South Africa has a GDP of $401B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 40/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.
South Africa has $305B in government debt (76% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.
South Africa vs South Korea GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $401,144,998,374 | $1,875,388,209,407 |
| 2023 | $381,440,724,491 | $1,844,800,934,392 |
| 2022 | $407,596,043,068 | $1,799,363,116,867 |
| 2021 | $419,986,284,375 | $1,942,313,560,966 |
| 2020 | $337,974,655,408 | $1,744,070,276,373 |
| 2019 | $389,330,032,224 | $1,751,045,752,055 |
| 2018 | $405,260,723,893 | $1,824,251,454,307 |
| 2017 | $381,448,814,653 | $1,710,196,756,713 |
| 2016 | $323,585,509,674 | $1,579,150,518,945 |
| 2015 | $346,709,790,459 | $1,539,212,301,136 |
| 2014 | $381,198,869,776 | $1,556,252,422,020 |
| 2013 | $400,886,013,596 | $1,434,669,686,502 |
| 2012 | $434,400,545,086 | $1,335,343,586,438 |
| 2011 | $458,199,494,831 | $1,307,103,477,219 |
| 2010 | $417,363,822,802 | $1,192,830,015,738 |
| 2009 | $329,754,060,647 | $983,065,242,417 |
| 2008 | $316,131,258,616 | $1,091,580,692,542 |
| 2007 | $333,077,117,254 | $1,220,911,904,593 |
| 2006 | $303,858,675,364 | $1,095,175,538,508 |
| 2005 | $288,867,217,197 | $971,740,329,984 |
| 2004 | $255,806,908,595 | $823,251,107,639 |
| 2003 | $197,018,965,309 | $728,516,494,684 |
| 2002 | $129,087,556,612 | $650,014,391,470 |
| 2001 | $135,429,905,923 | $567,564,806,235 |
| 2000 | $151,752,757,215 | $597,487,173,479 |
| 1999 | $151,516,957,079 | $515,697,079,289 |
| 1998 | $152,982,984,557 | $397,297,216,492 |
| 1997 | $168,978,057,328 | $589,202,526,424 |
| 1996 | $163,234,925,381 | $631,196,863,758 |
| 1995 | $171,735,933,897 | $586,286,469,401 |
| 1994 | $153,512,712,382 | $479,181,794,217 |
| 1993 | $147,194,747,566 | $405,705,302,846 |
| 1992 | $146,956,150,987 | $366,921,291,825 |
| 1991 | $135,203,698,238 | $340,851,946,804 |
| 1990 | $126,048,140,142 | $292,064,221,389 |
| 1989 | $108,055,624,082 | $254,236,243,100 |
| 1988 | $103,976,831,871 | $205,477,530,605 |
| 1987 | $96,535,763,418 | $152,240,393,646 |
| 1986 | $73,354,771,399 | $119,965,960,795 |
| 1985 | $64,459,376,087 | $103,764,281,281 |
| 1984 | $84,870,163,366 | $99,749,645,089 |
| 1983 | $96,204,110,942 | $89,621,208,322 |
| 1982 | $85,904,057,409 | $79,921,300,447 |
| 1981 | $93,141,472,164 | $74,287,368,087 |
| 1980 | $89,411,864,402 | $66,547,970,351 |
| 1979 | $63,038,658,089 | $68,083,884,298 |
| 1978 | $51,607,412,902 | $52,824,793,388 |
| 1977 | $45,328,411,332 | $39,064,462,810 |
| 1976 | $41,150,460,288 | $30,371,074,380 |
| 1975 | $42,906,905,672 | $22,126,033,058 |
| 1974 | $41,389,186,095 | $19,860,929,977 |
| 1973 | $33,262,772,008 | $14,067,523,813 |
| 1972 | $24,515,919,217 | $10,990,490,570 |
| 1971 | $23,411,076,638 | $10,005,257,131 |
| 1970 | $21,218,391,513 | $9,085,001,794 |
| 1969 | $19,256,992,297 | $7,743,940,189 |
| 1968 | $17,124,793,150 | $6,167,109,472 |
| 1967 | $15,821,393,671 | $4,895,076,718 |
| 1966 | $14,211,394,315 | $3,957,064,541 |
| 1965 | $13,068,994,772 | $3,141,131,708 |
| 1964 | $11,955,995,218 | $3,476,789,682 |
