Net debt, General government, Percent of GDP in South Korea
South Korea: Net debt, General government, Percent of GDP was 12.88 in 2030. ◆ Volatile
Net debt, General government, Percent of GDP in South Korea, 2013–2030
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net debt, general government, percent of gdp in South Korea is 12.88, measured in 2030. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and up 495.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net debt, general government, percent of gdp in South Korea peaked at 12.88 in 2030 and was at its lowest, -2.7, in 2013.
South Korea ranks 81st of 90 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net debt, General government, Percent of GDP in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | -2.7 | — |
| 2014 | -2.63 | -2.9% |
| 2015 | -1.11 | -57.8% |
| 2016 | -0.715 | -35.5% |
| 2017 | -0.6818 | -4.6% |
| 2018 | -2.49 | +265.3% |
| 2019 | -1.53 | -38.5% |
| 2020 | 2.16 | -241.3% |
| 2021 | 2.65 | +22.5% |
| 2022 | 6.18 | +133.1% |
| 2023 | 7.4 | +19.7% |
| 2024 | 7.81 | +5.6% |
| 2025 | 9.3 | +19.0% |
| 2026 | 10.26 | +10.4% |
| 2027 | 10.9 | +6.2% |
| 2028 | 11.59 | +6.4% |
| 2029 | 12.29 | +6.0% |
| 2030 | 12.88 | +4.8% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 12.88 is below the median for high income countries, which is 45.47, 28% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 12.88 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 35.43, 36% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net debt, General government, Percent of GDP in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | -265.3% | -0.6818 | -2.49 |
| 2020 | +241.3% | -1.53 | 2.16 |
| 2022 | +133.1% | 2.65 | 6.18 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | -1.69 | -2.7 | -0.6818 | 7 |
| 2020s | 8.05 | 2.16 | 12.29 | 10 |
| 2030s | 12.88 | 12.88 | 12.88 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More external debt data for South Korea
- Net financial flows, IBRD 0 NFL, current US$ (2025)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per capita 0 NFL, current US$ per person (2015)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per unit of GDP 0 NFL, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), per square kilometre 0 NFL, current US$ per square kilometre (2015)
- Net financial flows, IDA (NFL, current US$), annual growth rate 100 % change on previous year (2010)
- Net financial flows, IBRD (NFL, current US$), annual growth rate 100 % change on previous year (2014)
- Other investment, Debt instruments 309.08 billion US dollar (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) 7.57 % change on previous year (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments, Deposit taking corporations 188.50 billion US dollar (2025)
- Other investment, Debt instruments (Assets, Positions, US dollar) 5,980 US dollar per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net debt, general government, percent of gdp in South Korea?
- Net debt, general government, percent of gdp in South Korea was 12.88 in 2030, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest net debt, general government, percent of gdp recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 12.88 in 2030.
- What is the lowest net debt, general government, percent of gdp recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.7 in 2013.
- How does South Korea rank for net debt, general government, percent of gdp?
- South Korea ranks 81st out of 90 countries with data for 2030.
- Is net debt, general government, percent of gdp rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 495.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Net debt, General government, Percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fiscal Monitor (FM) 2025 October