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Economy of Gabon vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 127/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Gabon vs South Korea GDP by year

Gabon
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon South Korea
2024 $20,895,684,426 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $19,388,372,071 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $20,440,655,695 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $19,444,935,097 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $15,342,236,164 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $16,874,405,465 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $16,867,326,402 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $14,929,487,485 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $14,023,890,265 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $14,383,107,763 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $18,203,966,896 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $17,595,744,798 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $17,170,464,016 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $18,210,307,744 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $14,372,593,020 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,113,699,068 $983,065,242,417
2008 $15,571,348,344 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $12,455,409,587 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $10,327,598,306 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $9,582,783,991 $971,740,329,984
2004 $7,770,219,008 $823,251,107,639
2003 $6,511,903,365 $728,516,494,684
2002 $5,335,451,100 $650,014,391,470
2001 $5,023,265,413 $567,564,806,235
2000 $5,080,483,629 $597,487,173,479
1999 $4,662,992,036 $515,697,079,289
1998 $4,483,417,310 $397,297,216,492
1997 $5,326,817,115 $589,202,526,424
1996 $5,694,040,003 $631,196,863,758
1995 $4,958,845,648 $586,286,469,401
1994 $4,190,819,344 $479,181,794,217
1993 $4,378,645,081 $405,705,302,846
1992 $5,592,390,827 $366,921,291,825
1991 $5,402,919,785 $340,851,946,804
1990 $5,952,293,765 $292,064,221,389
1989 $4,186,411,464 $254,236,243,100
1988 $3,834,503,376 $205,477,530,605
1987 $3,281,797,043 $152,240,393,646
1986 $3,403,638,189 $119,965,960,795
1985 $3,339,914,757 $103,764,281,281
1984 $3,561,451,561 $99,749,645,089
1983 $3,391,275,732 $89,621,208,322
1982 $3,618,007,841 $79,921,300,447
1981 $3,862,269,121 $74,287,368,087
1980 $4,279,637,942 $66,547,970,351
1979 $3,030,251,120 $68,083,884,298
1978 $2,389,479,272 $52,824,793,388
1977 $2,809,349,069 $39,064,462,810
1976 $3,009,409,974 $30,371,074,380
1975 $2,157,592,940 $22,126,033,058
1974 $1,544,216,002 $19,860,929,977
1973 $722,780,701 $14,067,523,813
1972 $430,508,359 $10,990,490,570
1971 $381,687,073 $10,005,257,131
1970 $323,802,476 $9,085,001,794
1969 $318,124,701 $7,743,940,189
1968 $294,468,564 $6,167,109,472
1967 $271,543,680 $4,895,076,718
1966 $245,849,781 $3,957,064,541
1965 $226,474,286 $3,141,131,708
1964 $215,679,855 $3,476,789,682
1963 $154,480,244 $4,007,692,308
1962 $182,796,536 $2,826,923,077
1961 $167,637,907 $2,427,244,761
1960 $141,468,978 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs South Korea by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $4,374 - $5,989 -
1988 $4,119 - $4,889 -
1987 $3,624 - $3,658 -
1986 $3,865 - $2,911 -
1985 $3,898 - $2,543 -
1984 $4,273 - $2,469 -
1983 $4,182 - $2,246 -
1982 $4,584 - $2,032 -
1981 $5,026 - $1,918 -
1980 $5,718 - $1,746 -
1979 $4,155 - $1,814 -
1978 $3,360 - $1,429 -
1977 $4,048 - $1,073 -
1976 $4,441 - $847 -
1975 $3,258 - $627 -
1974 $2,384 - $572 -
1973 $1,140 - $412 -
1972 $693 - $328 -
1971 $627 - $304 -
1970 $543 - $281.8 -
1969 $545 - $245.5 -
1968 $515 - $200 -
1967 $482 - $162.5 -
1966 $443 - $134.4 -
1965 $415 - $109.4 -
1964 $400 - $124.2 -
1963 $290.7 - $147 -
1962 $348 - $106.6 -
1961 $323 - $94.2 -
1960 $276.1 - $158.8 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Gabon South Korea
