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Economy of South Korea vs Uzbekistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Korea has a GDP of $1.88T compared to $115B for Uzbekistan, ranking 12/197 and 66/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Korea has $934B in government debt (49.8% of GDP), compared to $37.5B (32.7% of GDP) in Uzbekistan.

South Korea vs Uzbekistan GDP by year

South Korea
Uzbekistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Korea Uzbekistan
2024 $1,875,388,209,407 $114,965,293,467
2023 $1,844,800,934,392 $102,641,879,249
2022 $1,799,363,116,867 $90,095,926,567
2021 $1,942,313,560,966 $77,340,060,003
2020 $1,744,070,276,373 $66,443,265,418
2019 $1,751,045,752,055 $67,293,639,798
2018 $1,824,251,454,307 $58,695,899,092
2017 $1,710,196,756,713 $69,703,222,283
2016 $1,579,150,518,945 $86,138,288,644
2015 $1,539,212,301,136 $86,196,264,755
2014 $1,556,252,422,020 $80,845,385,809
2013 $1,434,669,686,502 $73,180,037,915
2012 $1,335,343,586,438 $67,517,349,212
2011 $1,307,103,477,219 $60,178,909,297
2010 $1,192,830,015,738 $49,765,676,402
2009 $983,065,242,417 $33,689,223,673
2008 $1,091,580,692,542 $29,549,438,884
2007 $1,220,911,904,593 $22,311,393,928
2006 $1,095,175,538,508 $17,330,833,853
2005 $971,740,329,984 $14,307,509,839
2004 $823,251,107,639 $12,030,023,548
2003 $728,516,494,684 $10,134,453,435
2002 $650,014,391,470 $9,687,788,513
2001 $567,564,806,235 $11,401,421,329
2000 $597,487,173,479 $13,760,513,969
1999 $515,697,079,289 $17,078,465,982
1998 $397,297,216,492 $14,988,971,211
1997 $589,202,526,424 $14,744,603,774
1996 $631,196,863,758 $13,948,892,216
1995 $586,286,469,401 $13,350,461,265
1994 $479,181,794,217 $12,899,074,922
1993 $405,705,302,846 $13,099,920,056
1992 $366,921,291,825 $12,953,801,760
1991 $340,851,946,804 $13,800,167,712
1990 $292,064,221,389 $13,362,340,338
1989 $254,236,243,100 $11,948,815,258
1988 $205,477,530,605 $10,722,799,639
1987 $152,240,393,646 $8,523,160,593
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/uzbekistan | CC BY

GDP per capita in South Korea vs Uzbekistan by year

South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uzbekistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Korea Uzbekistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $36,239 $61,051 $3,162 $11,879
2023 $35,674 $57,430 $2,879 $11,107
2022 $34,822 $55,509 $2,579 $10,293
2021 $37,518 $51,718 $2,259 $9,248
2020 $33,646 $47,881 $1,978 $8,452
2019 $33,827 $46,511 $2,041 $8,544
2018 $35,364 $45,511 $1,813 $8,129
2017 $33,297 $43,156 $2,191 $7,818
2016 $30,832 $41,673 $2,753 $6,919
2015 $30,172 $39,794 $2,803 $6,800
2014 $30,667 $37,032 $2,675 $6,610
2013 $28,449 $35,844 $2,462 $6,413
2012 $26,601 $35,062 $2,307 $6,168
2011 $26,175 $33,944 $2,088 $5,949
2010 $24,071 $33,120 $1,753 $5,505
2009 $19,937 $30,740 $1,206 $5,135
2008 $22,252 $31,211 $1,075 $4,800
2007 $25,078 $30,255 $824 $4,386
2006 $22,610 $27,972 $649 $3,956
2005 $20,167 $26,179 $543 $3,618
2004 $17,122 $24,658 $462 $3,321
2003 $15,212 $22,920 $394 $3,047
2002 $13,643 $22,173 $381 $2,902
2001 $11,981 $20,442 $454 $2,782
2000 $12,710 $19,237 $555 $2,644
1999 $11,063 $17,421 $698 $2,522
1998 $8,583 $15,500 $621 $2,418
1997 $12,822 $16,241 $621 $2,329
1996 $13,865 $15,164 $597 $2,214
1995 $13,002 $13,921 $583 $2,178
1994 $10,734 $12,551 $574 $2,197
1993 $9,180 $11,349 $596 $2,318
1992 $8,387 $10,468 $603 $2,371
1991 $7,873 $9,724 $658 $2,676
1990 $6,813 $8,567 $653 $2,665
1989 $5,989 - $598 -
1988 $4,889 - $551 -
1987 $3,658 - $450 -
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/uzbekistan | CC BY

South Korea's GDP per capita is $36,239, ranking 31/197, compared to $3,162 in Uzbekistan, ranking 139/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051, while Uzbekistan ranks 125th at $11,879.

