South Korea—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
South Korea's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was -1.3% in 2026, ranking #54 out of 192 countries. This represents a +43.5% change from 2025. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 3.9% (2000) and the lowest was -2.6% (2024). The IMF WEO projects -0.3% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Line styles separate years at 2026. This date threshold does not establish whether an individual reading is observed, estimated or forecast. Gaps are not interpolated.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | -0.3% | -200.0% |
| 2030 | -0.1% | -200.0% |
| 2029 | 0.1% | -80.0% |
| 2028 | 0.5% | -64.3% |
| 2027 | 1.4% | +207.7% |
| 2026 | -1.3% | +43.5% |
| 2025 | -2.3% | +11.5% |
| 2024 | -2.6% | -116.7% |
| 2023 | -1.2% | |
| 2022 | 0.0% | +100.0% |
| 2021 | -0.3% | +88.0% |
| 2020 | -2.5% | -412.5% |
| 2019 | 0.8% | -72.4% |
| 2018 | 2.9% | +16.0% |
| 2017 | 2.5% | +8.7% |
| 2016 | 2.3% | +109.1% |
| 2015 | 1.1% | -15.4% |
| 2014 | 1.3% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 1.3% | +18.2% |
| 2012 | 1.1% | -35.3% |
| 2011 | 1.7% | +6.2% |
| 2010 | 1.6% | +700.0% |
| 2009 | 0.2% | -87.5% |
| 2008 | 1.6% | -36.0% |
| 2007 | 2.5% | +108.3% |
| 2006 | 1.2% | +20.0% |
| 2005 | 1.0% | +900.0% |
| 2004 | 0.1% | -93.3% |
| 2003 | 1.5% | -53.1% |
| 2002 | 3.2% | +33.3% |
| 2001 | 2.4% | -38.5% |
| 2000 | 3.9% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | -1.3% | +43.5% |
| 2027Forecast | 1.4% | +207.7% |
| 2028Forecast | 0.5% | -64.3% |
| 2029Forecast | 0.1% | -80.0% |
| 2030Forecast | -0.1% | -200.0% |
| 2031Forecast | -0.3% | -200.0% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 15.8% | 2026 |
| 2 | Nauru | 14.5% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 13.5% | 2026 |
| 4 | Macao | 8.4% | 2026 |
| 5 | Oman | 6.0% | 2026 |
| 6 | Republic of the Congo | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Tonga | 4.1% | 2026 |
| 8 | Samoa | 4.0% | 2026 |
| 9 | Azerbaijan | 3.7% | 2026 |
| 10 | Singapore | 3.7% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending or borrowing relative to GDP.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
percent of GDP