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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 148/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Equatorial Guinea vs South Korea GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea South Korea
2024 $12,765,777,677 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $12,337,550,584 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $13,687,643,436 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $12,215,878,033 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $9,893,816,008 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $11,364,133,550 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $13,097,012,134 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $12,200,913,879 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $11,240,808,848 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $13,185,496,881 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $21,765,453,082 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $21,948,834,284 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $22,388,344,144 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $21,357,343,669 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $16,314,443,436 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $15,027,795,173 $983,065,242,417
2008 $19,749,893,536 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $13,071,718,759 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $10,086,528,699 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $8,217,369,093 $971,740,329,984
2004 $4,410,764,339 $823,251,107,639
2003 $2,484,745,935 $728,516,494,684
2002 $1,806,742,742 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,461,139,022 $567,564,806,235
2000 $1,045,998,496 $597,487,173,479
1999 $621,117,886 $515,697,079,289
1998 $370,687,634 $397,297,216,492
1997 $442,337,871 $589,202,526,424
1996 $232,463,023 $631,196,863,758
1995 $141,853,361 $586,286,469,401
1994 $100,807,003 $479,181,794,217
1993 $136,047,906 $405,705,302,846
1992 $134,707,184 $366,921,291,825
1991 $110,906,029 $340,851,946,804
1990 $112,119,411 $292,064,221,389
1989 $88,265,975 $254,236,243,100
1988 $100,534,657 $205,477,530,605
1987 $93,345,860 $152,240,393,646
1986 $76,407,396 $119,965,960,795
1985 $62,118,570 $103,764,281,281
1984 $50,320,914 $99,749,645,089
1983 $44,442,457 $89,621,208,322
1982 $44,294,648 $79,921,300,447
1981 $36,731,423 $74,287,368,087
1980 $50,642,881 $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 $103,987,520 $39,064,462,810
1976 $103,653,050 $30,371,074,380
1975 $104,295,643 $22,126,033,058
1974 $94,159,863 $19,860,929,977
1973 $81,203,227 $14,067,523,813
1972 $65,429,198 $10,990,490,570
1971 $64,946,955 $10,005,257,131
1970 $66,331,429 $9,085,001,794
1969 $67,225,714 $7,743,940,189
1968 $67,514,286 $6,167,109,472
1967 $72,317,447 $4,895,076,718
1966 $69,110,000 $3,957,064,541
1965 $64,748,333 $3,141,131,708
1964 $51,915,000 $3,476,789,682
1963 $44,266,667 $4,007,692,308
1962 $37,253,333 $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/equatorial-guinea/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs South Korea by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $931 $6,470 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $578 $5,280 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $717 $4,387 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $392 $1,793 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $183.2 $951 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $256.7 $828 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $263.7 $756 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $225.3 $569 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $236.4 $577 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $193.2 - $5,989 -
1988 $228.7 - $4,889 -
1987 $220.9 - $3,658 -
1986 $188.8 - $2,911 -
1985 $161.1 - $2,543 -
1984 $137.9 - $2,469 -
1983 $129.4 - $2,246 -
1982 $137.5 - $2,032 -
1981 $121.1 - $1,918 -
1980 $175.5 - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 $376 - $1,073 -
1976 $369 - $847 -
1975 $362 - $627 -
1974 $319 - $572 -
1973 $268.6 - $412 -
1972 $211.4 - $328 -
1971 $205.6 - $304 -
1970 $206.8 - $281.8 -
1969 $208.4 - $245.5 -
1968 $211.7 - $200 -
1967 $231.9 - $162.5 -
1966 $226.7 - $134.4 -
1965 $217.1 - $109.4 -
1964 $177.8 - $124.2 -
1963 $154.8 - $147 -
1962 $132.9 - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/south-korea | CC BY

