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Economy of Myanmar vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Myanmar has a GDP of $74.1B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 85/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Myanmar has $44B in government debt (59.3% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Myanmar vs South Korea GDP by year

Myanmar
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Myanmar South Korea
2024 $74,068,349,524 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $66,757,619,000 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $62,253,049,903 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $66,345,291,149 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $79,006,113,670 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $75,065,106,243 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $67,860,515,993 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $66,053,040,475 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $63,298,361,984 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $59,607,290,408 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $65,531,374,210 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $60,269,732,855 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $59,937,796,648 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $59,977,326,086 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $49,540,813,342 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $36,906,181,381 $983,065,242,417
2008 $31,862,554,102 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $20,182,477,481 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $14,502,553,710 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $11,986,972,419 $971,740,329,984
2004 $10,567,354,056 $823,251,107,639
2003 $10,467,109,978 $728,516,494,684
2002 $6,777,632,512 $650,014,391,470
2001 $6,477,790,688 $567,564,806,235
2000 $8,905,066,164 $597,487,173,479
1999 $8,486,832,801 $515,697,079,289
1998 $6,459,461,639 $397,297,216,492
1997 $4,722,288,496 $589,202,526,424
1996 $6,123,556,717 $631,196,863,758
1995 $5,289,174,943 $586,286,469,401
1994 $4,432,257,174 $479,181,794,217
1993 $3,163,020,035 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,411,552,289 $366,921,291,825
1991 $2,069,832,687 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,115,193,513 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,013,448,229 $254,236,243,100
1988 $1,541,088,312 $205,477,530,605
1987 $1,562,448,077 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,582,873,750 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,478,908,173 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,304,063,253 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,381,573,615 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,481,165,468 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,111,000,765 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,038,225,167 $66,547,970,351
1979 $952,265,043 $68,083,884,298
1978 $935,408,775 $52,824,793,388
1977 $873,579,932 $39,064,462,810
1976 $1,204,699,849 $30,371,074,380
1975 $1,061,107,354 $22,126,033,058
1974 $1,225,589,878 $19,860,929,977
1973 $719,754,655 $14,067,523,813
1972 $662,213,083 $10,990,490,570
1971 $587,448,405 $10,005,257,131
1970 $563,555,631 $9,085,001,794
1969 $571,854,215 $7,743,940,189
1968 $559,956,130 $6,167,109,472
1967 $420,359,036 $4,895,076,718
1966 $293,103,479 $3,957,064,541
1965 $367,053,117 $3,141,131,708
1964 $411,419,906 $3,476,789,682
1963 $598,998,419 $4,007,692,308
1962 $634,528,872 $2,826,923,077
1961 $605,581,577 $2,427,244,761
1960 $545,098,448 $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Myanmar vs South Korea by year

Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Myanmar South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,359 $5,997 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $1,233 $5,953 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $1,158 $5,732 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $1,243 $5,178 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $1,490 $5,741 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $1,426 $6,101 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $1,298 $5,581 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $1,273 $4,706 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $1,229 $4,460 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $1,167 $4,459 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $1,293 $4,376 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $1,199 $4,144 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $1,203 $3,845 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $1,214 $3,579 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $1,011 $3,348 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $758 $3,040 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $658 $2,748 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $419 $2,459 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $303 $2,153 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $252.7 $1,860 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $224.5 $1,601 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $224.3 $1,385 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $146.6 $1,204 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $141.5 $1,069 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $196.6 $949 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $189.5 $825 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $146 $742 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $108 $702 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $141.9 $661 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $124.1 $618 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $105.4 $573 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $76.2 $529 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $58.9 $494 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $51.2 $447 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $53.1 $441 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $51.3 - $5,989 -
1988 $39.9 - $4,889 -
1987 $41.1 - $3,658 -
1986 $42.4 - $2,911 -
1985 $40.4 - $2,543 -
1984 $36.3 - $2,469 -
1983 $39.3 - $2,246 -
1982 $43 - $2,032 -
1981 $32.8 - $1,918 -
1980 $31.2 - $1,746 -
1979 $29.2 - $1,814 -
1978 $29.3 - $1,429 -
1977 $27.9 - $1,073 -
1976 $39.2 - $847 -
1975 $35.2 - $627 -
1974 $41.4 - $572 -
1973 $24.8 - $412 -
1972 $23.3 - $328 -
1971 $21.1 - $304 -
1970 $20.7 - $281.8 -
1969 $21.5 - $245.5 -
1968 $21.5 - $200 -
1967 $16.5 - $162.5 -
1966 $11.8 - $134.4 -
1965 $15.1 - $109.4 -
1964 $17.3 - $124.2 -
1963 $25.8 - $147 -
1962 $27.9 - $106.6 -
1961 $27.3 - $94.2 -
1960 $25.1 - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Myanmar's GDP per capita is $1,359, ranking 165/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Myanmar South Korea
Gross domestic product
$74.1B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
85/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,359
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
165/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,997
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
153/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$44B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.3%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$806
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
150/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,646
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%
25.5%
2017
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2017
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.83%
2018-2019
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.48%
2020
2.78%
2024
Population
55292116
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Myanmar
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Myanmar South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.7% 59.3% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 21.4% 59.1% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 21.3% 56.1% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 20.9% 63.4% 24.1% 48%
2020 21.3% 49.1% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 20.5% 37.6% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 18.7% 39.9% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 19.7% 41.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 21.3% 35.7% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 23.7% 36.6% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 24.7% 34.5% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 23.9% 44.8% 19% 36%
2012 20% 48% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 15.6% 49.9% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 15.8% 54.4% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 14.4% 56.4% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 14.4% 59.8% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 15.7% 77.4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 15.6% 103.1% 18.7% 27%
2005 14.6% 119% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 14.6% 126.6% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 14.3% 146% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 15.3% 190.6% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 19.1% 262% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 21.4% 164.5% 16% 16.1%
1999 22.8% 150.7% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 25.2% 208.6% 16% 13.8%
1997 - - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Myanmar's government spending was $15.3B, accounting for 20.7% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.3% in Myanmar and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 81/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Myanmar

