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Economy of South Korea vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Korea has a GDP of $1.88T compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 12/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Korea has $934B in government debt (49.8% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

South Korea vs Tanzania GDP by year

South Korea
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Korea Tanzania
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 $78,844,405,385
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 $79,030,935,627
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 $75,749,121,843
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 $70,655,628,148
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 $66,068,737,786
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 $61,026,731,926
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 $57,003,712,892
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 $53,274,884,533
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 $49,774,409,374
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $47,413,919,817
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $49,986,726,461
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $45,648,857,242
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $39,650,394,363
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $34,657,140,096
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $32,012,892,919
2009 $983,065,242,417 $29,400,573,554
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $27,947,821,398
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 $21,860,434,823
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 $18,619,859,795
2005 $971,740,329,984 $18,395,383,647
2004 $823,251,107,639 $16,673,062,473
2003 $728,516,494,684 $15,211,487,709
2002 $650,014,391,470 $14,129,651,896
2001 $567,564,806,235 $13,563,990,022
2000 $597,487,173,479 $13,371,767,082
1999 $515,697,079,289 $12,704,334,196
1998 $397,297,216,492 $12,172,790,056
1997 $589,202,526,424 $11,158,197,942
1996 $631,196,863,758 $9,433,528,150
1995 $586,286,469,401 $7,631,431,840
1994 $479,181,794,217 $6,550,480,484
1993 $405,705,302,846 $6,182,872,708
1992 $366,921,291,825 $6,681,997,469
1991 $340,851,946,804 $7,197,768,159
1990 $292,064,221,389 $6,184,384,225
1989 $254,236,243,100 $6,418,799,007
1988 $205,477,530,605 $7,406,614,407
1987 $152,240,393,646 $7,824,193,222
1986 $119,965,960,795 $10,840,864,521
1985 $103,764,281,281 $15,328,295,175
1984 $99,749,645,089 $12,906,635,133
1983 $89,621,208,322 $14,049,883,809
1982 $79,921,300,447 $13,927,383,240
1981 $74,287,368,087 $13,161,540,378
1980 $66,547,970,351 $11,409,228,087
1979 $68,083,884,298 $9,804,637,491
1978 $52,824,793,388 $9,261,675,710
1977 $39,064,462,810 $7,732,598,995
1976 $30,371,074,380 $6,472,511,988
1975 $22,126,033,058 $5,729,917,840
1974 $19,860,929,977 $4,977,337,978
1973 $14,067,523,813 $4,144,104,535
1972 $10,990,490,570 $3,472,787,266
1971 $10,005,257,131 $3,050,673,517
1970 $9,085,001,794 $2,851,419,386
1969 $7,743,940,189 $5,142,066,811
1968 $6,167,109,472 $4,895,251,824
1967 $4,895,076,718 $4,565,132,048
1966 $3,957,064,541 $4,377,998,825
1965 $3,141,131,708 $3,817,226,546
1964 $3,476,789,682 $3,748,840,925
1963 $4,007,692,308 $3,456,579,293
1962 $2,826,923,077 $3,101,589,993
1961 $2,427,244,761 $2,826,179,031
1960 $3,973,069,307 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in South Korea vs Tanzania by year

