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Economy of Marshall Islands vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Marshall Islands has a GDP of $308M compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 194/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Marshall Islands has $36.3M in government debt (11.8% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Marshall Islands vs South Korea GDP by year

Marshall Islands
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Marshall Islands South Korea
2025 $308,000,000 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $285,000,000 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $264,000,000 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $258,723,500 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $261,245,500 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $241,800,000 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $232,900,000 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $220,000,000 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $213,700,000 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $201,800,000 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $183,700,000 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $186,000,000 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $186,400,000 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $180,700,000 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $172,300,000 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $161,100,000 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $151,200,000 $983,065,242,417
2008 $146,600,000 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $150,500,000 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $143,200,000 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $138,000,000 $971,740,329,984
2004 $132,900,000 $823,251,107,639
2003 $131,128,500 $728,516,494,684
2002 $131,960,000 $650,014,391,470
2001 $122,406,100 $567,564,806,235
2000 $114,838,500 $597,487,173,479
1999 $113,352,100 $515,697,079,289
1998 $112,070,100 $397,297,216,492
1997 $109,884,700 $589,202,526,424
1996 $110,858,000 $631,196,863,758
1995 $120,230,000 $586,286,469,401
1994 $108,071,000 $479,181,794,217
1993 $99,461,000 $405,705,302,846
1992 $91,063,000 $366,921,291,825
1991 $82,507,000 $340,851,946,804
1990 $78,476,000 $292,064,221,389
1989 $72,798,000 $254,236,243,100
1988 $70,688,000 $205,477,530,605
1987 $62,983,000 $152,240,393,646
1986 $55,989,000 $119,965,960,795
1985 $43,879,000 $103,764,281,281
1984 $45,144,000 $99,749,645,089
1983 $41,749,000 $89,621,208,322
1982 $34,918,000 $79,921,300,447
1981 $31,020,000 $74,287,368,087
1980 $26,710,653 $66,547,970,351
1979 $25,545,346 $68,083,884,298
1978 $22,209,370 $52,824,793,388
1977 $20,210,069 $39,064,462,810
1976 $18,153,647 $30,371,074,380
1975 $16,691,301 $22,126,033,058
1974 $15,217,532 $19,860,929,977
1973 $11,607,366 $14,067,523,813
1972 $9,973,652 $10,990,490,570
1971 $9,116,810 $10,005,257,131
1970 $8,408,486 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Marshall Islands vs South Korea by year

Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Marshall Islands South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,489 - $36,227 -
2024 $7,590 $8,195 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $6,799 $7,549 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $6,456 $7,431 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $6,315 $6,768 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $5,662 $6,137 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $5,292 $6,045 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $4,858 $5,232 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $4,593 $4,719 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $4,230 $4,366 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $3,764 $4,125 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $3,735 $3,931 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $3,678 $3,845 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $3,514 $3,590 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $3,319 $3,537 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $3,095 $3,473 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $2,907 $3,253 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $2,818 $3,118 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $2,892 $3,309 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $2,754 $3,110 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $2,659 $3,017 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $2,566 $2,880 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $2,539 $2,824 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $2,566 $2,825 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $2,394 $2,700 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $2,265 $2,490 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $2,258 $2,400 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $2,254 $2,422 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $2,231 $2,434 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $2,273 $2,583 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $2,491 $2,858 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $2,265 $2,617 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $2,112 $2,452 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $1,963 $2,293 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,811 $2,131 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,758 $2,102 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $1,670 - $5,989 -
1988 $1,670 - $4,889 -
1987 $1,543 - $3,658 -
1986 $1,425 - $2,911 -
1985 $1,162 - $2,543 -
1984 $1,245 - $2,469 -
1983 $1,199 - $2,246 -
1982 $1,046 - $2,032 -
1981 $969 - $1,918 -
1980 $868 - $1,746 -
1979 $859 - $1,814 -
1978 $771 - $1,429 -
1977 $724 - $1,073 -
1976 $672 - $847 -
1975 $638 - $627 -
1974 $602 - $572 -
1973 $472 - $412 -
1972 $416 - $328 -
1971 $390 - $304 -
1970 $373 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-korea | CC BY

