Skip to content

Economy of Mozambique vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mozambique has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 123/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mozambique has $21.2B in government debt (93.2% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Mozambique vs South Korea GDP by year

Mozambique
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mozambique South Korea
2024 $22,745,341,305 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $20,921,079,533 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $18,883,528,581 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $16,168,055,475 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $14,235,420,174 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $15,512,759,047 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $15,017,358,953 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $13,264,640,646 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $12,069,051,237 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $16,208,985,770 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $17,978,246,586 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $17,198,073,057 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $16,688,114,144 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $14,619,279,989 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $11,411,894,724 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,263,894,790 $983,065,242,417
2008 $12,920,340,965 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $10,811,456,006 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $9,509,835,537 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $8,868,504,900 $971,740,329,984
2004 $7,937,255,565 $823,251,107,639
2003 $6,583,526,861 $728,516,494,684
2002 $5,950,769,427 $650,014,391,470
2001 $5,650,154,067 $567,564,806,235
2000 $5,930,685,215 $597,487,173,479
1999 $6,285,219,691 $515,697,079,289
1998 $5,551,118,149 $397,297,216,492
1997 $4,873,663,775 $589,202,526,424
1996 $4,030,146,135 $631,196,863,758
1995 $3,061,646,174 $586,286,469,401
1994 $2,958,108,170 $479,181,794,217
1993 $2,883,161,897 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,798,696,511 $366,921,291,825
1991 $3,854,856,435 $340,851,946,804
1990 - $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/mozambique/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mozambique vs South Korea by year

Mozambique
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mozambique South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $657 $1,705 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $622 $1,678 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $578 $1,582 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $510 $1,457 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $462 $1,412 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $519 $1,389 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $518 $1,326 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $471 $1,283 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $441 $1,379 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $611 $1,318 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $697 $1,166 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $687 $1,114 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $686 $1,076 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $618 $1,064 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $496 $1,000 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $548 $951 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $592 $916 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $508 $862 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $457 $798 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $437 $721 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $400 $673 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $339 $620 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $314 $580 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $305 $533 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $327 $472 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $354 $468 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $320 $422 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $287.5 $387 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $244.4 $350 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $191.8 $321 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $196.8 $326 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $205.2 $321 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $205.6 $292 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $288.7 $315 $7,873 $9,724
1990 - $296 $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/mozambique/south-korea | CC BY

Mozambique's GDP per capita is $657, ranking 189/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mozambique ranks 192nd at $1,705, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Mozambique South Korea
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
123/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
2.15%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$657
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,705
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
192/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$21.2B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
93.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$612
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
159/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,778
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%
40.8%
2022
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2022
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.2%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.79%
2022
2.78%
2024
Population
36941128
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mozambique
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mozambique South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.2% 93.2% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 33.3% 90.9% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 32.9% 100.3% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 32.1% 104.3% 24.1% 48%
2020 33.9% 120% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 28% 98.3% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 32.9% 105.5% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 29.5% 103.8% 18.6% 38%
2016 29.1% 124.8% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 32.2% 86% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 39.7% 63.4% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 31.7% 49.5% 19% 36%
2012 28.1% 36.7% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 28.9% 34.2% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 26.7% 38.6% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 25.7% 39.3% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 21.3% 32.8% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 20.9% 31.2% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 20.1% 40% 18.7% 27%
2005 17% 60.1% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 17.8% 50.8% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 18.6% 63.2% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 18.6% 63.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 20.8% 99.8% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 17.2% 95.8% 16% 16.1%
1999 15.6% 94.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 14.9% - 16% 13.8%
1997 16.5% - 13.9% 9.69%
1996 14.9% - 14% 7.81%
1995 18.8% - 13.5% 8.48%
1994 22.9% - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 20.7% - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 21.1% - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 17.3% - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 21% - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 27% - 15% 12.4%
1988 27% - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 22.9% - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 24.2% - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 21% - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 30.9% - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 35.3% - 16% 19.3%
1982 27% - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 23.8% - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 14.2% - 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mozambique's government spending was $7.56B, accounting for 33.2% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 93.2% in Mozambique and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 28/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mozambique

