Skip to content

Economy of Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kyrgyzstan has a GDP of $17.5B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 135/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kyrgyzstan has $6.56B in government debt (37.5% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea GDP by year

Kyrgyzstan
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kyrgyzstan South Korea
2024 $17,478,259,659 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $15,180,842,369 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $12,134,931,018 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $9,249,133,946 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $8,270,468,614 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $9,371,275,264 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $8,271,106,235 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $7,702,938,379 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $6,813,095,379 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $6,678,177,512 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $7,468,102,413 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $7,335,033,801 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $6,605,142,884 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $6,197,765,984 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $4,794,361,863 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $4,690,061,381 $983,065,242,417
2008 $5,139,958,909 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $3,802,570,553 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $2,834,168,889 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $2,460,246,766 $971,740,329,984
2004 $2,211,534,585 $823,251,107,639
2003 $1,919,008,090 $728,516,494,684
2002 $1,605,643,105 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,525,116,370 $567,564,806,235
2000 $1,369,688,498 $597,487,173,479
1999 $1,249,061,487 $515,697,079,289
1998 $1,645,963,750 $397,297,216,492
1997 $1,767,864,036 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,827,570,586 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,661,147,035 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,681,780,847 $479,181,794,217
1993 $2,026,019,253 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,315,346,943 $366,921,291,825
1991 $2,542,256,424 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,660,202,623 $292,064,221,389
1989 - $254,236,243,100
1988 - $205,477,530,605
1987 - $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $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/kyrgyzstan/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea by year

Kyrgyzstan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kyrgyzstan South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,420 $8,012 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $2,138 $7,298 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $1,740 $6,578 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $1,350 $5,736 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $1,230 $5,179 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $1,422 $5,304 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $1,284 $4,778 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $1,221 $4,954 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $1,103 $4,604 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $1,106 $4,153 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $1,265 $4,228 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $1,270 $4,001 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $1,169 $3,589 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $1,117 $3,278 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $877 $3,076 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $870 $3,097 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $966 $3,031 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $722 $2,770 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $543 $2,508 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $477 $2,386 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $433 $2,343 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $381 $2,158 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $322 $1,998 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $308 $1,986 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $279.6 $1,862 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $258 $1,747 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $345 $1,687 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $376 $1,659 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $395 $1,505 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $364 $1,401 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $372 $1,466 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $449 $1,795 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $513 $2,075 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $570 $2,382 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $606 $2,544 $6,813 $8,567
1989 - - $5,989 -
1988 - - $4,889 -
1987 - - $3,658 -
1986 - - $2,911 -
1985 - - $2,543 -
1984 - - $2,469 -
1983 - - $2,246 -
1982 - - $2,032 -
1981 - - $1,918 -
1980 - - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 - - $1,073 -
1976 - - $847 -
1975 - - $627 -
1974 - - $572 -
1973 - - $412 -
1972 - - $328 -
1971 - - $304 -
1970 - - $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/kyrgyzstan/south-korea | CC BY

Kyrgyzstan's GDP per capita is $2,420, ranking 150/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kyrgyzstan ranks 141st at $8,012, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Kyrgyzstan South Korea
Gross domestic product
$17.5B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
135/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
9.04%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,420
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
150/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,012
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
141/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$6.56B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$908
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
144/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,187
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%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4.3%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.7%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2023
2.78%
2024
Population
7471102
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kyrgyzstan
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kyrgyzstan South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.7% 37.5% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 32.9% 42% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 35% 46.8% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 32.1% 56.2% 24.1% 48%
2020 32.1% 63.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 30.8% 48.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 33.1% 54.8% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 37% 58.8% 18.6% 38%
2016 38.9% 59.1% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 38.1% 67.1% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 38.5% 53.6% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 38.1% 47.1% 19% 36%
2012 40.6% 50.5% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 37.4% 50.1% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 37.1% 59.7% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 32.5% 58.5% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 27.9% 49% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 29.6% 57.7% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 29.1% 73.4% 18.7% 27%
2005 29.1% 85.7% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 28.5% 92.7% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 28.1% 108.2% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 29.3% 107.9% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 28.1% 108.2% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 30.2% 123.3% 16% 16.1%
1999 35.9% 119.6% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 35.9% 85.1% 16% 13.8%
1997 31.1% 64.8% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 28.6% 57.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 37.9% 52.4% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kyrgyzstan's government spending was $5.89B, accounting for 33.7% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.5% in Kyrgyzstan and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 140/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kyrgyzstan

