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Economy of Rwanda vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Rwanda has a GDP of $16.4B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 142/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $10.6B in government debt (64.6% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Rwanda vs South Korea GDP by year

Rwanda
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda South Korea
2025 $16,372,132,990 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $15,111,064,182 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $14,806,501,437 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $13,747,404,814 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $11,252,894,910 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $10,487,146,253 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $10,519,272,170 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $9,650,161,136 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $9,164,345,443 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $8,596,812,241 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $8,447,064,079 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $8,129,984,484 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $7,714,276,920 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $7,556,673,276 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $6,802,676,034 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $6,052,276,078 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $5,603,399,015 $983,065,242,417
2008 $5,120,655,375 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $4,017,977,507 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $3,274,207,945 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $2,933,819,766 $971,740,329,984
2004 $2,376,496,067 $823,251,107,639
2003 $2,138,237,279 $728,516,494,684
2002 $1,966,003,468 $650,014,391,470
2001 $1,966,600,715 $567,564,806,235
2000 $2,068,836,754 $597,487,173,479
1999 $2,157,108,263 $515,697,079,289
1998 $1,989,343,546 $397,297,216,492
1997 $1,851,558,197 $589,202,526,424
1996 $1,382,334,879 $631,196,863,758
1995 $1,293,535,193 $586,286,469,401
1994 $753,636,370 $479,181,794,217
1993 $1,971,525,712 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,029,026,962 $366,921,291,825
1991 $1,911,600,237 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,550,185,679 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,405,022,593 $254,236,243,100
1988 $2,395,492,687 $205,477,530,605
1987 $2,157,432,668 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,944,710,684 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,715,626,331 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,587,413,084 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,479,687,587 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,407,243,139 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,407,062,527 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,254,765,642 $66,547,970,351
1979 $1,109,346,131 $68,083,884,298
1978 $905,709,076 $52,824,793,388
1977 $746,650,613 $39,064,462,810
1976 $637,753,853 $30,371,074,380
1975 $571,863,500 $22,126,033,058
1974 $308,458,423 $19,860,929,977
1973 $290,746,157 $14,067,523,813
1972 $246,457,838 $10,990,490,570
1971 $222,952,504 $10,005,257,131
1970 $219,900,006 $9,085,001,794
1969 $188,700,037 $7,743,940,189
1968 $172,200,018 $6,167,109,472
1967 $159,560,018 $4,895,076,718
1966 $124,525,703 $3,957,064,541
1965 $148,799,980 $3,141,131,708
1964 $129,999,994 $3,476,789,682
1963 $128,000,000 $4,007,692,308
1962 $125,000,008 $2,826,923,077
1961 $122,000,016 $2,427,244,761
1960 $119,000,024 $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs South Korea by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $36,227 -
2024 $1,060 $3,711 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $1,061 $3,399 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $1,007 $3,099 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $843 $2,733 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $803 $2,285 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $823 $2,336 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $773 $2,125 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $751 $1,968 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $721 $1,866 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $726 $1,781 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $715 $1,678 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $695 $1,512 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $698 $1,455 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $643 $1,413 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $587 $1,314 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $557 $1,241 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $522 $1,191 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $421 $1,079 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $352 $1,002 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $324 $914 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $269.5 $832 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $249 $775 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $234 $760 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $237.3 $670 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $251.9 $609 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $264.7 $554 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $246.2 $528 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $238.7 $500 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $206 $499 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $228 $514 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $111 $311 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $247 $521 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $264.1 $575 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $254 $542 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $346 $549 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $335 - $5,989 -
1988 $344 - $4,889 -
1987 $320 - $3,658 -
1986 $297.7 - $2,911 -
1985 $271.6 - $2,543 -
1984 $259.9 - $2,469 -
1983 $250.6 - $2,246 -
1982 $246.4 - $2,032 -
1981 $254.6 - $1,918 -
1980 $234.4 - $1,746 -
1979 $213.8 - $1,814 -
1978 $179.9 - $1,429 -
1977 $152.7 - $1,073 -
1976 $134.4 - $847 -
1975 $124.1 - $627 -
1974 $68.9 - $572 -
1973 $66.9 - $412 -
1972 $58.4 - $328 -
1971 $54.4 - $304 -
1970 $55.2 - $281.8 -
1969 $48.9 - $245.5 -
1968 $46 - $200 -
1967 $44 - $162.5 -
1966 $35.4 - $134.4 -
1965 $43.5 - $109.4 -
1964 $39 - $124.2 -
1963 $39.3 - $147 -
1962 $39.2 - $106.6 -
1961 $39.3 - $94.2 -
1960 $39.4 - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 178/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Rwanda South Korea
Gross domestic product
$16.4B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
142/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
9.38%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.6%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$726
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,614
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.2B
2025
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.91%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2025
2.79%
2025
Population
15062056
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24.1% 64.6% 24% 52.3%
2024 27.1% 63.4% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 26.2% 61.4% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 28.7% 59% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 31% 66.2% 24.1% 48%
2020 32.5% 66.7% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 27.7% 52.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 26.3% 49.2% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 25.3% 46.1% 18.6% 38%
2016 25.4% 41.5% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 26.9% 33.5% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 27.8% 29.5% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 26.5% 27% 19% 36%
2012 24.9% 19.3% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 25% 18.9% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 24.1% 19% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 22.6% 18.7% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 22.7% 18.5% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 22.7% 22.4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 20.9% 22.8% 18.7% 27%
2005 20.2% 59.8% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 18.1% 82.1% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 18.8% 80.7% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 20.7% 93.4% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 19.3% 85.2% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 18.5% 87.2% 16% 16.1%
1999 22.7% 79.5% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 16.6% 71.1% 16% 13.8%
1997 17.2% 73.3% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 19.8% 84.6% 14% 7.81%
1995 18.3% 102.2% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 13.5% - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 20.6% - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 21.8% - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government spending was $3.95B, accounting for 24.1% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.6% in Rwanda and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 68/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda South Korea
2025 -4.49% -1.43%
2024 -6.19% -0.78%
2023 -4.88% -0.67%
2022 -5.56% -1.49%
2021 -6.89% -0.02%
2020 -9.26% -2.11%
2019 -5% 0.35%
2018 -2.57% 2.42%
2017 -2.54% 2.08%
2016 -2.3% 1.56%
2015 -2.71% 0.5%
2014 -3.97% 0.57%
2013 -1.29% 0.79%
2012 -2.41% 1.63%
2011 -0.87% 1.72%
2010 -0.65% 1.61%
2009 0.26% 0.24%
2008 0.84% 1.58%
2007 -1.58% 2.49%
2006 -0.03% 1.18%
2005 1.14% 0.95%
2004 2.31% 0.09%
2003 -1.25% 1.51%
2002 -2.06% 3.23%
2001 -1.83% 2.42%
2000 -0.22% 3.91%
1999 -4.48% 1.15%
1998 -2.63% 1.09%
1997 -2.25% 2.31%
1996 -5.08% 2.3%
1995 -2.07% 2.16%
1994 -9.68% 2.06%
1993 -6.7% 3.21%
1992 -7.31% 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 (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $736M, equivalent to 4.49% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.21% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda South Korea
2025 5.91% 2.12%
2024 1.77% 2.32%
2023 19.8% 3.6%
2022 17.7% 5.09%
2021 -0.39% 2.5%
2020 9.85% 0.54%
2019 3.35% 0.38%
2018 -0.31% 1.48%
2017 8.28% 1.94%
2016 7.17% 0.97%
2015 2.53% 0.71%
2014 2.35% 1.27%
2013 5.92% 1.3%
2012 10.3% 2.19%
2011 3.08% 4.03%
2010 -0.25% 2.94%
2009 12.9% 2.76%
2008 15.4% 4.67%
2007 9.08% 2.53%
2006 8.88% 2.24%
2005 9.01% 2.75%
2004 12.3% 3.59%
2003 7.45% 3.51%
2002 1.99% 2.76%
2001 3.34% 4.07%
2000 3.9% 2.26%
1999 -2.41% 0.81%
1998 6.21% 7.51%
1997 12% 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.8%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 5.91% in Rwanda and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.83M
Metals $320K
Animal & marine products $67K
Textiles & consumer goods $60K
Wood & paper products $33K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Miscellaneous $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $18.6M
Chemicals & pharma $3.14M
Animal & marine products $1.05M
Wood & paper products $1.05M
Raw materials & minerals $345K
Textiles & consumer goods $326K
Metals $273K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $105K
Weapons & explosives $22K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K

