Skip to content

Economy of Cyprus vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cyprus has a GDP of $41.2B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 103/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cyprus has $22.8B in government debt (55.3% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Cyprus vs South Korea GDP by year

Cyprus
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cyprus South Korea
2025 $41,225,787,247 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $37,634,551,821 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $35,075,440,603 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $31,218,047,044 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $30,372,637,513 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $25,555,082,267 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $26,196,660,680 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $25,754,011,492 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $22,946,583,376 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $21,046,452,117 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $19,909,269,065 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $23,225,912,183 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $23,959,708,956 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $25,047,433,100 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $27,641,553,201 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $25,799,940,416 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $26,048,190,775 $983,065,242,417
2008 $27,958,384,913 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $23,968,727,074 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $20,072,754,987 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $18,433,412,511 $971,740,329,984
2004 $17,320,551,250 $823,251,107,639
2003 $14,547,329,558 $728,516,494,684
2002 $11,420,228,846 $650,014,391,470
2001 $10,397,898,907 $567,564,806,235
2000 $9,985,847,314 $597,487,173,479
1999 $10,497,907,228 $515,697,079,289
1998 $10,248,618,778 $397,297,216,492
1997 $9,547,816,420 $589,202,526,424
1996 $10,011,914,680 $631,196,863,758
1995 $9,933,137,128 $586,286,469,401
1994 $7,425,703,929 $479,181,794,217
1993 $6,590,291,048 $405,705,302,846
1992 $6,912,150,456 $366,921,291,825
1991 $5,770,197,348 $340,851,946,804
1990 $5,591,130,218 $292,064,221,389
1989 $4,563,482,604 $254,236,243,100
1988 $4,278,792,597 $205,477,530,605
1987 $3,704,813,886 $152,240,393,646
1986 $3,090,734,463 $119,965,960,795
1985 $2,430,411,900 $103,764,281,281
1984 $2,278,248,953 $99,749,645,089
1983 $2,160,364,071 $89,621,208,322
1982 $2,159,242,417 $79,921,300,447
1981 $2,087,496,374 $74,287,368,087
1980 $2,154,311,277 $66,547,970,351
1979 $1,288,699,776 $68,083,884,298
1978 $964,024,364 $52,824,793,388
1977 $734,876,021 $39,064,462,810
1976 $576,090,074 $30,371,074,380
1975 $489,912,574 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cyprus vs South Korea by year

Cyprus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cyprus South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $30,075 - $36,227 -
2024 $27,707 $63,007 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $26,079 $59,875 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $23,448 $55,876 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $23,057 $47,633 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $19,624 $42,569 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $20,360 $44,394 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $20,267 $40,262 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $18,295 $37,768 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $17,013 $35,247 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $16,326 $31,380 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $19,326 $29,893 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $20,238 $30,416 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $21,493 $31,924 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $24,110 $33,406 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $22,876 $33,502 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $23,480 $33,901 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $25,626 $34,830 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $22,344 $32,888 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $19,037 $30,009 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $17,790 $27,763 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $17,016 $25,942 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $14,553 $24,278 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $11,636 $23,556 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $10,785 $22,866 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $10,537 $21,296 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $11,273 $19,663 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $11,206 $18,760 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $10,637 $17,781 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $11,373 $17,320 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $11,514 $17,096 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $8,791 $15,735 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $7,978 $14,852 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $8,530 $14,759 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $7,222 $13,546 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $7,092 $13,348 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $5,870 - $5,989 -
1988 $5,584 - $4,889 -
1987 $4,908 - $3,658 -
1986 $4,159 - $2,911 -
1985 $3,324 - $2,543 -
1984 $3,167 - $2,469 -
1983 $3,055 - $2,246 -
1982 $3,100 - $2,032 -
1981 $3,030 - $1,918 -
1980 $3,154 - $1,746 -
1979 $1,902 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,434 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,102 - $1,073 -
1976 $870 - $847 -
1975 $743 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cyprus' GDP per capita is $30,075, ranking 45/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cyprus ranks 29th at $63,007, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Cyprus South Korea
Gross domestic product
$41.2B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
103/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
3.77%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$30,075
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
45/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$63,007
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
29/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$16,632
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
40/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,626
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.9B
2025
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires
24,000
2026
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires
10
2026
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2023
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.13%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
2.79%
2025
Population
1388591
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cyprus
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cyprus South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.4% 55.3% 24% 52.3%
2024 38.3% 62.8% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 40.6% 71.1% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 37.7% 80.3% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 42.7% 96.5% 24.1% 48%
2020 45.9% 113.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 40.3% 92.3% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 44.3% 100.7% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 38.4% 96.4% 18.6% 38%
2016 39.6% 106.8% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 43% 111.6% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 52.1% 113% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 42.1% 102.7% 19% 36%
2012 41.9% 79.2% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 42.1% 64.8% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 41.7% 55.3% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 41.9% 52.8% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 38.2% 44.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 37.6% 53.1% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 39.1% 59% 18.7% 27%
2005 39.7% 64% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 38.6% 64.7% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 40.4% 63% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 37.4% 61% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 35.7% 57.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 35% 56% 16% 16.1%
1999 34.3% 55.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 34.4% 55% 16% 13.8%
1997 34.2% 53.5% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 32.4% 48.8% 14% 7.81%
1995 30.4% 46.7% 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cyprus' government spending was $16.7B, accounting for 40.4% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.3% in Cyprus and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 89/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cyprus

