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Economy of Guyana vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guyana has a GDP of $27.1B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 120/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $7.74B in government debt (28.6% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Guyana vs South Korea GDP by year

Guyana
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana South Korea
2025 $27,097,477,218 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $24,662,714,628 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $16,918,503,597 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $14,718,388,489 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $8,041,362,110 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $5,471,256,595 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $5,173,760,192 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $4,787,636,998 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $4,748,174,334 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $4,482,697,337 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $4,279,840,194 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $4,127,660,152 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $4,167,800,929 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $4,063,088,536 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $3,691,384,318 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $3,432,912,517 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $3,165,663,153 $983,065,242,417
2008 $3,025,187,433 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $2,730,971,595 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $2,379,817,991 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $824,880,550 $971,740,329,984
2004 $787,814,379 $823,251,107,639
2003 $743,063,950 $728,516,494,684
2002 $726,131,435 $650,014,391,470
2001 $712,167,450 $567,564,806,235
2000 $712,667,897 $597,487,173,479
1999 $694,754,988 $515,697,079,289
1998 $717,530,683 $397,297,216,492
1997 $749,138,010 $589,202,526,424
1996 $705,406,001 $631,196,863,758
1995 $621,626,786 $586,286,469,401
1994 $545,278,380 $479,181,794,217
1993 $454,101,382 $405,705,302,846
1992 $373,573,141 $366,921,291,825
1991 $348,533,095 $340,851,946,804
1990 $396,582,263 $292,064,221,389
1989 $379,779,390 $254,236,243,100
1988 $413,799,990 $205,477,530,605
1987 $354,591,847 $152,240,393,646
1986 $504,651,140 $119,965,960,795
1985 $453,488,372 $103,764,281,281
1984 $437,631,605 $99,749,645,089
1983 $489,333,333 $89,621,208,322
1982 $482,000,000 $79,921,300,447
1981 $570,357,107 $74,287,368,087
1980 $603,200,000 $66,547,970,351
1979 $530,440,000 $68,083,884,298
1978 $507,080,000 $52,824,793,388
1977 $449,880,000 $39,064,462,810
1976 $454,440,000 $30,371,074,380
1975 $494,791,667 $22,126,033,058
1974 $433,954,545 $19,860,929,977
1973 $307,047,619 $14,067,523,813
1972 $285,380,952 $10,990,490,570
1971 $282,050,000 $10,005,257,131
1970 $267,800,000 $9,085,001,794
1969 $249,300,000 $7,743,940,189
1968 $229,750,000 $6,167,109,472
1967 $250,176,471 $4,895,076,718
1966 $228,705,882 $3,957,064,541
1965 $213,235,294 $3,141,131,708
1964 $194,774,513 $3,476,789,682
1963 $175,757,894 $4,007,692,308
1962 $194,949,513 $2,826,923,077
1961 $185,849,535 $2,427,244,761
1960 $170,216,241 $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Guyana vs South Korea by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,414 - $36,227 -
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $974 $6,392 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $951 $6,304 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $932 $6,131 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $932 $5,860 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $909 $5,812 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $940 $5,573 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $983 $5,615 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $928 $5,210 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $820 $4,753 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $721 $4,447 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $603 $4,027 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $498 $3,651 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $466 $3,322 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $529 $3,022 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $503 - $5,989 -
1988 $545 - $4,889 -
1987 $464 - $3,658 -
1986 $657 - $2,911 -
1985 $588 - $2,543 -
1984 $565 - $2,469 -
1983 $631 - $2,246 -
1982 $621 - $2,032 -
1981 $735 - $1,918 -
1980 $779 - $1,746 -
1979 $689 - $1,814 -
1978 $663 - $1,429 -
1977 $593 - $1,073 -
1976 $604 - $847 -
1975 $664 - $627 -
1974 $588 - $572 -
1973 $421 - $412 -
1972 $395 - $328 -
1971 $396 - $304 -
1970 $381 - $281.8 -
1969 $361 - $245.5 -
1968 $340 - $200 -
1967 $378 - $162.5 -
1966 $353 - $134.4 -
1965 $336 - $109.4 -
1964 $313 - $124.2 -
1963 $288.8 - $147 -
1962 $327 - $106.6 -
1961 $319 - $94.2 -
1960 $299.1 - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Guyana's GDP per capita is $32,414, ranking 40/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Guyana South Korea
Gross domestic product
$27.1B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
120/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
19.3%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,414
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
28.6%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,255
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
63/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,307
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 n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
14.7%
2021
2.79%
2025
Population
843423
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 28.6% 24% 52.3%
2024 23.3% 24.3% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 20.4% 24.8% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 24.8% 38.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 30.5% 47.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 28.1% 34.2% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 27.6% 37.4% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 26.3% 35.2% 18.6% 38%
2016 25.2% 35.7% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 19% 36%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 29% 74.5% 18.7% 27%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 24% 104.6% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 16% 16.1%
1999 17.6% 97.1% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 19.7% 108% 16% 13.8%
1997 20.9% 101.3% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 - - 14% 7.81%
1995 - - 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/guyana/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Guyana's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 28.6% in Guyana and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 160/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana South Korea
2025 -5.37% -1.43%
2024 -7.27% -0.78%
2023 -5.62% -0.67%
2022 -5.1% -1.49%
2021 -6.94% -0.02%
2020 -7.78% -2.11%
2019 -2.52% 0.35%
2018 -2.52% 2.42%
2017 -3.14% 2.08%
2016 -3.21% 1.56%
2015 -0.75% 0.5%
2014 -3.88% 0.57%
2013 -2.16% 0.79%
2012 -3.11% 1.63%
2011 -2.13% 1.72%
2010 -1.88% 1.61%
2009 -2.5% 0.24%
2008 -2.78% 1.58%
2007 -3.35% 2.49%
2006 -6.16% 1.18%
2005 -6.54% 0.95%
2004 -2.88% 0.09%
2003 -4.81% 1.51%
2002 -2.42% 3.23%
2001 -3.71% 2.42%
2000 -2.27% 3.91%
1999 -0.47% 1.15%
1998 -2.67% 1.09%
1997 -1.7% 2.31%
1996 - 2.3%
1995 - 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/guyana/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Guyana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.46B, equivalent to 5.37% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.64% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana South Korea
2025 3.3% 2.12%
2024 2.9% 2.32%
2023 2.8% 3.6%
2022 6.9% 5.09%
2021 4.5% 2.5%
2020 0.7% 0.54%
2019 2.1% 0.38%
2018 1.3% 1.48%
2017 1.9% 1.94%
2016 0.8% 0.97%
2015 -0.9% 0.71%
2014 0.7% 1.27%
2013 1.9% 1.3%
2012 2.4% 2.19%
2011 4.4% 4.03%
2010 4.3% 2.94%
2009 3% 2.76%
2008 8.1% 4.67%
2007 12.2% 2.53%
2006 6.7% 2.24%
2005 6.9% 2.75%
2004 4.7% 3.59%
2003 6% 3.51%
2002 5.4% 2.76%
2001 2.6% 4.07%
2000 6.1% 2.26%
1999 7.5% 0.81%
1998 4.6% 7.51%
1997 3.6% 4.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.05%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 3.3% in Guyana and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Guyana
Export category Export value
Metals $807K
Wood & paper products $19K
Machinery & equipment $16K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Animal & marine products $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $37.3M
Metals $2.11M
Chemicals & pharma $1.74M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.08M
Textiles & consumer goods $907K
Raw materials & minerals $733K
Weapons & explosives $307K
Wood & paper products $85K