| 1963 | $10,854,195,658 | $4,007,692,308 |
| 1962 | $9,813,996,074 | $2,826,923,077 |
| 1961 | $9,225,996,310 | $2,427,244,761 |
| 1960 | $8,748,596,501 | $3,973,069,307 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/south-korea | CC BY 
GDP per capita in South Africa vs South Korea by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $6,267 | $15,456 | $36,239 | $61,051 |
| 2023 | $6,034 | $15,200 | $35,674 | $57,430 |
| 2022 | $6,534 | $14,749 | $34,822 | $55,509 |
| 2021 | $6,829 | $13,682 | $37,518 | $51,718 |
| 2020 | $5,581 | $12,671 | $33,646 | $47,881 |
| 2019 | $6,534 | $13,361 | $33,827 | $46,511 |
| 2018 | $6,914 | $13,347 | $35,364 | $45,511 |
| 2017 | $6,618 | $13,738 | $33,297 | $43,156 |
| 2016 | $5,651 | $13,519 | $30,832 | $41,673 |
| 2015 | $6,112 | $13,398 | $30,172 | $39,794 |
| 2014 | $6,857 | $13,359 | $30,667 | $37,032 |
| 2013 | $7,332 | $13,369 | $28,449 | $35,844 |
| 2012 | $8,077 | $12,987 | $26,601 | $35,062 |
| 2011 | $8,646 | $13,143 | $26,175 | $33,944 |
| 2010 | $7,973 | $12,637 | $24,071 | $33,120 |
| 2009 | $6,375 | $12,261 | $19,937 | $30,740 |
| 2008 | $6,185 | $12,525 | $22,252 | $31,211 |
| 2007 | $6,592 | $12,047 | $25,078 | $30,255 |
| 2006 | $6,077 | $11,250 | $22,610 | $27,972 |
| 2005 | $5,837 | $10,441 | $20,167 | $26,179 |
| 2004 | $5,221 | $9,714 | $17,122 | $24,658 |
| 2003 | $4,062 | $9,139 | $15,212 | $22,920 |
| 2002 | $2,688 | $8,792 | $13,643 | $22,173 |
| 2001 | $2,847 | $8,428 | $11,981 | $20,442 |
| 2000 | $3,218 | $8,095 | $12,710 | $19,237 |
| 1999 | $3,242 | $7,667 | $11,063 | $17,421 |
| 1998 | $3,310 | $7,463 | $8,583 | $15,500 |
| 1997 | $3,700 | $7,433 | $12,822 | $16,241 |
| 1996 | $3,618 | $7,208 | $13,865 | $15,164 |
| 1995 | $3,856 | $6,875 | $13,002 | $13,921 |
| 1994 | $3,489 | $6,611 | $10,734 | $12,551 |
| 1993 | $3,400 | $6,375 | $9,180 | $11,349 |
| 1992 | $3,462 | $6,275 | $8,387 | $10,468 |
| 1991 | $3,243 | $6,383 | $7,873 | $9,724 |
| 1990 | $3,093 | $6,382 | $6,813 | $8,567 |
| 1989 | $2,727 | - | $5,989 | - |
| 1988 | $2,702 | - | $4,889 | - |
| 1987 | $2,586 | - | $3,658 | - |
| 1986 | $2,027 | - | $2,911 | - |
| 1985 | $1,839 | - | $2,543 | - |
| 1984 | $2,504 | - | $2,469 | - |
| 1983 | $2,938 | - | $2,246 | - |
| 1982 | $2,717 | - | $2,032 | - |
| 1981 | $3,050 | - | $1,918 | - |
| 1980 | $3,029 | - | $1,746 | - |
| 1979 | $2,202 | - | $1,814 | - |
| 1978 | $1,852 | - | $1,429 | - |
| 1977 | $1,671 | - | $1,073 | - |
| 1976 | $1,559 | - | $847 | - |
| 1975 | $1,670 | - | $627 | - |
| 1974 | $1,656 | - | $572 | - |
| 1973 | $1,369 | - | $412 | - |
| 1972 | $1,038 | - | $328 | - |
| 1971 | $1,020 | - | $304 | - |
| 1970 | $952 | - | $281.8 | - |
| 1969 | $891 | - | $245.5 | - |
| 1968 | $817 | - | $200 | - |
| 1967 | $779 | - | $162.5 | - |
| 1966 | $722 | - | $134.4 | - |
| 1965 | $685 | - | $109.4 | - |
| 1964 | $646 | - | $124.2 | - |
| 1963 | $605 | - | $147 | - |
| 1962 | $563 | - | $106.6 | - |
| 1961 | $546 | - | $94.2 | - |
| 1960 | $532 | - | $158.8 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/south-korea | CC BY
South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,267, ranking 111/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.
