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Economy of Russia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Russia has a GDP of $2.17T compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 11/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Russia has $440B in government debt (20.3% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Russia vs South Korea GDP by year

Russia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Russia South Korea
2024 $2,173,835,806,672 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $2,071,505,725,031 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $2,291,612,121,335 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $1,829,186,719,575 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $1,493,075,894,362 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $1,693,115,002,708 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $1,657,328,773,461 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $1,574,199,360,089 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $1,276,786,350,881 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $1,363,482,182,198 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $2,059,241,589,895 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $2,292,470,078,346 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $2,208,293,553,878 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $2,045,922,753,398 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $1,524,916,715,224 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $1,222,645,900,056 $983,065,242,417
2008 $1,660,848,058,303 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $1,299,703,478,482 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $989,932,071,353 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $764,015,973,481 $971,740,329,984
2004 $591,016,690,732 $823,251,107,639
2003 $430,347,420,185 $728,516,494,684
2002 $345,470,494,418 $650,014,391,470
2001 $306,602,070,621 $567,564,806,235
2000 $259,710,142,197 $597,487,173,479
1999 $195,907,128,351 $515,697,079,289
1998 $270,955,486,862 $397,297,216,492
1997 $404,928,954,192 $589,202,526,424
1996 $391,724,890,744 $631,196,863,758
1995 $395,537,185,735 $586,286,469,401
1994 $395,077,301,248 $479,181,794,217
1993 $435,083,713,851 $405,705,302,846
1992 $460,290,556,901 $366,921,291,825
1991 $517,962,962,963 $340,851,946,804
1990 $517,014,446,228 $292,064,221,389
1989 $506,631,299,735 $254,236,243,100
1988 $554,828,660,436 $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/russia/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Russia vs South Korea by year

Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Russia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $15,145 $47,405 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $14,403 $44,269 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $15,888 $40,939 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $12,637 $38,638 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $10,280 $31,491 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $11,640 $30,964 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $11,399 $28,629 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $10,835 $25,778 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $8,804 $24,012 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $9,427 $23,994 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $14,277 $25,688 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $15,941 $26,020 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $15,402 $24,274 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $14,305 $22,790 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $10,675 $20,490 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $8,563 $19,390 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $11,635 $20,164 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $9,101 $16,648 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $6,920 $14,912 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $5,323 $11,822 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $4,102 $10,227 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $2,975 $9,255 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $2,378 $8,037 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $2,100 $7,361 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,772 $6,825 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,331 $5,914 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,835 $5,465 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $2,738 $5,700 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $2,644 $5,518 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $2,666 $5,613 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $2,662 $5,734 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $2,931 $6,420 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $3,099 $6,862 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $3,490 $7,858 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $3,494 $8,028 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $3,430 - $5,989 -
1988 $3,778 - $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/russia/south-korea | CC BY

