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Economy of Jordan vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jordan has a GDP of $61.6B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 90/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jordan has $51B in government debt (82.8% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Jordan vs South Korea GDP by year

Jordan
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jordan South Korea
2025 $61,610,052,535 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $58,618,380,563 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $56,123,472,113 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $53,516,930,141 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $50,702,940,986 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $47,931,770,986 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $48,640,273,803 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $47,435,850,423 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $45,535,614,366 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $43,688,498,732 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $42,394,049,296 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $40,535,098,592 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $37,873,362,958 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $34,854,017,887 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $32,640,291,549 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $30,202,773,521 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $27,462,496,197 $983,065,242,417
2008 $25,651,620,831 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $17,110,437,236 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $15,056,981,664 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $12,588,998,590 $971,740,329,984
2004 $11,411,706,629 $823,251,107,639
2003 $10,195,627,645 $728,516,494,684
2002 $9,582,510,578 $650,014,391,470
2001 $8,975,814,653 $567,564,806,235
2000 $8,460,789,845 $597,487,173,479
1999 $8,149,929,478 $515,697,079,289
1998 $7,912,270,804 $397,297,216,492
1997 $7,245,839,210 $589,202,526,424
1996 $6,927,503,526 $631,196,863,758
1995 $6,727,597,032 $586,286,469,401
1994 $6,236,295,978 $479,181,794,217
1993 $5,606,400,222 $405,705,302,846
1992 $5,310,833,194 $366,921,291,825
1991 $4,344,467,193 $340,851,946,804
1990 $4,160,087,508 $292,064,221,389
1989 $4,221,373,674 $254,236,243,100
1988 $6,277,451,829 $205,477,530,605
1987 $6,756,209,762 $152,240,393,646
1986 $6,402,050,485 $119,965,960,795
1985 $4,993,601,520 $103,764,281,281
1984 $4,967,162,160 $99,749,645,089
1983 $4,920,692,191 $89,621,208,322
1982 $4,681,240,993 $79,921,300,447
1981 $4,383,944,703 $74,287,368,087
1980 $3,910,044,474 $66,547,970,351
1979 $3,271,368,781 $68,083,884,298
1978 $2,602,208,589 $52,824,793,388
1977 $2,096,778,602 $39,064,462,810
1976 $1,708,521,219 $30,371,074,380
1975 $1,363,073,498 $22,126,033,058
1974 $1,197,483,949 $19,860,929,977
1973 $943,783,840 $14,067,523,813
1972 $788,479,685 $10,990,490,570
1971 $678,159,729 $10,005,257,131
1970 $639,519,744 $9,085,001,794
1969 $698,879,720 $7,743,940,189
1968 $561,119,776 $6,167,109,472
1967 $631,679,747 $4,895,076,718
1966 $657,999,737 $3,957,064,541
1965 $599,759,760 $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/jordan/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jordan vs South Korea by year

Jordan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jordan South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,348 - $36,227 -
2024 $5,074 $10,821 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $4,906 $10,412 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $4,754 $9,927 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $4,582 $9,182 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $4,411 $9,579 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $4,558 $9,429 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $4,534 $9,042 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $4,449 $9,266 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $4,366 $8,748 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $4,442 $8,967 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $4,611 $9,145 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $4,739 $9,817 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $4,594 $9,739 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $4,363 $9,632 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $4,139 $9,417 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $3,845 $9,291 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $3,670 $8,983 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $2,506 $8,416 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $2,343 $8,046 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $2,088 $7,697 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $1,940 $7,074 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $1,776 $6,500 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $1,706 $6,256 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,632 $5,948 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,571 $5,641 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,545 $5,402 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,532 $5,264 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $1,436 $5,171 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $1,410 $5,055 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $1,416 $5,027 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $1,367 $4,830 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $1,289 $4,726 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,287 $4,654 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,110 $4,195 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,149 $4,317 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $1,260 - $5,989 -
1988 $1,966 - $4,889 -
1987 $2,217 - $3,658 -
1986 $2,200 - $2,911 -
1985 $1,797 - $2,543 -
1984 $1,871 - $2,469 -
1983 $1,939 - $2,246 -
1982 $1,929 - $2,032 -
1981 $1,885 - $1,918 -
1980 $1,750 - $1,746 -
1979 $1,519 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,249 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,039 - $1,073 -
1976 $873 - $847 -
1975 $718 - $627 -
1974 $651 - $572 -
1973 $531 - $412 -
1972 $460 - $328 -
1971 $412 - $304 -
1970 $409 - $281.8 -
1969 $474 - $245.5 -
1968 $409 - $200 -
1967 $497 - $162.5 -
1966 $558 - $134.4 -
1965 $546 - $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/jordan/south-korea | CC BY

Jordan's GDP per capita is $5,348, ranking 120/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jordan ranks 131st at $10,821, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Jordan South Korea
Gross domestic product
$61.6B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
90/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
2.83%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,348
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
120/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$10,821
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
131/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$51B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.8%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,430
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
91/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,506
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$37.4B
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%
27.4%
2010
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2010
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.7%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.8%
2024
2.79%
2025
Population
11538682
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jordan
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jordan South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.7% 82.8% 24% 52.3%
2024 34.6% 82.1% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 33.9% 81% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 32.8% 80.7% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 33.8% 79.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 33% 77.9% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 32.7% 69.4% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 33.3% 67.9% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 31.7% 69.1% 18.6% 38%
2016 30% 70.7% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 32.3% 71.4% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 36.3% 68.2% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 34.5% 68.8% 19% 36%
2012 28.3% 64% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 29.3% 56.1% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 26.6% 53.4% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 30.7% 51.8% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 29.6% 47.9% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 32.4% 58.2% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 34% 60% 18.7% 27%
2005 36.6% 66.1% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 35.1% 73.8% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 35% 80.4% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 31.6% 85.9% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 30.6% 85.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 31.2% 89.9% 16% 16.1%
1999 31.8% 98.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 32.3% 96.3% 16% 13.8%
1997 30.7% 94.7% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 32.6% 101.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 32.1% 102.4% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 30.6% 112.1% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 32.5% 122.1% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 31.7% 134.7% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 39.6% 180.5% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 39.9% 197.7% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 42.5% 195.4% 15% 12.4%
1988 44.3% 129.3% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 42.1% 101.9% 14.3% 15.3%
1986 33.8% 84.3% 14.9% 14.5%
1985 42.4% 85.2% 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/jordan/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Jordan's government spending was $20.8B, accounting for 33.7% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.8% in Jordan and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 39/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jordan

