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Economy of Ecuador vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ecuador has a GDP of $130B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 64/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ecuador has $70.9B in government debt (54.4% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Ecuador vs South Korea GDP by year

Ecuador
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ecuador South Korea
2025 $130,320,560,400 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $123,802,374,000 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $120,792,801,000 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $116,133,121,000 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $107,179,074,000 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $95,865,473,000 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $107,595,830,000 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $107,478,961,000 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $104,467,486,000 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $97,671,433,000 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $97,209,558,000 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $102,717,794,000 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $96,570,334,000 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $87,735,048,000 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $78,986,648,000 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $68,151,329,000 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $60,094,978,000 $983,065,242,417
2008 $61,139,438,000 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $49,848,725,000 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $45,690,762,000 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $40,278,849,000 $971,740,329,984
2004 $35,194,947,000 $823,251,107,639
2003 $30,965,208,000 $728,516,494,684
2002 $27,054,197,000 $650,014,391,470
2001 $23,127,055,000 $567,564,806,235
2000 $17,539,454,727 $597,487,173,479
1999 $19,645,272,636 $515,697,079,289
1998 $27,981,896,948 $397,297,216,492
1997 $28,162,053,027 $589,202,526,424
1996 $25,226,393,197 $631,196,863,758
1995 $24,432,884,442 $586,286,469,401
1994 $22,708,673,337 $479,181,794,217
1993 $18,938,717,359 $405,705,302,846
1992 $18,094,238,119 $366,921,291,825
1991 $16,988,535,268 $340,851,946,804
1990 $15,239,272,612 $292,064,221,389
1989 $13,890,823,705 $254,236,243,100
1988 $13,051,881,851 $205,477,530,605
1987 $13,945,426,859 $152,240,393,646
1986 $15,314,138,472 $119,965,960,795
1985 $17,149,088,413 $103,764,281,281
1984 $16,912,509,092 $99,749,645,089
1983 $17,152,477,037 $89,621,208,322
1982 $19,929,846,396 $79,921,300,447
1981 $21,810,759,354 $74,287,368,087
1980 $17,881,508,242 $66,547,970,351
1979 $14,175,160,902 $68,083,884,298
1978 $11,922,497,876 $52,824,793,388
1977 $11,026,342,618 $39,064,462,810
1976 $9,091,921,030 $30,371,074,380
1975 $7,731,674,472 $22,126,033,058
1974 $6,599,257,044 $19,860,929,977
1973 $3,891,754,150 $14,067,523,813
1972 $3,185,986,087 $10,990,490,570
1971 $2,754,219,271 $10,005,257,131
1970 $2,862,503,139 $9,085,001,794
1969 $3,112,165,727 $7,743,940,189
1968 $2,582,179,864 $6,167,109,472
1967 $2,553,595,172 $4,895,076,718
1966 $2,429,308,639 $3,957,064,541
1965 $2,387,047,396 $3,141,131,708
1964 $2,244,146,103 $3,476,789,682
1963 $1,824,343,871 $4,007,692,308
1962 $1,518,207,703 $2,826,923,077
1961 $1,753,850,955 $2,427,244,761
1960 $2,069,464,937 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Ecuador vs South Korea by year

Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ecuador South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,125 - $36,227 -
2024 $6,827 $15,840 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $6,718 $15,919 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $6,516 $15,198 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $6,061 $13,507 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $5,464 $11,527 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,205 $12,543 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $6,304 $12,187 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $6,233 $11,793 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $5,918 $10,881 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $5,976 $10,878 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $6,406 $11,836 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $6,109 $11,296 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $5,634 $10,245 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $5,154 $9,769 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $4,520 $8,969 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $4,053 $8,662 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $4,195 $8,663 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $3,479 $8,112 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $3,244 $7,885 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $2,909 $7,457 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $2,586 $6,980 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $2,316 $6,475 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $2,059 $6,282 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,791 $5,999 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,382 $5,728 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,575 $5,638 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $2,284 $5,940 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $2,341 $5,793 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $2,136 $5,560 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $2,108 $5,469 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $1,997 $5,339 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $1,698 $5,112 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,655 $4,998 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,587 $4,887 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,455 $4,632 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $1,356 - $5,989 -
1988 $1,304 - $4,889 -
1987 $1,426 - $3,658 -
1986 $1,604 - $2,911 -
1985 $1,842 - $2,543 -
1984 $1,864 - $2,469 -
1983 $1,940 - $2,246 -
1982 $2,314 - $2,032 -
1981 $2,601 - $1,918 -
1980 $2,190 - $1,746 -
1979 $1,783 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,541 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,465 - $1,073 -
1976 $1,242 - $847 -
1975 $1,086 - $627 -
1974 $954 - $572 -
1973 $579 - $412 -
1972 $488 - $328 -
1971 $434 - $304 -
1970 $465 - $281.8 -
1969 $521 - $245.5 -
1968 $445 - $200 -
1967 $454 - $162.5 -
1966 $445 - $134.4 -
1965 $450 - $109.4 -
1964 $436 - $124.2 -
1963 $365 - $147 -
1962 $312 - $106.6 -
1961 $371 - $94.2 -
1960 $451 - $158.8 -

