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Economy of South Korea vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

South Korea has a GDP of $1.87T compared to $57.5B for Tunisia, ranking 13/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Korea has $978B in government debt (52.3% of GDP), compared to $46.7B (81.3% of GDP) in Tunisia.

South Korea vs Tunisia GDP by year

South Korea
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Korea Tunisia
2025 $1,872,374,961,553 $57,502,836,548
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 $51,412,122,480
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 $48,205,328,303
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 $44,929,920,093
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 $47,073,234,359
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 $42,491,780,918
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 $41,905,642,419
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 $42,686,504,460
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 $42,163,530,591
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 $44,360,072,680
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $45,779,494,042
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $50,271,812,921
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $48,685,446,414
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $47,311,401,813
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $48,123,325,825
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $46,206,091,938
2009 $983,065,242,417 $43,455,740,497
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $44,859,439,902
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 $38,915,353,867
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 $34,376,664,601
2005 $971,740,329,984 $32,272,186,695
2004 $823,251,107,639 $31,183,885,241
2003 $728,516,494,684 $27,453,902,261
2002 $650,014,391,470 $23,141,616,605
2001 $567,564,806,235 $22,065,832,449
2000 $597,487,173,479 $21,473,528,161
1999 $515,697,079,289 $22,943,202,175
1998 $397,297,216,492 $21,802,893,587
1997 $589,202,526,424 $20,746,210,354
1996 $631,196,863,758 $19,587,161,807
1995 $586,286,469,401 $18,030,876,599
1994 $479,181,794,217 $15,633,174,304
1993 $405,705,302,846 $14,608,335,608
1992 $366,921,291,825 $15,496,708,060
1991 $340,851,946,804 $13,074,782,609
1990 $292,064,221,389 $12,290,568,182
1989 $254,236,243,100 $10,101,851,745
1988 $205,477,530,605 $10,096,245,762
1987 $152,240,393,646 $9,696,715,911
1986 $119,965,960,795 $9,017,806,654
1985 $103,764,281,281 $8,410,226,053
1984 $99,749,645,089 $8,254,541,195
1983 $89,621,208,322 $8,350,582,748
1982 $79,921,300,447 $8,133,580,052
1981 $74,287,368,087 $8,428,445,294
1980 $66,547,970,351 $8,744,134,354
1979 $68,083,884,298 $7,188,863,904
1978 $52,824,793,388 $5,968,460,080
1977 $39,064,462,810 $5,109,324,009
1976 $30,371,074,380 $4,508,191,942
1975 $22,126,033,058 $4,328,965,588
1974 $19,860,929,977 $3,545,868,575
1973 $14,067,523,813 $2,730,813,385
1972 $10,990,490,570 $2,237,556,149
1971 $10,005,257,131 $1,685,162,272
1970 $9,085,001,794 $1,439,238,095
1969 $7,743,940,189 $1,289,904,762
1968 $6,167,109,472 $1,214,666,667
1967 $4,895,076,718 $1,085,714,286
1966 $3,957,064,541 $1,040,952,381
1965 $3,141,131,708 $991,047,619
1964 $3,476,789,682 $1,025,866,792
1963 $4,007,692,308 $1,026,737,600
1962 $2,826,923,077 $880,027,733
1961 $2,427,244,761 $866,155,429
1960 $3,973,069,307 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in South Korea vs Tunisia by year