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kyrgyzstan South Korea
2024 1.87% -0.78%
2023 1.59% -0.67%
2022 -0.29% -1.49%
2021 -0.71% -0.02%
2020 -3.06% -2.11%
2019 -0.07% 0.35%
2018 -0.59% 2.42%
2017 -3.73% 2.08%
2016 -5.79% 1.56%
2015 -2.52% 0.5%
2014 -3.07% 0.57%
2013 -3.7% 0.79%
2012 -5.86% 1.63%
2011 -4.7% 1.72%
2010 -5.95% 1.61%
2009 0.38% 0.24%
2008 1.92% 1.58%
2007 1.28% 2.49%
2006 -2.1% 1.18%
2005 -3.79% 0.95%
2004 -4.89% 0.09%
2003 -5.17% 1.51%
2002 -5.9% 3.23%
2001 -6.75% 2.42%
2000 -10.7% 3.91%
1999 -13.5% 1.15%
1998 -12% 1.09%
1997 -9.3% 2.31%
1996 -9.1% 2.3%
1995 -13.5% 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kyrgyzstan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $327M, equivalent to 1.87% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Kyrgyzstan recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Kyrgyzstan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.32% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.16% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kyrgyzstan

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kyrgyzstan South Korea
2024 5% 2.32%
2023 10.8% 3.6%
2022 13.9% 5.09%
2021 11.9% 2.5%
2020 6.3% 0.54%
2019 1.1% 0.38%
2018 1.5% 1.48%
2017 3.2% 1.94%
2016 0.4% 0.97%
2015 6.5% 0.71%
2014 7.5% 1.27%
2013 6.6% 1.3%
2012 2.8% 2.19%
2011 16.6% 4.03%
2010 8% 2.94%
2009 6.8% 2.76%
2008 24.5% 4.67%
2007 10.2% 2.53%
2006 5.6% 2.24%
2005 4.3% 2.75%
2004 4.1% 3.59%
2003 3% 3.51%
2002 2.1% 2.76%
2001 6.9% 4.07%
2000 19.7% 2.26%
1999 35.9% 0.81%
1998 10.5% 7.51%
1997 23.4% 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/kyrgyzstan/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kyrgyzstan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.25%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 5% in Kyrgyzstan and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Kyrgyzstan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.41M
Machinery & equipment $416K
Raw agricultural goods $349K
Wood & paper products $210K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79K
Animal & marine products $70K
Textiles & consumer goods $45K
Metals $22K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Miscellaneous $2K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.65B
Chemicals & pharma $88.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $16.7M
Raw materials & minerals $8.78M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.64M
Wood & paper products $3.61M
Metals $3.34M
Precious metals & jewellery $481K
Miscellaneous $439K
Raw agricultural goods $334K

Balance of trade

Kyrgyzstan South Korea
Current account balance
-$5.18B
2022
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
167/190
2022
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-42.7%
2022
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$9.17B
2022
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$2.25B
2022
$696B
2024
Service imports
$1.48B
2022
$163B
2024
Service exports
$1.37B
2022
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.2%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.4%
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.

Kyrgyzstan South Korea
Economic freedom 56 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 126/197 24/197
Property rights 22.9 89.6
Government integrity 23.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 8.3 77.5
Tax burden 93.2 61.5
Government spending 65.6 82.6
Fiscal health 97.2 93.5
Business freedom 58.2 81.5
Labor freedom 52.3 55
Monetary freedom 68 79.3
Trade freedom 72.6 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kyrgyzstan
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kyrgyzstan South Korea
2026 56 73.7
2025 55.6 74
2024 55.2 73.1
2023 55.8 73.7
2022 55.8 74.6
2021 63.7 74
2020 62.9 74
2019 62.3 72.3
2018 62.8 73.8
2017 61.1 74.3
2016 59.6 71.7
2015 61.3 71.5
2014 61.1 71.2
2013 59.6 70.3
2012 60.2 69.9
2011 61.1 69.8
2010 61.3 69.9
2009 61.8 68.1
2008 61.1 68.6
2007 60.2 67.8
2006 61 67.5
2005 56.6 66.4
2004 58 67.8
2003 56.8 68.3
2002 51.7 69.5
2001 53.7 69.1
2000 55.7 69.7
1999 54.8 69.7
1998 51.8 73.3
1997 - 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kyrgyzstan is 56, ranking 126/197, 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

Kyrgyzstan South Korea
Services, % of GDP
52.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.61%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.8B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,900
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.09B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
100/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$509M
2022
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$705M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.74%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2024
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.8%
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/kyrgyzstan/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1953–1999, 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 (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.