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Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Korea: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
South Korea is placed 15th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 55,697 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 50.38 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
15th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 55,697GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 50.38Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- 1.6Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 96.89Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place South Korea on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
55,697
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
South Korea: 55,697. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 117,098 Macau
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · South Korea’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
50.38
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
South Korea: 50.38. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 83.21 Japan
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
1.6
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 3rd of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
South Korea: 1.6. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 1.729 Japan
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
96.89
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
South Korea: 96.89. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 98.52 Japan
02Over time
Which way South Korea is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
South KoreaWorld median
South Korea rose from 26,404 in 2000 to 55,697 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year South Korea World median 2025 55,697 17,265 2024 55,071 18,108 2023 54,029 17,686 2022 53,229 16,933 2021 51,718 16,260 2020 49,374 15,631 2019 49,791 16,761 2018 48,834 16,349 2017 47,537 16,129 2016 46,088 15,512 2015 44,849 14,857 2014 43,807 14,475 2013 42,710 14,681 2012 41,538 14,631 2011 40,719 13,916 2010 39,574 14,101 2009 37,176 13,655 2008 37,064 14,030 2007 36,257 13,755 2006 34,430 12,983 2005 32,886 12,023 2004 31,580 11,608 2003 30,142 11,183 2002 29,395 11,144 2001 27,441 10,907 2000 26,404 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
South KoreaWorld median
South Korea rose from 1.287 in 2000 to 1.6 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year South Korea World median 2024 1.600 0.1310 2023 1.724 0.0710 2022 1.774 0.0580 2021 1.770 0.0010 2020 1.780 0.0470 2019 1.807 0.0300 2018 1.797 -0.0150 2017 1.755 0.0080 2016 1.787 -0.0660 2015 1.748 -0.0600 2014 1.696 -0.0190 2013 1.659 0.0140 2012 1.624 0.0060 2011 1.688 -0.0140 2010 1.621 -0.0020 2009 1.562 0.0990 2008 1.523 0.0700 2007 1.556 -0.0080 2006 1.514 0.0740 2005 1.447 0.0510 2004 1.459 0.0505 2003 1.438 0.0450 2002 1.394 0.0100 2001 1.338 0.0470 2000 1.287 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
South KoreaWorld median
South Korea rose from 93.05 in 2011 to 96.89 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year South Korea World median 2024 97 73 2021 99 74 2017 95 59 2014 94 52 2011 93 37
03In context
South Korea beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
South Korea and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 15th | 55,697 | 50.38 | 1.6 | 96.89 |
 North Koreacompare | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below South Korea in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where South Korea is ahead of the world, and behind
58 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median25
Statistics on which South Korea does better than the middle country measured.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.21637.1556.21No real change since 2016
South Korea: 637.15 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 2nd of 175 by UNCTAD.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.959,472701.95No earlier reading
South Korea: 9,472 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 2nd of 145 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1976.8940.19No real change since 2020
South Korea: 76.89 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 5th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.526028.52No real change since 2022
South Korea: 60 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 4th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8144.9440.814No real change since 2013
South Korea: 4.944 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 84 · derived.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.97528.330.975No real change since 2014
South Korea: 28.33 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 5th of 119 · derived.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.9260.485No real change since 2013
South Korea: 0.926 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 7th of 170 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8110.9541.81No earlier reading
South Korea: 10.95 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 173rd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6765.3446.67▲ Improved since 2012
South Korea: 65.34 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 12th of 195 · derived.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27356,42414,273▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 56,424 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 12th of 102 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.93.82.9No real change since 2014
South Korea: 3.8 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 17th of 139 by World Bank Group.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89041,32112,890▲ Improved since 2012
South Korea: 41,321 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 166 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0931.003-0.093▲ Improved since 2015
South Korea: 1.003 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 33rd of 209 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486272,58046,486No real change since 2010
South Korea: 272,580 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 25th of 150 · derived.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4250.6625.42▲ Improved since 2014
South Korea: 50.66 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 170 · derived.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38917.718.389▼ Worsened since 2011
South Korea: 17.71 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 118 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.163.9116.1No real change since 2013
South Korea: 63.91 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,80025,88512,800No real change since 2017
South Korea: 25,885 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 41st of 173 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.873.163.8No earlier reading
South Korea: 73.1 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 27th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.522.5227.5No real change since 2010
South Korea: 22.52 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.415.8710.4No earlier reading
South Korea: 15.87 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.6610.627▲ Improved since 2013
South Korea: 0.661 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 3331.433▼ Worsened since 2013
South Korea: 31.4 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 47th of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.4748.8237.474▲ Improved since 2014
South Korea: 8.823 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 51st of 118 · derived.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06109.28107.06▲ Improved since 2012
South Korea: 109.28 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 90th of 194 · derived.