South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Korea Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $36,227 - $4,657 -
2024 $36,239 $61,051 $4,188 $14,521
2023 $35,674 $57,430 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $34,822 $55,509 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $37,518 $51,718 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $33,646 $47,881 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $33,827 $46,511 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $35,364 $45,511 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $33,297 $43,156 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $30,832 $41,673 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $30,172 $39,794 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $30,667 $37,032 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $28,449 $35,844 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $26,601 $35,062 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $26,175 $33,944 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $24,071 $33,120 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $19,937 $30,740 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $22,252 $31,211 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $25,078 $30,255 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $22,610 $27,972 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $20,167 $26,179 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $17,122 $24,658 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $15,212 $22,920 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $13,643 $22,173 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $11,981 $20,442 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $12,710 $19,237 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $11,063 $17,421 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $8,583 $15,500 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $12,822 $16,241 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $13,865 $15,164 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $13,002 $13,921 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $10,734 $12,551 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $9,180 $11,349 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $8,387 $10,468 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $7,873 $9,724 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $6,813 $8,567 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $5,989 - $1,239 -
1988 $4,889 - $1,266 -
1987 $3,658 - $1,245 -
1986 $2,911 - $1,187 -
1985 $2,543 - $1,135 -
1984 $2,469 - $1,143 -
1983 $2,246 - $1,184 -
1982 $2,032 - $1,177 -
1981 $1,918 - $1,247 -
1980 $1,746 - $1,324 -
1979 $1,814 - $1,113 -
1978 $1,429 - $946 -
1977 $1,073 - $830 -
1976 $847 - $752 -
1975 $627 - $741 -
1974 $572 - $624 -
1973 $412 - $493 -
1972 $328 - $415 -
1971 $304 - $320 -
1970 $281.8 - $280.5 -
1969 $245.5 - $257.7 -
1968 $200 - $248.9 -
1967 $162.5 - $228 -
1966 $134.4 - $223.8 -
1965 $109.4 - $217.3 -
1964 $124.2 - $228.5 -
1963 $147 - $231.9 -
1962 $106.6 - $201.4 -
1961 $94.2 - $200.7 -
1960 $158.8 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

South Korea's GDP per capita is $36,227, ranking 33/197, compared to $4,657 in Tunisia, ranking 127/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

South Korea Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$1.87T
2025
$57.5B
2025
GDP rank
13/197
2025
93/197
2025
GDP growth
1.01%
2024-2025
2.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$36,227
2025
$4,657
2025
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2025
127/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
33/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$978B
2025
$46.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.3%
2025
81.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$18,930
2025
$3,785
2025
Government debt per person rank
34/185
2025
95/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$25,661
2026
$4,193
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.76T
2025
$12B
2025
Number of millionaires
1,317,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
49
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2021
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
34%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.12%
2024-2025
5.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2025
15.1%
2023
Population
51624449
12450912

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Korea
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Korea Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 52.3% 34% 81.3%
2024 22.5% 49.7% 35.8% 85.7%
2023 23.1% 50.5% 35.9% 84%
2022 26.7% 49.8% 36.6% 83%
2021 24.1% 48% 33.4% 79.7%
2020 23.7% 45.9% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 21.3% 39.7% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 19.3% 37.9% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 18.6% 38% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 18.5% 39.1% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 18.8% 38.8% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 18.8% 37.9% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 19% 36% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 18.8% 33.5% 28.3% 49%
2011 18.3% 31.7% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 17.9% 28.3% 24% 38.8%
2009 19.5% 28.8% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 19.1% 25.9% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 18.8% 26.3% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 18.7% 27% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 18.2% 24.9% 23% 50%
2004 18.5% 21.6% 23% 51.6%
2003 17.9% 19.1% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 15.9% 16.4% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 16.9% 16.6% 24% 52.2%
2000 16% 16.1% 24% 62.9%
1999 16.1% 15.8% 24% 61.9%
1998 16% 13.8% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 13.9% 9.69% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 14% 7.81% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 13.5% 8.48% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 15.4% 9.63% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 15.1% 10.9% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 15.5% 11.6% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 15.4% 11.9% 27.6% 63.3%
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/tunisia | CC BY

In 2025, South Korea's government spending was $449B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $19.6B, or 34% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.3% in South Korea and 81.3% in Tunisia, ranking 98/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Korea

