⌘K

Republic of Korea Economic Statistics (2026)

1980

2026

2031

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook · Updated May 2026

1980

2026

2031

What to know

In 2026, South Korea's GDP per capita (PPP) is $68,624, among the wealthiest nations. The economy is worth about $1.9 trillion in total. Over the past five years it has grown at about 2.3% a year. Inflation is 2.5% and unemployment 2.8%. Government debt is 54% of GDP. Its current account is in surplus, at 5.6% of GDP.

Key statistics for 2026

GDP per capita (PPP)

$68,624

GDP growth

+1.9%

Inflation rate

2.5%

Unemployment

2.8%

Key terms

GDP: — Gross Domestic Product, the total value of goods and services produced in a country annually.
GDP PPP: — GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity, reflecting what money actually buys in each country.
GDP per capita: — GDP divided by population, a measure of average economic output per person.
Inflation rate: — Annual percentage increase in the general price level of goods and services.
Fiscal balance: — Government revenue minus expenditure. Surplus if positive, deficit if negative.
Current account: — Net flow of goods, services, and transfers with the rest of the world.

Output & Growth

Total GDP is $1.9 trillion, with slow growth of 1.9% in 2026.

Living Standards

GDP per capita is $37,412 in nominal terms, but $68,624 when adjusted for local purchasing power, indicating lower prices than in the US.

Prices & Employment

The economy is experiencing moderate inflation at 2.5% and near full employment at 2.8%.

Government Finances

Government debt is moderate at 54% of GDP. The government spends more than it collects (revenue: 23.8%, expenditure: 25.2% of GDP).

External & Fiscal Balance

The country is running a fiscal deficit of 1.5% of GDP and a current-account surplus of 5.6% of GDP.

The bottom line

South Korea is one of the world's wealthiest economies, with GDP per capita (PPP) of $68,624.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook · Updated May 2026

What to know

In 2026, South Korea's GDP per capita (PPP) is $68,624, among the wealthiest nations. The economy is worth about $1.9 trillion in total. Over the past five years it has grown at about 2.3% a year. Inflation is 2.5% and unemployment 2.8%. Government debt is 54% of GDP. Its current account is in surplus, at 5.6% of GDP.

Key statistics for 2026

GDP per capita (PPP)

$68,624

GDP growth

+1.9%

Inflation rate

2.5%

Unemployment

2.8%

Key terms

GDP: — Gross Domestic Product, the total value of goods and services produced in a country annually.
GDP PPP: — GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity, reflecting what money actually buys in each country.
GDP per capita: — GDP divided by population, a measure of average economic output per person.
Inflation rate: — Annual percentage increase in the general price level of goods and services.
Fiscal balance: — Government revenue minus expenditure. Surplus if positive, deficit if negative.
Current account: — Net flow of goods, services, and transfers with the rest of the world.

The bottom line

South Korea is one of the world's wealthiest economies, with GDP per capita (PPP) of $68,624.

North Korea

What to know

Key statistics for 2026

The bottom line

North Korea

What to know

Key statistics for 2026

The bottom line