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Economy of Ethiopia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 60/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Ethiopia vs South Korea GDP by year

Ethiopia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia South Korea
2024 $149,740,297,953 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $135,874,093,202 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $123,140,304,666 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $109,070,960,372 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $98,676,811,061 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $91,834,517,113 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $83,337,901,072 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $76,366,081,767 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $68,475,871,210 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $62,103,418,182 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $55,612,228,234 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $47,648,276,605 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $43,310,721,414 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $31,952,763,089 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $29,933,790,334 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $32,437,389,116 $983,065,242,417
2008 $27,066,912,635 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $19,707,616,773 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $15,280,861,835 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $12,401,139,454 $971,740,329,984
2004 $10,131,187,261 $823,251,107,639
2003 $8,623,691,300 $728,516,494,684
2002 $7,850,809,498 $650,014,391,470
2001 $8,231,326,016 $567,564,806,235
2000 $8,242,349,618 $597,487,173,479
1999 $7,892,973,532 $515,697,079,289
1998 $8,013,274,132 $397,297,216,492
1997 $8,803,539,988 $589,202,526,424
1996 $8,761,215,548 $631,196,863,758
1995 $7,855,205,207 $586,286,469,401
1994 $7,100,806,754 $479,181,794,217
1993 $9,051,043,870 $405,705,302,846
1992 $10,754,799,037 $366,921,291,825
1991 $13,799,799,324 $340,851,946,804
1990 $12,478,943,895 $292,064,221,389
1989 $11,762,932,007 $254,236,243,100
1988 $11,181,119,718 $205,477,530,605
1987 $10,790,001,558 $152,240,393,646
1986 $10,094,328,898 $119,965,960,795
1985 $9,717,392,687 $103,764,281,281
1984 $8,298,309,581 $99,749,645,089
1983 $8,781,664,427 $89,621,208,322
1982 $7,899,988,841 $79,921,300,447
1981 $7,507,663,567 $74,287,368,087
1980 $7,012,585,454 $66,547,970,351
1979 $6,586,048,398 $68,083,884,298
1978 $6,014,961,435 $52,824,793,388
1977 $5,651,840,585 $39,064,462,810
1976 $4,943,806,093 $30,371,074,380
1975 $4,577,047,854 $22,126,033,058
1974 $4,577,209,966 $19,860,929,977
1973 $4,070,570,550 $14,067,523,813
1972 $3,520,252,938 $10,990,490,570
1971 $3,224,280,835 $10,005,257,131
1970 $3,045,354,455 $9,085,001,794
1969 $2,768,987,372 $7,743,940,189
1968 $2,619,948,865 $6,167,109,472
1967 $2,461,762,003 $4,895,076,718
1966 $2,324,466,416 $3,957,064,541
1965 $2,159,998,591 $3,141,131,708
1964 $1,984,129,186 $3,476,789,682
1963 $1,825,058,828 $4,007,692,308
1962 $1,747,566,307 $2,826,923,077
1961 $1,680,859,514 $2,427,244,761
1960 $1,610,511,694 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs South Korea by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $982 $2,845 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $893 $2,588 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $830 $2,407 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $793 $2,242 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $740 $2,095 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $696 $2,005 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $642 $1,858 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $598 $1,633 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $550 $1,485 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $484 $1,253 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $452 $1,179 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $343 $1,098 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $331 $996 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $369 $899 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $316 $845 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $237.1 $770 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $189.3 $693 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $158.2 $625 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $133.2 $558 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $116.8 $493 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $109.6 $509 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $118.5 $509 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $122.3 $474 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $120.7 $450 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $126.5 $436 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $143.4 $461 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $147.3 $453 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $136.5 $409 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $127.7 $391 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $168.5 $384 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $207.4 $343 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $277.6 $383 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $262.1 $417 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $256.4 - $5,989 -
1988 $253.2 - $4,889 -
1987 $254.1 - $3,658 -
1986 $246 - $2,911 -
1985 $243.9 - $2,543 -
1984 $214.2 - $2,469 -
1983 $232.7 - $2,246 -
1982 $215.3 - $2,032 -
1981 $212.7 - $1,918 -
1980 $203.7 - $1,746 -
1979 $192.4 - $1,814 -
1978 $178.3 - $1,429 -
1977 $170.4 - $1,073 -
1976 $152 - $847 -
1975 $144.3 - $627 -
1974 $147.9 - $572 -
1973 $134.9 - $412 -
1972 $119.8 - $328 -
1971 $112.7 - $304 -
1970 $109.4 - $281.8 -
1969 $102.3 - $245.5 -
1968 $99.5 - $200 -
1967 $96.1 - $162.5 -
1966 $93.2 - $134.4 -
1965 $88.9 - $109.4 -
1964 $83.8 - $124.2 -
1963 $79.2 - $147 -
1962 $77.8 - $106.6 -
1961 $76.7 - $94.2 -
1960 $75.3 - $158.8 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
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%
24.8%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
2.78%
2024
Population
139917664
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 24.1% 48%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 18% 55.3% 18.6% 38%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 19% 36%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 17.1% 30% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 18.7% 27%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 27% 103.7% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 20.4% 86% 16% 13.8%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 18.2% 129% 14% 7.81%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 20.3% 91.6% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 24% 84.7% 15% 12.4%
1988 21.6% 84.3% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 18.4% 82.3% 14.3% 15.3%
1986 19.8% 75.7% 14.9% 14.5%
1985 19.7% 67.7% 15.5% 16.2%
1984 18.8% 65.4% 15.6% 16.9%
1983 21.3% 55.2% 16% 19.3%
1982 16.4% 48.8% 17.8% 20.5%
1981 14.2% 30.6% 16.3% 18.8%
1980 13.5% 18.5% 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/ethiopia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 150/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia South Korea
2024 -1.99% -0.78%
2023 -2.6% -0.67%
2022 -4.16% -1.49%
2021 -2.77% -0.02%
2020 -2.76% -2.11%
2019 -2.53% 0.35%
2018 -3.03% 2.42%
2017 -3.24% 2.08%
2016 -2.3% 1.56%
2015 -1.95% 0.5%
2014 -2.58% 0.57%
2013 -1.93% 0.79%
2012 -1.17% 1.63%
2011 -1.61% 1.72%
2010 -1.32% 1.61%
2009 -0.93% 0.24%
2008 -2.88% 1.58%
2007 -3.57% 2.49%
2006 -3.79% 1.18%
2005 -4.12% 0.95%
2004 -2.65% 0.09%
2003 -5.59% 1.51%
2002 -5.76% 3.23%
2001 -3.76% 2.42%
2000 -8.88% 3.91%
1999 -8.23% 1.15%
1998 -3.51% 1.09%
1997 -1.7% 2.31%
1996 -3.81% 2.3%
1995 -2.68% 2.16%
1994 -5.23% 2.06%
1993 -4% 3.21%
1992 -4.78% 2.42%
1991 -5.83% 1.94%
1990 -6.66% 2.98%
1989 -4.33% 2.27%
1988 -3.48% 2.85%
1987 -3.54% 1.7%
1986 -3.98% 0.8%
1985 -4.71% 0.47%
1984 -3.69% 0.78%
1983 -7.59% 1.05%
1982 -3.6% -0.41%
1981 -2.19% 0.99%
1980 -2.56% 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/ethiopia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.98B, equivalent to 1.99% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.64% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.3% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia South Korea
2024 21% 2.32%
2023 30.2% 3.6%
2022 33.9% 5.09%
2021 26.8% 2.5%
2020 20.4% 0.54%
2019 15.8% 0.38%
2018 13.8% 1.48%
2017 10.7% 1.94%
2016 6.63% 0.97%
2015 9.57% 0.71%
2014 6.89% 1.27%
2013 7.46% 1.3%
2012 23.6% 2.19%
2011 33.2% 4.03%
2010 8.15% 2.94%
2009 8.48% 2.76%
2008 44.4% 4.67%
2007 17.2% 2.53%
2006 12.3% 2.24%
2005 9.97% 2.75%
2004 3.33% 3.59%
2003 13.7% 3.51%
2002 0.68% 2.76%
2001 -8.24% 4.07%
2000 0.66% 2.26%
1999 7.94% 0.81%
1998 0.89% 7.51%
1997 2.4% 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $116M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.15M
Animal & marine products $412K
Raw materials & minerals $22K
Metals $17K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $92M
Chemicals & pharma $42M
Metals $6.07M
Raw agricultural goods $3.75M
Raw materials & minerals $2.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.24M
Animal & marine products $1.05M
Weapons & explosives $334K
Wood & paper products $309K
Miscellaneous $280K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia South Korea
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
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.

