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Economy of Slovakia vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Slovakia has a GDP of $141B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 61/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Slovakia has $80.7B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Slovakia vs South Korea GDP by year

Slovakia
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Slovakia South Korea
2024 $140,934,076,532 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $133,578,518,424 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $115,792,972,358 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $120,511,265,913 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $107,732,602,896 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $105,843,498,304 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $106,611,673,365 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $95,978,130,735 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $90,347,173,229 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $89,178,548,717 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $101,713,075,599 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $99,134,277,850 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $94,724,394,278 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $99,705,104,723 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $91,112,160,801 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $89,342,984,698 $983,065,242,417
2008 $100,830,060,553 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $86,587,749,518 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $70,751,813,443 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $62,547,753,148 $971,740,329,984
2004 $57,215,475,076 $823,251,107,639
2003 $46,616,149,117 $728,516,494,684
2002 $35,243,658,399 $650,014,391,470
2001 $30,726,659,551 $567,564,806,235
2000 $29,215,726,005 $597,487,173,479
1999 $30,496,272,225 $515,697,079,289
1998 $29,976,207,629 $397,297,216,492
1997 $27,844,628,979 $589,202,526,424
1996 $28,197,790,875 $631,196,863,758
1995 $26,180,022,222 $586,286,469,401
1994 $20,428,139,756 $479,181,794,217
1993 $16,737,973,764 $405,705,302,846
1992 $15,699,327,209 $366,921,291,825
1991 $14,459,924,589 $340,851,946,804
1990 $12,915,046,978 $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/slovakia/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Slovakia vs South Korea by year

Slovakia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Slovakia South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $25,993 $48,132 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $24,615 $45,974 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $21,318 $41,562 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $22,123 $38,346 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $19,735 $35,328 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $19,406 $33,986 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $19,573 $31,510 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $17,646 $30,246 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $16,636 $29,868 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $16,442 $30,148 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $18,771 $29,108 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $18,313 $28,075 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $17,517 $27,023 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $18,469 $26,202 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $16,899 $25,382 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $16,587 $23,077 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $18,744 $23,714 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $16,110 $21,232 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $13,168 $18,906 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $11,642 $16,570 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $10,650 $15,166 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $8,675 $14,088 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $6,555 $13,292 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $5,712 $12,367 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $5,422 $11,370 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $5,652 $10,726 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $5,561 $10,666 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $5,172 $10,137 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $5,248 $9,500 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $4,883 $8,812 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $3,821 $8,178 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $3,143 $7,569 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $2,959 $7,270 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $2,727 $7,623 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $2,437 $8,638 $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/slovakia/south-korea | CC BY

Slovakia's GDP per capita is $25,993, ranking 47/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Slovakia ranks 49th at $48,132, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Slovakia South Korea
Gross domestic product
$141B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
61/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
1.94%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$25,993
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
47/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,132
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
49/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$80.7B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$14,876
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
40/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$17,983
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$5.38B
2014
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
18.8%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.76%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.34%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
5359438
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Slovakia
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Slovakia South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 47.1% 57.2% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 48% 55.6% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 43% 57.7% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 44.9% 60.2% 24.1% 48%
2020 44.5% 58.4% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 40.6% 48% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 39.7% 49.3% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 39.8% 51.4% 18.6% 38%
2016 40.9% 52.1% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 44.1% 51.6% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 42% 53.4% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 41.1% 54.6% 19% 36%
2012 40% 51.7% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 40.8% 43.3% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 41% 40.7% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 43.2% 36.4% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 36.5% 28.6% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 35.9% 30.4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 38.2% 31.5% 18.7% 27%
2005 39.1% 35% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 38.4% 42% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 40% 43.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 46% 45.6% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 46.2% 51.4% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 53.2% 50.6% 16% 16.1%
1999 48.4% 47.1% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 46.2% 33.9% 16% 13.8%
1997 48.6% 32.8% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 52.8% 30.3% 14% 7.81%
1995 47.8% 21.3% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - - 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Slovakia's government spending was $66.4B, accounting for 47.1% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Slovakia and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 90/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Slovakia

