South Korea has a GDP of $1.88T compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 12/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.
South Korea has $934B in government debt (49.8% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.
South Korea vs United States GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2024 | $1,875,388,209,407 | $28,750,956,130,731 |
| 2023 | $1,844,800,934,392 | $27,292,170,793,214 |
| 2022 | $1,799,363,116,867 | $25,604,848,907,611 |
| 2021 | $1,942,313,560,966 | $23,315,080,560,000 |
| 2020 | $1,744,070,276,373 | $21,060,473,613,000 |
| 2019 | $1,751,045,752,055 | $21,380,976,119,000 |
| 2018 | $1,824,251,454,307 | $20,533,057,312,000 |
| 2017 | $1,710,196,756,713 | $19,477,336,549,000 |
| 2016 | $1,579,150,518,945 | $18,695,110,842,000 |
| 2015 | $1,539,212,301,136 | $18,206,020,741,000 |
| 2014 | $1,556,252,422,020 | $17,550,680,174,000 |
| 2013 | $1,434,669,686,502 | $16,843,190,993,000 |
| 2012 | $1,335,343,586,438 | $16,253,972,230,000 |
| 2011 | $1,307,103,477,219 | $15,599,728,123,000 |
| 2010 | $1,192,830,015,738 | $15,048,964,444,000 |
| 2009 | $983,065,242,417 | $14,478,064,934,000 |
| 2008 | $1,091,580,692,542 | $14,769,857,911,000 |
| 2007 | $1,220,911,904,593 | $14,474,226,905,000 |
| 2006 | $1,095,175,538,508 | $13,815,586,948,000 |
| 2005 | $971,740,329,984 | $13,039,199,193,000 |
| 2004 | $823,251,107,639 | $12,217,193,198,000 |
| 2003 | $728,516,494,684 | $11,456,442,041,000 |
| 2002 | $650,014,391,470 | $10,929,112,955,000 |
| 2001 | $567,564,806,235 | $10,581,929,774,000 |
| 2000 | $597,487,173,479 | $10,250,947,997,000 |
| 1999 | $515,697,079,289 | $9,631,174,489,000 |
| 1998 | $397,297,216,492 | $9,062,818,202,000 |
| 1997 | $589,202,526,424 | $8,577,554,457,000 |
| 1996 | $631,196,863,758 | $8,073,122,000,000 |
| 1995 | $586,286,469,401 | $7,639,749,000,000 |
| 1994 | $479,181,794,217 | $7,287,236,000,000 |
| 1993 | $405,705,302,846 | $6,858,559,000,000 |
| 1992 | $366,921,291,825 | $6,520,327,000,000 |
| 1991 | $340,851,946,804 | $6,158,129,000,000 |
| 1990 | $292,064,221,389 | $5,963,144,000,000 |
| 1989 | $254,236,243,100 | $5,641,580,000,000 |
| 1988 | $205,477,530,605 | $5,236,438,000,000 |
| 1987 | $152,240,393,646 | $4,855,215,000,000 |
| 1986 | $119,965,960,795 | $4,579,631,000,000 |
| 1985 | $103,764,281,281 | $4,338,979,000,000 |
| 1984 | $99,749,645,089 | $4,037,613,000,000 |
| 1983 | $89,621,208,322 | $3,634,038,000,000 |
| 1982 | $79,921,300,447 | $3,343,789,000,000 |
| 1981 | $74,287,368,087 | $3,207,041,000,000 |
| 1980 | $66,547,970,351 | $2,857,307,000,000 |
| 1979 | $68,083,884,298 | $2,627,333,000,000 |
| 1978 | $52,824,793,388 | $2,351,599,000,000 |
| 1977 | $39,064,462,810 | $2,081,826,000,000 |
| 1976 | $30,371,074,380 | $1,873,412,000,000 |
| 1975 | $22,126,033,058 | $1,684,904,000,000 |
| 1974 | $19,860,929,977 | $1,545,243,000,000 |
| 1973 | $14,067,523,813 | $1,425,376,000,000 |
| 1972 | $10,990,490,570 | $1,279,110,000,000 |
| 1971 | $10,005,257,131 | $1,164,850,000,000 |
| 1970 | $9,085,001,794 | $1,073,303,000,000 |
| 1969 | $7,743,940,189 | $1,017,438,172,414 |
| 1968 | $6,167,109,472 | $940,225,000,000 |
| 1967 | $4,895,076,718 | $859,620,034,483 |
| 1966 | $3,957,064,541 | $813,032,758,621 |
| 1965 | $3,141,131,708 | $741,904,862,069 |