Economic indicators

South Korea Uzbekistan
Gross domestic product
$1.88T
2024
$115B
2024
GDP rank
12/197
2024
66/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
6.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$36,239
2024
$3,162
2024
GDP per capita rank
31/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$61,051
2024
$11,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
33/197
2024
125/197
2024
Government debt
$934B
2024
$37.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.8%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,052
2024
$1,032
2024
Government debt per person rank
33/185
2024
141/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$27,215
2026
$3,658
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.56T
2024
$18.8B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,301,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
30
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
25.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
2.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
27.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.32%
2023-2024
9.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
14%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.78%
2024
5.29%
2020
Population
51649918
37939105

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Korea
Spending

Debt
Uzbekistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Korea Uzbekistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.5% 49.8% 27.6% 32.7%
2023 23.1% 50.5% 29.9% 32.2%
2022 26.7% 49.8% 31.3% 30.5%
2021 24.1% 48% 27.4% 31.7%
2020 23.7% 45.9% 26% 33.7%
2019 21.3% 39.7% 24.4% 25.4%
2018 19.3% 37.9% 22.2% 17.5%
2017 18.6% 38% 19.9% 17.3%
2016 18.5% 39.1% 23.3% 8.19%
2015 18.8% 38.8% 24.6% 6.72%
2014 18.8% 37.9% 24.9% 6.09%
2013 19% 36% 25.2% 6.23%
2012 18.8% 33.5% 23.9% 6.76%
2011 18.3% 31.7% 23.7% 6.33%
2010 17.9% 28.3% 26.4% 6.61%
2009 19.5% 28.8% 27.5% 7.3%
2008 19.1% 25.9% 26.5% 8.33%
2007 18.8% 26.3% 24.8% 9.56%
2006 18.7% 27% 24.7% 13.5%
2005 18.2% 24.9% 28.1% 21%
2004 18.5% 21.6% 29.4% 26.9%
2003 17.9% 19.1% 31.5% 31.4%
2002 15.9% 16.4% 34.6% 41.6%
2001 16.9% 16.6% 30.6% 44.8%
2000 16% 16.1% 32.9% 29.5%
1999 16.1% 15.8% 33.6% 18.4%
1998 16% 13.8% 35.1% 18%
1997 13.9% 9.69% 31.8% 15.3%
1996 14% 7.81% 35.1% -
1995 13.5% 8.48% 29.4% -
1994 15.4% 9.63% 27.1% -
1993 15.1% 10.9% 39.6% -
1992 15.5% 11.6% 18% -
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/uzbekistan | CC BY

In 2024, South Korea's government spending was $423B, accounting for 22.5% of its GDP, while Uzbekistan spent $31.7B, or 27.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.8% in South Korea and 32.7% in Uzbekistan, ranking 110/185 and 152/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Korea

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Korea Uzbekistan
2024 -0.78% -2.37%
2023 -0.67% -4.03%
2022 -1.49% -3.65%
2021 -0.02% -4.1%
2020 -2.11% -2.95%
2019 0.35% -0.3%
2018 2.42% 1.64%
2017 2.08% 1.04%
2016 1.56% 0.7%
2015 0.5% -0.28%
2014 0.57% 1.9%
2013 0.79% 2.15%
2012 1.63% 5.89%
2011 1.72% 5.11%
2010 1.61% 2.56%
2009 0.24% 1.82%
2008 1.58% 5.97%
2007 2.49% 3.55%
2006 1.18% 2.72%
2005 0.95% -3.52%
2004 0.09% -3.74%
2003 1.51% -4.87%
2002 3.23% -6.31%
2001 2.42% -3.28%
2000 3.91% -3.66%
1999 1.15% -2.91%
1998 1.09% -3.04%
1997 2.31% -2.05%
1996 2.3% -1.57%
1995 2.16% -1.77%
1994 2.06% -4.47%
1993 3.21% -12%
1992 2.42% 7.15%
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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-korea/uzbekistan | 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 Uzbekistan's deficit of $2.72B, or 2.37% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, South Korea recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Uzbekistan ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, South Korea posted an annual surplus equal to 1.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.87% of GDP for Uzbekistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Korea