Balance of trade

Rwanda South Korea
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
136/190
2024
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12%
2024
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$719B
2025
Service imports
$991M
2024
$185B
2025
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda South Korea
Economic freedom 56.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 24/197
Property rights 60.3 89.6
Government integrity 53.9 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 77.5
Tax burden 80.6 61.5
Government spending 75.7 82.6
Fiscal health 37.5 93.5
Business freedom 60.1 81.5
Labor freedom 49.1 55
Monetary freedom 72.3 79.3
Trade freedom 61.8 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda South Korea
2026 56.5 73.7
2025 54.8 74
2024 51.6 73.1
2023 52.2 73.7
2022 57.1 74.6
2021 68.3 74
2020 70.9 74
2019 71.1 72.3
2018 69.1 73.8
2017 67.6 74.3
2016 63.1 71.7
2015 64.8 71.5
2014 64.7 71.2
2013 64.1 70.3
2012 64.9 69.9
2011 62.7 69.8
2010 59.1 69.9
2009 54.2 68.1
2008 54.2 68.6
2007 52.4 67.8
2006 52.8 67.5
2005 51.7 66.4
2004 53.3 67.8
2003 47.8 68.3
2002 50.4 69.5
2001 45.4 69.1
2000 42.3 69.7
1999 39.8 69.7
1998 39.1 73.3
1997 38.3 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, 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

Rwanda South Korea
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
22%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,070
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.96B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
34.1%
2025
29.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.