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

Updated on by Georank team

South Korea has a GDP of $1.88T compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 12/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Korea has $934B in government debt (49.8% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% 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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

South Korea's GDP per capita is $36,239, ranking 31/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. 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
$1.88T
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
12/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$36,239
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
31/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
33/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$934B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.8%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,052
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
33/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$27,215
2026
$1,305
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.56T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,301,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
30
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.32%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
2.78%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
51649918
12507858

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
2024 22.5% 49.8% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 23.1% 50.5% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 26.7% 49.8% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 24.1% 48% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 23.7% 45.9% 34.1% 49%
2019 21.3% 39.7% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 19.3% 37.9% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 18.6% 38% 97% 178.3%
2016 18.5% 39.1% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 18.8% 38.8% 34% 58.6%
2014 18.8% 37.9% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 19% 36% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 18.8% 33.5% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 18.3% 31.7% 20.8% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Korea's government spending was $423B, accounting for 22.5% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.8% in South Korea and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 110/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Korea

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Korea South Sudan
2024 -0.78% 11.7%
2023 -0.67% 8.04%
2022 -1.49% 4.48%
2021 -0.02% -9.3%
2020 -2.11% -5.5%
2019 0.35% 0.04%
2018 2.42% -1.06%
2017 2.08% 9.56%
2016 1.56% -19.8%
2015 0.5% -16.4%
2014 0.57% -9.07%
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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 $1.97B, or 16.4% 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 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Korea

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Korea South Sudan
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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 2.32% in South Korea and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

South Korea
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $4.7M
Machinery & equipment $976K
Raw materials & minerals $369K
Textiles & consumer goods $272K
Wood & paper products $109K
Metals $35K
South Sudan
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

South Korea South Sudan
Current account balance
$99B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.28%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$596B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$696B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$163B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$139B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.3%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
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
57.5%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.46%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$1.9T
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,930
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$418B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$33.4B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.2B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$48.6B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.4%
2020
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/south-korea/south-sudan | CC BY

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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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.