Ethiopia South Korea
Economic freedom 48.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 24/197
Property rights 22.1 89.6
Government integrity 33.2 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 77.5
Tax burden 78.6 61.5
Government spending 96.4 82.6
Fiscal health 84.3 93.5
Business freedom 44.5 81.5
Labor freedom 37.8 55
Monetary freedom 53.7 79.3
Trade freedom 57.4 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia South Korea
2026 48.1 73.7
2025 48.1 74
2024 47.9 73.1
2023 48.3 73.7
2022 49.6 74.6
2021 51.7 74
2020 53.6 74
2019 53.6 72.3
2018 52.8 73.8
2017 52.7 74.3
2016 51.5 71.7
2015 51.5 71.5
2014 50 71.2
2013 49.4 70.3
2012 52 69.9
2011 50.5 69.8
2010 51.2 69.9
2009 53 68.1
2008 52.5 68.6
2007 53.6 67.8
2006 50.9 67.5
2005 51.1 66.4
2004 54.5 67.8
2003 48.8 68.3
2002 49.8 69.5
2001 48.9 69.1
2000 50.2 69.7
1999 46.7 69.7
1998 49.2 73.3
1997 48.1 69.8
1996 45.9 73
1995 42.6 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, 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

Ethiopia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
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/ethiopia/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 (2021–2024, 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.