Skip to content

Economy of Seychelles vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Seychelles has a GDP of $2.17B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 178/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Seychelles has $1.25B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Seychelles vs South Korea GDP by year

Seychelles
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Seychelles South Korea
2024 $2,167,239,562 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $2,187,379,755 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $2,018,346,589 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $1,487,173,795 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $1,382,551,752 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $1,868,690,097 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $1,784,313,927 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $1,675,370,641 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $1,568,513,348 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $1,432,403,352 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $1,387,577,870 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $1,333,160,407 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $1,089,407,839 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $1,058,918,707 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $981,616,542 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $850,901,620 $983,065,242,417
2008 $979,597,394 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $1,077,308,814 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $1,081,441,283 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $977,899,382 $971,740,329,984
2004 $893,012,218 $823,251,107,639
2003 $750,847,230 $728,516,494,684
2002 $742,134,838 $650,014,391,470
2001 $662,064,156 $567,564,806,235
2000 $654,212,394 $597,487,173,479
1999 $662,838,615 $515,697,079,289
1998 $647,287,376 $397,297,216,492
1997 $598,966,982 $589,202,526,424
1996 $535,250,347 $631,196,863,758
1995 $540,733,048 $586,286,469,401
1994 $517,570,058 $479,181,794,217
1993 $504,230,621 $405,705,302,846
1992 $461,409,399 $366,921,291,825
1991 $398,307,170 $340,851,946,804
1990 $392,163,561 $292,064,221,389
1989 $324,333,367 $254,236,243,100
1988 $301,985,618 $205,477,530,605
1987 $265,212,957 $152,240,393,646
1986 $221,147,061 $119,965,960,795
1985 $179,691,483 $103,764,281,281
1984 $160,992,921 $99,749,645,089
1983 $156,098,237 $89,621,208,322
1982 $157,211,790 $79,921,300,447
1981 $163,750,728 $74,287,368,087
1980 $156,783,830 $66,547,970,351
1979 $127,261,099 $68,083,884,298
1978 $85,552,366 $52,824,793,388
1977 $64,526,401 $39,064,462,810
1976 $49,278,982 $30,371,074,380
1975 $47,803,146 $22,126,033,058
1974 $43,134,496 $19,860,929,977
1973 $36,896,280 $14,067,523,813
1972 $30,645,123 $10,990,490,570
1971 $21,965,951 $10,005,257,131
1970 $18,432,032 $9,085,001,794
1969 $16,452,028 $7,743,940,189
1968 $16,074,028 $6,167,109,472
1967 $16,632,032 $4,895,076,718
1966 $16,443,034 $3,957,064,541
1965 $15,603,032 $3,141,131,708
1964 $15,393,032 $3,476,789,682
1963 $13,923,029 $4,007,692,308
1962 $12,642,026 $2,826,923,077
1961 $11,592,024 $2,427,244,761
1960 $12,012,025 $3,973,069,307

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

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

GDP per capita in Seychelles vs South Korea by year

Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Seychelles South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,859 $33,239 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $18,263 $31,781 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $16,837 $29,973 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $14,983 $29,980 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $14,041 $31,056 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $19,142 $34,219 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $18,440 $32,091 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $17,480 $30,675 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $16,567 $28,811 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $15,333 $25,435 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $15,188 $24,985 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $14,821 $22,487 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $12,337 $22,264 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $12,110 $21,781 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $10,935 $18,982 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $9,747 $18,453 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $11,265 $18,881 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $12,669 $19,473 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $12,783 $17,503 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $11,802 $15,846 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $10,828 $14,160 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $9,070 $14,142 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $8,864 $14,570 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $8,153 $14,615 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $8,064 $14,638 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $8,243 $13,853 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $8,210 $13,675 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $7,747 $13,458 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $7,004 $11,931 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $7,181 $10,809 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $6,975 $10,692 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $6,979 $11,020 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $6,520 $10,243 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $5,655 $9,387 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $5,642 $8,955 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $4,689 - $5,989 -
1988 $4,392 - $4,889 -
1987 $3,872 - $3,658 -
1986 $3,368 - $2,911 -
1985 $2,754 - $2,543 -
1984 $2,488 - $2,469 -
1983 $2,426 - $2,246 -
1982 $2,441 - $2,032 -
1981 $2,557 - $1,918 -
1980 $2,478 - $1,746 -
1979 $2,030 - $1,814 -
1978 $1,377 - $1,429 -
1977 $1,044 - $1,073 -
1976 $814 - $847 -
1975 $806 - $627 -
1974 $745 - $572 -
1973 $649 - $412 -
1972 $547 - $328 -
1971 $402 - $304 -
1970 $344 - $281.8 -
1969 $314 - $245.5 -
1968 $314 - $200 -
1967 $333 - $162.5 -
1966 $338 - $134.4 -
1965 $328 - $109.4 -
1964 $332 - $124.2 -
1963 $308 - $147 -
1962 $287 - $106.6 -
1961 $270.3 - $94.2 -
1960 $288.1 - $158.8 -