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea South Korea
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
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%
29.1%
2022
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
2.78%
2024
Population
1998075
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 24.1% 48%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 18.6% 38%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 19% 36%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 18.7% 27%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 510% 216% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 595% 136.9% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 212.9% 157% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 116.8% 187% 15% 12.4%
1988 227.9% 154.5% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 183% 141.3% 14.3% 15.3%
1986 119% 152.5% 14.9% 14.5%
1985 115.4% 183.8% 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/equatorial-guinea/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 143/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea South Korea
2024 -0.55% -0.78%
2023 2.39% -0.67%
2022 11.7% -1.49%
2021 2.65% -0.02%
2020 -1.77% -2.11%
2019 1.82% 0.35%
2018 0.52% 2.42%
2017 -2.59% 2.08%
2016 -10.9% 1.56%
2015 -15.1% 0.5%
2014 -7.54% 0.57%
2013 -4.4% 0.79%
2012 -7.24% 1.63%
2011 0.83% 1.72%
2010 -4.53% 1.61%
2009 -6.47% 0.24%
2008 14.6% 1.58%
2007 17.2% 2.49%
2006 21.8% 1.18%
2005 18.5% 0.95%
2004 9.22% 0.09%
2003 9.99% 1.51%
2002 17.6% 3.23%
2001 14.9% 2.42%
2000 -2.67% 3.91%
1999 -0.19% 1.15%
1998 -7.65% 1.09%
1997 3.21% 2.31%
1996 -6.36% 2.3%
1995 -123.4% 2.16%
1994 -487% 2.06%
1993 -217.9% 3.21%
1992 -557% 2.42%
1991 -236% 1.94%
1990 -160.2% 2.98%
1989 -76.2% 2.27%
1988 -208.5% 2.85%
1987 -158% 1.7%
1986 -97.3% 0.8%
1985 -89.3% 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/equatorial-guinea/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $70.8M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 58.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.39% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea South Korea
2024 3.4% 2.32%
2023 2.4% 3.6%
2022 4.9% 5.09%
2021 -0.1% 2.5%
2020 4.8% 0.54%
2019 1.2% 0.38%
2018 1.3% 1.48%
2017 0.7% 1.94%
2016 1.4% 0.97%
2015 1.7% 0.71%
2014 4.3% 1.27%
2013 3.2% 1.3%
2012 3.4% 2.19%
2011 4.8% 4.03%
2010 5.3% 2.94%
2009 5.7% 2.76%
2008 4.7% 4.67%
2007 2.8% 2.53%
2006 4.5% 2.24%
2005 5.6% 2.75%
2004 4.2% 3.59%
2003 7.3% 3.51%
2002 7.6% 2.76%
2001 8.7% 4.07%
2000 4.8% 2.26%
1999 0.4% 0.81%
1998 7.9% 7.51%
1997 3% 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/equatorial-guinea/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $189M
Metals $95K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Metals $3.88M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.87M
Machinery & equipment $1.22M
Textiles & consumer goods $351K
Raw materials & minerals $304K
Chemicals & pharma $249K
Weapons & explosives $201K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea South Korea
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$696B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$163B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
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.

Equatorial Guinea South Korea
Economic freedom 47.4 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 24/197
Property rights 16.9 89.6
Government integrity 6.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 77.5
Tax burden 81 61.5
Government spending 90.8 82.6
Fiscal health 97.3 93.5
Business freedom 35.9 81.5
Labor freedom 45.2 55
Monetary freedom 73.5 79.3
Trade freedom 43.6 73
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea South Korea
2026 47.4 73.7
2025 47.7 74
2024 47.7 73.1
2023 48.3 73.7
2022 47.2 74.6
2021 49.2 74
2020 48.3 74
2019 41 72.3
2018 42 73.8
2017 45 74.3
2016 43.7 71.7
2015 40.4 71.5
2014 44.4 71.2
2013 42.3 70.3
2012 42.8 69.9
2011 47.5 69.8
2010 48.6 69.9
2009 51.3 68.1
2008 51.6 68.6
2007 53.2 67.8
2006 51.5 67.5
2005 53.3 66.4
2004 53.3 67.8
2003 53.1 68.3
2002 46.4 69.5
2001 47.9 69.1
2000 45.6 69.7
1999 45.1 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/equatorial-guinea/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, 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

Equatorial Guinea South Korea
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
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/equatorial-guinea/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 (1953–1994, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014–2020, 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.

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.