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Economy of Guinea vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea has a GDP of $25B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 118/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea has $12.2B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Guinea vs South Korea GDP by year

Guinea
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea South Korea
2024 $25,008,678,293 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $22,407,615,556 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $19,910,452,542 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $17,069,115,738 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $14,088,693,743 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $13,442,861,496 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $11,857,030,367 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $10,324,668,271 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $8,595,955,222 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $8,794,201,743 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $8,778,473,373 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $8,376,613,539 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $7,638,044,557 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $6,785,137,203 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $6,853,467,146 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $6,716,905,340 $983,065,242,417
2008 $6,964,179,983 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $6,281,918,226 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $4,220,019,845 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $4,282,468,637 $971,740,329,984
2004 $5,300,767,961 $823,251,107,639
2003 $5,025,167,975 $728,516,494,684
2002 $4,301,608,753 $650,014,391,470
2001 $4,125,527,603 $567,564,806,235
2000 $4,367,458,867 $597,487,173,479
1999 $5,046,806,783 $515,697,079,289
1998 $5,232,118,046 $397,297,216,492
1997 $5,516,916,163 $589,202,526,424
1996 $5,641,243,100 $631,196,863,758
1995 $5,385,704,166 $586,286,469,401
1994 $4,932,800,407 $479,181,794,217
1993 $4,781,166,117 $405,705,302,846
1992 $4,789,220,417 $366,921,291,825
1991 $4,396,178,694 $340,851,946,804
1990 $3,888,320,666 $292,064,221,389
1989 $3,546,079,263 $254,236,243,100
1988 $3,476,480,303 $205,477,530,605
1987 $2,976,714,019 $152,240,393,646
1986 $2,909,130,355 $119,965,960,795
1985 $22,787,644,566 $103,764,281,281
1984 $18,421,497,251 $99,749,645,089
1983 $15,129,893,722 $89,621,208,322
1982 $11,926,032,493 $79,921,300,447
1981 $9,646,440,667 $74,287,368,087
1980 $9,746,524,915 $66,547,970,351
1979 $8,877,094,497 $68,083,884,298
1978 $8,087,305,999 $52,824,793,388
1977 $6,914,381,291 $39,064,462,810
1976 $6,762,781,871 $30,371,074,380
1975 $6,102,769,605 $22,126,033,058
1974 $5,691,417,541 $19,860,929,977
1973 $5,152,080,388 $14,067,523,813
1972 $4,203,069,035 $10,990,490,570
1971 $3,594,302,908 $10,005,257,131
1970 $3,220,224,608 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Guinea vs South Korea by year

Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,695 $4,565 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $1,555 $4,334 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $1,417 $4,062 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $1,245 $3,739 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $1,054 $3,332 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $1,031 $3,106 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $933 $2,844 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $834 $2,687 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $712 $2,255 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $747 $1,930 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $765 $1,873 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $748 $1,842 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $699 $1,790 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $637 $1,705 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $659 $1,622 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $662 $1,567 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $704 $1,614 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $650 $1,558 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $447 $1,453 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $463 $1,422 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $585 $1,366 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $566 $1,328 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $496 $1,315 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $483 $1,251 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $518 $1,196 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $611 $1,163 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $647 $1,130 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $696 $1,099 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $726 $1,048 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $713 $1,014 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $672 $976 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $671 $947 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $693 $908 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $656 $887 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $604 $871 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $570 - $5,989 -
1988 $574 - $4,889 -
1987 $505 - $3,658 -
1986 $506 - $2,911 -
1985 $4,062 - $2,543 -
1984 $3,362 - $2,469 -
1983 $2,823 - $2,246 -
1982 $2,273 - $2,032 -
1981 $1,876 - $1,918 -
1980 $1,931 - $1,746 -
1979 $1,790 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,658 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,440 - $1,073 -
1976 $1,431 - $847 -
1975 $1,311 - $627 -
1974 $1,243 - $572 -
1973 $1,143 - $412 -
1972 $948 - $328 -
1971 $825 - $304 -
1970 $753 - $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Guinea's GDP per capita is $1,695, ranking 160/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Guinea South Korea
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
118/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
5.35%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,695
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
160/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,565
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
161/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$12.2B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,020
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%
23.1%
2018
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2018
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.7%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.02%
2019
2.78%
2024
Population
15546235
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 48.8% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 18.3% 40.4% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 15.7% 37.9% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 15.1% 40.6% 24.1% 48%
2020 17.1% 45.3% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 14.9% 37.3% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 15.9% 37.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 17.3% 39.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 16.1% 40.6% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 21.7% 41.5% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 20.1% 32.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 18.6% 30.5% 19% 36%
2012 19.6% 26.9% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 16% 53.8% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 20.5% 71.1% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 16.2% 61.3% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 10.1% 58.5% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 8.66% 60.8% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 13.2% 95.2% 18.7% 27%
2005 11% 97.9% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 13% 86.9% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 14.7% 81.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 14.4% 82.6% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 14.9% 90.4% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 12.6% 91.5% 16% 16.1%
1999 11.6% 92.3% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 10.3% 75.9% 16% 13.8%
1997 12.6% 67.9% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 12% 67.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 12.7% 66.5% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 12.6% 71.3% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 13.3% 68.9% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 13.8% 62% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 16.3% 70.9% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 18.7% 71.6% 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/guinea/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Guinea's government spending was $5.14B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Guinea and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 111/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea South Korea
2024 -4.99% -0.78%
2023 -3.86% -0.67%
2022 -1.88% -1.49%
2021 -1.7% -0.02%
2020 -3.08% -2.11%
2019 -0.17% 0.35%
2018 -0.97% 2.42%
2017 -1.98% 2.08%
2016 -0.08% 1.56%
2015 -6.53% 0.5%
2014 -3.01% 0.57%
2013 -3.86% 0.79%
2012 23.7% 1.63%
2011 -0.92% 1.72%
2010 -9.66% 1.61%
2009 -4.87% 0.24%
2008 0.38% 1.58%
2007 1.28% 2.49%
2006 -2.13% 1.18%
2005 -1.06% 0.95%
2004 -3.85% 0.09%
2003 -4.65% 1.51%
2002 -3.37% 3.23%
2001 -3.23% 2.42%
2000 -2.42% 3.91%
1999 -1.3% 1.15%
1998 2.46% 1.09%
1997 0.07% 2.31%
1996 -2.2% 2.3%
1995 -1.07% 2.16%
1994 -2.59% 2.06%
1993 -2.33% 3.21%
1992 -0.89% 2.42%
1991 -3.25% 1.94%
1990 -3.76% 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/guinea/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.25B, equivalent to 4.99% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.65% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea South Korea
2024 4.7% 2.32%
2023 5.4% 3.6%
2022 10.5% 5.09%
2021 12.6% 2.5%
2020 10.6% 0.54%
2019 9.5% 0.38%
2018 9.8% 1.48%
2017 8.9% 1.94%
2016 8.2% 0.97%
2015 8.2% 0.71%
2014 9.7% 1.27%
2013 11.9% 1.3%
2012 15.2% 2.19%
2011 21.4% 4.03%
2010 15.5% 2.94%
2009 4.7% 2.76%
2008 18.4% 4.67%
2007 22.9% 2.53%
2006 34.7% 2.24%
2005 31.4% 2.75%
2004 17.5% 3.59%
2003 11% 3.51%
2002 3% 2.76%
2001 5.4% 4.07%
2000 6.8% 2.26%
1999 4.6% 0.81%
1998 5.1% 7.51%
1997 1.9% 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/guinea/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 4.7% in Guinea and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Guinea
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $4.92M
Machinery & equipment $6K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.52M
Chemicals & pharma $4.64M
Metals $1.33M
Animal & marine products $1.13M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.02M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $901K
Raw materials & minerals $510K
Wood & paper products $193K
Miscellaneous $75K
Raw agricultural goods $24K

Balance of trade

Guinea South Korea
Current account balance
-$392M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
104/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$7.08B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$11.6B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$3.15B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$71.2M
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Guinea South Korea
Economic freedom 53.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 141/197 24/197
Property rights 21.3 89.6
Government integrity 26.7 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 26 77.5
Tax burden 70.1 61.5
Government spending 90.1 82.6
Fiscal health 74.8 93.5
Business freedom 44.8 81.5
Labor freedom 56.4 55
Monetary freedom 75.3 79.3
Trade freedom 61.8 73
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea South Korea
2026 53.1 73.7
2025 54.6 74
2024 53.3 73.1
2023 53.2 73.7
2022 54.2 74.6
2021 56.5 74
2020 56.5 74
2019 55.7 72.3
2018 52.2 73.8
2017 47.6 74.3
2016 53.3 71.7
2015 52.1 71.5
2014 53.5 71.2
2013 51.2 70.3
2012 50.8 69.9
2011 51.7 69.8
2010 51.8 69.9
2009 51 68.1
2008 52.8 68.6
2007 54.5 67.8
2006 52.8 67.5
2005 57.4 66.4
2004 56.1 67.8
2003 54.6 68.3
2002 52.9 69.5
2001 58.4 69.1
2000 58.2 69.7
1999 59.4 69.7
1998 61 73.3
1997 52.9 69.8
1996 58.5 73
1995 59.4 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea is 53.1, ranking 141/197, 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

Guinea South Korea
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.1%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.3B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.89B
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.4B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.4B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30K
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.1%
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/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 (2016–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (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.

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.