| 1964 | $3,476,789,682 | $684,144,620,690 |
| 1963 | $4,007,692,308 | $637,058,551,724 |
| 1962 | $2,826,923,077 | $603,639,413,793 |
| 1961 | $2,427,244,761 | $561,940,310,345 |
| 1960 | $3,973,069,307 | $541,988,586,207 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/united-states | CC BY 
GDP per capita in South Korea vs United States by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $36,239 | $61,051 | $84,534 | $85,810 |
| 2023 | $35,674 | $57,430 | $81,490 | $82,305 |
| 2022 | $34,822 | $55,509 | $76,829 | $77,861 |
| 2021 | $37,518 | $51,718 | $70,249 | $71,307 |
| 2020 | $33,646 | $47,881 | $63,526 | $64,402 |
| 2019 | $33,827 | $46,511 | $65,120 | $65,228 |
| 2018 | $35,364 | $45,511 | $62,823 | $62,876 |
| 2017 | $33,297 | $43,156 | $59,908 | $60,048 |
| 2016 | $30,832 | $41,673 | $57,867 | $57,977 |
| 2015 | $30,172 | $39,794 | $56,763 | $56,849 |
| 2014 | $30,667 | $37,032 | $55,124 | $55,153 |
| 2013 | $28,449 | $35,844 | $53,291 | $53,297 |
| 2012 | $26,601 | $35,062 | $51,784 | $51,708 |
| 2011 | $26,175 | $33,944 | $50,066 | $50,025 |
| 2010 | $24,071 | $33,120 | $48,651 | $48,643 |
| 2009 | $19,937 | $30,740 | $47,195 | $47,195 |
| 2008 | $22,252 | $31,211 | $48,570 | $48,570 |
| 2007 | $25,078 | $30,255 | $48,050 | $48,050 |
| 2006 | $22,610 | $27,972 | $46,302 | $46,302 |
| 2005 | $20,167 | $26,179 | $44,123 | $44,123 |
| 2004 | $17,122 | $24,658 | $41,725 | $41,725 |
| 2003 | $15,212 | $22,920 | $39,490 | $39,490 |
| 2002 | $13,643 | $22,173 | $37,998 | $37,998 |
| 2001 | $11,981 | $20,442 | $37,134 | $37,134 |
| 2000 | $12,710 | $19,237 | $36,330 | $36,330 |
| 1999 | $11,063 | $17,421 | $34,484 | $34,515 |
| 1998 | $8,583 | $15,500 | $32,823 | $32,854 |
| 1997 | $12,822 | $16,241 | $31,430 | $31,459 |
| 1996 | $13,865 | $15,164 | $29,937 | $29,968 |
| 1995 | $13,002 | $13,921 | $28,661 | $28,691 |
| 1994 | $10,734 | $12,551 | $27,662 | $27,695 |
| 1993 | $9,180 | $11,349 | $26,353 | $26,387 |
| 1992 | $8,387 | $10,468 | $25,381 | $25,419 |
| 1991 | $7,873 | $9,724 | $24,293 | $24,342 |
| 1990 | $6,813 | $8,567 | $23,840 | $23,889 |
| 1989 | $5,989 | - | $22,857 | - |
| 1988 | $4,889 | - | $21,417 | - |
| 1987 | $3,658 | - | $20,039 | - |
| 1986 | $2,911 | - | $19,071 | - |
| 1985 | $2,543 | - | $18,237 | - |
| 1984 | $2,469 | - | $17,121 | - |
| 1983 | $2,246 | - | $15,544 | - |
| 1982 | $2,032 | - | $14,434 | - |
| 1981 | $1,918 | - | $13,976 | - |
| 1980 | $1,746 | - | $12,613 | - |
| 1979 | $1,814 | - | $11,674 | - |
| 1978 | $1,429 | - | $10,565 | - |
| 1977 | $1,073 | - | $9,453 | - |
| 1976 | $847 | - | $8,592 | - |
| 1975 | $627 | - | $7,801 | - |
| 1974 | $572 | - | $7,226 | - |
| 1973 | $412 | - | $6,726 | - |
| 1972 | $328 | - | $6,094 | - |
| 1971 | $304 | - | $5,609 | - |
| 1970 | $281.8 | - | $5,234 | - |
| 1969 | $245.5 | - | $5,020 | - |
| 1968 | $200 | - | $4,685 | - |
| 1967 | $162.5 | - | $4,326 | - |
| 1966 | $134.4 | - | $4,136 | - |
| 1965 | $109.4 | - | $3,818 | - |
| 1964 | $124.2 | - | $3,565 | - |
| 1963 | $147 | - | $3,366 | - |
| 1962 | $106.6 | - | $3,236 | - |
| 1961 | $94.2 | - | $3,059 | - |
| 1960 | $158.8 | - | $3,000 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/united-states | CC BY
South Korea's GDP per capita is $36,239, ranking 31/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.
