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Economy of Jamaica vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 125/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Jamaica vs South Korea GDP by year

Jamaica
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica South Korea
2025 $22,704,903,218 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $22,014,429,051 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $21,418,797,833 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $18,813,516,805 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $15,963,885,376 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $15,000,214,216 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $17,026,269,263 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $16,855,447,986 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $15,783,583,237 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $14,898,999,754 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $14,963,589,916 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $13,899,217,680 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $14,264,205,153 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $14,807,086,556 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $14,444,661,522 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $13,220,549,908 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,120,458,115 $983,065,242,417
2008 $13,709,401,520 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $12,799,600,047 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $11,930,179,090 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $11,243,865,778 $971,740,329,984
2004 $10,174,664,854 $823,251,107,639
2003 $9,430,234,811 $728,516,494,684
2002 $9,719,009,495 $650,014,391,470
2001 $9,194,727,831 $567,564,806,235
2000 $9,005,064,475 $597,487,173,479
1999 $8,887,057,997 $515,697,079,289
1998 $8,787,195,622 $397,297,216,492
1997 $8,400,041,724 $589,202,526,424
1996 $7,393,891,921 $631,196,863,758
1995 $6,577,520,643 $586,286,469,401
1994 $5,452,558,947 $479,181,794,217
1993 $5,440,075,676 $405,705,302,846
1992 $3,535,460,090 $366,921,291,825
1991 $4,106,207,649 $340,851,946,804
1990 $4,592,208,087 $292,064,221,389
1989 $4,404,937,853 $254,236,243,100
1988 $3,828,342,820 $205,477,530,605
1987 $3,287,007,322 $152,240,393,646
1986 $2,754,549,582 $119,965,960,795
1985 $2,100,239,019 $103,764,281,281
1984 $2,373,564,549 $99,749,645,089
1983 $3,619,262,277 $89,621,208,322
1982 $3,293,496,312 $79,921,300,447
1981 $2,979,027,966 $74,287,368,087
1980 $2,679,379,372 $66,547,970,351
1979 $2,425,064,229 $68,083,884,298
1978 $2,644,527,822 $52,824,793,388
1977 $3,249,733,140 $39,064,462,810
1976 $2,966,042,856 $30,371,074,380
1975 $2,860,442,750 $22,126,033,058
1974 $2,375,122,375 $19,860,929,977
1973 $1,905,917,553 $14,067,523,813
1972 $1,875,146,587 $10,990,490,570
1971 $1,539,861,816 $10,005,257,131
1970 $1,404,720,442 $9,085,001,794
1969 $1,191,239,047 $7,743,940,189
1968 $1,083,839,133 $6,167,109,472
1967 $1,148,014,311 $4,895,076,718
1966 $1,096,759,561 $3,957,064,541
1965 $972,159,611 $3,141,131,708
1964 $897,949,001 $3,476,789,682
1963 $826,706,669 $4,007,692,308
1962 $777,727,689 $2,826,923,077
1961 $748,043,501 $2,427,244,761
1960 $699,064,380 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs South Korea by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $36,227 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $1,865 - $5,989 -
1988 $1,632 - $4,889 -
1987 $1,411 - $3,658 -
1986 $1,191 - $2,911 -
1985 $917 - $2,543 -
1984 $1,048 - $2,469 -
1983 $1,619 - $2,246 -
1982 $1,494 - $2,032 -
1981 $1,370 - $1,918 -
1980 $1,249 - $1,746 -
1979 $1,144 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,262 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,569 - $1,073 -
1976 $1,450 - $847 -
1975 $1,417 - $627 -
1974 $1,193 - $572 -
1973 $972 - $412 -
1972 $971 - $328 -
1971 $809 - $304 -
1970 $748 - $281.8 -
1969 $642 - $245.5 -
1968 $591 - $200 -
1967 $633 - $162.5 -
1966 $612 - $134.4 -
1965 $549 - $109.4 -
1964 $514 - $124.2 -
1963 $480 - $147 -
1962 $458 - $106.6 -
1961 $447 - $94.2 -
1960 $424 - $158.8 -