Balance of trade

Guyana South Korea
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2023
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$719B
2025
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$185B
2025
Service exports
$529M
2023
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Guyana South Korea
Economic freedom 58.7 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 24/197
Property rights 46.7 89.6
Government integrity 38.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 77.5
Tax burden 76.4 61.5
Government spending 85 82.6
Fiscal health 39.9 93.5
Business freedom 70.9 81.5
Labor freedom 76 55
Monetary freedom 78.5 79.3
Trade freedom 59.2 73
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana South Korea
2026 58.7 73.7
2025 58.2 74
2024 57.3 73.1
2023 56.9 73.7
2022 59.5 74.6
2021 57.4 74
2020 56.2 74
2019 56.8 72.3
2018 58.7 73.8
2017 58.5 74.3
2016 55.4 71.7
2015 55.5 71.5
2014 55.7 71.2
2013 53.8 70.3
2012 51.3 69.9
2011 49.4 69.8
2010 48.4 69.9
2009 48.4 68.1
2008 48.8 68.6
2007 53.7 67.8
2006 56.6 67.5
2005 56.5 66.4
2004 53 67.8
2003 50.3 68.3
2002 54.3 69.5
2001 53.3 69.1
2000 52.4 69.7
1999 53.3 69.7
1998 52.7 73.3
1997 53.2 69.8
1996 50.1 73
1995 45.7 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, 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

Guyana South Korea
Services, % of GDP
14.8%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
75.1%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.73%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.8B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$80,300
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.36B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.84%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
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/guyana/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 (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.