Economic indicators
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$1.88T
2024 |
$28.8T
2024 |
| GDP rank |
12/197
2024 |
1/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
2%
2023-2024 |
2.79%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$36,239
2024 |
$84,534
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
31/197
2024 |
10/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$61,051
2024 |
$85,810
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
33/197
2024 |
12/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$934B
2024 |
$35.2T
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
49.8%
2024 |
122.3%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$18,052
2024 |
$103,404
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
33/185
2024 |
2/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$27,215
2026 |
$53,202
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$1.56T
2024 |
$62.2T
2024 |
| Number of millionaires |
1,301,000
2025 |
23,831,000
2025 |
| Number of billionaires |
30
2025 |
902
2025 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
24.6%
2021 |
30.4%
2023 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.9%
2021 |
1.8%
2023 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
22.5%
2024 |
37.9%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
2.32%
2023-2024 |
2.95%
2023-2024 |
| Central bank interest rate |
2.5%
2025 |
3.75%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
2.78%
2024 |
4.02%
2024 |
| Population |
51649918
|
344023146
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 22.5% | 49.8% | 37.9% | 122.3% |
| 2023 | 23.1% | 50.5% | 37.7% | 119.8% |
| 2022 | 26.7% | 49.8% | 36.8% | 119.1% |
| 2021 | 24.1% | 48% | 43.2% | 125% |
| 2020 | 23.7% | 45.9% | 44.7% | 132.5% |
| 2019 | 21.3% | 39.7% | 35.8% | 108.8% |
| 2018 | 19.3% | 37.9% | 35.3% | 107.6% |
| 2017 | 18.6% | 38% | 35.2% | 106.4% |
| 2016 | 18.5% | 39.1% | 35.3% | 107.4% |
| 2015 | 18.8% | 38.8% | 35% | 105.4% |
| 2014 | 18.8% | 37.9% | 35.3% | 104.9% |
| 2013 | 19% | 36% | 35.8% | 105% |
| 2012 | 18.8% | 33.5% | 37.2% | 103.7% |
| 2011 | 18.3% | 31.7% | 38.8% | 100% |
| 2010 | 17.9% | 28.3% | 39.8% | 95.6% |
| 2009 | 19.5% | 28.8% | 41.4% | 87.1% |
| 2008 | 19.1% | 25.9% | 37.1% | 73.8% |
| 2007 | 18.8% | 26.3% | 34.6% | 64.9% |
| 2006 | 18.7% | 27% | 33.7% | 64.5% |
| 2005 | 18.2% | 24.9% | 33.9% | 65.8% |
| 2004 | 18.5% | 21.6% | 33.7% | 66.4% |
| 2003 | 17.9% | 19.1% | 34% | 59% |
| 2002 | 15.9% | 16.4% | 33.7% | 55.9% |
| 2001 | 16.9% | 16.6% | 32.8% | 53.5% |
| 2000 | 16% | 16.1% | 31.7% | 54.5% |
| 1999 | 16.1% | 15.8% | 32.2% | 60.5% |
| 1998 | 16% | 13.8% | 32.8% | 64.2% |
| 1997 | 13.9% | 9.69% | 33.7% | 67.4% |
| 1996 | 14% | 7.81% | 34.7% | 69.9% |
