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economy

China vs South Korea Economy 2024 Comparison

China's economy is 13x larger by nominal GDP ($17.9 trillion vs $1.3 trillion in 2024), but South Korea has higher GDP per capita ($32,250 vs $12,720), indicating greater individual wealth despite smaller overall size.

CE

China Economy

World's second-largest economy by nominal GDP with dominant manufacturing and export sector.

Investors analyzing global supply chains, manufacturing relocation, commodity demand, and emerging market growth strategies

Score63%
VS
SK

South Korea Economy

Advanced $1.3 trillion economy specializing in semiconductors, electronics, and high-tech exports.

Investors seeking stable developed-market exposure, semiconductor supply chain analysis, technology sector allocations, and high-quality consumer goods

Score63%

Quick Answer

AI Summary

China's economy is 13x larger by nominal GDP ($17.9 trillion vs $1.3 trillion in 2024), but South Korea has higher GDP per capita ($32,250 vs $12,720), indicating greater individual wealth despite smaller overall size.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

China dominates in absolute economic scale, manufacturing capacity, and growth momentum, making it a critical global economic engine. Choose China for assessing worldwide supply chains and manufacturing hubs; choose South Korea for analyzing advanced technology, semiconductors, and high-income economies with superior living standards. South Korea represents a more developed, stable economy per capita, while China represents raw economic power and growth potential.

Community feedback

Was this verdict helpful?

C
China Economy
7.5/10
South Korea Economy
7.5/10
S

TIE — neck and neck

C

Choose China Economy if

Investors analyzing global supply chains, manufacturing relocation, commodity demand, and emerging market growth strategies

S

Choose South Korea Economy if

Investors seeking stable developed-market exposure, semiconductor supply chain analysis, technology sector allocations, and high-quality consumer goods

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Key Differences at a Glance

  • Nominal GDP (2024):China Economy wins($17.9 trillion vs $1.3 trillion)
  • GDP per Capita (2024):South Korea Economy wins($32,250 vs $12,720)
  • Population (2024):China Economy wins(1.42 billion vs 52 million)
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

