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Economy of Mongolia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mongolia has a GDP of $23.8B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 121/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mongolia has $10.5B in government debt (44.1% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Mongolia vs South Korea GDP by year

Mongolia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mongolia South Korea
2024 $23,794,540,025 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $20,325,121,394 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $17,146,471,714 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $15,286,441,738 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $13,312,981,429 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $14,206,359,018 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $13,178,094,720 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $11,480,847,741 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $11,181,350,649 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $11,619,892,591 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $12,226,514,668 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $12,582,122,604 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $12,292,770,632 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $10,409,797,378 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $7,189,481,999 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $4,583,850,368 $983,065,242,417
2008 $5,623,216,608 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $4,234,999,704 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $3,414,055,662 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $2,523,471,601 $971,740,329,984
2004 $1,992,066,808 $823,251,107,639
2003 $1,595,297,356 $728,516,494,684
2002 $1,396,555,720 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,267,997,934 $567,564,806,235
2000 $1,136,896,124 $597,487,173,479
1999 $1,057,408,589 $515,697,079,289
1998 $1,124,440,205 $397,297,216,492
1997 $1,180,934,203 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,345,719,472 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,452,165,005 $586,286,469,401
1994 $925,817,092 $479,181,794,217
1993 $768,401,634 $405,705,302,846
1992 $1,317,611,864 $366,921,291,825
1991 $2,379,018,326 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,560,785,660 $292,064,221,389
1989 $3,576,966,800 $254,236,243,100
1988 $3,204,461,567 $205,477,530,605
1987 $3,020,611,600 $152,240,393,646
1986 $2,896,178,867 $119,965,960,795
1985 $2,186,505,475 $103,764,281,281
1984 $2,098,734,600 $99,749,645,089
1983 $2,725,736,633 $89,621,208,322
1982 $2,552,401,933 $79,921,300,447
1981 $2,310,099,100 $74,287,368,087
1980 $2,101,394,100 $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/mongolia/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mongolia vs South Korea by year

Mongolia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mongolia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,751 $19,145 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $5,839 $18,005 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $4,994 $16,402 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $4,518 $14,792 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $4,001 $13,693 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $4,348 $13,605 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $4,108 $12,317 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $3,646 $11,096 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $3,620 $10,511 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $3,839 $10,458 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $4,126 $10,900 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $4,340 $10,442 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $4,329 $10,152 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $3,736 $8,862 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $2,625 $7,532 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $1,703 $7,119 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $2,127 $7,297 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $1,628 $6,678 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $1,330 $5,977 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $995 $5,406 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $794 $4,942 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $643 $4,399 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $570 $4,083 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $524 $3,889 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $476 $3,740 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $449 $3,664 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $484 $3,555 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $515 $3,449 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $596 $3,310 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $653 $3,229 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $423 $3,021 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $355 $2,929 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $608 $2,951 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $1,099 $3,183 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,220 $3,479 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $1,684 - $5,989 -
1988 $1,543 - $4,889 -
1987 $1,493 - $3,658 -
1986 $1,469 - $2,911 -
1985 $1,138 - $2,543 -
1984 $1,120 - $2,469 -
1983 $1,490 - $2,246 -
1982 $1,430 - $2,032 -
1981 $1,325 - $1,918 -
1980 $1,235 - $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/mongolia/south-korea | CC BY