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
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%
27.7%
2017
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
2.78%
2024
Population
2663339
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 19.8% 83% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 19% 36%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 22.6% 26% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 18.7% 27%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 27.8% 81% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 16% 16.1%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 16% 13.8%
1997 29.7% 57% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 14% 7.81%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 22.6% 90% 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/gabon/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 51/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon South Korea
2024 -3.84% -0.78%
2023 1.79% -0.67%
2022 -0.89% -1.49%
2021 -1.93% -0.02%
2020 -2.19% -2.11%
2019 2.13% 0.35%
2018 -0.21% 2.42%
2017 -1.7% 2.08%
2016 -4.71% 1.56%
2015 -1.12% 0.5%
2014 5.98% 0.57%
2013 -3.07% 0.79%
2012 6.2% 1.63%
2011 1.41% 1.72%
2010 2.7% 1.61%
2009 6.77% 0.24%
2008 11% 1.58%
2007 8.06% 2.49%
2006 8.67% 1.18%
2005 7.98% 0.95%
2004 6.99% 0.09%
2003 7.75% 1.51%
2002 3.72% 3.23%
2001 4.07% 2.42%
2000 11.1% 3.91%
1999 1.11% 1.15%
1998 -13.1% 1.09%
1997 1.41% 2.31%
1996 2.12% 2.3%
1995 2.64% 2.16%
1994 -1.53% 2.06%
1993 -5.35% 3.21%
1992 -4.9% 2.42%
1991 -2.03% 1.94%
1990 -3.83% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon South Korea
2024 1.17% 2.32%
2023 3.63% 3.6%
2022 4.23% 5.09%
2021 1.09% 2.5%
2020 1.35% 0.54%
2019 2.46% 0.38%
2018 4.75% 1.48%
2017 2.65% 1.94%
2016 2.11% 0.97%
2015 -0.34% 0.71%
2014 4.69% 1.27%
2013 0.51% 1.3%
2012 2.65% 2.19%
2011 1.26% 4.03%
2010 1.46% 2.94%
2009 1.89% 2.76%
2008 5.26% 4.67%
2007 5.03% 2.53%
2006 -1.41% 2.24%
2005 3.71% 2.75%
2004 0.41% 3.59%
2003 2.24% 3.51%
2002 0.04% 2.76%
2001 2.14% 4.07%
2000 0.5% 2.26%
1999 -1.94% 0.81%
1998 1.45% 7.51%
1997 3.97% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $60.8M
Wood & paper products $1.83M
Precious metals & jewellery $302K
Machinery & equipment $99K
Metals $75K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17.3M
Metals $1.78M
Weapons & explosives $1.58M
Chemicals & pharma $1.47M
Textiles & consumer goods $289K
Animal & marine products $251K
Wood & paper products $72K
Raw materials & minerals $48K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Gabon South Korea
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$696B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$163B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
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.

Gabon South Korea
Economic freedom 56.6 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 24/197
Property rights 30 89.6
Government integrity 22.6 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 77.5
Tax burden 76.5 61.5
Government spending 85.5 82.6
Fiscal health 87.9 93.5
Business freedom 63.6 81.5
Labor freedom 55.4 55
Monetary freedom 80.9 79.3
Trade freedom 57.4 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon South Korea
2026 56.6 73.7
2025 56.3 74
2024 56.9 73.1
2023 56.1 73.7
2022 55.8 74.6
2021 58.1 74
2020 56.7 74
2019 56.3 72.3
2018 58 73.8
2017 58.6 74.3
2016 59 71.7
2015 58.3 71.5
2014 57.8 71.2
2013 57.8 70.3
2012 56.4 69.9
2011 56.7 69.8
2010 55.4 69.9
2009 55 68.1
2008 54.2 68.6
2007 54.8 67.8
2006 56.1 67.5
2005 54.8 66.4
2004 57.1 67.8
2003 58.7 68.3
2002 58 69.5
2001 55 69.1
2000 58.2 69.7
1999 60.5 69.7
1998 59.2 73.3
1997 58.8 69.8
1996 55.7 73
1995 57.5 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon South Korea
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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 (2023–2024, 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.