Debt in South Korea
South Korea's debt is 47.81 % — #18 of 46 countries on the atlas (lower is better). Period 2024.
47.81 %
Checked 25 Jul 2026
Source: World Bank open data (GDP growth, GDP/capita, unemployment, government debt)
The central government owes about 0.5 years' worth of the country's entire economic output.
Central government debt as a share of GDP (World Bank).
Debt nearby: Mongolia 43.34 % · India 46.52 % · Armenia 47.88 % · Mexico 50.27 %
How to read this figure
Central government debt as a share of GDP (World Bank). General government debt (including local government and social funds) can be meaningfully higher; comparisons across countries are indicative.