Russia's GDP per capita is $15,145, ranking 68/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Russia ranks 50th at $47,405, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Russia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$2.17T
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
11/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
4.34%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$15,145
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
68/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$47,405
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
50/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$440B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.3%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,067
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
98/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,464
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$650B
2023
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires
426,000
2025
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires
140
2025
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.4%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
16%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.43%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
141906741
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Russia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Russia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.9% 20.3% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 35.7% 19.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 35.2% 18.5% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 34.9% 16.5% 24.1% 48%
2020 39.2% 19.2% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 33.8% 13.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 32.6% 13.6% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 34.8% 14.3% 18.6% 38%
2016 36.6% 14.8% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 35.3% 15.3% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 34.9% 15.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 34.7% 12.3% 19% 36%
2012 34% 11.2% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 33.3% 10.3% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 35.5% 10.1% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 38.6% 9.92% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 32% 7.45% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 31.9% 8.03% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 29% 9.8% 18.7% 27%
2005 29.5% 14.9% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 29.6% 20.8% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 32.6% 28.3% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 33.8% 37.6% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 31.5% 44.4% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 30.7% 55.9% 16% 16.1%
1999 34.3% 92.4% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 39.7% 135.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 - 51.5% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 - 51.9% 14% 7.81%
1995 - 53.7% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - 63.5% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - 92.4% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - 116% 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 (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Russia's government spending was $802B, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.3% in Russia and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 175/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Russia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Russia South Korea
2024 -1.6% -0.78%
2023 -2.22% -0.67%
2022 -1.34% -1.49%
2021 0.78% -0.02%
2020 -3.99% -2.11%
2019 1.93% 0.35%
2018 2.92% 2.42%
2017 -1.47% 2.08%
2016 -3.67% 1.56%
2015 -3.39% 0.5%
2014 -1.07% 0.57%
2013 -1.16% 0.79%
2012 0.38% 1.63%
2011 1.43% 1.72%
2010 -3.19% 1.61%
2009 -5.89% 0.24%
2008 4.55% 1.58%
2007 5.59% 2.49%
2006 7.8% 1.18%
2005 7.6% 0.95%
2004 4.57% 0.09%
2003 1.35% 1.51%
2002 0.67% 3.23%
2001 2.99% 2.42%
2000 3.11% 3.91%
1999 -3.59% 1.15%
1998 -7.42% 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%
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 0.15% -
1939 0.12% -
1938 0.16% -
1937 0.12% -
1936 0.1% -
1935 0.07% -
1934 0.25% -
1933 0.58% -
1932 0.06% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 -1.62% -
1929 -0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 0.69% -
1911 1.26% -
1910 1.52% -
1909 -0.15% -
1908 -0.83% -
1907 -0.86% -
1906 -3.19% -
1905 -7.72% -
1904 -5.13% -
1903 1.04% -
1902 -1.57% -
1901 0.14% -
1900 -0.36% -
1899 0.66% -
1898 0.03% -
1897 0.34% -
1896 1.3% -
1895 0.7% -
1894 1.43% -
1893 0.63% -
1892 -1.16% -
1891 -0.97% -
1890 0.01% -
1889 1.34% -
1888 0.88% -
1887 0.14% -
1886 -0.84% -
1885 -0.75% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Russia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $34.9B, equivalent to 1.6% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Russia recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Russia posted an annual surplus equal to 0.21% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.04% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Russia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Russia South Korea
2024 8.4% 2.32%
2023 5.9% 3.6%
2022 13.7% 5.09%
2021 6.7% 2.5%
2020 3.4% 0.54%
2019 4.5% 0.38%
2018 2.9% 1.48%
2017 3.7% 1.94%
2016 7% 0.97%
2015 15.5% 0.71%
2014 7.8% 1.27%
2013 6.8% 1.3%
2012 5.1% 2.19%
2011 8.4% 4.03%
2010 6.8% 2.94%
2009 11.6% 2.76%
2008 14.1% 4.67%
2007 9% 2.53%
2006 9.7% 2.24%
2005 12.7% 2.75%
2004 10.9% 3.59%
2003 13.7% 3.51%
2002 15.8% 2.76%
2001 21.5% 4.07%
2000 20.8% 2.26%
1999 85.7% 0.81%
1998 27.7% 7.51%
1997 14.8% 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/russia/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Russia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.4%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 8.4% in Russia and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Russia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $12B
Animal & marine products $2.18B
Metals $956M
Precious metals & jewellery $491M
Miscellaneous $439M
Transport & tourism services $410M
Wood & paper products $333M
Raw agricultural goods $183M
Machinery & equipment $108M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $106M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.03B
Chemicals & pharma $1.26B
Raw materials & minerals $519M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $243M
Textiles & consumer goods $213M
Wood & paper products $109M
Metals $92.2M
Raw agricultural goods $74.9M
Miscellaneous $13.1M
Animal & marine products $6.96M

Balance of trade

Russia South Korea
Current account balance
$63.4B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
12/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.91%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$302B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$434B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$81.5B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$43.1B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.9%
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.

Russia South Korea
Economic freedom 50.3 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 161/197 24/197
Property rights 18.6 89.6
Government integrity 22.8 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 22.8 77.5
Tax burden 81.9 61.5
Government spending 61.3 82.6
Fiscal health 94.4 93.5
Business freedom 51.4 81.5
Labor freedom 59.1 55
Monetary freedom 61.8 79.3
Trade freedom 69.4 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Russia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Russia South Korea
2026 50.3 73.7
2025 51.6 74
2024 52 73.1
2023 53.8 73.7
2022 56.1 74.6
2021 61.5 74
2020 61 74
2019 58.9 72.3
2018 58.2 73.8
2017 57.1 74.3
2016 50.6 71.7
2015 52.1 71.5
2014 51.9 71.2
2013 51.1 70.3
2012 50.5 69.9
2011 50.5 69.8
2010 50.3 69.9
2009 50.8 68.1
2008 49.8 68.6
2007 52.2 67.8
2006 52.4 67.5
2005 51.3 66.4
2004 52.8 67.8
2003 50.8 68.3
2002 48.7 69.5
2001 49.8 69.1
2000 51.8 69.7
1999 54.5 69.7
1998 52.8 73.3
1997 48.6 69.8
1996 51.6 73
1995 51.1 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Russia is 50.3, ranking 161/197, 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

Russia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.74%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.24T
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$46,780
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$597B
2023
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
6/177
2023
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.37B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$9.35B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$170M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.65%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2020
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
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/russia/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 (1885–1996, 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 (2021–2024, 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)

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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.