China vs South Korea: GDP Growth Rate Comparison

Compare GDP Growth Rate (Annual %) of China and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, China recorded GDP Growth Rate (Annual %) of 5.0% vs 1.0% for South Korea (China's GDP Growth Rate is 4.0% higher than South Korea's.).

🇨🇳 China
5.0%
-42.1% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
1.0%
-89.1% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
4.0%
Latest Year: 2025
GDP Growth Rate (Annual %)
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2000 2025
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China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1961 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of GDP Growth Rate (Annual %) for China and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇨🇳 China GDP Growth Rate 🇰🇷 South Korea GDP Growth Rate Difference / Gap
2025 5.0% 1.0% 4.0%
2024 5.0% 2.0% 3.0%
2023 5.4% 1.6% 3.8%
2022 3.1% 2.7% 0.4%
2021 8.6% 4.6% 4.0%
2020 2.3% -0.7% 3.0%
2019 6.1% 2.3% 3.8%
2018 6.8% 3.2% 3.6%
2017 6.9% 3.4% 3.5%
2016 6.8% 3.2% 3.6%
2015 7.0% 2.9% 4.1%
2014 7.5% 3.2% 4.2%
2013 7.8% 3.3% 4.5%
2012 7.9% 2.5% 5.3%
2011 9.5% 3.7% 5.8%
2010 10.6% 7.0% 3.6%
2009 9.4% 0.8% 8.6%
2008 9.7% 3.0% 6.7%
2007 14.2% 5.8% 8.3%
2006 12.7% 5.2% 7.4%
2005 11.5% 4.4% 7.1%
2004 10.1% 5.2% 5.0%
2003 10.1% 3.1% 7.0%
2002 9.2% 7.7% 1.5%
2001 8.3% 4.7% 3.6%
2000 8.6% 9.2% 0.6%
1999 7.7% 11.6% 3.9%
1998 7.9% -4.9% 12.9%
1997 9.3% 6.3% 3.0%
1996 10.0% 8.0% 2.0%
1995 11.0% 9.7% 1.3%
1994 13.1% 9.4% 3.7%
1993 13.9% 7.0% 6.9%
1992 14.3% 6.4% 7.9%
1991 9.4% 10.9% 1.5%
1990 3.9% 10.0% 6.1%
1989 4.2% 7.2% 3.0%
1988 11.2% 12.1% 0.9%
1987 11.7% 12.9% 1.2%
1986 8.9% 11.5% 2.6%
1985 13.4% 7.9% 5.5%
1984 15.2% 10.6% 4.6%
1983 10.8% 13.5% 2.7%
1982 9.0% 8.5% 0.6%
1981 5.1% 7.4% 2.3%
1980 7.8% -1.5% 9.4%
1979 7.6% 8.7% 1.1%
1978 11.3% 11.1% 0.3%
1977 7.6% 12.4% 4.8%
1976 -1.6% 13.3% 14.8%
1975 8.7% 7.9% 0.8%
1974 2.3% 9.6% 7.3%
1973 7.8% 15.0% 7.2%
1972 3.8% 7.3% 3.5%
1971 7.1% 10.7% 3.6%
1970 19.3% 10.2% 9.1%
1969 16.9% 14.6% 2.3%
1968 -4.1% 13.2% 17.3%
1967 -5.8% 9.2% 14.9%
1966 10.6% 12.0% 1.4%
1965 17.0% 7.3% 9.6%
1964 18.2% 9.4% 8.8%
1963 10.3% 9.0% 1.3%
1962 -5.6% 3.9% 9.5%
1961 -27.3% 6.9% 34.2%

GDP Growth Rate Comparison

Current Leader: In 2025, China recorded GDP Growth Rate of 5.0%, while South Korea recorded 1.0%, a difference of 4.0%.
1961 Baseline: China stood at -27.3% and South Korea stood at 6.9%.
2000–2025 Trajectory: China moved to 5.0% (-42.1% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 1.0% (-89.1% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1961 to 2025, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1961, China recorded -27.3% compared to 6.9% for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to 5.0% and 1.0% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 4.0%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 5.0% (China in 2025).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, China achieved -42.1% since 2000, while South Korea achieved -89.1% since 2000.

About GDP Growth Rate (Annual %)

Annual percentage growth rate of GDP at market prices based on constant local currency.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for China and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — GDP Growth Rate

What is the GDP Growth Rate of China?

In 2025, China's GDP Growth Rate was 5.0% according to official World Bank data.

What is the GDP Growth Rate of South Korea?

In 2025, South Korea's GDP Growth Rate was 1.0% according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher GDP Growth Rate?

In 2025, China recorded a higher GDP Growth Rate of 5.0% compared to South Korea's 1.0% (a difference of 4.0%).

How has GDP Growth Rate changed over time for China and South Korea?

From 2000 to 2025, China's GDP Growth Rate changed by -42.1% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by -89.1% since 2000.

Explore China vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare China and South Korea across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG (GDP Growth Rate (Annual %)). Values represent annual gdp growth rate (annual %) for China and South Korea from 1961 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.