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jordan South Korea
2025 -6.35% -1.43%
2024 -7.27% -0.78%
2023 -6.49% -0.67%
2022 -4.9% -1.49%
2021 -6.62% -0.02%
2020 -7.56% -2.11%
2019 -5.06% 0.35%
2018 -4.23% 2.42%
2017 -3.22% 2.08%
2016 -2.62% 1.56%
2015 -5.18% 0.5%
2014 -6.75% 0.57%
2013 -8.78% 0.79%
2012 -3.33% 1.63%
2011 -1.21% 1.72%
2010 0.19% 1.61%
2009 -2.28% 0.24%
2008 1.92% 1.58%
2007 2.76% 2.49%
2006 -1.86% 1.18%
2005 -2.2% 0.95%
2004 0.56% 0.09%
2003 -1.6% 1.51%
2002 -3.21% 3.23%
2001 -1.13% 2.42%
2000 -1.85% 3.91%
1999 -1.13% 1.15%
1998 -5.59% 1.09%
1997 -2.68% 2.31%
1996 -2.69% 2.3%
1995 -1.45% 2.16%
1994 -1.67% 2.06%
1993 -1.43% 3.21%
1992 2.07% 2.42%
1991 -8.1% 1.94%
1990 -6.82% 2.98%
1989 -6.89% 2.27%
1988 -13% 2.85%
1987 -13.4% 1.7%
1986 -2.39% 0.8%
1985 -6.9% 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/jordan/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Jordan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.91B, equivalent to 6.35% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 41 years, Jordan recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Jordan posted an annual deficit equal to 3.91% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.32% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jordan

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jordan South Korea
2025 1.77% 2.12%
2024 1.56% 2.32%
2023 2.08% 3.6%
2022 4.23% 5.09%
2021 1.35% 2.5%
2020 0.33% 0.54%
2019 0.76% 0.38%
2018 4.46% 1.48%
2017 3.32% 1.94%
2016 -0.78% 0.97%
2015 -0.88% 0.71%
2014 2.9% 1.27%
2013 4.82% 1.3%
2012 4.52% 2.19%
2011 4.16% 4.03%
2010 4.85% 2.94%
2009 -0.74% 2.76%
2008 14% 4.67%
2007 4.74% 2.53%
2006 6.25% 2.24%
2005 3.49% 2.75%
2004 3.36% 3.59%
2003 1.63% 3.51%
2002 1.83% 2.76%
2001 1.77% 4.07%
2000 0.67% 2.26%
1999 0.61% 0.81%
1998 3.09% 7.51%
1997 3.04% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Jordan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.87%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Jordan and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Jordan
Export category Export value
Metals $39.5M
Raw materials & minerals $15.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.03M
Chemicals & pharma $2.37M
Machinery & equipment $682K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $506K
Raw agricultural goods $189K
Precious metals & jewellery $21K
Wood & paper products $5K
Miscellaneous $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $455M
Chemicals & pharma $68.5M
Metals $14.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $11.7M
Raw materials & minerals $7.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.58M
Wood & paper products $1.15M
Weapons & explosives $929K
Miscellaneous $89K
Raw agricultural goods $79K

Balance of trade

Jordan South Korea
Current account balance
-$3.13B
2024
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
152/190
2024
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.33%
2024
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$23.9B
2024
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$719B
2025
Service imports
$6.5B
2024
$185B
2025
Service exports
$9.45B
2024
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Jordan South Korea
Economic freedom 59.3 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 104/197 24/197
Property rights 52.3 89.6
Government integrity 51 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 44 77.5
Tax burden 84.1 61.5
Government spending 67.2 82.6
Fiscal health 5.2 93.5
Business freedom 62.7 81.5
Labor freedom 51.3 55
Monetary freedom 81.2 79.3
Trade freedom 82 73
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jordan
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jordan South Korea
2026 59.3 73.7
2025 59.4 74
2024 58.3 73.1
2023 58.8 73.7
2022 60.1 74.6
2021 64.6 74
2020 66 74
2019 66.5 72.3
2018 64.9 73.8
2017 66.7 74.3
2016 68.3 71.7
2015 69.3 71.5
2014 69.2 71.2
2013 70.4 70.3
2012 69.9 69.9
2011 68.9 69.8
2010 66.1 69.9
2009 65.4 68.1
2008 64.1 68.6
2007 64.5 67.8
2006 63.7 67.5
2005 66.7 66.4
2004 66.1 67.8
2003 65.3 68.3
2002 66.2 69.5
2001 68.3 69.1
2000 67.5 69.7
1999 67.4 69.7
1998 66.8 73.3
1997 63.6 69.8
1996 60.8 73
1995 62.7 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jordan is 59.3, ranking 104/197, 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

Jordan South Korea
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.4%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.56%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$60.6B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,440
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$26.6B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
61/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.58B
2024
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.63B
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$54.1M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.85%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.2%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23%
2021
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/jordan/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 (2024–2025, 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.