goods $281K
Miscellaneous $216K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $91K
Weapons & explosives $58K
Wood & paper products $50K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

Chad South Korea
Current account balance
-$37.7M
1994
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
75/190
1994
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.2%
1994
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$212M
1994
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$135M
1994
$719B
2025
Service imports
$199M
1994
$185B
2025
Service exports
$54.8M
1994
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.7%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Chad South Korea
Economic freedom 51.2 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 154/197 24/197
Property rights 17.2 89.6
Government integrity 15.2 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 15 77.5
Tax burden 77.9 61.5
Government spending 92.2 82.6
Fiscal health 97.9 93.5
Business freedom 27.4 81.5
Labor freedom 53.7 55
Monetary freedom 71.6 79.3
Trade freedom 46.4 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Chad
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Chad South Korea
2026 51.2 73.7
2025 52.2 74
2024 51.4 73.1
2023 52 73.7
2022 49.8 74.6
2021 50.4 74
2020 50.2 74
2019 49.9 72.3
2018 49.3 73.8
2017 49 74.3
2016 46.3 71.7
2015 45.9 71.5
2014 44.5 71.2
2013 45.2 70.3
2012 44.8 69.9
2011 45.3 69.8
2010 47.5 69.9
2009 47.5 68.1
2008 47.8 68.6
2007 50.1 67.8
2006 50 67.5
2005 52.1 66.4
2004 53.1 67.8
2003 52.6 68.3
2002 49.2 69.5
2001 46.4 69.1
2000 46.8 69.7
1999 47.2 69.7
1998 46.6 73.3
1997 45.1 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Chad is 51.2, ranking 154/197, 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

Chad South Korea
Services, % of GDP
33.9%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
26.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
36.3%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20.4B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,770
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.55B
2024
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
133/177
2024
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.5M
1994
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.02B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
44.8%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
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/chad/south-korea | CC BY

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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 (1953–1998, 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 (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.

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.