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Economy of Oman vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Oman has a GDP of $107B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 70/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Oman has $38B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Oman vs South Korea GDP by year

Oman
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Oman South Korea
2024 $107,137,198,769 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $106,174,708,037 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $109,852,795,839 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $87,323,797,139 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $75,909,492,848 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $88,060,858,257 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $91,505,851,756 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $80,856,697,009 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $75,128,738,622 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $78,710,793,238 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $92,699,089,727 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $89,936,020,806 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $87,408,842,653 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $77,497,529,259 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $64,993,498,049 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $55,454,096,229 $983,065,242,417
2008 $69,804,681,404 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $48,300,390,117 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $42,577,633,290 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $35,506,892,068 $971,740,329,984
2004 $28,378,933,680 $823,251,107,639
2003 $24,733,680,104 $728,516,494,684
2002 $23,065,539,662 $650,014,391,470
2001 $22,205,721,717 $567,564,806,235
2000 $22,259,557,867 $597,487,173,479
1999 $17,832,769,831 $515,697,079,289
1998 $16,044,213,264 $397,297,216,492
1997 $18,039,791,938 $589,202,526,424
1996 $17,402,080,624 $631,196,863,758
1995 $15,722,236,671 $586,286,469,401
1994 $14,715,214,564 $479,181,794,217
1993 $14,230,429,129 $405,705,302,846
1992 $14,183,615,085 $366,921,291,825
1991 $12,918,335,501 $340,851,946,804
1990 $13,310,273,082 $292,064,221,389
1989 $9,372,171,651 $254,236,243,100
1988 $8,386,215,865 $205,477,530,605
1987 $7,811,183,095 $152,240,393,646
1986 $7,324,167,369 $119,965,960,795
1985 $10,005,645,420 $103,764,281,281
1984 $8,821,443,151 $99,749,645,089
1983 $7,932,541,691 $89,621,208,322
1982 $7,554,719,456 $79,921,300,447
1981 $7,259,120,151 $74,287,368,087
1980 $5,981,760,278 $66,547,970,351
1979 $3,733,352,635 $68,083,884,298
1978 $2,740,301,390 $52,824,793,388
1977 $2,741,169,948 $39,064,462,810
1976 $2,560,220,035 $30,371,074,380
1975 $2,096,699,189 $22,126,033,058
1974 $1,645,917,776 $19,860,929,977
1973 $483,066,991 $14,067,523,813
1972 $366,883,548 $10,990,490,570
1971 $301,010,587 $10,005,257,131
1970 $256,319,795 $9,085,001,794
1969 $239,999,808 $7,743,940,189
1968 $188,879,849 $6,167,109,472
1967 $107,151,832 $4,895,076,718
1966 $67,759,973 $3,957,064,541
1965 $63,279,975 $3,141,131,708
1964 $61,872,526 $3,476,789,682
1963 $59,912,763 $4,007,692,308
1962 $56,273,202 $2,826,923,077
1961 $45,634,487 $2,427,244,761
1960 $44,234,656 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Oman vs South Korea by year

Oman
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Oman South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,285 $41,740 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $21,028 $41,945 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $23,224 $42,616 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $19,403 $38,719 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $16,785 $35,163 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $19,180 $37,251 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $19,902 $37,780 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $17,820 $33,619 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $17,110 $33,334 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $18,808 $36,058 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $23,161 $44,236 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $23,458 $47,013 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $24,642 $49,989 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $25,188 $52,393 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $23,570 $55,667 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $20,656 $55,127 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $26,577 $52,841 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $18,793 $48,627 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $16,931 $46,091 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $14,435 $43,673 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $11,801 $42,142 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $10,464 $40,935 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $9,869 $41,511 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $9,612 $41,679 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $9,754 $39,443 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $7,915 $36,792 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $7,219 $36,666 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $8,235 $36,809 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $8,068 $34,661 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $7,414 $33,598 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $7,068 $31,925 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $7,039 $30,987 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $7,318 $29,773 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $6,977 $28,109 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $7,546 $26,904 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $5,591 - $5,989 -
1988 $5,279 - $4,889 -
1987 $5,204 - $3,658 -
1986 $5,182 - $2,911 -
1985 $7,549 - $2,543 -
1984 $7,070 - $2,469 -
1983 $6,714 - $2,246 -
1982 $6,759 - $2,032 -
1981 $6,866 - $1,918 -
1980 $5,974 - $1,746 -
1979 $3,934 - $1,814 -
1978 $3,044 - $1,429 -
1977 $3,205 - $1,073 -
1976 $3,143 - $847 -
1975 $2,692 - $627 -
1974 $2,203 - $572 -
1973 $670 - $412 -
1972 $524 - $328 -
1971 $442 - $304 -
1970 $387 - $281.8 -
1969 $372 - $245.5 -
1968 $300 - $200 -
1967 $174.7 - $162.5 -
1966 $113.2 - $134.4 -
1965 $108.1 - $109.4 -
1964 $108.1 - $124.2 -
1963 $106.8 - $147 -
1962 $102.3 - $106.6 -
1961 $84.5 - $94.2 -
1960 $83.4 - $158.8 -