Economic indicators
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$401B
2024 |
$1.88T
2024 |
| GDP rank |
40/197
2024 |
12/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
0.53%
2023-2024 |
2%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$6,267
2024 |
$36,239
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
111/197
2024 |
31/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$15,456
2024 |
$61,051
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
112/197
2024 |
33/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$305B
2024 |
$934B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
76%
2024 |
49.8%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$4,761
2024 |
$18,052
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
83/185
2024 |
33/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$15,431
2026 |
$27,215
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$986B
2024 |
$1.56T
2024 |
| Number of millionaires |
90,595
2025 |
1,301,000
2025 |
| Number of billionaires |
7
2025 |
30
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
50.5%
2014 |
24.6%
2021 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
0.9%
2014 |
2.9%
2021 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
33%
2024 |
22.5%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
4.36%
2023-2024 |
2.32%
2023-2024 |
| Central bank interest rate |
6.75%
2025 |
2.5%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
32.3%
2024 |
2.78%
2024 |
| Population |
65683993
|
51649918
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 33% | 76% | 22.5% | 49.8% |
| 2023 | 32.5% | 73.2% | 23.1% | 50.5% |
| 2022 | 31.9% | 70.7% | 26.7% | 49.8% |
| 2021 | 32.7% | 68.8% | 24.1% | 48% |
| 2020 | 34.6% | 68.9% | 23.7% | 45.9% |
| 2019 | 31.4% | 56.1% | 21.3% | 39.7% |
| 2018 | 30.2% | 51.5% | 19.3% | 37.9% |
| 2017 | 29.9% | 48.6% | 18.6% | 38% |
| 2016 | 29.9% | 47.1% | 18.5% | 39.1% |
| 2015 | 30.2% | 45.2% | 18.8% | 38.8% |
| 2014 | 29.3% | 43.3% | 18.8% | 37.9% |
| 2013 | 28.9% | 40.4% | 19% | 36% |
| 2012 | 28.6% | 37.4% | 18.8% | 33.5% |
| 2011 | 28.1% | 34.7% | 18.3% | 31.7% |
| 2010 | 28.3% | 31.2% | 17.9% | 28.3% |
| 2009 | 28.5% | 27% | 19.5% | 28.8% |
| 2008 | 26% | 24% | 19.1% | 25.9% |
| 2007 | 24.4% | 24.3% | 18.8% | 26.3% |
| 2006 | 24.7% | 28% | 18.7% | 27% |
| 2005 | 25.1% | 29.6% | 18.2% | 24.9% |
| 2004 | 22.7% | 30.7% | 18.5% | 21.6% |
| 2003 | 22.6% | 31.5% | 17.9% | 19.1% |
| 2002 | 22.2% | 31.8% | 15.9% | 16.4% |
| 2001 | 22.6% | 38% | 16.9% | 16.6% |
| 2000 | 22.6% | 37.9% | 16% | 16.1% |
| 1999 | 26.7% | 45.9% | 16.1% | 15.8% |
| 1998 | 27.1% | 45.8% | 16% | 13.8% |
| 1997 | 27.9% | 45.8% | 13.9% | 9.69% |
| 1996 | 28.5% | 44.3% | 14% | 7.81% |
| 1995 | 27.2% | 47% | 13.5% | 8.48% |
| 1994 | 31.3% | 46.4% | 15.4% | 9.63% |
| 1993 | 29.1% | 39.8% | 15.1% | 10.9% |
| 1992 | 29.8% | 34.8% | 15.5% | 11.6% |
| 1991 | 27.8% | 34.7% | 15.4% | 11.9% |