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mozambique South Korea
2024 -6.17% -0.78%
2023 -4.26% -0.67%
2022 -5.22% -1.49%
2021 -5.23% -0.02%
2020 -6.19% -2.11%
2019 1.7% 0.35%
2018 -7.39% 2.42%
2017 -2.9% 2.08%
2016 -5.42% 1.56%
2015 -6.55% 0.5%
2014 -9.75% 0.57%
2013 -2.46% 0.79%
2012 -3.45% 1.63%
2011 -4.34% 1.72%
2010 -3.5% 1.61%
2009 -4.35% 0.24%
2008 -1.9% 1.58%
2007 -2.19% 2.49%
2006 -3.03% 1.18%
2005 -2.06% 0.95%
2004 -3.17% 0.09%
2003 -2.64% 1.51%
2002 -3.36% 3.23%
2001 -4.43% 2.42%
2000 -1.26% 3.91%
1999 -0.31% 1.15%
1998 -1.08% 1.09%
1997 -1.81% 2.31%
1996 -2.07% 2.3%
1995 -2.46% 2.16%
1994 -4% 2.06%
1993 -2.53% 3.21%
1992 -1.85% 2.42%
1991 -2.01% 1.94%
1990 -4.42% 2.98%
1989 -4.23% 2.27%
1988 -6.47% 2.85%
1987 -7.24% 1.7%
1986 -12.1% 0.8%
1985 -9.69% 0.47%
1984 -13.4% 0.78%
1983 -15.8% 1.05%
1982 -3.61% -0.41%
1981 -7.41% 0.99%
1980 -1.47% 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/mozambique/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Mozambique's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.4B, equivalent to 6.17% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Mozambique recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Mozambique posted an annual deficit equal to 3.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.31% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mozambique

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mozambique South Korea
2024 3.2% 2.32%
2023 7% 3.6%
2022 10.4% 5.09%
2021 6.6% 2.5%
2020 0.9% 0.54%
2019 5.7% 0.38%
2018 3.2% 1.48%
2017 15.8% 1.94%
2016 18.4% 0.97%
2015 3.6% 0.71%
2014 2.6% 1.27%
2013 4.3% 1.3%
2012 2.6% 2.19%
2011 11.2% 4.03%
2010 12.4% 2.94%
2009 3.8% 2.76%
2008 14.5% 4.67%
2007 10.4% 2.53%
2006 13.2% 2.24%
2005 6.4% 2.75%
2004 12.6% 3.59%
2003 13.5% 3.51%
2002 16.8% 2.76%
2001 9.1% 4.07%
2000 12.7% 2.26%
1999 2.9% 0.81%
1998 1.5% 7.51%
1997 7.4% 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/mozambique/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mozambique has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.31%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 3.2% in Mozambique and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Mozambique
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $403M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.42M
Raw agricultural goods $863K
Animal & marine products $362K
Metals $257K
Textiles & consumer goods $107K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Wood & paper products $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.51B
Chemicals & pharma $36.4M
Raw materials & minerals $20.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.05M
Metals $3.59M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $947K
Wood & paper products $920K
Raw agricultural goods $836K
Weapons & explosives $318K
Animal & marine products $60K

Balance of trade

Mozambique South Korea
Current account balance
-$2.49B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
150/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-11%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$8.38B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$8.21B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$2.11B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$1.15B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.8%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.8%
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.

Mozambique South Korea
Economic freedom 49.6 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 164/197 24/197
Property rights 29.7 89.6
Government integrity 25.1 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 77.5
Tax burden 75.8 61.5
Government spending 67 82.6
Fiscal health 39.1 93.5
Business freedom 40.2 81.5
Labor freedom 47.7 55
Monetary freedom 76.2 79.3
Trade freedom 71.2 73
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mozambique
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mozambique South Korea
2026 49.6 73.7
2025 50.7 74
2024 50.7 73.1
2023 52.5 73.7
2022 51.3 74.6
2021 51.6 74
2020 50.5 74
2019 48.6 72.3
2018 46.3 73.8
2017 49.9 74.3
2016 53.2 71.7
2015 54.8 71.5
2014 55 71.2
2013 55 70.3
2012 57.1 69.9
2011 56.8 69.8
2010 56 69.9
2009 55.7 68.1
2008 55.4 68.6
2007 54.7 67.8
2006 51.9 67.5
2005 54.6 66.4
2004 57.2 67.8
2003 58.6 68.3
2002 57.7 69.5
2001 59.2 69.1
2000 52.2 69.7
1999 48.9 69.7
1998 43 73.3
1997 44 69.8
1996 48.4 73
1995 45.5 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mozambique is 49.6, ranking 164/197, 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

Mozambique South Korea
Services, % of GDP
41.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.2%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.1B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,520
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.84B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.55B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.51B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$44.1M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
22.4%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
65%
2022
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
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/mozambique/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 (1953–1994, 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 (2022–2024, 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.