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Economy of Djibouti vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 165/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Djibouti vs South Korea GDP by year

Djibouti
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti South Korea
2024 $4,152,145,940 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $3,898,447,007 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $3,562,814,909 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $3,392,796,953 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $3,144,136,197 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $3,088,851,450 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $2,913,464,658 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $2,762,581,334 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $2,604,955,229 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $2,424,391,785 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $2,220,637,966 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $2,044,440,443 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $1,353,632,942 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $1,239,144,502 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $1,128,611,700 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $1,049,110,685 $983,065,242,417
2008 $999,105,339 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $847,918,929 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $768,873,684 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $708,633,195 $971,740,329,984
2004 $666,072,102 $823,251,107,639
2003 $622,044,666 $728,516,494,684
2002 $591,122,040 $650,014,391,470
2001 $572,417,441 $567,564,806,235
2000 $551,230,862 $597,487,173,479
1999 $536,080,148 $515,697,079,289
1998 $514,267,869 $397,297,216,492
1997 $502,675,542 $589,202,526,424
1996 $494,004,648 $631,196,863,758
1995 $497,723,961 $586,286,469,401
1994 $491,689,221 $479,181,794,217
1993 $466,048,469 $405,705,302,846
1992 $478,058,305 $366,921,291,825
1991 $462,421,999 $340,851,946,804
1990 $452,328,087 $292,064,221,389
1989 $409,220,087 $254,236,243,100
1988 $395,794,539 $205,477,530,605
1987 $373,371,738 $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 $340,989,528 $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/djibouti/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs South Korea by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $1,400 - $26,601 $35,062
2011 $1,306 - $26,175 $33,944
2010 $1,213 - $24,071 $33,120
2009 $1,151 - $19,937 $30,740
2008 $1,119 - $22,252 $31,211
2007 $970 - $25,078 $30,255
2006 $898 - $22,610 $27,972
2005 $844 - $20,167 $26,179
2004 $806 - $17,122 $24,658
2003 $765 - $15,212 $22,920
2002 $743 - $13,643 $22,173
2001 $742 - $11,981 $20,442
2000 $738 - $12,710 $19,237
1999 $740 - $11,063 $17,421
1998 $735 - $8,583 $15,500
1997 $748 - $12,822 $16,241
1996 $762 - $13,865 $15,164
1995 $786 - $13,002 $13,921
1994 $785 - $10,734 $12,551
1993 $759 - $9,180 $11,349
1992 $764 - $8,387 $10,468
1991 $733 - $7,873 $9,724
1990 $780 - $6,813 $8,567
1989 $782 - $5,989 -
1988 $817 - $4,889 -
1987 $822 - $3,658 -
1986 - - $2,911 -
1985 $847 - $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/djibouti/south-korea | CC BY

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Djibouti South Korea
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
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%
32.3%
2017
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
2.78%
2024
Population
1203929
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 21% 38.3% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 24.1% 48%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 23.9% 48% 18.6% 38%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 42% 40.3% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 29% 26.9% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 19% 36%
2012 26.5% 25% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 31% 29.5% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 18.7% 27%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 21% 58.1% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 16% 16.1%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 24% 55.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 25% 56% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 14% 7.81%
1995 27% 50.9% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 30.9% - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 35.3% - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 34.9% - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 27.7% - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 30.2% - 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 (1960–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 149/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti South Korea
2024 -2.6% -0.78%
2023 -3.46% -0.67%
2022 -1.48% -1.49%
2021 -3.05% -0.02%
2020 -2.58% -2.11%
2019 -0.98% 0.35%
2018 -1.98% 2.42%
2017 -0.21% 2.08%
2016 -0.76% 1.56%
2015 -15.5% 0.5%
2014 -6.92% 0.57%
2013 -0.34% 0.79%
2012 -2.04% 1.63%
2011 -1.18% 1.72%
2010 -1.04% 1.61%
2009 -3.88% 0.24%
2008 0.62% 1.58%
2007 -1.88% 2.49%
2006 0.26% 1.18%
2005 -1.18% 0.95%
2004 -3.67% 0.09%
2003 -4.13% 1.51%
2002 -4.56% 3.23%
2001 -3.61% 2.42%
2000 -3.97% 3.91%
1999 -5.2% 1.15%
1998 -3.59% 1.09%
1997 -2.86% 2.31%
1996 -1.77% 2.3%
1995 -5.13% 2.16%
1994 -4.97% 2.06%
1993 -7.1% 3.21%
1992 -6.13% 2.42%
1991 -0.86% 1.94%
1990 -3.25% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $108M, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti South Korea
2024 2.1% 2.32%
2023 1.4% 3.6%
2022 5.2% 5.09%
2021 1.2% 2.5%
2020 1.8% 0.54%
2019 3.3% 0.38%
2018 0.1% 1.48%
2017 0.6% 1.94%
2016 2.4% 0.97%
2015 -0.5% 0.71%
2014 1.3% 1.27%
2013 1.1% 1.3%
2012 4.2% 2.19%
2011 5.2% 4.03%
2010 2.5% 2.94%
2009 5.6% 2.76%
2008 8.7% 4.67%
2007 5.9% 2.53%
2006 3.5% 2.24%
2005 3.3% 2.75%
2004 2.4% 3.59%
2003 1.6% 3.51%
2002 1.4% 2.76%
2001 1.9% 4.07%
2000 1.2% 2.26%
1999 -0.4% 0.81%
1998 2.2% 7.51%
1997 2.5% 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/djibouti/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.56%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.92M
Machinery & equipment $21K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $24.4M
Chemicals & pharma $11.9M
Metals $2.91M
Textiles & consumer goods $438K
Raw materials & minerals $415K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $203K
Raw agricultural goods $136K
Wood & paper products $119K

Balance of trade

Djibouti South Korea
Current account balance
$610M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$730M
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
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.

Djibouti South Korea
Economic freedom 56.3 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 24/197
Property rights 30.4 89.6
Government integrity 27.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 77.5
Tax burden 83.5 61.5
Government spending 86.7 82.6
Fiscal health 87.7 93.5
Business freedom 52.9 81.5
Labor freedom 57.5 55
Monetary freedom 70.6 79.3
Trade freedom 49.8 73
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti South Korea
2026 56.3 73.7
2025 55.7 74
2024 55.8 73.1
2023 56.1 73.7
2022 55.3 74.6
2021 56.2 74
2020 52.9 74
2019 47.1 72.3
2018 45.1 73.8
2017 46.7 74.3
2016 56 71.7
2015 57.5 71.5
2014 55.9 71.2
2013 53.9 70.3
2012 53.9 69.9
2011 54.5 69.8
2010 51 69.9
2009 51.3 68.1
2008 51.2 68.6
2007 52.4 67.8
2006 53.2 67.5
2005 55.2 66.4
2004 55.6 67.8
2003 55.7 68.3
2002 57.8 69.5
2001 58.3 69.1
2000 55.1 69.7
1999 57.1 69.7
1998 55.9 73.3
1997 54.5 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, 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

Djibouti South Korea
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
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/djibouti/south-korea | CC BY

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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 (1953–2008, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.