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Economy of Hungary vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Hungary has a GDP of $246B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 55/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $185B in government debt (75.2% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Hungary vs South Korea GDP by year

Hungary
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary South Korea
2025 $246,490,213,513 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $222,848,211,034 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $213,029,511,029 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $177,002,580,544 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $183,282,685,440 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $158,468,487,754 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $164,936,682,034 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $161,184,691,014 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $143,335,098,992 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $128,983,560,865 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $125,244,126,623 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $141,128,696,412 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $135,646,053,779 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $128,470,269,690 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $141,712,804,954 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $131,898,737,241 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $130,807,441,076 $983,065,242,417
2008 $158,228,265,916 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $140,123,326,896 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $115,604,111,412 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $113,098,237,571 $971,740,329,984
2004 $104,015,363,080 $823,251,107,639
2003 $85,190,469,121 $728,516,494,684
2002 $67,636,468,625 $650,014,391,470
2001 $53,800,068,066 $567,564,806,235
2000 $47,275,954,429 $597,487,173,479
1999 $49,160,204,397 $515,697,079,289
1998 $48,784,412,624 $397,297,216,492
1997 $47,398,564,799 $589,202,526,424
1996 $46,833,767,124 $631,196,863,758
1995 $46,577,614,589 $586,286,469,401
1994 $43,307,949,890 $479,181,794,217
1993 $40,256,233,360 $405,705,302,846
1992 $38,857,339,125 $366,921,291,825
1991 $34,867,307,353 $340,851,946,804
1990 $34,478,360,679 $292,064,221,389
1989 $30,422,508,938 $254,236,243,100
1988 $29,799,838,597 $205,477,530,605
1987 $27,232,016,527 $152,240,393,646
1986 $24,778,163,812 $119,965,960,795
1985 $21,510,643,750 $103,764,281,281
1984 $21,242,726,264 $99,749,645,089
1983 $21,910,365,258 $89,621,208,322
1982 $24,141,667,188 $79,921,300,447
1981 $23,705,883,892 $74,287,368,087
1980 $23,116,977,148 $66,547,970,351
1979 $19,959,731,325 $68,083,884,298
1978 $17,286,744,154 $52,824,793,388
1977 $14,783,674,055 $39,064,462,810
1976 $13,235,612,079 $30,371,074,380
1975 $11,420,392,515 $22,126,033,058
1974 $10,016,338,179 $19,860,929,977
1973 $9,138,292,402 $14,067,523,813
1972 $7,379,313,742 $10,990,490,570
1971 $6,291,568,221 $10,005,257,131
1970 $5,780,929,203 $9,085,001,794
1969 $5,429,812,387 $7,743,940,189
1968 $4,886,222,555 $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/hungary/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs South Korea by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $25,907 - $36,227 -
2024 $23,305 $48,552 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $22,209 $46,592 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $2,902 - $5,989 -
1988 $2,812 - $4,889 -
1987 $2,566 - $3,658 -
1986 $2,331 - $2,911 -
1985 $2,020 - $2,543 -
1984 $1,991 - $2,469 -
1983 $2,050 - $2,246 -
1982 $2,255 - $2,032 -
1981 $2,213 - $1,918 -
1980 $2,158 - $1,746 -
1979 $1,865 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,618 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,388 - $1,073 -
1976 $1,249 - $847 -
1975 $1,083 - $627 -
1974 $956 - $572 -
1973 $876 - $412 -
1972 $710 - $328 -
1971 $607 - $304 -
1970 $559 - $281.8 -
1969 $527 - $245.5 -
1968 $476 - $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/hungary/south-korea | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $25,907, ranking 52/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Hungary South Korea
Gross domestic product
$246B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
55/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
0.51%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$25,907
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
52/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$185B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
75.2%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$19,473
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
33/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,331
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$62.6B
2025
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires
27,000
2026
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires
4
2026
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.5%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.41%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.25%
2026
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
2.79%
2025
Population
9454659
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 47.5% 75.2% 24% 52.3%
2024 46.9% 73.5% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 49.3% 73.2% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 48.9% 74.1% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 24.1% 48%
2020 51% 78.7% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 45.8% 65% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 46.6% 72% 18.6% 38%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 50% 76.5% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 19% 36%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 18.7% 27%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 51% 55.6% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 16% 13.8%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 55% 83.9% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - 86.2% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - 87.2% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - 76.5% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 - 74.2% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 - 63.7% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - 70.7% 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/hungary/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Hungary's government spending was $117B, accounting for 47.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 75.2% in Hungary and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 50/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary South Korea
2025 -4.68% -1.43%
2024 -4.9% -0.78%
2023 -6.77% -0.67%
2022 -6.19% -1.49%
2021 -7.11% -0.02%
2020 -7.49% -2.11%
2019 -2.02% 0.35%
2018 -2.05% 2.42%
2017 -2.45% 2.08%
2016 -1.79% 1.56%
2015 -2% 0.5%
2014 -2.77% 0.57%
2013 -2.6% 0.79%
2012 -2.33% 1.63%
2011 -5.22% 1.72%
2010 -4.44% 1.61%
2009 -4.76% 0.24%
2008 -3.78% 1.58%
2007 -5.09% 2.49%
2006 -9.27% 1.18%
2005 -7.79% 0.95%
2004 -6.6% 0.09%
2003 -7.19% 1.51%
2002 -8.79% 3.23%
2001 -4% 2.42%
2000 -3.04% 3.91%
1999 -5.27% 1.15%
1998 -7.41% 1.09%
1997 -5.54% 2.31%
1996 -4.36% 2.3%
1995 -8.57% 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%
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.5B, equivalent to 4.68% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.08% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary South Korea
2025 4.41% 2.12%
2024 3.7% 2.32%
2023 17.1% 3.6%
2022 14.6% 5.09%
2021 5.11% 2.5%
2020 3.33% 0.54%
2019 3.34% 0.38%
2018 2.85% 1.48%
2017 2.35% 1.94%
2016 0.39% 0.97%
2015 -0.06% 0.71%
2014 -0.23% 1.27%
2013 1.73% 1.3%
2012 5.65% 2.19%
2011 3.93% 4.03%
2010 4.86% 2.94%
2009 4.21% 2.76%
2008 6.04% 4.67%
2007 7.96% 2.53%
2006 3.93% 2.24%
2005 3.56% 2.75%
2004 6.74% 3.59%
2003 4.66% 3.51%
2002 5.27% 2.76%
2001 9.12% 4.07%
2000 9.8% 2.26%
1999 10% 0.81%
1998 14.2% 7.51%
1997 18.3% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.1%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 4.41% in Hungary and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $428M
Transport & tourism services $72.4M
Chemicals & pharma $58.1M
Business & finance services $46M
Raw materials & minerals $42.9M
Metals $34.5M
IT & IP services $20.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $15.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.5M
Manufacturing & construction services $10.5M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.24B
Machinery & equipment $1.23B
Chemicals & pharma $1.19B
Metals $187M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.08M
Wood & paper products $624K
Raw agricultural goods $185K
Miscellaneous $140K
Precious metals & jewellery $50K