| 1990 | 28.7% | 31.8% | 15.2% | 12.8% |
| 1989 | 29.6% | 33.3% | 15% | 12.4% |
| 1988 | 23.9% | 30.6% | 13.9% | 12.7% |
| 1987 | 28% | 33.5% | 14.3% | 15.3% |
| 1986 | 27.8% | 32.5% | 14.9% | 14.5% |
| 1985 | 26.8% | 26.3% | 15.5% | 16.2% |
| 1984 | 25.2% | 23.2% | 15.6% | 16.9% |
| 1983 | 25.1% | 28.7% | 16% | 19.3% |
| 1982 | 23.8% | 31.3% | 17.8% | 20.5% |
| 1981 | 23.3% | 27.4% | 16.3% | 18.8% |
| 1980 | 21.8% | 33.3% | 16.8% | 18.6% |
| 1979 | 26.5% | 41.9% | 16.3% | 15.7% |
| 1978 | 26.8% | 44.7% | 15.7% | 18.4% |
| 1977 | 27.3% | 45.3% | 17.7% | 20.1% |
| 1976 | 23% | 35% | 17% | 20.4% |
| 1975 | 21.2% | 32.8% | 18.8% | 21.5% |
| 1974 | 19.1% | 33.7% | 16.1% | 18.6% |
| 1973 | 21% | 38.2% | 14.2% | 17.9% |
| 1972 | 22.9% | 41.1% | 18.5% | 18.3% |
| 1971 | 19.9% | 41.1% | 18.5% | 14.5% |
| 1970 | 20% | 43.3% | 17.5% | 6.95% |
| 1969 | 18.8% | 44.4% | 19.8% | 2.63% |
| 1968 | 19.4% | 42.7% | 18.5% | 2.76% |
| 1967 | 18.8% | 41.1% | 16.7% | 3.74% |
| 1966 | 18.3% | 41.4% | 16% | 4.44% |
| 1965 | 18.2% | 42.7% | 13.1% | 6.14% |
| 1964 | 11.3% | 30% | 12.1% | 6.57% |
| 1963 | 15.9% | 43.4% | 15.4% | 9.21% |
| 1962 | 15.9% | 45.7% | 22.3% | 13% |
| 1961 | 15.7% | 52.8% | 21.2% | 13.4% |
| 1960 | 16.7% | 52.9% | 17.9% | 13.7% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/south-korea | CC BY
In 2024, South Africa's government spending was $132B, accounting for 33% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 76% in South Africa and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 48/185 and 110/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | -5.79% | -0.78% |
| 2023 | -5.55% | -0.67% |
| 2022 | -4.25% | -1.49% |
| 2021 | -5.54% | -0.02% |
| 2020 | -9.62% | -2.11% |
| 2019 | -5.07% | 0.35% |
| 2018 | -3.73% | 2.42% |
| 2017 | -4.02% | 2.08% |
| 2016 | -3.72% | 1.56% |
| 2015 | -4.37% | 0.5% |
| 2014 | -3.93% | 0.57% |
| 2013 | -3.9% | 0.79% |
| 2012 | -4.04% | 1.63% |
| 2011 | -3.7% | 1.72% |
| 2010 | -4.51% | 1.61% |
| 2009 | -4.67% | 0.24% |
| 2008 | -0.49% | 1.58% |
| 2007 | 1.22% | 2.49% |
| 2006 | 0.81% | 1.18% |
| 2005 | -0.1% | 0.95% |
| 2004 | -1.04% | 0.09% |
| 2003 | -1.59% | 1.51% |
| 2002 | -0.96% | 3.23% |
| 2001 | -1.02% | 2.42% |
| 2000 | -1.38% | 3.91% |
| 1999 | -2.21% | 1.15% |
| 1998 | -2.56% | 1.09% |
| 1997 | -4.08% | 2.31% |
| 1996 | -4.53% | 2.3% |
| 1995 | -4.38% | 2.16% |
| 1994 | -8.09% | 2.06% |
| 1993 | -8.54% | 3.21% |
| 1992 | -7.09% | 2.42% |
| 1991 | -4.85% | 1.94% |
| 1990 | -3.82% | 2.98% |
| 1989 | -8.3% | 2.27% |
| 1988 | -3.29% | 2.85% |
| 1987 | -6.36% | 1.7% |
| 1986 | -5.69% | 0.8% |
| 1985 | -4.86% | 0.47% |
| 1984 | -5.24% | 0.78% |
| 1983 | -5.3% | 1.05% |
| 1982 | -3.88% | -0.41% |
| 1981 | -3.72% | 0.99% |
| 1980 | -1.91% | 0.46% |
| 1979 | -4.65% | 0.47% |
| 1978 | -5.42% | -0.27% |
| 1977 | -5.52% | -1.81% |
| 1976 | -4.19% | -0.87% |
| 1975 | -2.62% | -3.68% |
| 1974 | -1.5% | -2.78% |
| 1973 | -4.54% | -1.72% |
| 1972 | -5.39% | -4.33% |