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Myanmar South Korea
2024 -5.06% -0.78%
2023 -5.18% -0.67%
2022 -2.82% -1.49%
2021 -2.47% -0.02%
2020 -6.5% -2.11%
2019 -4.7% 0.35%
2018 -2.77% 2.42%
2017 -3.42% 2.08%
2016 -2.53% 1.56%
2015 -4.33% 0.5%
2014 -1.06% 0.57%
2013 -1.53% 0.79%
2012 -2.7% 1.63%
2011 -4.82% 1.72%
2010 -5.4% 1.61%
2009 -3.55% 0.24%
2008 -2.73% 1.58%
2007 -3.52% 2.49%
2006 -3.42% 1.18%
2005 -3.49% 0.95%
2004 -4.62% 0.09%
2003 -4.24% 1.51%
2002 -4.01% 3.23%
2001 -6.34% 2.42%
2000 -6.03% 3.91%
1999 -4.46% 1.15%
1998 -4.89% 1.09%
1997 - 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Myanmar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.75B, equivalent to 5.06% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Myanmar recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Myanmar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.04% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Myanmar

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Myanmar South Korea
2024 - 2.32%
2023 - 3.6%
2022 - 5.09%
2021 - 2.5%
2020 - 0.54%
2019 8.83% 0.38%
2018 6.87% 1.48%
2017 4.57% 1.94%
2016 6.93% 0.97%
2015 9.45% 0.71%
2014 4.95% 1.27%
2013 5.64% 1.3%
2012 1.47% 2.19%
2011 5.02% 4.03%
2010 7.72% 2.94%
2009 1.47% 2.76%
2008 26.8% 4.67%
2007 35% 2.53%
2006 20% 2.24%
2005 9.37% 2.75%
2004 4.53% 3.59%
2003 36.6% 3.51%
2002 57.1% 2.76%
2001 21.1% 4.07%
2000 -0.11% 2.26%
1999 18.4% 0.81%
1998 51.5% 7.51%
1997 29.7% 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 23 years, Myanmar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 16.2%, compared with 2.66% in South Korea. In 2019, inflation was 8.83% in Myanmar and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Myanmar
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $397M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.2M
Raw agricultural goods $10.2M
Machinery & equipment $10.1M
Metals $8.32M
Raw materials & minerals $3.79M
Animal & marine products $2.49M
Wood & paper products $2.07M
Chemicals & pharma $1.53M
Miscellaneous $1.18M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $424M
Chemicals & pharma $109M
Textiles & consumer goods $85.4M
Raw materials & minerals $23.1M
Animal & marine products $11.4M
Metals $8.35M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.3M
Raw agricultural goods $5.45M
Miscellaneous $3.03M
Wood & paper products $2.41M

Balance of trade

Myanmar South Korea
Current account balance
$67.7M
2019
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2019
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2019
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$13.7B
2019
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8B
2019
$696B
2024
Service imports
$3.66B
2019
$163B
2024
Service exports
$6.68B
2019
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.3%
2025
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Myanmar South Korea
Economic freedom 44.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 180/197 24/197
Property rights 5.7 89.6
Government integrity 18.1 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 3.9 77.5
Tax burden 88.6 61.5
Government spending 86.6 82.6
Fiscal health 62.7 93.5
Business freedom 37.9 81.5
Labor freedom 53.2 55
Monetary freedom 57.5 79.3
Trade freedom 69.4 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Myanmar
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Myanmar South Korea
2026 44.5 73.7
2025 43.7 74
2024 42.2 73.1
2023 46.5 73.7
2022 49.6 74.6
2021 55.2 74
2020 54 74
2019 53.6 72.3
2018 53.9 73.8
2017 52.5 74.3
2016 48.7 71.7
2015 46.9 71.5
2014 46.5 71.2
2013 39.2 70.3
2012 38.7 69.9
2011 37.8 69.8
2010 36.7 69.9
2009 37.7 68.1
2008 39.5 68.6
2007 41 67.8
2006 40 67.5
2005 40.5 66.4
2004 43.6 67.8
2003 44.9 68.3
2002 45.5 69.5
2001 46.1 69.1
2000 47.9 69.7
1999 46.4 69.7
1998 45.7 73.3
1997 45.4 69.8
1996 45.1 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Myanmar is 44.5, ranking 180/197, 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

Myanmar South Korea
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.8%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$65.9B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,890
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.34B
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.74B
2019
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.31%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2017
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/myanmar/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 (1953–1994, 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 (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.