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cyprus South Korea
2025 2.99% -1.43%
2024 4.14% -0.78%
2023 1.71% -0.67%
2022 2.69% -1.49%
2021 -1.59% -0.02%
2020 -5.57% -2.11%
2019 1.03% 0.35%
2018 -3.36% 2.42%
2017 2.13% 2.08%
2016 0.45% 1.56%
2015 -0.77% 0.5%
2014 -8.8% 0.57%
2013 -5.16% 0.79%
2012 -5.55% 1.63%
2011 -5.65% 1.72%
2010 -4.68% 1.61%
2009 -5.43% 0.24%
2008 0.87% 1.58%
2007 3.23% 2.49%
2006 -1.04% 1.18%
2005 -2.22% 0.95%
2004 -3.71% 0.09%
2003 -5.91% 1.51%
2002 -4.13% 3.23%
2001 -2.11% 2.42%
2000 -2.24% 3.91%
1999 -4.05% 1.15%
1998 -3.85% 1.09%
1997 -4.82% 2.31%
1996 -2.96% 2.3%
1995 -0.71% 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/cyprus/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Cyprus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.23B, equivalent to 2.99% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cyprus recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Cyprus posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cyprus

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cyprus South Korea
2025 0.13% 2.12%
2024 1.8% 2.32%
2023 3.54% 3.6%
2022 8.4% 5.09%
2021 2.45% 2.5%
2020 -0.64% 0.54%
2019 0.25% 0.38%
2018 1.44% 1.48%
2017 0.53% 1.94%
2016 -1.43% 0.97%
2015 -2.1% 0.71%
2014 -1.35% 1.27%
2013 -0.4% 1.3%
2012 2.39% 2.19%
2011 3.29% 4.03%
2010 2.43% 2.94%
2009 0.33% 2.76%
2008 4.67% 4.67%
2007 2.37% 2.53%
2006 2.3% 2.24%
2005 2.56% 2.75%
2004 2.29% 3.59%
2003 4.14% 3.51%
2002 2.8% 2.76%
2001 1.97% 4.07%
2000 4.14% 2.26%
1999 1.63% 0.81%
1998 2.23% 7.51%
1997 3.61% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Cyprus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.92%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 0.13% in Cyprus and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Cyprus
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $34.4M
Transport & tourism services $5.63M
Business & finance services $4.23M
Metals $2.45M
Chemicals & pharma $857K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $612K
Raw materials & minerals $563K
Animal & marine products $519K
Textiles & consumer goods $369K
Precious metals & jewellery $26K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $216M
Chemicals & pharma $13M
Textiles & consumer goods $778K
Raw materials & minerals $495K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $321K
Metals $244K
Wood & paper products $162K
Precious metals & jewellery $95K
Miscellaneous $55K
Raw agricultural goods $31K

Balance of trade

Cyprus South Korea
Current account balance
-$2.59B
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
149/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.29%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$12.6B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$4.62B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$25.3B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$35.7B
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
91.9%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
97.6%
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.

Cyprus South Korea
Economic freedom 74.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 21/197 24/197
Property rights 85.1 89.6
Government integrity 59.7 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 89.8 77.5
Tax burden 80.8 61.5
Government spending 52.1 82.6
Fiscal health 91.5 93.5
Business freedom 82.3 81.5
Labor freedom 60.3 55
Monetary freedom 78.7 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cyprus
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cyprus South Korea
2026 74.1 73.7
2025 73.2 74
2024 72.2 73.1
2023 72.3 73.7
2022 72.9 74.6
2021 71.4 74
2020 70.1 74
2019 68.1 72.3
2018 67.8 73.8
2017 67.9 74.3
2016 68.7 71.7
2015 67.9 71.5
2014 67.6 71.2
2013 69 70.3
2012 71.8 69.9
2011 73.3 69.8
2010 70.9 69.9
2009 70.8 68.1
2008 71.3 68.6
2007 71.7 67.8
2006 71.8 67.5
2005 71.9 66.4
2004 74.1 67.8
2003 73.3 68.3
2002 73 69.5
2001 71 69.1
2000 67.2 69.7
1999 67.8 69.7
1998 68.2 73.3
1997 67.9 69.8
1996 67.7 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cyprus is 74.1, ranking 21/197, 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

Cyprus South Korea
Services, % of GDP
76.8%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.12%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35.6B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$57,390
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.95B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
121/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.59B
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$50.4B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$55.9B
2024
$49.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.9%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
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/cyprus/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 (1960–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.

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.