South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Korea Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $36,239 $61,051 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $35,674 $57,430 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $34,822 $55,509 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $37,518 $51,718 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $33,646 $47,881 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $33,827 $46,511 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $35,364 $45,511 $992 $2,728
2017 $33,297 $43,156 $957 $2,472
2016 $30,832 $41,673 $925 $2,435
2015 $30,172 $39,794 $911 $2,317
2014 $30,667 $37,032 $993 $2,221
2013 $28,449 $35,844 $935 $2,176
2012 $26,601 $35,062 $837 $2,083
2011 $26,175 $33,944 $753 $2,211
2010 $24,071 $33,120 $715 $2,069
2009 $19,937 $30,740 $674 $1,972
2008 $22,252 $31,211 $657 $1,908
2007 $25,078 $30,255 $528 $1,820
2006 $22,610 $27,972 $462 $1,707
2005 $20,167 $26,179 $469 $1,598
2004 $17,122 $24,658 $438 $1,482
2003 $15,212 $22,920 $410 $1,379
2002 $13,643 $22,173 $391 $1,302
2001 $11,981 $20,442 $385 $1,229
2000 $12,710 $19,237 $390 $1,164
1999 $11,063 $17,421 $382 $1,120
1998 $8,583 $15,500 $375 $1,082
1997 $12,822 $16,241 $353 $1,059
1996 $13,865 $15,164 $305 $1,026
1995 $13,002 $13,921 $251.2 $981
1994 $10,734 $12,551 $222.5 $958
1993 $9,180 $11,349 $218.2 $959
1992 $8,387 $10,468 $243.4 $955
1991 $7,873 $9,724 $268.8 $952
1990 $6,813 $8,567 $236.9 $925
1989 $5,989 - $252.3 -
1988 $4,889 - $299 -
1987 $3,658 - $326 -
1986 $2,911 - $466 -
1985 $2,543 - $681 -
1984 $2,469 - $593 -
1983 $2,246 - $667 -
1982 $2,032 - $683 -
1981 $1,918 - $665 -
1980 $1,746 - $595 -
1979 $1,814 - $527 -
1978 $1,429 - $515 -
1977 $1,073 - $446 -
1976 $847 - $387 -
1975 $627 - $355 -
1974 $572 - $320 -
1973 $412 - $276.1 -
1972 $328 - $239.8 -
1971 $304 - $218.4 -
1970 $281.8 - $211.3 -
1969 $245.5 - $394 -
1968 $200 - $388 -
1967 $162.5 - $374 -
1966 $134.4 - $370 -
1965 $109.4 - $333 -
1964 $124.2 - $337 -
1963 $147 - $320 -
1962 $106.6 - $295.7 -
1961 $94.2 - $277.4 -
1960 $158.8 - $267.8 -

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

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

South Korea's GDP per capita is $36,239, ranking 31/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

South Korea Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$1.88T
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
12/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$36,239
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
31/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
33/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$934B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.8%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,052
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
33/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$27,215
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.56T
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,301,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
30
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.32%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.78%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
51649918
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Korea
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Korea Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.5% 49.8% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 23.1% 50.5% 19% 47.8%
2022 26.7% 49.8% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 24.1% 48% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 23.7% 45.9% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 21.3% 39.7% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 19.3% 37.9% 17.3% 42%
2017 18.6% 38% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 18.5% 39.1% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 18.8% 38.8% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 18.8% 37.9% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 19% 36% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 18.8% 33.5% 19.6% 30%
2011 18.3% 31.7% 19% 28.4%
2010 17.9% 28.3% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 19.5% 28.8% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 19.1% 25.9% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 18.8% 26.3% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 18.7% 27% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 18.2% 24.9% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 18.5% 21.6% 17% 44.5%
2003 17.9% 19.1% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 15.9% 16.4% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 16.9% 16.6% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 16% 16.1% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 16.1% 15.8% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 16% 13.8% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 13.9% 9.69% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 14% 7.81% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 13.5% 8.48% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 15.4% 9.63% 16.8% 126%
1993 15.1% 10.9% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 15.5% 11.6% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 15.4% 11.9% 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Korea's government spending was $423B, accounting for 22.5% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.8% in South Korea and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 110/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Korea

