South Korea GDP Growth Rate (2026)
South Korea has an advanced export-oriented economy known for technology, electronics, automobiles, manufacturing, and global trade. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+1.9%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#150
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.9 pp
2025: +1.0%
Asia Rank
#39
Out of 49 countries
1. South Korea GDP Growth Rate in 2026
South Korean economic growth is strongly influenced by exports, semiconductor demand, manufacturing, investment, and household consumption. Global technology cycles, trade conditions, interest rates, and external demand remain important factors.
2. South Korea GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
South Korea’s growth history reflects its transformation from a developing economy into a major industrial and technological power. Export-led manufacturing, investment, education, innovation, and productivity gains have driven long-term expansion.
3. South Korea GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +1.9% | +0.9 pp |
| 2025 | +1.0% | -1.0 pp |
| 2024 | +2.0% | +0.4 pp |
| 2023 | +1.6% | -1.1 pp |
| 2022 | +2.7% | -1.9 pp |
| 2021 | +4.6% | +5.3 pp |
| 2020 | -0.7% | -3.0 pp |
| 2019 | +2.3% | -0.9 pp |
| 2018 | +3.2% | -0.2 pp |
| 2017 | +3.4% | +0.2 pp |
| 2016 | +3.2% | +0.3 pp |
| 2015 | +2.9% | -0.3 pp |
| 2014 | +3.2% | -0.1 pp |
| 2013 | +3.3% | +0.8 pp |
| 2012 | +2.5% | -1.2 pp |
| 2011 | +3.7% | -3.3 pp |
| 2010 | +7.0% | +6.2 pp |
| 2009 | +0.8% | -2.2 pp |
| 2008 | +3.0% | -2.8 pp |
| 2007 | +5.8% | +0.6 pp |
| 2006 | +5.2% | +0.8 pp |
| 2005 | +4.4% | -0.8 pp |
| 2004 | +5.2% | +2.1 pp |
| 2003 | +3.1% | -4.6 pp |
| 2002 | +7.7% | +3.0 pp |
| 2001 | +4.7% | -4.5 pp |
| 2000 | +9.2% | -2.4 pp |
| 1999 | +11.6% | +16.5 pp |
| 1998 | -4.9% | -11.2 pp |
| 1997 | +6.3% | -1.7 pp |
| 1996 | +8.0% | -1.7 pp |
| 1995 | +9.7% | +0.3 pp |
| 1994 | +9.4% | +2.4 pp |
| 1993 | +7.0% | +0.6 pp |
| 1992 | +6.4% | -4.5 pp |
| 1991 | +10.9% | +0.9 pp |
| 1990 | +10.0% | +2.8 pp |
| 1989 | +7.2% | -4.9 pp |
| 1988 | +12.1% | -0.8 pp |
| 1987 | +12.9% | +1.4 pp |
| 1986 | +11.5% | +3.6 pp |
| 1985 | +7.9% | -2.7 pp |
| 1984 | +10.6% | -2.9 pp |
| 1983 | +13.5% | +5.0 pp |
| 1982 | +8.5% | +1.1 pp |
| 1981 | +7.4% | +8.9 pp |
| 1980 | -1.5% | — |
4. South Korea GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+1.9%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+1.8%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.2%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+2.9%
(2007 to 2026)
South Korea continues to benefit from advanced manufacturing, semiconductor exports, technology investment, and strong global companies. Household debt, demographic pressures, and fluctuations in external demand can create challenges for domestic growth.
5. South Korea GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
South Korea
+1.9%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.4%
2.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
South Korea’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.5 pp
below the
Asia average
and
1.0 pp
below the world average.
6. South Korea GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #35 | Jordan | +2.8% |
| #36 | Brunei | +2.6% |
| #37 | Turkmenistan | +2.6% |
| #38 | Azerbaijan | +2.2% |
| #39 | South Korea | +1.9% |
| #40 | Thailand | +1.5% |
| #41 | Japan | +0.7% |
| #42 | Yemen | +0.5% |
| #43 | Bahrain | -0.5% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in South Korea
South Korea GDP (Nominal)
$1.93 Trillion
(2026)
South Korea GDP Growth Rate
+1.9%
(2026)
South Korea’s growth is closely tied to Asian and global technology cycles because of its export-oriented economy. It generally combines advanced-economy characteristics with greater exposure to manufacturing and international trade than many Western economies.
Explore more:
South Korea GDP
9. South Korea GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on semiconductor demand, technology investment, exports, consumer activity, and global trade. Population aging, household debt, geopolitical risks, and dependence on external markets remain important longer-term challenges.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +2.1% | +0.2 pp |
| 2028 | +2.2% | +0.1 pp |
| 2029 | +2.0% | -0.2 pp |
| 2030 | +1.9% | -0.1 pp |
10. South Korea GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
South Korea GDP growth rate is estimated at +1.9% in 2026.
It ranks #150 globally and #39 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.9 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +1.8%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.2%.
The current rate is 0.5 percentage points below the Asia average.
The current rate is 1.0 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +1.9% in 2030, 0.0 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. South Korea GDP Growth Rate FAQs
South Korea GDP growth rate is estimated at +1.9% in 2026.
South Korea ranks #150 globally and #39 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +1.9% in 2026.
South Korea GDP growth rate was +2.9% in 2015.
South Korea GDP growth rate is 0.5 percentage points below the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.