| 1995 | 13.5% | 8.48% | 35.5% | 70.7% |
| 1994 | 15.4% | 9.63% | 35.5% | 71.1% |
| 1993 | 15.1% | 10.9% | 36.4% | 71.9% |
| 1992 | 15.5% | 11.6% | 36.7% | 70.3% |
| 1991 | 15.4% | 11.9% | 35.7% | 67.9% |
| 1990 | 15.2% | 12.8% | 34.5% | 63.1% |
| 1989 | 15% | 12.4% | 33.7% | 61.6% |
| 1988 | 13.9% | 12.7% | 33.7% | 61.3% |
| 1987 | 14.3% | 15.3% | 34.3% | 60.6% |
| 1986 | 14.9% | 14.5% | 34.8% | 58.9% |
| 1985 | 15.5% | 16.2% | 34.5% | 55.4% |
| 1984 | 15.6% | 16.9% | 34.3% | 50.6% |
| 1983 | 16% | 19.3% | 35.7% | 48.9% |
| 1982 | 17.8% | 20.5% | 35.8% | 45.9% |
| 1981 | 16.3% | 18.8% | 33.9% | 41.1% |
| 1980 | 16.8% | 18.6% | 33.7% | 41.9% |
| 1979 | 16.3% | 15.7% | 32% | 41.2% |
| 1978 | 15.7% | 18.4% | 32.6% | 42.5% |
| 1977 | 17.7% | 20.1% | 33.4% | 43.6% |
| 1976 | 17% | 20.4% | 34.2% | 44.8% |
| 1975 | 18.8% | 21.5% | 35.2% | 44.6% |
| 1974 | 16.1% | 18.6% | 32.9% | 41.4% |
| 1973 | 14.2% | 17.9% | 31.9% | 42.6% |
| 1972 | 18.5% | 18.3% | 32.8% | 45.4% |
| 1971 | 18.5% | 14.5% | 32.3% | 47% |
| 1970 | 17.5% | 6.95% | 31.5% | 46.4% |
| 1969 | 19.8% | 2.63% | 29.3% | 45.9% |
| 1968 | 18.5% | 2.76% | 29.1% | 48.5% |
| 1967 | 16.7% | 3.74% | 28.3% | 50.4% |
| 1966 | 16% | 4.44% | 26.3% | 50.6% |
| 1965 | 13.1% | 6.14% | 25.4% | 53.7% |
| 1964 | 12.1% | 6.57% | 25.6% | 56.7% |
| 1963 | 15.4% | 9.21% | 26% | 58.8% |
| 1962 | 22.3% | 13% | 26% | 60.2% |
| 1961 | 21.2% | 13.4% | 25.9% | 62.3% |
| 1960 | 17.9% | 13.7% | 24.9% | 61.7% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/united-states | CC BY
In 2024, South Korea's government spending was $423B, accounting for 22.5% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.8% in South Korea and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 110/185 and 12/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2024 | -0.78% | -8.03% |
| 2023 | -0.67% | -7.8% |
| 2022 | -1.49% | -3.72% |
| 2021 | -0.02% | -11.4% |
| 2020 | -2.11% | -14.1% |
| 2019 | 0.35% | -5.81% |
| 2018 | 2.42% | -5.33% |
| 2017 | 2.08% | -4.79% |
| 2016 | 1.56% | -4.36% |
| 2015 | 0.5% | -3.53% |
| 2014 | 0.57% | -4.03% |
| 2013 | 0.79% | -4.56% |
| 2012 | 1.63% | -8.11% |
| 2011 | 1.72% | -9.72% |
| 2010 | 1.61% | -11% |
| 2009 | 0.24% | -13.2% |
| 2008 | 1.58% | -6.61% |
| 2007 | 2.49% | -2.91% |
| 2006 | 1.18% | -2.04% |
| 2005 | 0.95% | -3.07% |
| 2004 | 0.09% | -4.24% |
| 2003 | 1.51% | -4.77% |
| 2002 | 3.23% | -3.82% |
| 2001 | 2.42% | -0.54% |
| 2000 | 3.91% | 3.62% |
| 1999 | 1.15% | 2.71% |
| 1998 | 1.09% | 2.18% |
| 1997 | 2.31% | 0.88% |
| 1996 | 2.3% | -0.46% |
| 1995 | 2.16% | -1.7% |
| 1994 | 2.06% | -2.05% |
| 1993 | 3.21% | -3.35% |
| 1992 | 2.42% | -3.98% |
| 1991 | 1.94% | -2.72% |
| 1990 | 2.98% | -1.64% |
| 1989 | 2.27% | -0.8% |
| 1988 | 2.85% | -1.06% |
| 1987 | 1.7% | -1.53% |