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Slovakia South Korea
2024 -5.27% -0.78%
2023 -5.15% -0.67%
2022 -1.16% -1.49%
2021 -5.09% -0.02%
2020 -5.3% -2.11%
2019 -1.21% 0.35%
2018 -1.01% 2.42%
2017 -0.98% 2.08%
2016 -2.59% 1.56%
2015 -2.78% 0.5%
2014 -3.25% 0.57%
2013 -2.86% 0.79%
2012 -4.37% 1.63%
2011 -4.36% 1.72%
2010 -7.44% 1.61%
2009 -8.18% 0.24%
2008 -2.54% 1.58%
2007 -2.26% 2.49%
2006 -3.57% 1.18%
2005 -2.86% 0.95%
2004 -2.36% 0.09%
2003 -2.28% 1.51%
2002 -8.35% 3.23%
2001 -7.74% 2.42%
2000 -12.7% 3.91%
1999 -7.25% 1.15%
1998 -5.37% 1.09%
1997 -6.24% 2.31%
1996 -9.72% 2.3%
1995 -3.43% 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/slovakia/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Slovakia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $7.43B, equivalent to 5.27% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Slovakia recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Slovakia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.59% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.16% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Slovakia

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Slovakia South Korea
2024 2.76% 2.32%
2023 10.5% 3.6%
2022 12.8% 5.09%
2021 3.15% 2.5%
2020 1.94% 0.54%
2019 2.66% 0.38%
2018 2.51% 1.48%
2017 1.31% 1.94%
2016 -0.52% 0.97%
2015 -0.33% 0.71%
2014 -0.08% 1.27%
2013 1.4% 1.3%
2012 3.61% 2.19%
2011 3.92% 4.03%
2010 0.96% 2.94%
2009 1.62% 2.76%
2008 4.6% 4.67%
2007 2.76% 2.53%
2006 4.48% 2.24%
2005 2.71% 2.75%
2004 7.55% 3.59%
2003 8.55% 3.51%
2002 3.13% 2.76%
2001 7.33% 4.07%
2000 12% 2.26%
1999 10.6% 0.81%
1998 6.67% 7.51%
1997 6.14% 4.44%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Slovakia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.45%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 2.76% in Slovakia and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Slovakia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $278M
Transport & tourism services $15.7M
Manufacturing & construction services $15.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.52M
Chemicals & pharma $7.44M
Raw materials & minerals $5.12M
IT & IP services $2.75M
Metals $2.42M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.76M
Business & finance services $1.17M
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.5B
Metals $142M
Chemicals & pharma $103M
Raw materials & minerals $40.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $23.1M
Wood & paper products $2.57M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.14M
Precious metals & jewellery $330K
Miscellaneous $206K
Raw agricultural goods $51K

Balance of trade

Slovakia South Korea
Current account balance
-$6.5B
2024
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
171/190
2024
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.61%
2024
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$107B
2024
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$106B
2024
$696B
2024
Service imports
$13.2B
2024
$163B
2024
Service exports
$13.9B
2024
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
85.7%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
85.5%
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.

Slovakia South Korea
Economic freedom 67.7 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 54/197 24/197
Property rights 82.6 89.6
Government integrity 57.2 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.5 77.5
Tax burden 75.4 61.5
Government spending 36.4 82.6
Fiscal health 69.6 93.5
Business freedom 71.1 81.5
Labor freedom 55.1 55
Monetary freedom 69.7 79.3
Trade freedom 79.4 73
Investment freedom 75 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Slovakia
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Slovakia South Korea
2026 67.7 73.7
2025 68.4 74
2024 68.1 73.1
2023 69 73.7
2022 69.7 74.6
2021 66.3 74
2020 66.8 74
2019 65 72.3
2018 65.3 73.8
2017 65.7 74.3
2016 66.6 71.7
2015 67.2 71.5
2014 66.4 71.2
2013 68.7 70.3
2012 67 69.9
2011 69.5 69.8
2010 69.7 69.9
2009 69.4 68.1
2008 70 68.6
2007 69.6 67.8
2006 69.8 67.5
2005 66.8 66.4
2004 64.6 67.8
2003 59 68.3
2002 59.8 69.5
2001 58.5 69.1
2000 53.8 69.7
1999 54.2 69.7
1998 57.5 73.3
1997 55.5 69.8
1996 57.6 73
1995 60.4 72

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Slovakia is 67.7, ranking 54/197, 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

Slovakia South Korea
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$128B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,040
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.5B
2024
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
68/177
2024
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.77B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$5.01B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.24B
2024
$48.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.7%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
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/slovakia/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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.