Korea, Rep.Korea, Rep., located in the region of East Asia & Pacific, is an internationally classified economy with a "High income" income level. It is home to a demographic force of approximately 51.7 million inhabitants.
From a quantitative perspective, Positioning itself as an export-oriented powerhouse, the export sector represents more than 45.8% of GDP, making it highly sensitive to global trade cycles. Despite its individual figures, it presents a notable competitive lag compared to the average of East Asia & Pacific (4.0%).
Delving deeper into its institutional metrics, Liquidity conditions reflect negative real interest rates of -1.1%, indicating an environment of financial repression. Furthermore, it generates a structural trade surplus, exporting 5.2% more than it imports relative to its GDP.
Demographically, it faces the structural challenge of an aging workforce, with 20.3% over 65 years old. It stands out for high social cohesion, combining low levels of inequality (Gini: 32.9) with near full-employment figures, reducing country risk. Foreign investment flows (FDI) remain depressed at around 0.8%, limiting technological transfer. Its central bank backs liquidity with strong international reserves (over $437B), offering a shield against external shocks.
1.00%
4.18%
+3.18%
$1.87T
+1.01%
Data from 2025
2.1%
Data from 2025
GDP per Capita
$36,227
YEAR 2025
Unemployment
2.7%
YEAR 2025
Debt to GDP
47.8%
YEAR 2024
Active Population
51.7M
YEAR 2025
Population > 65 Years
20.3%
YEAR 2025
Gini IndexMeasures income inequality. 0 is total equality, 100 is extreme inequality.
32.9
YEAR 2021
Exports (% GDP)
45.8%
YEAR 2025
Imports (% GDP)
40.6%
YEAR 2025
FDI (% GDP)Foreign Direct Investment. Foreign capital productively invested in this economy.
0.8%
YEAR 2025
| Year | GDP (USD) | Growth (%) | Inflation (%) | Unemployment (%) | Debt/GDP (%) | Exports (%GDP) | Imports (%GDP) | FDI (%GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.87T | 1.01 | 2.12 | 2.68 | --- | 45.76 | 40.60 | 0.84 |
| 2024 | $1.88T | 2.00 | 2.32 | 2.78 | 47.81 | 44.36 | 40.28 | 0.69 |
| 2023 | $1.84T | 1.58 | 3.60 | 2.67 | 48.55 | 41.32 | 40.94 | 1.03 |
| 2022 | $1.80T | 2.73 | 5.09 | 2.86 | 47.61 | 45.29 | 45.29 | 1.39 |
| 2021 | $1.94T | 4.61 | 2.50 | 3.64 | 45.83 | 39.34 | 35.97 | 1.14 |
| 2020 | $1.74T | -0.70 | 0.54 | 3.93 | 43.78 | 34.62 | 30.93 | 0.50 |
| 2019 | $1.75T | 2.31 | 0.38 | 3.75 | 37.70 | 37.04 | 34.41 | 0.55 |
| 2018 | $1.82T | 3.18 | 1.48 | 3.82 | 35.52 | 39.45 | 35.26 | 0.67 |
| 2017 | $1.71T | 3.43 | 1.94 | 3.65 | 35.45 | 38.85 | 34.34 | 1.05 |
| 2016 | $1.58T | 3.17 | 0.97 | 3.65 | 36.15 | 38.11 | 31.79 | 0.77 |