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Korea Tanzania
2024 -0.78% -3.03%
2023 -0.67% -3.67%
2022 -1.49% -3.92%
2021 -0.02% -3.55%
2020 -2.11% -2.56%
2019 0.35% -2.06%
2018 2.42% -2.01%
2017 2.08% -1.14%
2016 1.56% -2.08%
2015 0.5% -3.17%
2014 0.57% -2.91%
2013 0.79% -3.76%
2012 1.63% -4%
2011 1.72% -3.51%
2010 1.61% -4.74%
2009 0.24% -4.46%
2008 1.58% -1.92%
2007 2.49% -1.44%
2006 1.18% -3.38%
2005 0.95% -3.28%
2004 0.09% -2.43%
2003 1.51% -1.77%
2002 3.23% -0.73%
2001 2.42% -0.41%
2000 3.91% -0.73%
1999 1.15% -1.14%
1998 1.09% 0.13%
1997 2.31% -0.03%
1996 2.3% 1.57%
1995 2.16% -2.12%
1994 2.06% -3.74%
1993 3.21% -2.02%
1992 2.42% -4.96%
1991 1.94% 0.6%
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Korea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $14.7B, equivalent to 0.78% of GDP. This compares to Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, South Korea recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, South Korea posted an annual surplus equal to 1.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Korea

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Korea Tanzania
2024 2.32% 3.06%
2023 3.6% 3.8%
2022 5.09% 4.35%
2021 2.5% 3.69%
2020 0.54% 3.29%
2019 0.38% 3.46%
2018 1.48% 3.49%
2017 1.94% 5.32%
2016 0.97% 5.17%
2015 0.71% 5.59%
2014 1.27% 6.13%
2013 1.3% 7.87%
2012 2.19% 16%
2011 4.03% 12.7%
2010 2.94% 6.2%
2009 2.76% 12.1%
2008 4.67% 10.3%
2007 2.53% 7.03%
2006 2.24% 7.25%
2005 2.75% 5.03%
2004 3.59% 4.74%
2003 3.51% 5.3%
2002 2.76% 5.32%
2001 4.07% 5.15%
2000 2.26% 5.92%
1999 0.81% 7.89%
1998 7.51% 12.8%
1997 4.44% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, South Korea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.68%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 2.32% in South Korea and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $307M
Chemicals & pharma $37.9M
Raw materials & minerals $22.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $19.8M
Metals $15.4M
Wood & paper products $3.7M
Animal & marine products $600K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $225K
Raw agricultural goods $48K
Miscellaneous $34K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.4M
Raw agricultural goods $10.3M
Metals $499K
Precious metals & jewellery $486K
Textiles & consumer goods $246K
Machinery & equipment $179K
Chemicals & pharma $23K
Animal & marine products $9K
Wood & paper products $4K
Raw materials & minerals $3K

Balance of trade

South Korea Tanzania
Current account balance
$99B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.28%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$596B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$696B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$163B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$139B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.3%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Korea Tanzania
Economic freedom 73.7 59
Economic freedom ranking 24/197 106/197
Property rights 89.6 45.2
Government integrity 70.9 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 77.5 29.6
Tax burden 61.5 80.4
Government spending 82.6 89.1
Fiscal health 93.5 75
Business freedom 81.5 48.1
Labor freedom 55 62.3
Monetary freedom 79.3 73.4
Trade freedom 73 58.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

South Korea
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
South Korea Tanzania
2026 73.7 59
2025 74 59.3
2024 73.1 59.1
2023 73.7 60
2022 74.6 59.5
2021 74 61.3
2020 74 61.7
2019 72.3 60.2
2018 73.8 59.9
2017 74.3 58.6
2016 71.7 58.5
2015 71.5 57.5
2014 71.2 57.8
2013 70.3 57.9
2012 69.9 57
2011 69.8 57
2010 69.9 58.3
2009 68.1 58.3
2008 68.6 56.5
2007 67.8 56.8
2006 67.5 58.5
2005 66.4 56.3
2004 67.8 60.1
2003 68.3 56.9
2002 69.5 58.3
2001 69.1 54.9
2000 69.7 56
1999 69.7 60
1998 73.3 59.6
1997 69.8 59.3
1996 73 57.5
1995 72 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for South Korea is 73.7, ranking 24/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

South Korea Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.46%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.9T
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,930
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$418B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$33.4B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.2B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$48.6B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.4%
2020
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2024
39.8%
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/south-korea/tanzania | 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 (1953–2000, 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 (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.

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.