Behind the world median4
Statistics on which South Korea does worse than the middle country measured.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08101.21106.08▼ Worsened since 2012
South Korea: 101.21 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 126th of 195 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3945.4252.39No earlier reading
South Korea: 45.42 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 127th of 169 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.2393.62106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
South Korea: 93.62 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 162nd of 195 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3961.0073.396▼ Worsened since 2015
South Korea: 1.007 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 159th of 186 · derived.
No better end29
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.7399,203275.73No real change since 2016
South Korea: 99,203 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Container Port TrafficUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1,827,78831,850,9241,827,788No real change since 2014
South Korea: 31,850,924 · world median 1,827,788 · Container port traffic (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent units). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 17,263 to 299,703,800.
Position 4th of 103 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2627.4311.26No real change since 2015
South Korea: 27.43 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 5th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,240105,1482,240No real change since 2022
South Korea: 105,148 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.952,362657.95Moved since 2014
South Korea: 2,362 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.0635.0322.06Moved since 2014
South Korea: 35.03 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 16th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6534.3324.65Moved since 2015
South Korea: 34.33 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 30th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.2250.977-0.225No real change since 2014
South Korea: 0.977 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Creative Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 6.17115.596.171Moved since 2014
South Korea: 15.59 · world median 6.171 · Creative services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.002 to 63.91.
Foreign Value Added Share of Gross ExportsOECD · 2022 · world median 27.4136.6527.41Moved since 2012
South Korea: 36.65 · world median 27.41 · Foreign value added (% of gross exports). OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 4.491 to 66.08.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9329.1322.93No real change since 2015
South Korea: 29.13 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 28th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.7770.523Moved since 2013
South Korea: 0.777 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 2427.524Moved since 2016
South Korea: 27.5 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2352.3671.235Moved since 2014
South Korea: 2.367 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3445.7636.34Moved since 2015
South Korea: 45.76 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 46th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.665.663.66Moved since 2012
South Korea: 5.66 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8525.3321.85Moved since 2014
South Korea: 25.33 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2117.6516.21Moved since 2015
South Korea: 17.65 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 56th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6886.3679.68Moved since 2015
South Korea: 86.36 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 63rd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7240.641.72Moved since 2015
South Korea: 40.6 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 72nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3063.1263.306Moved since 2015
South Korea: 3.126 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6028.0199.602Moved since 2015
South Korea: 8.019 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.2190.306Moved since 2015
South Korea: 0.219 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9680.8441.968Moved since 2015
South Korea: 0.844 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.051.708No real change since 2011
South Korea: 0.05 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 156th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.2390.7103.23Moved since 2015
South Korea: 90.7 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0448.0262.04Moved since 2015
South Korea: 48.02 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 115th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5721.4646.572Moved since 2015
South Korea: 1.464 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 139th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1713.8567.17No real change since 2014
South Korea: 13.85 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
No current reading for South Korea
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Gini Index (last 2021), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2021), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2021), Interest Payments on External Debt, New Business Density (last 2023) and Palma Ratio (last 2021). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among South Korea’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is South Korea’s 6th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technologyjoint 1st of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour3rd of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing5th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge8th of 1983/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade8th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation15th of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 19th of 1944/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital24th of 1963/3 keys
- Gender & Equality24th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture32nd of 1843/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 35th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality29th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 38th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security63rd of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability170th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders South Korea can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysThis page
South Korea15th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about South Korea and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
South Korea on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does South Korea rank on economy & innovation?
South Korea is placed 15th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for South Korea?
55,697 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for South Korea?
50.38 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How have South Korea’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 26,404 in 2000 to 55,697 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from 1.287 in 2000 to 1.6 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 93.05 in 2011 to 96.89 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for South Korea?
No current reading is published for South Korea on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Gini Index, Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Interest Payments on External Debt, New Business Density and Palma Ratio. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 58 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
South Korea’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Korea (banner) — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). South Korea: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-korea/economy