| 1986 | 0.8% | -2.81% |
| 1985 | 0.47% | -2.63% |
| 1984 | 0.78% | -2.97% |
| 1983 | 1.05% | -4.26% |
| 1982 | -0.41% | -3.78% |
| 1981 | 0.99% | -1.58% |
| 1980 | 0.46% | -2.17% |
| 1979 | 0.47% | -0.79% |
| 1978 | -0.27% | -1.7% |
| 1977 | -1.81% | -2.57% |
| 1976 | -0.87% | -3.63% |
| 1975 | -3.68% | -5.4% |
| 1974 | -2.78% | -1.27% |
| 1973 | -1.72% | -0.86% |
| 1972 | -4.33% | -1.86% |
| 1971 | -1.3% | -2.63% |
| 1970 | -0.52% | -1.21% |
| 1969 | -2.85% | 2.11% |
| 1968 | -2.36% | 1.23% |
| 1967 | -2.87% | 0.47% |
| 1966 | -4.27% | 2.07% |
| 1965 | -3.43% | 2.38% |
| 1964 | -4.1% | 2.18% |
| 1963 | -4.32% | 2.87% |
| 1962 | -7.82% | 2.32% |
| 1961 | -9.48% | 2.28% |
| 1960 | -5.18% | 3.2% |
| 1959 | -6.52% | -9.06% |
| 1958 | -10% | -8.68% |
| 1957 | -10.1% | -6.72% |
| 1956 | -10.8% | -6.02% |
| 1955 | -10.6% | -7.4% |
| 1954 | -10.3% | -5.55% |
| 1953 | -4.14% | -5.76% |
| 1952 | - | -5.41% |
| 1951 | - | -6.93% |
| 1950 | - | -8.22% |
| 1949 | - | -7.94% |
| 1948 | - | -4.16% |
| 1947 | - | -3.99% |
| 1946 | - | -6.45% |
| 1945 | - | -14.1% |
| 1944 | - | -13.4% |
| 1943 | - | -19.3% |
| 1942 | - | -16.3% |
| 1941 | - | -10.2% |
| 1940 | - | -9.73% |
| 1939 | - | -11.9% |
| 1938 | - | -10.4% |
| 1937 | - | -9.22% |
| 1936 | - | -12.1% |
| 1935 | - | -13.3% |
| 1934 | - | -14.9% |
| 1933 | - | -14.3% |
| 1932 | - | -12.7% |
| 1931 | - | -9.76% |
| 1930 | - | -5.46% |
| 1929 | - | -4.58% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.
Over the past 65 years, South Korea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 51 years. On average, South Korea posted an annual deficit equal to 0.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.75% of GDP for the United States.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2024 | 2.32% | 2.95% |
| 2023 | 3.6% | 4.12% |
| 2022 | 5.09% | 8% |
| 2021 | 2.5% | 4.7% |
| 2020 | 0.54% | 1.23% |
| 2019 | 0.38% | 1.81% |
| 2018 | 1.48% | 2.44% |
| 2017 | 1.94% | 2.13% |
| 2016 | 0.97% | 1.26% |
| 2015 | 0.71% | 0.12% |
| 2014 | 1.27% | 1.62% |
| 2013 | 1.3% | 1.46% |
| 2012 | 2.19% | 2.07% |
| 2011 | 4.03% | 3.16% |
| 2010 | 2.94% | 1.64% |
| 2009 | 2.76% | -0.36% |
| 2008 | 4.67% | 3.84% |
| 2007 | 2.53% | 2.85% |
| 2006 | 2.24% | 3.23% |
| 2005 | 2.75% | 3.39% |
| 2004 | 3.59% | 2.68% |
| 2003 | 3.51% | 2.27% |
| 2002 | 2.76% | 1.59% |
| 2001 | 4.07% | 2.83% |
| 2000 | 2.26% | 3.38% |
| 1999 | 0.81% | 2.19% |
| 1998 | 7.51% | 1.55% |
| 1997 | 4.44% | 2.34% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/united-states | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, South Korea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.68%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 2.32% in South Korea and 2.95% in the United States.
