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Economy of Poland vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Poland has a GDP of $918B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 21/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Poland has $507B in government debt (55.3% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Poland vs South Korea GDP by year

Poland
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Poland South Korea
2024 $917,767,106,147 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $812,451,193,396 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $695,607,470,875 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $689,170,230,665 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $605,914,237,904 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $602,683,770,145 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $594,616,687,350 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $528,356,676,667 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $473,259,583,970 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $480,054,118,583 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $542,134,167,179 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $518,179,836,405 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $498,148,649,703 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $527,848,543,023 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $478,111,630,684 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $440,891,472,247 $983,065,242,417
2008 $535,612,030,672 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $429,715,132,138 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $345,897,630,736 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $306,999,913,151 $971,740,329,984
2004 $256,268,656,145 $823,251,107,639
2003 $218,561,225,998 $728,516,494,684
2002 $199,694,463,256 $650,014,391,470
2001 $191,823,200,371 $567,564,806,235
2000 $172,953,527,033 $597,487,173,479
1999 $170,704,452,715 $515,697,079,289
1998 $175,282,269,667 $397,297,216,492
1997 $159,893,964,917 $589,202,526,424
1996 $160,813,026,223 $631,196,863,758
1995 $142,838,527,115 $586,286,469,401
1994 $110,803,635,288 $479,181,794,217
1993 $96,043,157,273 $405,705,302,846
1992 $94,337,050,693 $366,921,291,825
1991 $85,500,935,935 $340,851,946,804
1990 $65,977,748,211 $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/poland/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Poland vs South Korea by year

Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Poland South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $25,104 $51,263 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $22,145 $48,473 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $18,891 $46,778 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $18,636 $41,060 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $16,151 $37,089 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $15,875 $35,882 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $15,658 $32,345 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $13,913 $30,170 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $12,464 $28,360 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $12,638 $26,988 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $14,262 $25,460 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $13,622 $24,434 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $13,087 $23,728 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $13,868 $22,809 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $12,568 $20,991 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $11,556 $19,300 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $14,049 $18,372 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $11,273 $16,833 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $9,069 $15,205 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $8,044 $13,936 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $6,712 $13,413 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $5,721 $12,329 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $5,223 $11,841 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $5,015 $11,175 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $4,521 $10,721 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $4,416 $10,081 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $4,534 $9,521 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $4,137 $8,967 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $4,164 $8,310 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $3,701 $7,715 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $2,875 $7,040 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $2,497 $6,560 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $2,459 $6,193 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $2,236 $5,925 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $1,731 $6,185 $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/poland/south-korea | CC BY

Poland's GDP per capita is $25,104, ranking 48/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Poland South Korea
Gross domestic product
$918B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
21/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
3.03%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$25,104
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,263
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
43/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$507B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,874
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
41/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,736
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$197B
2024
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires
10
2025
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.78%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.81%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
35806942
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Poland
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Poland South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 55.3% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 46.9% 49.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 43.2% 48.8% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 43.6% 53% 24.1% 48%
2020 47.7% 56.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 41.4% 45.2% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 41% 48.2% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 41.1% 50.4% 18.6% 38%
2016 41.1% 54.1% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 41.5% 51.1% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 42.7% 51.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 43.2% 56.9% 19% 36%
2012 43.2% 54.5% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 44.1% 54.8% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 46% 53.7% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 44.9% 49.7% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 44% 46.6% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 42.8% 44.4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 44.3% 47.1% 18.7% 27%
2005 44.1% 46.5% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 43.3% 44.9% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 45.5% 46.4% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 45.1% 41.6% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 44.7% 37.2% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 43.1% 36.4% 16% 16.1%
1999 42.5% 39.4% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 44% 38.7% 16% 13.8%
1997 46.1% 42.7% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 50.7% 43.2% 14% 7.81%
1995 47.5% 48.7% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - 64.3% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - 83.9% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - 81.9% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 - 76.9% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 - 89.7% 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 35.6% - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 35.8% - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 35.6% - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 34.8% - 17% 20.4%
1975 34.1% - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 28.6% - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 24.5% - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 24.1% - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 24.1% - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 25.8% - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 26.3% - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 27.3% - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 29.6% - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 31.7% - 16% 4.44%
1965 31.8% - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 33.5% - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 33.3% - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 43% - 22.3% 13%
1961 42.8% - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 39.2% - 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/poland/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Poland's government spending was $453B, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.3% in Poland and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 95/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Poland South Korea
2024 -6.59% -0.78%
2023 -5.27% -0.67%
2022 -3.44% -1.49%
2021 -1.75% -0.02%
2020 -6.85% -2.11%
2019 -0.73% 0.35%
2018 -0.24% 2.42%
2017 -1.49% 2.08%
2016 -2.38% 1.56%
2015 -2.59% 0.5%
2014 -3.66% 0.57%
2013 -4.25% 0.79%
2012 -3.8% 1.63%
2011 -4.97% 1.72%
2010 -7.43% 1.61%
2009 -7.24% 0.24%
2008 -3.6% 1.58%
2007 -1.88% 2.49%
2006 -3.53% 1.18%
2005 -3.93% 0.95%
2004 -4.99% 0.09%
2003 -6.02% 1.51%
2002 -4.8% 3.23%
2001 -4.73% 2.42%
2000 -4% 3.91%
1999 -2.3% 1.15%
1998 -4.25% 1.09%
1997 -4.61% 2.31%
1996 -4.84% 2.3%
1995 -4.39% 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/poland/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Poland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $60.4B, equivalent to 6.59% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Poland recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Poland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.02% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.16% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Poland