| 1971 | -1.96% | -1.3% |
| 1970 | -3.19% | -0.52% |
| 1969 | -3.94% | -2.85% |
| 1968 | -3.38% | -2.36% |
| 1967 | -3.8% | -2.87% |
| 1966 | -3.04% | -4.27% |
| 1965 | -3.15% | -3.43% |
| 1964 | -1.19% | -4.1% |
| 1963 | -2.26% | -4.32% |
| 1962 | -1.4% | -7.82% |
| 1961 | -3.25% | -9.48% |
| 1960 | -2.36% | -5.18% |
| 1959 | -4.4% | -6.52% |
| 1958 | -3.5% | -10% |
| 1957 | -2.8% | -10.1% |
| 1956 | -2.12% | -10.8% |
| 1955 | -2.9% | -10.6% |
| 1954 | -2.53% | -10.3% |
| 1953 | -3.72% | -4.14% |
| 1952 | -4.14% | - |
| 1951 | -0.4% | - |
| 1950 | -2.33% | - |
| 1949 | -6.87% | - |
| 1948 | -6.03% | - |
| 1947 | -1.82% | - |
| 1946 | -4.03% | - |
| 1945 | -7.41% | - |
| 1944 | -8.94% | - |
| 1943 | -8.49% | - |
| 1942 | -9.08% | - |
| 1941 | -7.3% | - |
| 1940 | -10.9% | - |
| 1939 | -2.96% | - |
| 1938 | -3.91% | - |
| 1937 | -2.16% | - |
| 1936 | -2.58% | - |
| 1935 | -3.2% | - |
| 1934 | -3.29% | - |
| 1933 | -3.31% | - |
| 1932 | -4.72% | - |
| 1931 | -5.31% | - |
| 1930 | -5.19% | - |
| 1929 | -4.41% | - |
| 1928 | -3.29% | - |
| 1927 | -3.79% | - |
| 1926 | -4.76% | - |
| 1925 | -4.92% | - |
| 1924 | -4.72% | - |
| 1923 | -5.53% | - |
| 1922 | -4.51% | - |
| 1921 | -5.38% | - |
| 1920 | -5.52% | - |
| 1919 | -2.6% | - |
| 1918 | -3.7% | - |
| 1917 | -3.52% | - |
| 1916 | -2.57% | - |
| 1915 | -10.7% | - |
| 1914 | -11.6% | - |
| 1913 | -4.15% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/south-korea | CC BY
In 2024, South Africa's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $23.2B, equivalent to 5.79% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.
Over the past 65 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 63 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, South Africa posted an annual deficit equal to 3.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.08% of GDP for South Korea.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 4.36% | 2.32% |
| 2023 | 6.08% | 3.6% |
| 2022 | 7.04% | 5.09% |
| 2021 | 4.62% | 2.5% |
| 2020 | 3.23% | 0.54% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | 0.38% |
| 2018 | 4.51% | 1.48% |
| 2017 | 5.19% | 1.94% |
| 2016 | 6.6% | 0.97% |
| 2015 | 4.52% | 0.71% |
| 2014 | 6.13% | 1.27% |
| 2013 | 5.78% | 1.3% |
| 2012 | 5.74% | 2.19% |
| 2011 | 5% | 4.03% |
| 2010 | 4.07% | 2.94% |
| 2009 | 7.24% | 2.76% |
| 2008 | 9.91% | 4.67% |
| 2007 | 6.18% | 2.53% |
| 2006 | 3.24% | 2.24% |
| 2005 | 2.06% | 2.75% |
| 2004 | -0.69% | 3.59% |
| 2003 | 5.68% | 3.51% |
| 2002 | 9.49% | 2.76% |
| 2001 | 5.7% | 4.07% |
| 2000 | 5.34% | 2.26% |
| 1999 | 5.18% | 0.81% |
| 1998 | 6.88% | 7.51% |
| 1997 | 8.6% | 4.44% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/south-korea | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, South Africa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.42%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 4.36% in South Africa and 2.32% in South Korea.
