Korea, Rep.
KOREast Asia & PacificHigh incomeCapital: SeoulEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
76/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$2,017
2027▲ 4.2%
Population
51.8M
2024▲ 0.1%
GDP per Capita
$39,142
2027▲ 4.3%
Life Expectancy
83.4 years
2023▲ 0.9%
Korea, Rep. in world space2000–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world Korea, Rep.· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Korea, Rep.
Korea, Rep.'s GDP is $1.94T (2026), with a population of 51.8M, and GDP per capita of $37,523. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 1.8%, inflation at 1.8%, unemployment at 3.0%, government debt at 56.7% of GDP, life expectancy of 83.4 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
The economy of the Republic of Korea is robust and highly integrated into global trade, with a trade-to-GDP ratio of 84.64% in 2024. It is classified as a high-income economy, with a projected GDP of $1936.617 billion in 2026. The GDP growth rate is expected to be 1.8% in 2026, with a GDP per capita of $37,523.285. Inflation is also projected to be 1.8% in 2026, indicating stable economic conditions. The unemployment rate is anticipated to be 2.683% in 2025, reflecting a relatively tight labor market. Societally, the Republic of Korea boasts a high life expectancy of 83.43 years as of 2023, indicating strong healthcare and living standards. The population is approximately 51.75 million in 2024. Seoul serves as the capital and is a major economic and cultural hub. The society benefits from advanced technological infrastructure and a highly educated workforce, contributing to its economic success.
▶Economy30 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Stock Markets1 indicator · 2026 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | 5,858.87 | 2026 | ▲ 39.0% | WB |
▶Financial Markets4 indicators · 2025–2026 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Government Bond Yield (%) | 2.89% | 2025 | ▼ 10.2% | WB |
| Central Bank Policy Rate (%) | 2.66% | 2025 | ▼ 22.8% | WB |
| Exchange Rate (per USD) | 1,482.51 | 2026 | — | WB |
| Exchange Rate (per EUR) | 1,605.45 | 2025 | ▲ 8.8% | WB |
▶Currencies1 indicator · 2026 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD/KRW | 1,482.7 | 2026 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
▶Fiscal & Monetary22 indicators · 2023–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Trade15 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 84.6% | 2024 | ▲ 2.9% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 44.4% | 2024 | ▲ 7.3% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 40.3% | 2024 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $831.89B | 2024 | ▲ 9.1% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $755.49B | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $683.61B | 2024 | ▲ 8.1% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $631.77B | 2024 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 0.8% | 2024 | ▼ 21.3% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 2.6% | 2024 | ▲ 48.6% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $15.23B | 2024 | ▼ 20.0% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $7.45B | 2024 | ▲ 5.9% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 0.4% | 2024 | ▲ 4.2% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 36.3% | 2024 | ▲ 19.8% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | 5.3% | 2024 | ▲ 196.8% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $99.04B | 2024 | ▲ 201.8% | WB |
▶Finance11 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 160.3% | 2024 | ▼ 1.9% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (% of GDP) | 83.0% | 2024 | ▼ 22.2% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (USD) | $1.56T | 2024 | ▼ 20.9% | WB |
| Stock Market Turnover (% of GDP) | 166.7% | 2024 | ▼ 9.3% | WB |
| Listed Domestic Companies | 2,599 | 2024 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 6.0% | 2022 | ▼ 16.1% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 0.2% | 2022 | ▲ 3.8% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 96.9% | 2024 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 97.1% | 2024 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 96.6% | 2024 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%) | 46.4% | 2024 | — | WB |
▶Business Environment1 indicator · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Get Electricity (days) | 5 | 2024 | — | WB |
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%) | 1.4% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Top Manager (%) | 21.5% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%) | 44.4% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms Offering Training (%) | 16.2% | 2024 | — | WB |
| Average Firm Age (years) | 193 years | 2024 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Computers (%) | 11.0% | 2024 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51.8M | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 0.1% | 2024 | ▼ 4.1% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 530 | 2023 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 100,450 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 97,600 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 81.2% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 42.0M | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 18.8% | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 83.4 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 80.6 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 86.4 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 0.7 | 2023 | ▼ 7.3% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 4.5 | 2023 | ▼ 8.2% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 6 | 2023 | ▼ 17.8% | WB |
| Net Migration | 65,731 | 2025 | ▼ 13.5% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 10.6% | 2024 | ▼ 3.7% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 70.2% | 2024 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 19.3% | 2024 | ▲ 5.1% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 42.5% | 2024 | ▲ 2.6% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 27.5% | 2024 | ▲ 5.9% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 15.1% | 2024 | ▼ 2.9% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 44.3 | 2023 | ▼ 34.4% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 20.7 | 2023 | ▼ 44.4% | WB |
▶Labor19 indicators · 2024–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 29.8M | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 64.4% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 56.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 72.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 2.7% | 2025 | ▼ 3.6% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 2.7% | 2025 | ▼ 4.6% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 2.7% | 2025 | ▼ 2.8% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 6.7% | 2025 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 5.1% | 2025 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 23.4% | 2025 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 71.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 64.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 17.7% | 2025 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 77.3% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 31.9% | 2024 | ▲ 27.5% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 5.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 44.4% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 62.6% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 22.7% | 2025 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
▶Education16 indicators · 2016–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 5.8% | 2022 | ▲ 19.5% | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 100.3% | 2023 | ▲ 1.3% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 96.3% | 2023 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 106.7% | 2023 | ▲ 3.8% | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 98.3% | 2023 | ▲ 2.3% | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 100.1% | 2023 | ▲ 1.8% | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 175 | 2023 | ▼ 99.4% | WB |