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Poland South Korea
2024 3.78% 2.32%
2023 11.5% 3.6%
2022 14.4% 5.09%
2021 5.06% 2.5%
2020 3.37% 0.54%
2019 2.23% 0.38%
2018 1.81% 1.48%
2017 2.08% 1.94%
2016 -0.66% 0.97%
2015 -0.87% 0.71%
2014 0.05% 1.27%
2013 0.99% 1.3%
2012 3.56% 2.19%
2011 4.24% 4.03%
2010 2.58% 2.94%
2009 3.8% 2.76%
2008 4.16% 4.67%
2007 2.46% 2.53%
2006 1.28% 2.24%
2005 2.18% 2.75%
2004 3.38% 3.59%
2003 0.68% 3.51%
2002 1.91% 2.76%
2001 5.41% 4.07%
2000 9.9% 2.26%
1999 7.15% 0.81%
1998 11.6% 7.51%
1997 14.9% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Poland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 3.78% in Poland and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $382M
Chemicals & pharma $109M
Textiles & consumer goods $78.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $73M
Raw materials & minerals $57.2M
Metals $53.7M
Animal & marine products $40.6M
Raw agricultural goods $31.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.8M
Business & finance services $25.5M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.35B
Miscellaneous $1.45B
Raw materials & minerals $1.41B
Chemicals & pharma $1.02B
Metals $477M
Weapons & explosives $352M
Textiles & consumer goods $151M
Wood & paper products $30.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.1M

Balance of trade

Poland South Korea
Current account balance
$2.8B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.3%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$367B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$361B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$74.9B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$118B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.2%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
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.

Poland South Korea
Economic freedom 68.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 46/197 24/197
Property rights 71.8 89.6
Government integrity 60.7 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 62.5 77.5
Tax burden 72.7 61.5
Government spending 35.1 82.6
Fiscal health 74.8 93.5
Business freedom 77.5 81.5
Labor freedom 53.7 55
Monetary freedom 73.8 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Poland
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Poland South Korea
2026 68.5 73.7
2025 67.1 74
2024 66 73.1
2023 67.7 73.7
2022 68.7 74.6
2021 69.7 74
2020 69.1 74
2019 67.8 72.3
2018 68.5 73.8
2017 68.3 74.3
2016 69.3 71.7
2015 68.6 71.5
2014 67 71.2
2013 66 70.3
2012 64.2 69.9
2011 64.1 69.8
2010 63.2 69.9
2009 60.3 68.1
2008 60.3 68.6
2007 58.1 67.8
2006 59.3 67.5
2005 59.6 66.4
2004 58.7 67.8
2003 61.8 68.3
2002 65 69.5
2001 61.8 69.1
2000 60 69.7
1999 59.6 69.7
1998 59.2 73.3
1997 56.8 69.8
1996 57.8 73
1995 50.7 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Poland is 68.5, ranking 46/197, 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

Poland South Korea
Services, % of GDP
59.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$789B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,540
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$223B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
17/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.6B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20.6B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10B
2024
$48.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.3%
2024
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.8%
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/poland/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 (2023–2024, 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.