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Economy of South Korea vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

South Korea has a GDP of $1.87T compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 13/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Korea has $978B in government debt (52.3% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

South Korea vs South Sudan GDP by year

South Korea
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Korea South Sudan
2025 $1,872,374,961,553 -
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 -
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 -
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 -
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 -
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 -
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 -
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 -
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 -
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 -
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $11,997,800,760
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $13,962,212,847
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $18,426,469,017
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $11,931,472,169
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $14,907,308,933
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $14,602,072,411
2009 $983,065,242,417 $12,231,264,525
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $14,586,253,383
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 -
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 -
2005 $971,740,329,984 -
2004 $823,251,107,639 -
2003 $728,516,494,684 -
2002 $650,014,391,470 -
2001 $567,564,806,235 -
2000 $597,487,173,479 -
1999 $515,697,079,289 -
1998 $397,297,216,492 -
1997 $589,202,526,424 -
1996 $631,196,863,758 -
1995 $586,286,469,401 -
1994 $479,181,794,217 -
1993 $405,705,302,846 -
1992 $366,921,291,825 -
1991 $340,851,946,804 -
1990 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in South Korea vs South Sudan by year

South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Korea South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $36,227 - - -
2024 $36,239 $61,051 - -
2023 $35,674 $57,430 - -
2022 $34,822 $55,509 - -
2021 $37,518 $51,718 - -
2020 $33,646 $47,881 - -
2019 $33,827 $46,511 - -
2018 $35,364 $45,511 - -
2017 $33,297 $43,156 - -
2016 $30,832 $41,673 - -
2015 $30,172 $39,794 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $30,667 $37,032 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $28,449 $35,844 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $26,601 $35,062 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $26,175 $33,944 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $24,071 $33,120 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $19,937 $30,740 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $22,252 $31,211 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $25,078 $30,255 - -
2006 $22,610 $27,972 - -
2005 $20,167 $26,179 - -
2004 $17,122 $24,658 - -
2003 $15,212 $22,920 - -
2002 $13,643 $22,173 - -
2001 $11,981 $20,442 - -
2000 $12,710 $19,237 - -
1999 $11,063 $17,421 - -
1998 $8,583 $15,500 - -
1997 $12,822 $16,241 - -
1996 $13,865 $15,164 - -
1995 $13,002 $13,921 - -
1994 $10,734 $12,551 - -
1993 $9,180 $11,349 - -
1992 $8,387 $10,468 - -
1991 $7,873 $9,724 - -
1990 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

South Korea's GDP per capita is $36,227, ranking 33/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

South Korea South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$1.87T
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
13/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
1.01%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$36,227
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
33/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$978B
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.3%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$18,930
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
34/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,661
2026
$1,514
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.76T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,317,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
49
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2021
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.12%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2025
12.3%
2008
Population
51624449
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Korea
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Korea South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 52.3% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 22.5% 49.7% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 23.1% 50.5% 21.3% 62%
2022 26.7% 49.8% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 24.1% 48% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 23.7% 45.9% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 21.3% 39.7% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 19.3% 37.9% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 18.6% 38% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 18.5% 39.1% 52% 128.9%
2015 18.8% 38.8% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 18.8% 37.9% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 19% 36% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 18.8% 33.5% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 18.3% 31.7% 20.8% 0%
2010 17.9% 28.3% - -
2009 19.5% 28.8% - -
2008 19.1% 25.9% - -
2007 18.8% 26.3% - -
2006 18.7% 27% - -
2005 18.2% 24.9% - -
2004 18.5% 21.6% - -
2003 17.9% 19.1% - -
2002 15.9% 16.4% - -
2001 16.9% 16.6% - -
2000 16% 16.1% - -
1999 16.1% 15.8% - -
1998 16% 13.8% - -
1997 13.9% 9.69% - -
1996 14% 7.81% - -
1995 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, South Korea's government spending was $449B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.3% in South Korea and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 98/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Korea

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Korea South Sudan
2025 -1.43% 3.45%
2024 -0.78% 11.5%
2023 -0.67% 9.12%
2022 -1.49% 4.43%
2021 -0.02% -9.3%
2020 -2.11% -5.5%
2019 0.35% 0.04%
2018 2.42% -1.15%
2017 2.08% 4.16%
2016 1.56% -15.5%
2015 0.5% -16.3%
2014 0.57% -9.53%
2013 0.79% -3.45%
2012 1.63% -14.8%
2011 1.72% 4.57%
2010 1.61% -
2009 0.24% -
2008 1.58% -
2007 2.49% -
2006 1.18% -
2005 0.95% -
2004 0.09% -
2003 1.51% -
2002 3.23% -
2001 2.42% -
2000 3.91% -
1999 1.15% -
1998 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% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2015, South Korea's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $7.65B, equivalent to 0.5% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Korea recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, South Korea posted an annual surplus equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Korea

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Korea South Sudan
2025 2.12% -
2024 2.32% 91.4%
2023 3.6% 2.38%
2022 5.09% -6.69%
2021 2.5% 10.5%
2020 0.54% 29.7%
2019 0.38% 87.2%
2018 1.48% 83.5%
2017 1.94% 187.9%
2016 0.97% 380%
2015 0.71% 52.8%
2014 1.27% 1.67%
2013 1.3% -0.06%
2012 2.19% 45.5%
2011 4.03% 46.9%
2010 2.94% 1.17%
2009 2.76% 5.01%
2008 4.67% -
2007 2.53% -
2006 2.24% -
2005 2.75% -
2004 3.59% -
2003 3.51% -
2002 2.76% -
2001 4.07% -
2000 2.26% -
1999 0.81% -
1998 7.51% -
1997 4.44% -

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

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

Over the past 16 years, South Korea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.13%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.12% in South Korea and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

South Korea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $15.6M
Raw materials & minerals $369K
Textiles & consumer goods $273K
Machinery & equipment $144K
Wood & paper products $97K
Metals $38K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
South Sudan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $73K
Raw materials & minerals $41K

Balance of trade

South Korea South Sudan
Current account balance
$123B
2025
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
4/190
2025
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.57%
2025
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$581B
2025
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$719B
2025
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$185B
2025
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$150B
2025
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.8%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

South Korea South Sudan
Economic freedom 73.7 41
Economic freedom ranking 24/197 186/197
Property rights 89.6 n/a
Government integrity 70.9 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 77.5 n/a
Tax burden 61.5 n/a
Government spending 82.6 n/a
Fiscal health 93.5 n/a
Business freedom 81.5 n/a
Labor freedom 55 n/a
Monetary freedom 79.3 n/a
Trade freedom 73 n/a
Investment freedom 60 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

South Korea South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
57.2%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.46%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$1.96T
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,210
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$437B
2025
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
9/177
2025
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$25.4B
2025
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.9B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$49.7B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.4%
2020
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.1%
2025
5.75%
2015

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/south-korea/south-sudan | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.