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Economy of Estonia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Estonia has a GDP of $47B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 101/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $11.4B in government debt (24.2% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Estonia vs South Korea GDP by year

Estonia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia South Korea
2025 $47,030,833,799 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $43,130,419,829 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $41,470,344,395 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $38,226,641,740 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $37,201,101,171 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $31,820,771,494 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $31,873,748,770 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $31,222,632,741 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $27,469,461,919 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $24,561,027,788 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $23,311,847,751 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $27,055,689,003 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $25,451,032,781 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $23,237,406,116 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $23,303,915,795 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $19,524,355,419 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $19,633,984,440 $983,065,242,417
2008 $24,342,935,404 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $22,450,264,166 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $17,025,671,810 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $14,109,491,357 $971,740,329,984
2004 $12,148,595,031 $823,251,107,639
2003 $9,876,595,528 $728,516,494,684
2002 $7,370,119,619 $650,014,391,470
2001 $6,250,218,423 $567,564,806,235
2000 $5,686,579,748 $597,487,173,479
1999 $5,756,912,266 $515,697,079,289
1998 $5,674,080,543 $397,297,216,492
1997 $5,154,420,649 $589,202,526,424
1996 $4,786,018,988 $631,196,863,758
1995 $4,502,970,889 $586,286,469,401
1994 $4,123,011,420 $479,181,794,217
1993 $4,013,091,682 $405,705,302,846
1992 - $366,921,291,825
1991 - $340,851,946,804
1990 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Estonia vs South Korea by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,418 - $36,227 -
2024 $31,428 $49,969 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $9,180 $11,349
1992 - $5,872 $8,387 $10,468
1991 - $7,151 $7,873 $9,724
1990 - $7,481 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Estonia's GDP per capita is $34,418, ranking 37/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Estonia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$47B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
101/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
0.58%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,418
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$11.4B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.2%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$8,325
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
67/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,647
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2026
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.83%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2025
2.79%
2025
Population
1347027
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.2% 24.2% 24% 52.3%
2024 43.6% 23.5% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 43.5% 20.2% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 40.1% 19.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 24.1% 48%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 18.6% 38%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 19% 36%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 18.7% 27%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 35% 5.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 16% 16.1%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 16% 13.8%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 14% 7.81%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 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/estonia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Estonia's government spending was $21.3B, accounting for 45.2% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.2% in Estonia and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 168/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia South Korea
2025 -1.33% -1.43%
2024 -1.54% -0.78%
2023 -3.07% -0.67%
2022 -1.08% -1.49%
2021 -2.57% -0.02%
2020 -5.42% -2.11%
2019 -0.11% 0.35%
2018 -1.15% 2.42%
2017 -1.07% 2.08%
2016 -0.62% 1.56%
2015 -0.24% 0.5%
2014 0.42% 0.57%
2013 -0.66% 0.79%
2012 -0.86% 1.63%
2011 0.09% 1.72%
2010 -1.09% 1.61%
2009 -3.43% 0.24%
2008 -2.92% 1.58%
2007 2.5% 2.49%
2006 2.71% 1.18%
2005 1.07% 0.95%
2004 2.29% 0.09%
2003 1.67% 1.51%
2002 0.29% 3.23%
2001 0.4% 2.42%
2000 -0.11% 3.91%
1999 -3.42% 1.15%
1998 0.65% 1.09%
1997 2.98% 2.31%
1996 -0.93% 2.3%
1995 -0.26% 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/estonia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $626M, equivalent to 1.33% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.54% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia South Korea
2025 4.83% 2.12%
2024 3.52% 2.32%
2023 9.16% 3.6%
2022 19.4% 5.09%
2021 4.65% 2.5%
2020 -0.44% 0.54%
2019 2.28% 0.38%
2018 3.44% 1.48%
2017 3.42% 1.94%
2016 0.15% 0.97%
2015 -0.49% 0.71%
2014 -0.11% 1.27%
2013 2.78% 1.3%
2012 3.93% 2.19%
2011 4.98% 4.03%
2010 2.97% 2.94%
2009 -0.08% 2.76%
2008 10.4% 4.67%
2007 6.6% 2.53%
2006 4.44% 2.24%
2005 4.08% 2.75%
2004 3.05% 3.59%
2003 1.33% 3.51%
2002 3.57% 2.76%
2001 5.75% 4.07%
2000 4.02% 2.26%
1999 3.3% 0.81%
1998 8.21% 7.51%
1997 10.6% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.47%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 4.83% in Estonia and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $33.8M
Machinery & equipment $24.1M
Transport & tourism services $18.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.98M
Raw agricultural goods $7.38M
Raw materials & minerals $4.35M
Metals $2.95M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.94M
IT & IP services $1.62M
Chemicals & pharma $1.13M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $78.2M
Machinery & equipment $39.4M
Weapons & explosives $19.2M
Raw materials & minerals $7.7M
Metals $4.97M
Wood & paper products $4.52M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.01M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $217K
Miscellaneous $45K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K

Balance of trade

Estonia South Korea
Current account balance
-$70M
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
79/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$21.2B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$12B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$15.6B
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.4%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.4%
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.

Estonia South Korea
Economic freedom 78.7 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 24/197
Property rights 93.6 89.6
Government integrity 86.3 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 77.5
Tax burden 77.9 61.5
Government spending 46 82.6
Fiscal health 93.1 93.5
Business freedom 82.8 81.5
Labor freedom 59 55
Monetary freedom 73.9 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia South Korea
2026 78.7 73.7
2025 78.9 74
2024 77.8 73.1
2023 78.6 73.7
2022 80 74.6
2021 78.2 74
2020 77.7 74
2019 76.6 72.3
2018 78.8 73.8
2017 79.1 74.3
2016 77.2 71.7
2015 76.8 71.5
2014 75.9 71.2
2013 75.3 70.3
2012 73.2 69.9
2011 75.2 69.8
2010 74.7 69.9
2009 76.4 68.1
2008 77.9 68.6
2007 78 67.8
2006 74.9 67.5
2005 75.2 66.4
2004 77.4 67.8
2003 77.7 68.3
2002 77.6 69.5
2001 76.1 69.1
2000 69.9 69.7
1999 73.8 69.7
1998 72.5 73.3
1997 69.1 69.8
1996 65.4 73
1995 65.2 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, 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

Estonia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
65.8%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.65%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$44.2B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$51,370
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.44B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$814M
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$49.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
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/estonia/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 (1953–1994, 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.