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

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

Oman's GDP per capita is $20,285, ranking 57/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Oman ranks 55th at $41,740, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Oman South Korea
Gross domestic product
$107B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
70/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
1.63%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,285
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,740
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
55/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$38B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,204
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
67/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,894
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.3B
2022
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
30
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.3%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
5761708
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Oman
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Oman South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.7% 35.5% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 27.5% 37.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 30.9% 41.7% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 36.5% 61.9% 24.1% 48%
2020 44.5% 67.9% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 38.8% 52.5% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 38.3% 44.7% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 39.4% 40.1% 18.6% 38%
2016 44.6% 29.3% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 44.5% 13.9% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 41.4% 4.04% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 39.3% 4.66% 19% 36%
2012 38.6% 4.59% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 34.5% 4.44% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 30.6% 5.46% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 33.4% 5.8% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 25.6% 3.2% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 30.7% 4.44% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 30.1% 7.56% 18.7% 27%
2005 30.6% 8.39% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 34.1% 14.5% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 34% 13% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 34.1% 15.9% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 33.3% 22.5% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 31.2% 21.7% 16% 16.1%
1999 34.2% 28.9% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 36.1% 30.9% 16% 13.8%
1997 32.1% 20.8% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 33.5% 21.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 38.2% 21.9% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 39.7% 23.6% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 40.1% 22.2% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 40.1% 23.1% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 37.4% 22.6% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 36.5% 17.8% 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/oman/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Oman's government spending was $30.7B, accounting for 28.7% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Oman and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 145/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Oman

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Oman South Korea
2024 3.31% -0.78%
2023 6.87% -0.67%
2022 10.5% -1.49%
2021 -3.17% -0.02%
2020 -15.7% -2.11%
2019 -4.83% 0.35%
2018 -6.72% 2.42%
2017 -10.5% 2.08%
2016 -19.6% 1.56%
2015 -13.5% 0.5%
2014 -1.58% 0.57%
2013 2.78% 0.79%
2012 4.07% 1.63%
2011 8.24% 1.72%
2010 4.95% 1.61%
2009 -0.27% 0.24%
2008 14.7% 1.58%
2007 10.5% 2.49%
2006 12.2% 1.18%
2005 11.2% 0.95%
2004 5.43% 0.09%
2003 5.92% 1.51%
2002 5.31% 3.23%
2001 7.55% 2.42%
2000 12.2% 3.91%
1999 0.3% 1.15%
1998 -4.37% 1.09%
1997 4.77% 2.31%
1996 2.22% 2.3%
1995 -3.9% 2.16%
1994 -7.47% 2.06%
1993 -6.84% 3.21%
1992 -4.85% 2.42%
1991 0.12% 1.94%
1990 4.78% 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/oman/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Oman's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.54B, equivalent to 3.31% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Oman recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Oman posted an annual surplus equal to 0.99% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Oman

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Oman South Korea
2024 0.6% 2.32%
2023 1% 3.6%
2022 2.5% 5.09%
2021 1.7% 2.5%
2020 -0.4% 0.54%
2019 0.5% 0.38%
2018 0.7% 1.48%
2017 1.5% 1.94%
2016 0.9% 0.97%
2015 0.1% 0.71%
2014 1.2% 1.27%
2013 1.3% 1.3%
2012 2.9% 2.19%
2011 4.1% 4.03%
2010 3.3% 2.94%
2009 3.5% 2.76%
2008 12.6% 4.67%
2007 5.9% 2.53%
2006 3.2% 2.24%
2005 1.9% 2.75%
2004 0.8% 3.59%
2003 0.2% 3.51%
2002 -0.3% 2.76%
2001 -0.8% 4.07%
2000 -1.2% 2.26%
1999 0.5% 0.81%
1998 0.4% 7.51%
1997 -0.4% 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/oman/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Oman has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.72%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Oman and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Oman
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $200M
Chemicals & pharma $70.1M
Metals $47.8M
Animal & marine products $12.1M
Machinery & equipment $2.12M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.14M
Raw agricultural goods $117K
Textiles & consumer goods $96K
Miscellaneous $38K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $316M
Machinery & equipment $135M
Metals $94.8M
Chemicals & pharma $66.1M
Miscellaneous $8.6M
Weapons & explosives $8.38M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.02M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.78M
Wood & paper products $1.03M
Raw agricultural goods $202K

Balance of trade

Oman South Korea
Current account balance
$3.07B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
39/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.86%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$39.5B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$65.2B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$12.8B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$5.64B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.1%
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.

Oman South Korea
Economic freedom 68.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 45/197 24/197
Property rights 71.8 89.6
Government integrity 49.4 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 28 77.5
Tax burden 97.6 61.5
Government spending 74.7 82.6
Fiscal health 97.5 93.5
Business freedom 67.8 81.5
Labor freedom 47.7 55
Monetary freedom 79.2 79.3
Trade freedom 78.4 73
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Oman
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Oman South Korea
2026 68.5 73.7
2025 65.4 74
2024 62.9 73.1
2023 58.5 73.7
2022 56.6 74.6
2021 64.6 74
2020 63.6 74
2019 61 72.3
2018 61 73.8
2017 62.1 74.3
2016 67.1 71.7
2015 66.7 71.5
2014 67.4 71.2
2013 68.1 70.3
2012 67.9 69.9
2011 69.8 69.8
2010 67.7 69.9
2009 67 68.1
2008 67.3 68.6
2007 65.8 67.8
2006 63.7 67.5
2005 66.5 66.4
2004 66.9 67.8
2003 64.6 68.3
2002 64 69.5
2001 67.7 69.1
2000 64.1 69.7
1999 64.9 69.7
1998 64.9 73.3
1997 64.5 69.8
1996 65.4 73
1995 70.2 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Oman is 68.5, ranking 45/197, 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

Oman South Korea
Services, % of GDP
46%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
54.2%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.6%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$103B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,340
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18.3B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
64/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$12.6B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.5B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$143M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
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/oman/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 (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.

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.