| Out-of-School Girls, Primary | 15,928 | 2022 | ▼ 25.3% | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 171,784 | 2023 | ▲ 1.3% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 233,845 | 2023 | ▲ 2.1% | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 16 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 13 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 31.7% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary) | 98.6 | 2022 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 38.7% | 2016 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 20.4% | 2016 | — | WB |
▶Health40 indicators · 2019–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment16 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 11.4 | 2024 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 588 | 2024 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Energy Use (kg oil eq. per capita) | 5,337 | 2023 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Electric Power Consumption (kWh per capita) | 11,426 | 2023 | ▼ 2.4% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 6.6% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 3.6% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 25.9 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 64.1% | 2023 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 62,570 | 2023 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 14.9% | 2023 | ▲ 10.3% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 5.8% | 2024 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| Marine Protected Areas (%) | 2.2% | 2024 | ▼ 12.0% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 100.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 99.7% | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WHO |
▶Agriculture11 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 16.1% | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 6,615 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 101.2 | 2022 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 93.6 | 2022 | ▼ 2.3% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 109.3 | 2022 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 776,099 | 2023 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 1.3M | 2023 | ▲ 4.5% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 262.3 | 2023 | ▼ 19.4% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 2.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 45.0% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 5.1M | 2023 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
▶Technology13 indicators · 2021–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 97.9% | 2024 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 162 | 2023 | ▲ 9.0% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 46.6 | 2023 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 11,902.4 | 2024 | ▲ 22.3% | WB |
| R&D Spending (% of GDP) | 5.21% | 2022 | ▲ 6.1% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Residents | 186,245 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Patent Applications, Non-Residents | 51,753 | 2021 | ▲ 11.8% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 76,936 | 2022 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $216.20B | 2024 | ▲ 31.3% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 10.4% | 2024 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $14.51B | 2024 | ▲ 9.1% | WB |
| Industrial Design Applications, Resident | 61,233 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Researchers in R&D (per million) | 9,435 | 2022 | ▲ 4.0% | WB |
▶Infrastructure9 indicators · 2019–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 76.3M | 2023 | ▲ 62.8% | WB |
| Air Transport, Freight (million ton-km) | 12,293.8 | 2023 | ▼ 10.5% | WB |
| Container Port Traffic (TEU) | 28.5M | 2022 | ▼ 4.3% | WB |
| Rail Lines (total km) | 4,309 | 2021 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Railways, Passengers (million km) | 100,381 | 2019 | — | WB |
| Railways, Goods (million ton-km) | 6,757 | 2021 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| Logistics Performance Index (1–5) | 3.80 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 1.2% | 2023 | ▼ 10.8% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 29.6% | 2023 | ▲ 4.9% | WB |
▶Gender8 indicators · 2017–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 20.0% | 2024 | ▲ 4.9% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 56.8% | 2024 | ▲ 1.3% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 80.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 100.5% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 0.5 | 2023 | ▼ 17.5% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 100.94 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 0.99 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 1.00 | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | 0.89 | 2023 | ▲ 19.5% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | 1.4 | 2023 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Political Stability | 0.61 | 2023 | ▲ 5.1% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | 1.12 | 2023 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Rule of Law | 1.25 | 2023 | ▲ 7.8% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | 0.86 | 2023 | ▼ 2.1% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 79.7% | 2023 | ▲ 3.7% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 90.6% | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 85.8% | 2023 | ▲ 1.1% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 68.2% | 2023 | ▲ 3.3% | WB |
▶Military6 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Spending (% of GDP) | 2.6% | 2024 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $47.57B | 2024 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Armed Forces Personnel | 569,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 2.0% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Military Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 11.3% | 2024 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 0.5 | 2023 | ▼ 3.8% | WB |
▶Poverty & Inequality11 indicators · 2021 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty at $2.15/day (%) | 0.2% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Poverty at $3.65/day (%) | 0.2% | 2021 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Poverty at $6.85/day (%) | 0.5% | 2021 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Gini Index | 32.9 | 2021 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Income Share, Top 10% | 24.6% | 2021 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Income Share, Bottom 10% | 2.9% | 2021 | ▼ 6.5% | WB |
| Income Share, Top 20% | 40.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Income Share, Bottom 20% | 7.5% | 2021 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Shared Prosperity Premium (%) | 3.7% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Survey Mean Consumption (2017 PPP $ per day) | 64.39 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Poverty Gap at $2.15/day (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.80 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.81 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.78 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 11.7 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism6 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 2.5M | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Departures | 4.3M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $11.78B | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $16.70B | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 1.9% | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $1.25B | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development8 indicators · 2022–2025 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 0.1% | 2024 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Population in Largest City | 10.0M | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Population in Largest City (% of urban) | 23.9% | 2025 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Population in Agglomerations >1M (% of total) | 51.1% | 2025 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 4.5% | 2022 | ▼ 19.6% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 0.1% | 2024 | ▼ 17.8% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 99.3% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%) | 99.3% | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WHO |