Top exports between countries
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $94.8B |
| Chemicals & pharma | $11.7B |
| Business & finance services | $10.7B |
| Transport & tourism services | $8.92B |
| Raw materials & minerals | $7.98B |
| Metals | $7.35B |
| IT & IP services | $4.26B |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $2.77B |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $1.59B |
| Wood & paper products | $794M |
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $22.9B |
| Raw materials & minerals | $20.2B |
| Transport & tourism services | $10.9B |
| Chemicals & pharma | $7.57B |
| IT & IP services | $5.47B |
| Business & finance services | $4.9B |
| Animal & marine products | $3.71B |
| Raw agricultural goods | $2.99B |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $2.02B |
| Metals | $2B |
Balance of trade
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$99B
2024 |
-$1.19T
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
7/190
2024 |
190/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+5.28%
2024 |
-4.12%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$596B
2024 |
$3.3T
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$696B
2024 |
$2.08T
2024 |
| Service imports |
$163B
2024 |
$841B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$139B
2024 |
$1.15T
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
40.3%
2024 |
14.3%
2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
44.4%
2024 |
11.1%
2024 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 73.7 | 72.8 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 24/197 | 27/197 |
| Property rights | 89.6 | 91.6 |
| Government integrity | 70.9 | 77.1 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 77.5 | 76.4 |
| Tax burden | 61.5 | 75.3 |
| Government spending | 82.6 | 57.9 |
| Fiscal health | 93.5 | 18.5 |
| Business freedom | 81.5 | 88.6 |
| Labor freedom | 55 | 76.3 |
| Monetary freedom | 79.3 | 84.2 |
| Trade freedom | 73 | 67.6 |
| Investment freedom | 60 | 80 |
| Financial freedom | 60 | 80 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
| 2026 | 73.7 | 72.8 |
| 2025 | 74 | 70.2 |
| 2024 | 73.1 | 70.1 |
| 2023 | 73.7 | 70.6 |
| 2022 | 74.6 | 72.1 |
| 2021 | 74 | 74.8 |
| 2020 | 74 | 76.6 |
| 2019 | 72.3 | 76.8 |
| 2018 | 73.8 | 75.7 |
| 2017 | 74.3 | 75.1 |
| 2016 | 71.7 | 75.4 |
| 2015 | 71.5 | 76.2 |
| 2014 | 71.2 | 75.5 |
| 2013 | 70.3 | 76 |
| 2012 | 69.9 | 76.3 |
| 2011 | 69.8 | 77.8 |
| 2010 | 69.9 | 78 |
| 2009 | 68.1 | 80.7 |
| 2008 | 68.6 | 81 |
| 2007 | 67.8 | 81.2 |
| 2006 | 67.5 | 81.2 |
| 2005 | 66.4 | 79.9 |
| 2004 | 67.8 | 78.7 |
| 2003 | 68.3 | 78.2 |
| 2002 | 69.5 | 78.4 |
| 2001 | 69.1 | 79.1 |
| 2000 | 69.7 | 76.4 |
| 1999 | 69.7 | 75.5 |
| 1998 | 73.3 | 75.4 |
| 1997 | 69.8 | 75.6 |
| 1996 | 73 | 76.7 |
| 1995 | 72 | 76.7 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/united-states | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for South Korea is 73.7, ranking 24/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
57.5%
2024 |
79.7%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
33.9%
2024 |
17.3%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
1.46%
2024 |
0.85%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$1.9T
2024 |
$28.4T
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$61,930
2024 |
$85,980
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$418B
2024 |
$910B
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
8/177
2024 |
3/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$33.4B
2024 |
$25.1B
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$15.2B
2024 |
$297B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$48.6B
2024 |
$322B
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
14.4%
2020 |
15.1%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
30%
2024 |
21.8%
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-korea/united-states | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- 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.