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

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

The Seychelles' GDP per capita is $17,859, ranking 63/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Seychelles South Korea
Gross domestic product
$2.17B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
178/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
3.47%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,859
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
63/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,239
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
67/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$1.25B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,288
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,944
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$811M
2024
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2018
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2018
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.31%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.75%
2024
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.59%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
126311
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Seychelles
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Seychelles South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 57.6% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 32.9% 55.3% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 31.3% 60% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 38.8% 71% 24.1% 48%
2020 46.7% 77.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 31.7% 48.9% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 33% 51.3% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 34.3% 56.7% 18.6% 38%
2016 34.5% 62.8% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 31.5% 64.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 33.4% 70.4% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 37.8% 68.2% 19% 36%
2012 38.6% 80.1% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 36.4% 82.5% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 34.6% 82.2% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 32.1% 106.1% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 27% 192.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 41.9% 144% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 43.6% 135.1% 18.7% 27%
2005 39% 144.1% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 39.9% 163.2% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 44.6% 177% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 56.3% 195.9% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 46.8% 199.8% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 55.4% 177.8% 16% 16.1%
1999 56.1% 159.8% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 60.7% 161.2% 16% 13.8%
1997 54.7% 143% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 59.1% 146.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 53.1% 133.5% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 63.6% 123.5% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 60.4% 82.2% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 50.7% 79.9% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 52.1% 89.2% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 46.1% 80.4% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 51.7% 39.9% 15% 12.4%
1988 46.7% 41.3% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 49.7% 37% 14.3% 15.3%
1986 58% 31.5% 14.9% 14.5%
1985 53% 26.5% 15.5% 16.2%
1984 50.5% 15.3% 15.6% 16.9%
1983 47.9% 12.4% 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/seychelles/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, the Seychelles' government spending was $732M, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in the Seychelles and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 85/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Seychelles

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Seychelles South Korea
2024 -0.69% -0.78%
2023 -1.14% -0.67%
2022 -0.76% -1.49%
2021 -5.76% -0.02%
2020 -15.7% -2.11%
2019 0.42% 0.35%
2018 -0.8% 2.42%
2017 -1.67% 2.08%
2016 0.02% 1.56%
2015 1.39% 0.5%
2014 2.87% 0.57%
2013 0.33% 0.79%
2012 2.93% 1.63%
2011 3.36% 1.72%
2010 0.52% 1.61%
2009 4.84% 0.24%
2008 7.88% 1.58%
2007 -9.93% 2.49%
2006 -2.54% 1.18%
2005 0.42% 0.95%
2004 0.44% 0.09%
2003 3.4% 1.51%
2002 -16.3% 3.23%
2001 -8.93% 2.42%
2000 -14.7% 3.91%
1999 -10.3% 1.15%
1998 -16.7% 1.09%
1997 -5.91% 2.31%
1996 -9.69% 2.3%
1995 -2.58% 2.16%
1994 -6.95% 2.06%
1993 -3.62% 3.21%
1992 6.44% 2.42%
1991 3.15% 1.94%
1990 11.9% 2.98%
1989 8.26% 2.27%
1988 11.8% 2.85%
1987 2.77% 1.7%
1986 -10.1% 0.8%
1985 -4.86% 0.47%
1984 -6.09% 0.78%
1983 -3.13% 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/seychelles/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, the Seychelles' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $15M, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 42 years, the Seychelles recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, the Seychelles posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.36% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Seychelles

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Seychelles South Korea
2024 0.31% 2.32%
2023 -1.04% 3.6%
2022 2.63% 5.09%
2021 9.77% 2.5%
2020 1.2% 0.54%
2019 1.81% 0.38%
2018 3.7% 1.48%
2017 2.86% 1.94%
2016 -1.02% 0.97%
2015 4.04% 0.71%
2014 1.39% 1.27%
2013 4.34% 1.3%
2012 7.11% 2.19%
2011 2.56% 4.03%
2010 -2.4% 2.94%
2009 31.8% 2.76%
2008 37% 4.67%
2007 5.32% 2.53%
2006 -0.35% 2.24%
2005 0.91% 2.75%
2004 3.86% 3.59%
2003 3.3% 3.51%
2002 0.18% 2.76%
2001 5.97% 4.07%
2000 6.27% 2.26%
1999 6.35% 0.81%
1998 2.58% 7.51%
1997 0.62% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Seychelles has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.03%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 0.31% in the Seychelles and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Seychelles
Export category Export value
Metals $180K
Animal & marine products $160K
Raw materials & minerals $45K
Precious metals & jewellery $40K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16K
Machinery & equipment $3K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.5M
Animal & marine products $1.44M
Metals $765K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $255K
Raw materials & minerals $196K
Chemicals & pharma $142K
Wood & paper products $14K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

Seychelles South Korea
Current account balance
-$176M
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
97/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.11%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$595M
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$1B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$1.71B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
103.2%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
85.2%
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.

Seychelles South Korea
Economic freedom 66.5 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 60/197 24/197
Property rights 82.6 89.6
Government integrity 71.7 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 61.7 77.5
Tax burden 77.3 61.5
Government spending 68 82.6
Fiscal health 92.2 93.5
Business freedom 71.3 81.5
Labor freedom 52 55
Monetary freedom 79.8 79.3
Trade freedom 81.2 73
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Seychelles
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Seychelles South Korea
2026 66.5 73.7
2025 66.4 74
2024 60.4 73.1
2023 59.5 73.7
2022 61.1 74.6
2021 66.3 74
2020 64.3 74
2019 61.4 72.3
2018 61.6 73.8
2017 61.8 74.3
2016 62.2 71.7
2015 57.5 71.5
2014 56.2 71.2
2013 54.9 70.3
2012 53 69.9
2011 51.2 69.8
2010 47.9 69.9
2009 47.8 68.1
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.8
2006 - 67.5
2005 - 66.4
2004 - 67.8
2003 - 68.3
2002 - 69.5
2001 - 69.1
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.7
1998 - 73.3
1997 - 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Seychelles is 66.5, ranking 60/197, 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

Seychelles South Korea
Services, % of GDP
65.8%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.45%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.12B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$32,180
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$774M
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
145/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$262M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$226M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$35.4M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.3%
2018
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.2%
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/seychelles/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (2020–2024, 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.