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South Korea GDP per capita by year, 1990 to 2025

South Korea: $36,227 in 2025. Gdp per capita peaked at $37,518 in 2021 in this 1990–2025 series.

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What the data shows

  • South Korea: $6,813 in 1990, $36,227 in 2025 (5.3× higher). It peaked at $37,518 in 2021.
  • Japan: $26,345 in 1990, $35,951 in 2025. It peaked at $49,627 in 2012.
  • Czechia: $3,969 in 1990, $35,917 in 2025 (9.0× higher). Its low point was $2,917 in 1991.
  • Slovenia: $9,925 in 1990, $37,376 in 2025 (3.8× higher). Its low point was $7,151 in 1992.

About this chart

South Korea's GDP per capita rose from $6,813 in 1990 to $36,227 in 2025, measured in current US dollars. The steepest annual decline in the displayed values was $4,239 per person in 1998. The displayed annual series runs from 1990 through 2025; its lowest value was $6,813 in 1990. The preceding annual observation, for 2024, was $36,239.

GDP per capita is domestic output divided by population, in current US dollars. It is neither a typical salary nor household income; inflation and exchange rates affect comparisons over time. In 2025, the comparison lines show Japan ($35,951), Czechia ($35,917) and Slovenia ($37,376). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD), current US$ per person. Retrieved November 5, 2026. GDP per capita is domestic output divided by population, in current US dollars. It is neither a typical salary nor household income; inflation and exchange rates affect comparisons over time. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

South Korea: GDP per capita, current US$ per person, 1990 to 2025; three nearest peers, 1990–2025
Date🇰🇷 South Korea🇯🇵 Japan🇨🇿 Czechia🇸🇮 Slovenia
1990$6,813$26,345$3,969$9,925
1991$7,873$30,048$2,917$7,229
1992$8,387$32,667$3,397$7,151
1993$9,180$37,111$3,984$7,255
1994$10,734$40,774$4,663$8,244
1995$13,002$44,947$5,865$10,738
1996$13,865$39,930$6,573$10,797
1997$12,822$36,331$6,069$10,437
1998$8,583$32,835$6,527$11,132
1999$11,063$37,029$6,378$11,401
2000$12,710$39,753$6,063$10,136
2001$11,981$34,910$6,669$10,376
2002$13,643$33,316$8,101$11,639
2003$15,212$35,809$9,852$14,712
2004$17,122$38,678$11,783$17,104
2005$20,167$38,159$13,442$17,970
2006$22,610$36,354$15,259$19,563
2007$25,078$36,130$18,453$23,725
2008$22,252$40,294$22,775$27,462
2009$19,937$41,678$19,817$24,502
2010$24,071$45,378$20,160$23,330
2011$26,175$49,122$22,049$24,941
2012$26,601$49,627$20,014$22,442
2013$28,449$41,369$20,260$23,237
2014$30,667$39,173$20,038$24,013
2015$30,172$35,665$17,932$20,697
2016$30,832$40,215$18,754$21,448
2017$33,297$39,680$20,913$23,303
2018$35,364$40,645$23,706$25,888
2019$33,827$41,425$24,063$25,814
2020$33,646$41,099$23,473$25,392
2021$37,518$41,581$27,696$29,193
2022$34,822$35,548$28,282$28,360
2023$35,674$35,215$31,762$32,660
2024$36,239$33,797$31,828$34,301
2025$36,227$35,951$35,917$37,376

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Frequently asked questions

What is South Korea's GDP per capita?

South Korea's GDP per capita was $36,227 in 2025, in current US dollars. This is output per resident, not an estimate of typical earnings.

When was South Korea's GDP per capita highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was $37,518 in 2021. This comparison covers 1990 through 2025; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with South Korea?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2025 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD), current US$ per person. Retrieved November 5, 2026. GDP per capita is domestic output divided by population, in current US dollars. It is neither a typical salary nor household income; inflation and exchange rates affect comparisons over time. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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