UK vs South Korea: GDP, GDP per person and government debt compared
On IMF figures, the UK's GDP in 2025 was $4.01 trillion; South Korea's was $1.88 trillion. In 2025 the IMF gives $65,758 for the UK's GDP per head and $65,685 for South Korea. IMF figures for 2025 put the UK's government debt at 102.1% of GDP, higher than South Korea's 52.4% of GDP.
GDP, current prices
On IMF figures, the UK's GDP in 2025 was $4.01 trillion; South Korea's was $1.88 trillion. The UK's figure was higher than South Korea's in every year from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | UK | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.01 trillion | $1.88 trillion |
| 2024 | $3.71 trillion | $1.88 trillion |
| 2023 | $3.44 trillion | $1.84 trillion |
| 2022 | $3.20 trillion | $1.80 trillion |
| 2021 | $3.21 trillion | $1.94 trillion |
| 2020 | $2.73 trillion | $1.74 trillion |
| 2019 | $2.89 trillion | $1.75 trillion |
| 2018 | $2.91 trillion | $1.82 trillion |
| 2017 | $2.71 trillion | $1.71 trillion |
| 2016 | $2.72 trillion | $1.58 trillion |
| 2015 | $2.95 trillion | $1.54 trillion |
The IMF's GDP in US dollars is the value of all goods and services produced in a country in a calendar year, at that year's prices, converted from the national currency into US dollars at market exchange rates.
GDP per head, purchasing power parity
In 2025 the IMF gives $65,758 for the UK's GDP per head and $65,685 for South Korea. The UK's figure was higher than South Korea's in every year from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | UK | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $65,758 | $65,685 |
| 2024 | $63,492 | $63,198 |
| 2023 | $61,899 | $60,342 |
| 2022 | $60,180 | $57,356 |
| 2021 | $54,009 | $51,923 |
| 2020 | $48,881 | $47,881 |
| 2019 | $50,729 | $46,511 |
| 2018 | $47,780 | $45,511 |
| 2017 | $46,556 | $43,156 |
| 2016 | $44,511 | $41,105 |
| 2015 | $43,480 | $39,623 |
The IMF's GDP per head at purchasing power parity is GDP divided by population, converted into international dollars using purchasing power parities: rates that adjust for differences in price levels between countries, so that a dollar buys the same amount everywhere.
General government gross debt
IMF figures for 2025 put the UK's government debt at 102.1% of GDP, higher than South Korea's 52.4% of GDP. The UK's figure was higher than South Korea's in every year from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | UK | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 102.1% of GDP | 52.4% of GDP |
| 2024 | 99.4% of GDP | 49.6% of GDP |
| 2023 | 98.3% of GDP | 50.6% of GDP |
| 2022 | 97.1% of GDP | 49.7% of GDP |
| 2021 | 103.0% of GDP | 47.9% of GDP |
| 2020 | 104.4% of GDP | 45.9% of GDP |
| 2019 | 84.5% of GDP | 39.7% of GDP |
| 2018 | 85.3% of GDP | 37.9% of GDP |
| 2017 | 85.9% of GDP | 38.0% of GDP |
| 2016 | 87.2% of GDP | 39.1% of GDP |
| 2015 | 87.3% of GDP | 38.8% of GDP |
The IMF's general government gross debt is all the liabilities of central, regional and local government and social security funds that require payments of interest or principal in future: debt securities, loans, currency and deposits, insurance and pension schemes, and other accounts payable.
More figures for the UK and South Korea
| Figure | UK | South Korea | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.4 years | 83.6 years | 2024 | World Bank |
| Total tax revenue | 34.4% of GDP | 25.3% of GDP | 2024 | OECD |
| Current health expenditure | 11.4% of GDP | 8.4% of GDP | 2025 | OECD |
| General government expenditure | 43.5% of GDP | 35.9% of GDP | 2025 | IMF |
| Employment rate, ages 15 to 64 | 75.1% | 69.8% | 2025 | OECD |
| Real minimum wage per hour | $17.13 an hour | $11.40 an hour | 2025 | OECD |
| Carbon dioxide emissions per person | 4.22 tonnes | 11.36 tonnes | 2024 | World Bank |
| Gross domestic spending on research and development | 2.8% of GDP | 4.9% of GDP | 2023 | OECD |
| Price-to-income ratio, standardised | 117.5 (100 = long-term average) | 49.0 (100 = long-term average) | 2024 | OECD |
Each value is for the latest year both the UK and South Korea have in that body's data. International bodies adjust national figures so that countries can be compared, so UK values can differ from the ONS's.
Ranked tables with the UK and South Korea
- UK national debt compared with other countries
- UK GDP compared with other countries
- UK GDP per head compared with other countries
More about South Korea: South Korea in figures. Compare any two countries with the country comparison tool.
Sources and receipts
- International Monetary Fund: World Economic Outlook database (IMF DataMapper)read 2026-10-14 · SHA-256
7294ac0b3013e39b…· publisher's page - International Monetary Fund: World Economic Outlook database (IMF DataMapper)read 2026-10-14 · SHA-256
50bf0fd1cc9a9b57…· publisher's page - International Monetary Fund: World Economic Outlook database (IMF DataMapper)read 2026-10-14 · SHA-256
bacd0d83be00b655…· publisher's page
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