South Korea GDP (2026): History, Growth Rate & Projections

Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Korea is $1.93 trillion as of 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The GDP growth rate in 2026 is 1.9%. GDP per capita is $37,412.

South Korea GDP Trend

Nominal GDP of South Korea has grown from $66.52 billion in 1980 to $1.93 trillion in 2026.

South Korea GDP Growth Rate (%)

This chart shows the year-over-year real GDP growth rate of South Korea. Hover any bar to see the exact value for that year.

Average Growth

5.56%

Best Year

1983 (+13.5%)

Worst Year

1998 (-4.9%)

Years of Contraction

3 of 47

GDP per capita in South Korea rose from $36,227 in 2025 to $37,412 in 2026, an increase of 3.3%.

"South Korea GDP", "South Korea gross domestic product", and "South Korea economy size" all refer to the same nominal GDP figure.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Korea

The table below shows nominal and PPP GDP, growth rate, and GDP per capita for South Korea for every year IMF has published data, from 1980 to 2026. Click any column header to sort, or search by year.

South Korea nominal GDP by year
Year	GDP Nominal (Current USD)	GDP Growth	GDP per capita	Pop. Change
2026	$1,931,008,000,000	1.9%	$37,412	-0.14%
2025	$1,872,375,000,000	1%	$36,227	-0.13%
2024	$1,875,388,000,000	2%	$36,239	0.07%
2023	$1,844,801,000,000	1.6%	$35,674	0.08%
2022	$1,799,363,000,000	2.7%	$34,822	-0.19%
2021	$1,942,314,000,000	4.6%	$37,519	-0.13%
2020	$1,744,455,000,000	-0.7%	$33,653	0.14%
2019	$1,751,046,000,000	2.3%	$33,827	0.35%
2018	$1,824,251,000,000	3.2%	$35,364	0.43%
2017	$1,710,197,000,000	3.4%	$33,297	0.28%
2016	$1,578,816,000,000	3.2%	$30,826	0.4%
2015	$1,539,212,000,000	2.9%	$30,172	0.53%
2014	$1,556,252,000,000	3.2%	$30,667	0.63%
2013	$1,434,670,000,000	3.3%	$28,449	0.46%
2012	$1,335,344,000,000	2.5%	$26,601	0.53%
2011	$1,307,239,000,000	3.7%	$26,178	0.77%
2010	$1,192,722,000,000	7%	$24,069	0.5%
2009	$982,854,000,000	0.8%	$19,933	0.52%
2008	$1,093,487,000,000	3%	$22,291	0.76%
2007	$1,220,756,000,000	5.8%	$25,075	0.51%
2006	$1,094,545,000,000	5.2%	$22,597	0.53%
2005	$971,540,000,000	4.4%	$20,163	0.21%
2004	$822,583,000,000	5.2%	$17,108	0.4%
2003	$728,497,000,000	3.1%	$15,211	0.52%
2002	$649,747,000,000	7.7%	$13,637	0.58%
2001	$567,655,000,000	4.7%	$11,983	0.77%
2000	$597,802,000,000	9.2%	$12,717	0.84%
1999	$515,427,000,000	11.6%	$11,057	0.71%
1998	$396,803,000,000	-4.9%	$8,573	0.72%
1997	$590,070,000,000	6.3%	$12,841	0.94%
1996	$631,194,000,000	8%	$13,865	0.96%
1995	$586,301,000,000	9.7%	$13,002	1.01%
1994	$478,988,000,000	9.4%	$10,730	1.01%
1993	$405,772,000,000	7%	$9,182	1.02%
1992	$366,912,000,000	6.4%	$8,387	1.04%
1991	$340,863,000,000	10.9%	$7,873	1%
1990	$292,064,000,000	10%	$6,813	0.99%
1989	$254,236,000,000	7.2%	$5,989	0.99%
1988	$205,479,000,000	12.1%	$4,889	0.98%
1987	$152,241,000,000	12.9%	$3,658	0.99%
1986	$119,966,000,000	11.5%	$2,911	1%
1985	$103,764,000,000	7.9%	$2,543	0.99%
1984	$99,750,000,000	10.6%	$2,469	1.24%
1983	$89,621,000,000	13.5%	$2,246	1.49%
1982	$79,912,000,000	8.5%	$2,032	1.56%
1981	$74,287,000,000	7.4%	$1,918	1.57%
1980	$66,517,000,000	-1.5%	$1,745	—

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South Korea GDP Projections (IMF)

IMF projects nominal GDP for South Korea through 2031, based on current growth and inflation assumptions.

South Korea nominal GDP by year
Year	GDP Nominal (Current USD)	GDP Growth	GDP per capita	Pop. Change
2031	$2,357,310,000,000	1.9%	$46,019	-0.18%
2030	$2,266,933,000,000	1.9%	$44,177	-0.14%
2029	$2,181,451,000,000	2%	$42,454	-0.16%
2028	$2,094,331,000,000	2.2%	$40,695	-0.14%
2027	$2,010,456,000,000	2.1%	$39,012	-0.15%

Compare South Korea to Nearby-Ranked Economies

South Korea ranks #15 in the world by nominal GDP. See how it compares to the economies ranked just above and below it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GDP of South Korea?

The nominal GDP of South Korea in 2026 is $1.93 trillion, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2026). This ranks South Korea 15th in the world by nominal GDP.

What is the GDP growth rate of South Korea?

The GDP growth rate of South Korea in 2026 is 1.9%, per IMF estimates.

What is the GDP per capita of South Korea?

GDP per capita in South Korea in 2026 is $37,412, per IMF data.

Is the GDP of South Korea expected to grow?

IMF projects the nominal GDP of South Korea to reach $2.36 trillion by 2031, up from $1.93 trillion in 2026.

Sources: IMF, World Economic Outlook (April 2026).

Disclaimer: GDP figures are IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2026) estimates and projections, subject to revision in future WEO releases. This page is for informational purposes only and is not investment or economic advice.