Key Facts About Korea

2026 Economic Summary: South Korea’s economy is projected to grow by 1.9%-2.0% this year, maintaining its position as one of the world’s largest economies with a GDP of $1.86 trillion (approximately $36,000 per capita). Korea is a global trade powerhouse, exporting around $710 billion annually (yielding a positive trade balance of $78 billion), driven primarily by the semiconductor, AI, and automotive industries. However, the nation (population 51.6 million) faces a significant demographic challenge due to a low fertility rate of 0.75.