Japan vs South Korea: GDP Growth Rate Comparison

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

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, Japan recorded GDP Growth Rate (Annual %) of 1.2% vs 1.0% for South Korea (Japan's GDP Growth Rate is 0.2% higher than South Korea's.).

🇯🇵 Japan
1.2%
-59.9% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
1.0%
-89.1% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
0.2%
Latest Year: 2025
GDP Growth Rate (Annual %)
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2000 2025
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Japan vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1961 – 2025)

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

Year 🇯🇵 Japan GDP Growth Rate 🇰🇷 South Korea GDP Growth Rate Difference / Gap
2025 1.2% 1.0% 0.2%
2024 -0.2% 2.0% 2.2%
2023 0.7% 1.6% 0.9%
2022 1.3% 2.7% 1.4%
2021 3.6% 4.6% 1.0%
2020 -4.3% -0.7% 3.6%
2019 -0.3% 2.3% 2.6%
2018 0.8% 3.2% 2.3%
2017 1.6% 3.4% 1.8%
2016 0.7% 3.2% 2.5%
2015 1.8% 2.9% 1.1%
2014 0.9% 3.2% 2.3%
2013 2.0% 3.3% 1.3%
2012 1.6% 2.5% 0.9%
2011 -0.2% 3.7% 3.9%
2010 4.1% 7.0% 2.8%
2009 -5.9% 0.8% 6.8%
2008 -1.2% 3.0% 4.2%
2007 1.7% 5.8% 4.1%
2006 1.5% 5.2% 3.7%
2005 1.8% 4.4% 2.5%
2004 2.1% 5.2% 3.1%
2003 1.4% 3.1% 1.7%
2002 0.1% 7.7% 7.7%
2001 0.3% 4.7% 4.4%
2000 3.0% 9.2% 6.2%
1999 -0.3% 11.6% 12.0%
1998 -1.8% -4.9% 3.2%
1997 1.4% 6.3% 4.9%
1996 3.1% 8.0% 4.9%
1995 2.3% 9.7% 7.4%
1994 1.0% 9.4% 8.4%
1993 -0.5% 7.0% 7.5%
1992 0.8% 6.4% 5.5%
1991 3.4% 10.9% 7.5%
1990 4.9% 10.0% 5.1%
1989 4.9% 7.2% 2.3%
1988 6.8% 12.1% 5.3%
1987 4.7% 12.9% 8.2%
1986 3.3% 11.5% 8.2%
1985 5.2% 7.9% 2.7%
1984 4.5% 10.6% 6.1%
1983 3.5% 13.5% 9.9%
1982 3.3% 8.5% 5.2%
1981 4.2% 7.4% 3.2%
1980 2.8% -1.5% 4.3%
1979 5.5% 8.7% 3.3%
1978 5.3% 11.1% 5.8%
1977 4.4% 12.4% 8.0%
1976 4.0% 13.3% 9.3%
1975 3.1% 7.9% 4.8%
1974 -1.2% 9.6% 10.9%
1973 8.0% 15.0% 6.9%
1972 8.4% 7.3% 1.1%
1971 4.7% 10.7% 6.0%
1970 0.4% 10.2% 9.8%
1969 12.5% 14.6% 2.1%
1968 12.9% 13.2% 0.3%
1967 11.1% 9.2% 1.9%
1966 10.6% 12.0% 1.4%
1965 5.8% 7.3% 1.5%
1964 11.7% 9.4% 2.2%
1963 8.5% 9.0% 0.5%
1962 8.9% 3.9% 5.0%
1961 12.0% 6.9% 5.1%

GDP Growth Rate Comparison

Current Leader: In 2025, Japan recorded GDP Growth Rate of 1.2%, while South Korea recorded 1.0%, a difference of 0.2%.
1961 Baseline: Japan stood at 12.0% and South Korea stood at 6.9%.
2000–2025 Trajectory: Japan moved to 1.2% (-59.9% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 1.0% (-89.1% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1961 to 2025, Japan and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1961, Japan recorded 12.0% compared to 6.9% for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to 1.2% and 1.0% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 0.2%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 1.2% (Japan in 2025).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, Japan achieved -59.9% 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 Japan and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — GDP Growth Rate

What is the GDP Growth Rate of Japan?

In 2025, Japan's GDP Growth Rate was 1.2% 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, Japan recorded a higher GDP Growth Rate of 1.2% compared to South Korea's 1.0% (a difference of 0.2%).

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

From 2000 to 2025, Japan's GDP Growth Rate changed by -59.9% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by -89.1% since 2000.

Explore Japan vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare Japan 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 Japan and South Korea from 1961 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.