Skip to content

Economy of East Timor vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 181/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

East Timor vs South Korea GDP by year

East Timor
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor South Korea
2024 $1,865,608,515 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $2,079,767,170 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $3,208,599,889 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $3,625,024,341 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $2,162,619,241 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $2,032,550,389 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $1,555,988,614 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $1,584,878,440 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $1,640,464,612 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $1,590,282,371 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $1,447,535,183 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $1,395,727,421 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $1,160,555,040 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $1,042,534,598 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $881,909,347 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $726,937,836 $983,065,242,417
2008 $648,523,571 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $542,795,447 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $453,792,415 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $462,267,954 $971,740,329,984
2004 $440,771,962 $823,251,107,639
2003 $490,439,116 $728,516,494,684
2002 $469,455,491 $650,014,391,470
2001 $477,359,253 $567,564,806,235
2000 $366,924,277 $597,487,173,479
1999 $225,357,600 $515,697,079,289
1998 $325,729,800 $397,297,216,492
1997 $319,972,700 $589,202,526,424
1996 $306,956,900 $631,196,863,758
1995 $262,819,900 $586,286,469,401
1994 $239,040,500 $479,181,794,217
1993 $216,914,400 $405,705,302,846
1992 $187,891,500 $366,921,291,825
1991 $147,713,000 $340,851,946,804
1990 $128,210,142 $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/east-timor/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs South Korea by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $939 $2,066 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $813 $1,955 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $687 $1,810 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $628 $1,675 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $540 $1,516 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $465 $1,377 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $487 $1,435 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $474 $1,379 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $535 $1,355 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $534 $1,417 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $588 $1,619 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $492 $1,483 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $270 $819 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $346 $1,108 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $349 $1,149 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $344 $1,116 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $303 $1,043 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $283.1 $985 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $264.1 $925 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $235.1 $843 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $189.8 $766 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $168.6 $685 $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/east-timor/south-korea | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

East Timor South Korea
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
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%
24%
2014
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
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
1.54%
2022
2.78%
2024
Population
1441764
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 24.1% 48%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 18.6% 38%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 111% 1.52% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 19% 36%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 133.3% 0% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 121.3% 0% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 121.8% 0% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 122.4% 0% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 75.8% 0% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 59.8% 0% 18.7% 27%
2005 58.3% 0% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 74.2% 0% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 80.1% 0% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 93.5% 0% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 95.7% 0% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 - - 16% 16.1%
1999 - - 16.1% 15.8%
1998 - - 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/east-timor/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 178/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor South Korea
2024 -43.5% -0.78%
2023 -34.7% -0.67%
2022 -29.5% -1.49%
2021 -20.1% -0.02%
2020 -18.9% -2.11%
2019 -25.4% 0.35%
2018 -26.9% 2.42%
2017 -33.8% 2.08%
2016 -55.7% 1.56%
2015 -33.2% 0.5%
2014 -37.5% 0.57%
2013 -14.4% 0.79%
2012 -38.7% 1.63%
2011 -25.4% 1.72%
2010 -19.8% 1.61%
2009 -17.2% 0.24%
2008 -18.6% 1.58%
2007 -29.9% 2.49%
2006 41% 1.18%
2005 -10.5% 0.95%
2004 -7.48% 0.09%
2003 -8.24% 1.51%
2002 -7.64% 3.23%
2001 3.24% 2.42%
2000 - 3.91%
1999 - 1.15%
1998 - 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/east-timor/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 43.5% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.91% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor South Korea
2024 2.1% 2.32%
2023 8.4% 3.6%
2022 7% 5.09%
2021 3.8% 2.5%
2020 0.5% 0.54%
2019 0.9% 0.38%
2018 2.3% 1.48%
2017 0.5% 1.94%
2016 -1.5% 0.97%
2015 0.6% 0.71%
2014 0.8% 1.27%
2013 9.5% 1.3%
2012 10.9% 2.19%
2011 13.2% 4.03%
2010 5.2% 2.94%
2009 -0.2% 2.76%
2008 7.4% 4.67%
2007 8.6% 2.53%
2006 5.2% 2.24%
2005 1.6% 2.75%
2004 2.2% 3.59%
2003 8% 3.51%
2002 4.1% 2.76%
2001 3.6% 4.07%
2000 - 2.26%
1999 - 0.81%
1998 - 7.51%
1997 - 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 2.51% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $99.3M
Raw agricultural goods $463K
Metals $10K
Miscellaneous $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.52M
Chemicals & pharma $554K
Textiles & consumer goods $300K
Raw materials & minerals $80K
Metals $64K
Wood & paper products $22K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

East Timor South Korea
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
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.

East Timor South Korea
Economic freedom 47.9 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 24/197
Property rights 43.5 89.6
Government integrity 43.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 77.5
Tax burden 97.1 61.5
Government spending 0 82.6
Fiscal health 19.6 93.5
Business freedom 62.7 81.5
Labor freedom 56.5 55
Monetary freedom 72.2 79.3
Trade freedom 79.8 73
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor South Korea
2026 47.9 73.7
2025 47.9 74
2024 50.2 73.1
2023 47.2 73.7
2022 46.3 74.6
2021 44.7 74
2020 45.9 74
2019 44.2 72.3
2018 48.1 73.8
2017 46.3 74.3
2016 45.8 71.7
2015 45.5 71.5
2014 43.2 71.2
2013 43.7 70.3
2012 43.3 69.9
2011 42.8 69.8
2010 45.8 69.9
2009 50.5 68.1
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.8
2006 - 67.5
2005 - 66.4
2004 - 67.8
2003 - 68.3
2002 - 69.5
2001 - 69.1
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.7
1998 - 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/east-timor/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, 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

East Timor South Korea
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
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/east-timor/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 (2022–2024, 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.