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Korea Tunisia
2025 -1.43% -5.24%
2024 -0.78% -6.36%
2023 -0.67% -7.27%
2022 -1.49% -7%
2021 -0.02% -7.81%
2020 -2.11% -9.06%
2019 0.35% -3.6%
2018 2.42% -4.27%
2017 2.08% -5.61%
2016 1.56% -5.87%
2015 0.5% -4.95%
2014 0.57% -3.11%
2013 0.79% -7.05%
2012 1.63% -4.9%
2011 1.72% -3.19%
2010 1.61% -0.46%
2009 0.24% -2.59%
2008 1.58% -0.62%
2007 2.49% -2.47%
2006 1.18% -2.33%
2005 0.95% -2.59%
2004 0.09% -2.1%
2003 1.51% -2.64%
2002 3.23% -2.55%
2001 2.42% -2.87%
2000 3.91% -3.22%
1999 1.15% -3.05%
1998 1.09% -2.84%
1997 2.31% -3.7%
1996 2.3% -5.18%
1995 2.16% -4.53%
1994 2.06% -2.87%
1993 3.21% -3.22%
1992 2.42% -3.45%
1991 1.94% -5.25%
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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, South Korea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.8B, equivalent to 1.43% of GDP. This compares to Tunisia's deficit of $3.01B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, South Korea recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, South Korea posted an annual surplus equal to 1.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.11% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Korea

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Korea Tunisia
2025 2.12% 5.3%
2024 2.32% 7%
2023 3.6% 9.3%
2022 5.09% 8.3%
2021 2.5% 5.7%
2020 0.54% 5.6%
2019 0.38% 6.7%
2018 1.48% 7.3%
2017 1.94% 5.3%
2016 0.97% 3.6%
2015 0.71% 4.4%
2014 1.27% 4.6%
2013 1.3% 5.4%
2012 2.19% 4.6%
2011 4.03% 3.2%
2010 2.94% 4.4%
2009 2.76% 3.5%
2008 4.67% 4.9%
2007 2.53% 3.4%
2006 2.24% 4.1%
2005 2.75% 1.9%
2004 3.59% 3.7%
2003 3.51% 2.7%
2002 2.76% 2.7%
2001 4.07% 1.9%
2000 2.26% 2.8%
1999 0.81% 2.8%
1998 7.51% 3.1%
1997 4.44% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, South Korea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.67%, compared with 4.54% in Tunisia. In 2025, inflation was 2.12% in South Korea and 5.3% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $139M
Chemicals & pharma $22.5M
Animal & marine products $11.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.62M
Metals $2.51M
Raw materials & minerals $2.02M
Raw agricultural goods $1.18M
Wood & paper products $470K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $326K
Miscellaneous $314K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $8.78M
Machinery & equipment $4.92M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.73M
Metals $3.47M
Raw materials & minerals $591K
Raw agricultural goods $403K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $258K
Chemicals & pharma $146K
Miscellaneous $13K
Wood & paper products $12K

Balance of trade

South Korea Tunisia
Current account balance
$123B
2025
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
4/190
2025
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.57%
2025
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$581B
2025
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$719B
2025
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$185B
2025
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$150B
2025
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.6%
2025
54.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.8%
2025
46.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

South Korea Tunisia
Economic freedom 73.7 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 24/197 172/197
Property rights 89.6 55.7
Government integrity 70.9 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 77.5 39.7
Tax burden 61.5 68.5
Government spending 82.6 62.5
Fiscal health 93.5 16
Business freedom 81.5 59.4
Labor freedom 55 55.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 72.4
Trade freedom 73 54.6
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

South Korea
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
South Korea Tunisia
2026 73.7 48.1
2025 74 49.1
2024 73.1 48.8
2023 73.7 52.9
2022 74.6 54.2
2021 74 56.6
2020 74 55.8
2019 72.3 55.4
2018 73.8 58.9
2017 74.3 55.7
2016 71.7 57.6
2015 71.5 57.7
2014 71.2 57.3
2013 70.3 57
2012 69.9 58.6
2011 69.8 58.5
2010 69.9 58.9
2009 68.1 58
2008 68.6 60.1
2007 67.8 60.3
2006 67.5 57.5
2005 66.4 55.4
2004 67.8 58.4
2003 68.3 58.1
2002 69.5 60.2
2001 69.1 60.8
2000 69.7 61.3
1999 69.7 61.1
1998 73.3 63.9
1997 69.8 63.8
1996 73 63.9
1995 72 63.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for South Korea is 73.7, ranking 24/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

South Korea Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
57.2%
2025
62.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.46%
2025
10.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.96T
2025
$53B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,210
2025
$14,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$437B
2025
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
9/177
2025
84/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$25.4B
2025
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.9B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$49.7B
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.4%
2020
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.1%
2025
15.2%
2025

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/tunisia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.

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.