The Marshall Islands' GDP per capita is $8,489, ranking 95/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Marshall Islands South Korea
Gross domestic product
$308M
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
194/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
2.28%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,489
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,195
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
139/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$36.3M
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
11.8%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,000
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
144/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,308
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%
27.5%
2019
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2019
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
65.3%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
9.82%
2021
2.79%
2025
Population
35039
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Marshall Islands South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 65.3% 11.8% 24% 52.3%
2024 70.9% 14.2% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 67.5% 18.2% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 65.8% 19.6% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 69.2% 19.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 67.8% 21.7% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 65.5% 25.1% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 60.5% 24.7% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 63.7% 26.5% 18.6% 38%
2016 56.8% 29.2% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 56.3% 33.9% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 49.2% 34.9% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 55% 33.4% 19% 36%
2012 53.2% 37.6% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 55.9% 35.9% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 59.2% 38.8% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 63.1% 41.2% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 64.3% 44.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 67.2% 42.2% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 61.2% 44.4% 18.7% 27%
2005 85.3% 45.8% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 54.5% 46.8% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 52.9% 43.7% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 55.2% 37.2% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 58.8% 32.7% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 56.5% 27.3% 16% 16.1%
1999 48.7% 26.1% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 50.5% 18.1% 16% 13.8%
1997 55% 8.73% 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/marshall-islands/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, the Marshall Islands' government spending was $201M, accounting for 65.3% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 11.8% in the Marshall Islands and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 180/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Marshall Islands

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Marshall Islands South Korea
2025 1.35% -1.43%
2024 2.62% -0.78%
2023 1.01% -0.67%
2022 0.51% -1.49%
2021 0.18% -0.02%
2020 2.54% -2.11%
2019 -1.8% 0.35%
2018 2.55% 2.42%
2017 4.38% 2.08%
2016 3.88% 1.56%
2015 2.81% 0.5%
2014 3.2% 0.57%
2013 -0.23% 0.79%
2012 -0.76% 1.63%
2011 2.13% 1.72%
2010 3.51% 1.61%
2009 1.51% 0.24%
2008 3.68% 1.58%
2007 0.27% 2.49%
2006 0.24% 1.18%
2005 -22.3% 0.95%
2004 -1.6% 0.09%
2003 10.5% 1.51%
2002 5.12% 3.23%
2001 7.83% 2.42%
2000 7.84% 3.91%
1999 9.01% 1.15%
1998 13.5% 1.09%
1997 7.91% 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/marshall-islands/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, the Marshall Islands' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.17M, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the Marshall Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, the Marshall Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Marshall Islands

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Marshall Islands South Korea
2025 5.5% 2.12%
2024 5.2% 2.32%
2023 7.4% 3.6%
2022 2.8% 5.09%
2021 2.2% 2.5%
2020 -0.7% 0.54%
2019 -0.1% 0.38%
2018 0.8% 1.48%
2017 0.1% 1.94%
2016 -1.5% 0.97%
2015 -2.2% 0.71%
2014 1.1% 1.27%
2013 1.9% 1.3%
2012 4.3% 2.19%
2011 5.4% 4.03%
2010 1.8% 2.94%
2009 0.5% 2.76%
2008 14.7% 4.67%
2007 2.6% 2.53%
2006 5.3% 2.24%
2005 3.5% 2.75%
2004 2% 3.59%
2003 - 3.51%
2002 - 2.76%
2001 - 4.07%
2000 - 2.26%
1999 - 0.81%
1998 - 7.51%
1997 - 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, the Marshall Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.85%, compared with 2.36% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 5.5% in the Marshall Islands and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Marshall Islands
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $60.8M
Machinery & equipment $30.3M
Metals $805K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Animal & marine products $4K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.27B
Metals $934K
Chemicals & pharma $615K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $593K
Raw materials & minerals $270K
Textiles & consumer goods $76K
Raw agricultural goods $72K
Miscellaneous $21K
Wood & paper products $11K

Balance of trade

Marshall Islands South Korea
Current account balance
$62.3M
2024
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+21.9%
2024
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$173M
2024
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$101M
2024
$719B
2025
Service imports
$64.2M
2024
$185B
2025
Service exports
$21.1M
2024
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.9%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36%
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.

Marshall Islands South Korea
Economic freedom 58 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 113/197 24/197
Property rights n/a 89.6
Government integrity n/a 70.9
Judicial effectiveness n/a 77.5
Tax burden n/a 61.5
Government spending n/a 82.6
Fiscal health n/a 93.5
Business freedom n/a 81.5
Labor freedom n/a 55
Monetary freedom n/a 79.3
Trade freedom n/a 73
Investment freedom n/a 60
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

Marshall Islands South Korea
Services, % of GDP
68.2%
2024
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$352M
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,590
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$13.4M
2024
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.4M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$49.7B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.2%
2019
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
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/marshall-islands/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, 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.