Mongolia's GDP per capita is $6,751, ranking 105/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mongolia ranks 98th at $19,145, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Mongolia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$23.8B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
121/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
5.12%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,751
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
105/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,145
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
98/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$10.5B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
44.1%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,974
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
101/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,311
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%
24.6%
2022
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2022
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.2%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
12%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.81%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
3620317
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mongolia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mongolia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.5% 44.1% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 31.9% 46.7% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 33.7% 64.6% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 35.9% 67.4% 24.1% 48%
2020 37.1% 83.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 30.8% 66.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 28.4% 76.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 32.2% 86.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 39.7% 78.7% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 31.2% 50.5% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 32.1% 44% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 32.2% 49.4% 19% 36%
2012 36.1% 43.7% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 37.9% 32.7% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 31.6% 31% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 35.5% 48.5% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 37.6% 31% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 35.3% 36.1% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 26.2% 40.9% 18.7% 27%
2005 25.1% 55.9% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 31.8% 75% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 33.7% 90% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 35.5% 72% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 35.2% 69.2% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 34.5% 79.3% 16% 16.1%
1999 33.2% 103.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 36.2% 77.5% 16% 13.8%
1997 30.8% 61% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 28.6% 49.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 26.6% 40.2% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 32.2% 57.6% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 38.3% 57.8% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 29.1% 29.3% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 46% - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 51.7% - 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 (1960–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mongolia's government spending was $8.92B, accounting for 37.5% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.1% in Mongolia and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 122/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mongolia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mongolia South Korea
2024 1.39% -0.78%
2023 2.73% -0.67%
2022 0.67% -1.49%
2021 -3.05% -0.02%
2020 -9.24% -2.11%
2019 1% 0.35%
2018 2.85% 2.42%
2017 -3.72% 2.08%
2016 -15.3% 1.56%
2015 -5.04% 0.5%
2014 -3.73% 0.57%
2013 -0.93% 0.79%
2012 -6.24% 1.63%
2011 -4.01% 1.72%
2010 0.43% 1.61%
2009 -5.2% 0.24%
2008 -4.52% 1.58%
2007 2.64% 2.49%
2006 7.58% 1.18%
2005 2.43% 0.95%
2004 -1.62% 0.09%
2003 -3.38% 1.51%
2002 -4.74% 3.23%
2001 -4.33% 2.42%
2000 -5.82% 3.91%
1999 -9.91% 1.15%
1998 -12.3% 1.09%
1997 -8.09% 2.31%
1996 -6.88% 2.3%
1995 -4.97% 2.16%
1994 -9.74% 2.06%
1993 -13.3% 3.21%
1992 -8.1% 2.42%
1991 -6.37% 1.94%
1990 -9.37% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mongolia's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $332M, equivalent to 1.39% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Mongolia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Mongolia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.23% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mongolia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mongolia South Korea
2024 6.2% 2.32%
2023 10.4% 3.6%
2022 15.1% 5.09%
2021 7.4% 2.5%
2020 3.7% 0.54%
2019 7.3% 0.38%
2018 6.8% 1.48%
2017 4.3% 1.94%
2016 0.8% 0.97%
2015 6.8% 0.71%
2014 12.9% 1.27%
2013 10.6% 1.3%
2012 13.8% 2.19%
2011 8.8% 4.03%
2010 8.3% 2.94%
2009 7.6% 2.76%
2008 28% 4.67%
2007 9.6% 2.53%
2006 4.4% 2.24%
2005 12.6% 2.75%
2004 8.3% 3.59%
2003 5.2% 3.51%
2002 0.9% 2.76%
2001 6.4% 4.07%
2000 11.3% 2.26%
1999 7.6% 0.81%
1998 9.5% 7.51%
1997 30% 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/mongolia/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mongolia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.45%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 6.2% in Mongolia and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Mongolia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $75.2M
Raw materials & minerals $20.2M
Machinery & equipment $14.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.79M
Chemicals & pharma $1.06M
Animal & marine products $792K
Metals $747K
Raw agricultural goods $259K
Weapons & explosives $30K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $218M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $150M
Chemicals & pharma $104M
Textiles & consumer goods $25.9M
Raw materials & minerals $24.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $19.2M
Metals $14.1M
Wood & paper products $10.8M
Raw agricultural goods $6.44M
Miscellaneous $6.27M

Balance of trade

Mongolia South Korea
Current account balance
-$2.49B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
149/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-10.4%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$14.7B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$4.92B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$1.6B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.7%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.7%
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.

Mongolia South Korea
Economic freedom 63.9 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 76/197 24/197
Property rights 49.2 89.6
Government integrity 35.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 54.9 77.5
Tax burden 83.7 61.5
Government spending 64.6 82.6
Fiscal health 96.1 93.5
Business freedom 68.4 81.5
Labor freedom 68.2 55
Monetary freedom 72.1 79.3
Trade freedom 74.4 73
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mongolia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mongolia South Korea
2026 63.9 73.7
2025 62.6 74
2024 60.6 73.1
2023 61.7 73.7
2022 63.9 74.6
2021 62.4 74
2020 55.9 74
2019 55.4 72.3
2018 55.7 73.8
2017 54.8 74.3
2016 59.4 71.7
2015 59.2 71.5
2014 58.9 71.2
2013 61.7 70.3
2012 61.5 69.9
2011 59.5 69.8
2010 60 69.9
2009 62.8 68.1
2008 63.6 68.6
2007 60.3 67.8
2006 62.4 67.5
2005 59.7 66.4
2004 56.5 67.8
2003 57.7 68.3
2002 56.7 69.5
2001 56 69.1
2000 58.5 69.7
1999 58.6 69.7
1998 57.3 73.3
1997 52.9 69.8
1996 47.4 73
1995 47.8 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mongolia is 63.9, ranking 76/197, 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

Mongolia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
38.1%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,000
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.51B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
95/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.73B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.78B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$55.5M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
25.7%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.1%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.5%
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/mongolia/south-korea | CC BY

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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 (1953–2005, 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.