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

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Jamaica South Korea
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
2.79%
2025
Population
2834177
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 24% 52.3%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 24.1% 48%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 18.6% 38%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 19% 36%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 18.7% 27%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 16% 16.1%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 27.9% 75.6% 16% 13.8%
1997 27.6% 74.4% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 27.4% 70.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 22.1% 85.2% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 19.9% 90.4% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 19.6% 106.2% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 18.2% 100.4% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 19.9% 175.1% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 22.6% 128.8% 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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 62/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica South Korea
2025 -3.77% -1.43%
2024 0.22% -0.78%
2023 0.04% -0.67%
2022 0.26% -1.49%
2021 0.84% -0.02%
2020 -2.87% -2.11%
2019 0.85% 0.35%
2018 1.1% 2.42%
2017 0.42% 2.08%
2016 -0.18% 1.56%
2015 -0.28% 0.5%
2014 -0.48% 0.57%
2013 0.12% 0.79%
2012 -3.97% 1.63%
2011 -6.24% 1.72%
2010 -6.17% 1.61%
2009 -10.8% 0.24%
2008 -7.32% 1.58%
2007 -3.7% 2.49%
2006 -4.74% 1.18%
2005 -3.22% 0.95%
2004 -4.56% 0.09%
2003 -5.42% 1.51%
2002 -6.55% 3.23%
2001 -4.77% 2.42%
2000 -0.78% 3.91%
1999 -3.41% 1.15%
1998 -5.73% 1.09%
1997 -6.39% 2.31%
1996 -5.25% 2.3%
1995 1.53% 2.16%
1994 2.4% 2.06%
1993 2.37% 3.21%
1992 2.83% 2.42%
1991 3.14% 1.94%
1990 2.06% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $856M, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.28% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica South Korea
2025 4% 2.12%
2024 5.41% 2.32%
2023 6.47% 3.6%
2022 10.3% 5.09%
2021 5.86% 2.5%
2020 5.23% 0.54%
2019 3.91% 0.38%
2018 3.74% 1.48%
2017 4.38% 1.94%
2016 2.35% 0.97%
2015 3.69% 0.71%
2014 8.27% 1.27%
2013 9.34% 1.3%
2012 6.87% 2.19%
2011 7.56% 4.03%
2010 12.6% 2.94%
2009 9.59% 2.76%
2008 22% 4.67%
2007 9.24% 2.53%
2006 8.56% 2.24%
2005 15.1% 2.75%
2004 13.6% 3.59%
2003 10.1% 3.51%
2002 7.08% 2.76%
2001 6.8% 4.07%
2000 8.17% 2.26%
1999 5.95% 0.81%
1998 8.63% 7.51%
1997 9.66% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.08%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $240K
Metals $113K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $44K
Machinery & equipment $28K
Wood & paper products $9K
Miscellaneous $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23.2M
Chemicals & pharma $4.38M
Metals $2.13M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $753K
Raw materials & minerals $397K
Textiles & consumer goods $182K
Animal & marine products $114K
Wood & paper products $100K
Miscellaneous $29K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K

Balance of trade

Jamaica South Korea
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$719B
2025
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$185B
2025
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica South Korea
Economic freedom 68.2 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 24/197
Property rights 66.8 89.6
Government integrity 49.4 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 77.5
Tax burden 76.3 61.5
Government spending 76 82.6
Fiscal health 92.2 93.5
Business freedom 68.5 81.5
Labor freedom 59.2 55
Monetary freedom 74.2 79.3
Trade freedom 70.4 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica South Korea
2026 68.2 73.7
2025 68.7 74
2024 68.1 73.1
2023 68.1 73.7
2022 67.4 74.6
2021 69 74
2020 68.5 74
2019 68.6 72.3
2018 69.1 73.8
2017 69.5 74.3
2016 67.5 71.7
2015 67.7 71.5
2014 66.7 71.2
2013 66.8 70.3
2012 65.1 69.9
2011 65.7 69.8
2010 65.5 69.9
2009 65.2 68.1
2008 65.7 68.6
2007 65.5 67.8
2006 66.4 67.5
2005 67 66.4
2004 66.7 67.8
2003 67 68.3
2002 61.7 69.5
2001 63.7 69.1
2000 65.5 69.7
1999 64.7 69.7
1998 67.1 73.3
1997 67.7 69.8
1996 66.7 73
1995 64.4 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, 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

Jamaica South Korea
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
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/jamaica/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 (1953–1998, 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 (2021–2025, 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.

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.