Balance of trade

Hungary South Korea
Current account balance
$4.08B
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
34/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.65%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$136B
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$29.8B
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$43.1B
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.6%
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.

Hungary South Korea
Economic freedom 62.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 24/197
Property rights 67.3 89.6
Government integrity 44 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 77.5
Tax burden 85.1 61.5
Government spending 30.2 82.6
Fiscal health 32.7 93.5
Business freedom 70.8 81.5
Labor freedom 56.5 55
Monetary freedom 72.1 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary South Korea
2026 62.5 73.7
2025 61.4 74
2024 61.2 73.1
2023 64.1 73.7
2022 66.9 74.6
2021 67.2 74
2020 66.4 74
2019 65 72.3
2018 66.7 73.8
2017 65.8 74.3
2016 66 71.7
2015 66.8 71.5
2014 67 71.2
2013 67.3 70.3
2012 67.1 69.9
2011 66.6 69.8
2010 66.1 69.9
2009 66.8 68.1
2008 67.6 68.6
2007 64.8 67.8
2006 65 67.5
2005 63.5 66.4
2004 62.7 67.8
2003 63 68.3
2002 64.5 69.5
2001 65.6 69.1
2000 64.4 69.7
1999 59.6 69.7
1998 56.9 73.3
1997 55.3 69.8
1996 56.8 73
1995 55.2 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, 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

Hungary South Korea
Services, % of GDP
60.1%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.65%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$227B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,630
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$59.1B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$9.1B
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$61.3B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$76.3B
2024
$49.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
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/hungary/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 (1927–1994, 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.