Top exports between countries
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Raw materials & minerals | $1.27B |
| Metals | $180M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $61.9M |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $52.1M |
| Machinery & equipment | $49.8M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $16.5M |
| Raw agricultural goods | $15.1M |
| Animal & marine products | $5.32M |
| Wood & paper products | $3.95M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $1.36M |
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $347M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $121M |
| Metals | $116M |
| Raw materials & minerals | $59.2M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $28.3M |
| Wood & paper products | $19.9M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $8.78M |
| Animal & marine products | $2.99M |
| Miscellaneous | $2.95M |
| Weapons & explosives | $862K |
Balance of trade
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$2.58B
2024 |
$99B
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
152/190
2024 |
7/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-0.64%
2024 |
+5.28%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$99.8B
2024 |
$596B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$112B
2024 |
$696B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$20B
2024 |
$163B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$16.1B
2024 |
$139B
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
29.9%
2024 |
40.3%
2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
31.8%
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.
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 58.6 | 73.7 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 110/197 | 24/197 |
| Property rights | 48.8 | 89.6 |
| Government integrity | 46.7 | 70.9 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 64.6 | 77.5 |
| Tax burden | 65.4 | 61.5 |
| Government spending | 68.4 | 82.6 |
| Fiscal health | 45.3 | 93.5 |
| Business freedom | 67.9 | 81.5 |
| Labor freedom | 70.8 | 55 |
| Monetary freedom | 75.8 | 79.3 |
| Trade freedom | 68.8 | 73 |
| Investment freedom | 40 | 60 |
| Financial freedom | 40 | 60 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2026 | 58.6 | 73.7 |
| 2025 | 57.3 | 74 |
| 2024 | 55.3 | 73.1 |
| 2023 | 55.7 | 73.7 |
| 2022 | 56.2 | 74.6 |
| 2021 | 59.7 | 74 |
| 2020 | 58.8 | 74 |
| 2019 | 58.3 | 72.3 |
| 2018 | 63 | 73.8 |
| 2017 | 62.3 | 74.3 |
| 2016 | 61.9 | 71.7 |
| 2015 | 62.6 | 71.5 |
| 2014 | 62.5 | 71.2 |
| 2013 | 61.8 | 70.3 |
| 2012 | 62.7 | 69.9 |
| 2011 | 62.7 | 69.8 |
| 2010 | 62.8 | 69.9 |
| 2009 | 63.8 | 68.1 |
| 2008 | 63.4 | 68.6 |
| 2007 | 63.5 | 67.8 |
| 2006 | 63.7 | 67.5 |
| 2005 | 62.9 | 66.4 |
| 2004 | 66.3 | 67.8 |
| 2003 | 67.1 | 68.3 |
| 2002 | 64 | 69.5 |
| 2001 | 63.8 | 69.1 |
| 2000 | 63.7 | 69.7 |
| 1999 | 63.3 | 69.7 |
| 1998 | 64.3 | 73.3 |
| 1997 | 63.2 | 69.8 |
| 1996 | 62.5 | 73 |
| 1995 | 60.7 | 72 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/south-korea | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for South Africa is 58.6, ranking 110/197, 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
|
South Africa
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
63%
2024 |
57.5%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
24.3%
2024 |
33.9%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
2.81%
2024 |
1.46%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$391B
2024 |
$1.9T
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$15,150
2024 |
$61,930
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$65.4B
2024 |
$418B
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
36/177
2024 |
8/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$3.59B
2024 |
$33.4B
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$2.33B
2024 |
$15.2B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$1.26B
2024 |
$48.6B
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
5.74%
2024 |
n/a |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
55.5%
2014 |
14.4%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
14.1%
2024 |
30%
2024 |
GDP per capita map
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/south-africa/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:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- 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.
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.