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

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

Ecuador's GDP per capita is $7,125, ranking 102/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Ecuador South Korea
Gross domestic product
$130B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
64/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
3.73%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,125
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
102/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,840
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
110/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$70.9B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.4%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,877
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
94/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,605
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$747M
2000
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35.1%
2025
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2025
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.4%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.71%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.23%
2025
2.79%
2025
Population
18524711
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ecuador
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ecuador South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.4% 54.4% 24% 52.3%
2024 38.3% 54.1% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 39.6% 54.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 38.9% 57.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 37.5% 61.8% 24.1% 48%
2020 40.2% 63.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 39.8% 52.1% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 40.9% 49.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 40.5% 47.4% 18.6% 38%
2016 44.1% 46.1% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 44.1% 36.4% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 45.9% 28.2% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 46.7% 23.4% 19% 36%
2012 43.2% 19.3% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 39.6% 18.6% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 35.4% 18.4% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 34.3% 19.7% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 35.6% 24.9% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 24.7% 29.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 21.7% 33.1% 18.7% 27%
2005 22% 35.8% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 21.3% 40.2% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 21.3% 47.2% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 22.8% 55% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 21.4% 63.8% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 24.3% 92.2% 16% 16.1%
1999 24.1% 105.2% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 21.5% 70.3% 16% 13.8%
1997 22% 61.5% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 22.7% 69.3% 14% 7.81%
1995 22% 70.5% 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 (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ecuador's government spending was $50B, accounting for 38.4% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.4% in Ecuador and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 92/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ecuador

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ecuador South Korea
2025 -2.88% -1.43%
2024 -1.28% -0.78%
2023 -3.49% -0.67%
2022 0.04% -1.49%
2021 -1.59% -0.02%
2020 -7.38% -2.11%
2019 -3.47% 0.35%
2018 -2.8% 2.42%
2017 -5.77% 2.08%
2016 -10.3% 1.56%
2015 -6.87% 0.5%
2014 -8.11% 0.57%
2013 -8.17% 0.79%
2012 -2.83% 1.63%
2011 -0.13% 1.72%
2010 -1.39% 1.61%
2009 -3.71% 0.24%
2008 0.57% 1.58%
2007 2.66% 2.49%
2006 2.92% 1.18%
2005 0.66% 0.95%
2004 1.94% 0.09%
2003 1.05% 1.51%
2002 0.74% 3.23%
2001 0.03% 2.42%
2000 -0.32% 3.91%
1999 -4.82% 1.15%
1998 -5.1% 1.09%
1997 -2.83% 2.31%
1996 -3.44% 2.3%
1995 -2.02% 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/ecuador/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Ecuador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.76B, equivalent to 2.88% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Ecuador recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Ecuador posted an annual deficit equal to 2.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ecuador

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ecuador South Korea
2025 0.71% 2.12%
2024 1.55% 2.32%
2023 2.22% 3.6%
2022 3.47% 5.09%
2021 0.13% 2.5%
2020 -0.34% 0.54%
2019 0.27% 0.38%
2018 -0.22% 1.48%
2017 0.42% 1.94%
2016 1.73% 0.97%
2015 3.97% 0.71%
2014 3.59% 1.27%
2013 2.72% 1.3%
2012 5.1% 2.19%
2011 4.47% 4.03%
2010 3.55% 2.94%
2009 5.16% 2.76%
2008 8.4% 4.67%
2007 2.28% 2.53%
2006 3.3% 2.24%
2005 2.17% 2.75%
2004 2.74% 3.59%
2003 7.93% 3.51%
2002 12.5% 2.76%
2001 37.7% 4.07%
2000 96.1% 2.26%
1999 52.2% 0.81%
1998 36.1% 7.51%
1997 30.7% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ecuador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.4%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 0.71% in Ecuador and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Ecuador
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $50.5M
Raw materials & minerals $43.5M
Metals $19.1M
Animal & marine products $19.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12M
Miscellaneous $380K
Chemicals & pharma $348K
Machinery & equipment $113K
Textiles & consumer goods $86K
Wood & paper products $24K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $213M
Chemicals & pharma $110M
Raw materials & minerals $61M
Metals $55M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.86M
Wood & paper products $2.53M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.27M
Animal & marine products $596K
Raw agricultural goods $99K
Miscellaneous $31K

Balance of trade

Ecuador South Korea
Current account balance
$7.7B
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
28/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.91%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$31.1B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$37.4B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$6.22B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$4.14B
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
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.

Ecuador South Korea
Economic freedom 55.6 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 127/197 24/197
Property rights 33.2 89.6
Government integrity 33 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.1 77.5
Tax burden 74.2 61.5
Government spending 54.9 82.6
Fiscal health 90.3 93.5
Business freedom 64.3 81.5
Labor freedom 56.9 55
Monetary freedom 76.3 79.3
Trade freedom 66.4 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ecuador
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ecuador South Korea
2026 55.6 73.7
2025 55.8 74
2024 55 73.1
2023 55 73.7
2022 54.3 74.6
2021 52.4 74
2020 51.3 74
2019 46.9 72.3
2018 48.5 73.8
2017 49.3 74.3
2016 48.6 71.7
2015 49.2 71.5
2014 48 71.2
2013 46.9 70.3
2012 48.3 69.9
2011 47.1 69.8
2010 49.3 69.9
2009 52.5 68.1
2008 55.2 68.6
2007 55.3 67.8
2006 54.6 67.5
2005 52.9 66.4
2004 54.4 67.8
2003 54.1 68.3
2002 53.1 69.5
2001 55.1 69.1
2000 59.8 69.7
1999 62.9 69.7
1998 62.8 73.3
1997 61 69.8
1996 60.1 73
1995 57.7 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ecuador is 55.6, ranking 127/197, 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

Ecuador South Korea
Services, % of GDP
57%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.7%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$126B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$16,290
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.8B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
79/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.3B
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$446M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.05%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.4%
2025
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.9%
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/ecuador/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 (1953–2000, 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 (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.