China vs South Korea: GDP per Capita Comparison
Compare GDP per Capita (Current US$) of China and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.
In 2025, South Korea recorded GDP per Capita (Current US$) of $36,226.97 vs $13,861.97 for China (South Korea's GDP per Capita is $22,365.00 higher than China's.).
China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)
Complete annual observations of GDP per Capita (Current US$) for China and South Korea reported by World Bank.
| Year | 🇨🇳 China GDP per Capita | 🇰🇷 South Korea GDP per Capita | Difference / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,861.97 | $36,226.97 | $22,365.00 |
| 2024 | $13,293.12 | $36,238.64 | $22,945.52 |
| 2023 | $12,951.18 | $35,674.10 | $22,722.92 |
| 2022 | $12,970.61 | $34,822.40 | $21,851.80 |
| 2021 | $12,887.44 | $37,518.46 | $24,631.03 |
| 2020 | $10,627.46 | $33,645.77 | $23,018.31 |
| 2019 | $10,342.90 | $33,826.94 | $23,484.04 |
| 2018 | $10,085.66 | $35,363.95 | $25,278.29 |
| 2017 | $8,979.68 | $33,296.98 | $24,317.31 |
| 2016 | $8,254.87 | $30,832.06 | $22,577.19 |
| 2015 | $8,175.33 | $30,171.79 | $21,996.46 |
| 2014 | $7,781.07 | $30,667.09 | $22,886.03 |
| 2013 | $7,147.04 | $28,449.36 | $21,302.32 |
| 2012 | $6,405.06 | $26,600.55 | $20,195.49 |
| 2011 | $5,703.76 | $26,175.24 | $20,471.48 |
| 2010 | $4,629.25 | $24,071.26 | $19,442.02 |
| 2009 | $3,898.24 | $19,937.30 | $16,039.06 |
| 2008 | $3,523.44 | $22,252.31 | $18,728.87 |
| 2007 | $2,734.73 | $25,078.49 | $22,343.76 |
| 2006 | $2,129.26 | $22,609.71 | $20,480.45 |
| 2005 | $1,777.64 | $20,167.05 | $18,389.40 |
| 2004 | $1,530.93 | $17,121.63 | $15,590.70 |
| 2003 | $1,306.97 | $15,211.55 | $13,904.58 |
| 2002 | $1,163.56 | $13,642.94 | $12,479.38 |
| 2001 | $1,065.41 | $11,981.48 | $10,916.08 |
| 2000 | $969.20 | $12,710.30 | $11,741.10 |
| 1999 | $881.15 | $11,062.50 | $10,181.36 |
| 1998 | $835.10 | $8,583.44 | $7,748.34 |
| 1997 | $786.74 | $12,821.69 | $12,034.95 |
| 1996 | $713.34 | $13,864.94 | $13,151.60 |
| 1995 | $612.68 | $13,001.72 | $12,389.04 |
| 1994 | $475.68 | $10,733.99 | $10,258.31 |
| 1993 | $378.94 | $9,179.97 | $8,801.03 |
| 1992 | $367.82 | $8,387.16 | $8,019.34 |
| 1991 | $334.13 | $7,872.65 | $7,538.52 |
| 1990 | $318.50 | $6,812.90 | $6,494.40 |
| 1989 | $311.43 | $5,989.21 | $5,677.78 |
| 1988 | $284.02 | $4,888.69 | $4,604.66 |
| 1987 | $252.26 | $3,657.72 | $3,405.46 |
| 1986 | $282.45 | $2,910.83 | $2,628.38 |
| 1985 | $295.01 | $2,542.88 | $2,247.88 |
| 1984 | $251.19 | $2,468.69 | $2,217.49 |
| 1983 | $225.87 | $2,245.56 | $2,019.69 |
| 1982 | $203.72 | $2,032.26 | $1,828.54 |
| 1981 | $197.43 | $1,918.42 | $1,720.99 |
| 1980 | $195.15 | $1,745.58 | $1,550.43 |
| 1979 | $184.29 | $1,813.91 | $1,629.63 |
| 1978 | $156.66 | $1,428.89 | $1,272.23 |
| 1977 | $185.73 | $1,072.85 | $887.12 |
| 1976 | $165.68 | $847.21 | $681.52 |
| 1975 | $178.62 | $627.14 | $448.52 |
| 1974 | $160.40 | $572.49 | $412.09 |
| 1973 | $157.34 | $412.50 | $255.16 |
| 1972 | $132.10 | $328.02 | $195.92 |
| 1971 | $118.84 | $304.27 | $185.43 |
| 1970 | $113.35 | $281.79 | $168.44 |
| 1969 | $100.31 | $245.49 | $145.19 |
| 1968 | $91.65 | $199.98 | $108.34 |
| 1967 | $96.76 | $162.46 | $65.70 |
| 1966 | $104.51 | $134.43 | $29.92 |
| 1965 | $98.67 | $109.43 | $10.76 |
| 1964 | $85.66 | $124.24 | $38.58 |
| 1963 | $74.47 | $147.01 | $72.54 |
| 1962 | $71.06 | $106.62 | $35.56 |
| 1961 | $75.97 | $94.20 | $18.24 |
| 1960 | $89.72 | $158.84 | $69.13 |
GDP per Capita Comparison
Historical Trends
Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, China recorded $89.72 compared to $158.84 for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to $13,861.97 and $36,226.97 respectively.
Key Differences
About GDP per Capita (Current US$)
Gross domestic product divided by midyear population, expressed in current U.S. dollars.
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 per Capita
What is the GDP per Capita of China?
In 2025, China's GDP per Capita was $13,861.97 according to official World Bank data.
What is the GDP per Capita of South Korea?
In 2025, South Korea's GDP per Capita was $36,226.97 according to official World Bank data.
Which country has a higher GDP per Capita?
In 2025, South Korea recorded a higher GDP per Capita of $36,226.97 compared to China's $13,861.97 (a difference of $22,365.00).
How has GDP per Capita changed over time for China and South Korea?
From 2000 to 2025, China's GDP per Capita changed by +1330.2% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +185.0% since 2000.
Explore China vs South Korea Interactively
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Related Indicators
Data Source and Methodology
Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code:NY.GDP.PCAP.CD (GDP per Capita (Current US$)).
Values represent annual gdp per capita (current us$) for China and South Korea from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.