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Korea Uzbekistan
2024 2.32% 9.6%
2023 3.6% 10%
2022 5.09% 11.4%
2021 2.5% 10.8%
2020 0.54% 12.9%
2019 0.38% 14.5%
2018 1.48% 17.5%
2017 1.94% 13.9%
2016 0.97% 8.8%
2015 0.71% 8.5%
2014 1.27% 9.1%
2013 1.3% 11.7%
2012 2.19% 11.9%
2011 4.03% 12.4%
2010 2.94% 12.3%
2009 2.76% 12.3%
2008 4.67% 13.1%
2007 2.53% 11.2%
2006 2.24% 13.1%
2005 2.75% 10.7%
2004 3.59% 7.3%
2003 3.51% 12.5%
2002 2.76% 27.3%
2001 4.07% 27.3%
2000 2.26% 25%
1999 0.81% 29.1%
1998 7.51% 29%
1997 4.44% 70.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, South Korea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.68%, compared with 16.6% in Uzbekistan. In 2024, inflation was 2.32% in South Korea and 9.6% in Uzbekistan.

Top exports between countries

South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.31B
Chemicals & pharma $169M
Raw materials & minerals $57.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $54.4M
Metals $51.3M
Wood & paper products $48.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24.1M
Raw agricultural goods $1.65M
Miscellaneous $728K
Animal & marine products $38K
Uzbekistan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $11.2M
Wood & paper products $7.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.25M
Raw agricultural goods $3.75M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.82M
Manufacturing & construction services $2.35M
Government & miscellaneous services $1.35M
Machinery & equipment $688K
Chemicals & pharma $290K
Animal & marine products $150K

Balance of trade

South Korea Uzbekistan
Current account balance
$99B
2024
-$5.71B
2024
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
169/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.28%
2024
-4.97%
2024
Goods imports
$596B
2024
$33.2B
2024
Goods exports
$696B
2024
$19.6B
2024
Service imports
$163B
2024
$10.5B
2024
Service exports
$139B
2024
$6.55B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.3%
2024
38%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
22.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Korea Uzbekistan
Economic freedom 73.7 60.3
Economic freedom ranking 24/197 94/197
Property rights 89.6 43.1
Government integrity 70.9 32
Judicial effectiveness 77.5 13.7
Tax burden 61.5 95
Government spending 82.6 73.7
Fiscal health 93.5 79.9
Business freedom 81.5 62.5
Labor freedom 55 48.4
Monetary freedom 79.3 65.1
Trade freedom 73 80.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

South Korea
Uzbekistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
South Korea Uzbekistan
2026 73.7 60.3
2025 74 58
2024 73.1 55.9
2023 73.7 56.5
2022 74.6 55.7
2021 74 58.3
2020 74 57.2
2019 72.3 53.3
2018 73.8 51.5
2017 74.3 52.3
2016 71.7 46
2015 71.5 47
2014 71.2 46.5
2013 70.3 46
2012 69.9 45.8
2011 69.8 45.8
2010 69.9 47.5
2009 68.1 50.5
2008 68.6 51.9
2007 67.8 51.5
2006 67.5 48.7
2005 66.4 45.8
2004 67.8 39.1
2003 68.3 38.3
2002 69.5 38.5
2001 69.1 38.2
2000 69.7 38.1
1999 69.7 33.8
1998 73.3 31.5
1997 69.8 -
1996 73 -
1995 72 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for South Korea is 73.7, ranking 24/197, compared to 60.3 for Uzbekistan, ranking 94/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

South Korea Uzbekistan
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
45.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.46%
2024
18.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.9T
2024
$110B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,930
2024
$12,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$418B
2024
$41.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2024
50/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$33.4B
2024
-$2.81B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$15.2B
2024
$2.99B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$48.6B
2024
$36.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.4%
2020
8.9%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2024
33.3%
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/uzbekistan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. 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 (2021–2024, 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.