203 numeric metrics compared

MetricChina EconomySouth Korea EconomyRatio
Real GDP Growth Rate (2025)(% annual)4.2%
Per Capita Income(USD)$12,800
IT Services & Software Exports(USD Billion)$220 billion
Foreign Direct Investment (2024)(USD Billions)$189 billion
Total GDP(trillion USD)$17-18
GDP Growth Rate(% annually)5.0%
Per Capita GDP(USD)$12,720
Global EV Market Share(%)70%
Global Solar Panel Production(%)~80%
Tariff Impact on GDP (2026 risk)(percentage points reduction)-0.5 to -2%
Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)4.5-5.0%
Government Defense Expenditure(USD Billions)$296.5 billion
Global EV Production Share(%)70%
Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)$620.1 billion
Tariff Impact Risk on GDP(Percentage Points)0.5-2.0%
GDP Per Capita 2024(USD)$12,700
Government Defense Expenditure 2024(billion USD)$296.5 billion
Government Health Expenditure 2024(billion USD)$620 billion
Education Expenditure Per Capita 2023(USD)$525
Total GDP 2026(USD Trillions)$17.9
EV Production Share(% of global)70%
Solar Panel Manufacturing(% of global)82%
Tariff Impact Risk 2026(% GDP reduction)-0.5 to -2.0%
GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)4.6-4.8%
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)€296.5 billion
Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)€467
Global Manufacturing Output(%)35%
Solar Panel Production(% of global)80%+
Unemployment Rate Projection(%)~5.2%
R&D Spending as % of GDP(%)2.1%
Per Capita GDP 2026(USD)$13,500
Total Government Expenditure 2024(USD Billion)$5,708.7
Defense Expenditure 2024(USD Billion)$296.5
Annual Infrastructure Investment(USD billion)$680 billion
GDP Growth Rate (2026 Target)(%)4.5-5.0%
LFP Battery Production Share(%)94%
Tariff Impact Risk to GDP(percentage points)0.5-2.0%
AI Adoption Growth Contribution(percentage points)0.2-0.3%
Projected GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)4.6-4.8%
Global Solar Panel Manufacturing(%)80%+
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)94%
Global Manufacturing Output Share(percent)28.3%
Potential GDP Loss from Tariffs(USD Billions)$400-800B
Total Nominal GDP(USD trillions)$17.9 trillion
Projected GDP Growth (2026)(%)4.7%
Global EV Production Market Share(percent)70%
Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)80%
Potential Tariff Impact on GDP(USD billion)$400-800B reduction
Global Solar Panel Production Share(%)82%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share(%)94%
Potential Tariff Impact on GDP Growth(percentage points)0.5-2.0pp
Total GDP(USD trillion)$17.9 trillion
EV Production (Global Share)(%)70%
Solar Panel Production (Global Share)(%)80%
Potential Tariff Impact (2026-2027)(billion USD annual reduction)$400-800B
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)(USD trillion)$18.7 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (Annual)(USD Billion)$163.5 billion
Median Age(Years)37.9
Manufacturing Sector Share of Economy(%)28% (diversified)
GDP Per Capita(USD)$12,700
Nominal GDP 2026(trillion USD)$17.9 trillion
PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026(USD trillion)$45.78 trillion
Projected Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent)6.0%
Global Economic Ranking 2026(rank)2nd
Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)77%
Annual R&D Investment(USD billion)$680 billion
Share of Global GDP(% of world economy)14.3%
Unemployment Rate Forecast 2026(percent)~5.5%
Average EV Cost (Entry Model)(USD (converted))$16,800 (119,800 yuan)
Real GDP Growth Rate(%)5.0%
GDP Per Capita (Nominal)(USD)$14,874
GDP Gap vs Competitor(USD Trillions)$11.1 trillion behind
Q1 2026 GDP Growth Rate(Percent Year-over-Year)5.0%
Q1 2026 Industrial Output Growth(Percent Year-over-Year)6.1%
Global Economic Ranking(Rank)2nd
GDP as Percentage of Global Economy(Percent)~16-17% of global GDP
Q1 2026 Inflation Rate(Percent)0.9% CPI
Unemployment Rate(%)5.1%
GDP Growth Rate 2026(%)3-4%
GDP per Capita (estimated 2026)(USD)$14,800+
Manufacturing Output(% of global share)28%
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows(USD billion)$189 billion
Population Over 65 Years(Percent)14%
Total Population(millions)1,420 million
Nominal GDP (2024)(USD Trillions)$17.9T
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024)(Percent Annual)5.2%
GDP Per Capita (2024)(USD)$12,500
Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Trillions)$3.4T
Unemployment Rate (2024)(Percent)5.3%
Global Manufacturing Share(Percent of Global)31%
Tech Sector Market Capitalization(USD Trillions)$4.8T (Alibaba, Tencent, Meituan weighted total)
Median Population Age(Years)37.4 years (projected 53 by 2050)
Total Exports(USD trillions)$3.6 trillion
Manufacturing Output Share(% of global)28%
Total Debt to GDP Ratio(% of GDP)282%
Annual Exports(trillion USD)$3.6 trillion
R&D Spending(USD billion)$652 billion
Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)282%
Trade Balance(USD billion)+$631 billion (surplus)
Nominal GDP(USD trillion)$17.9 trillion$1.4T
Fortune 500 Companies(count)142 companies
Manufacturing as % of GDP(%)28.4%
Total Annual Exports(USD trillion)$3.8 trillion
National Debt(trillion USD)$10.8 trillion
Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent)4.8%
Manufacturing Sector Share(% of GDP)28.4%
Service Sector Share(% of GDP)54.8%
Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)(billion USD)$163 billion
Projected GDP in 2030(USD trillion)$22.8 trillion
Manufacturing Output (Global Share)(Percent)28%
Stock Market Capitalization(trillion USD)$12.8 trillion
Unemployment Rate (2024)(%)5.1%2.8%
Trade Balance (Annual)(USD Billions)+$632 billion (surplus)
Debt-to-GDP Ratio(percent)282%
Renewable Energy Capacity(Gigawatts)1,480 GW
Average Annual Wage(USD)$11,500
GDP at Purchasing Power Parity(USD trillion)$28.3 trillion
Global Export Share(% of global exports)14.8%
Annual Patent Filings(thousands)1,200 thousand
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows(USD billion)$163.2 billion
GDP by Purchasing Power Parity(trillion USD)$35.5 trillion
Annual Trade Balance(USD billions)+$632 billion (surplus)
Patent Filings in Technology(Annual count)687,231
Foreign Direct Investment Annual Inflow(USD Billions)$189 billion
Annual Real GDP Growth Rate(%)5.1%
Stock Market Capitalization (2024)(USD trillions)$15.2 trillion
Total Trade Volume (2024)(USD Trillions)$6.8 trillion
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)(USD Trillion)$2.8 trillion
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)(%)6.8%
Purchasing Power Parity GDP(trillion USD)$31.6 trillion
Global Economic Share(%)16% of world GDP
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2023)(USD Billion)$163 billion
Annual R&D Spending(USD Billion)$696 billion
GDP Per Capita(USD)$12,720$32,400
Real GDP Growth Rate(%)5.2%2.3%
Public Debt as Percentage of GDP(%)77%
Foreign Direct Investment(billion USD annually)$163 billion
Public Debt to GDP Ratio(%)77%
Technology Sector Market Cap(USD trillions)$4.2 trillion
Working Age Population(million people)920 million
Nominal GDP (2026)(trillion USD)$17.9 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment (2025)(billion USD)$163 billion
Tech Sector Market Cap(USD trillions)$3.8 trillion
Global Manufacturing Share (2024)(percent)28%
Patent Filings Annually (2023)(thousand filings)1,820,000
Inflation Rate (2024)(Percent)0.2%
Foreign Currency Reserves(USD trillions)$3.2 trillion
Total GDP (Nominal)(USD Trillion)$28.7 trillion
GDP Per Capita (PPP)(USD)$12,720
Patent Filings (2024)(thousands filed)1,200,000
Average Annual Wage (Tech Sector)(USD)$38,000
Manufacturing Output(USD trillion)$4.2 trillion
Global Trade Volume Share(%)12.4%
Federal Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)77%
Nominal Gross Domestic Product(USD trillions)$17.9 trillion
PPP-Adjusted GDP(trillion USD)$36.1 trillion
Technology & IT Sector as % of GDP(%)8.7%
Patent Applications Filed (2023)(Count (thousands))1,750,000
Median Population Age(Years)38.8 years
Manufacturing Exports(USD Trillions)$3.6T$680B
Semiconductor Market Share(Percentage)8-10%18-20%
Automotive Production(Million vehicles annually)30 million3.7 million
Share of Global Manufacturing Output(Percent)28%
Total Trade Volume(trillion USD)$4.7 trillion
Median Age of Population(years)38.4 years
Trade Balance(billion USD annually)+$821 billion surplus
Government Debt-to-GDP(Percent)77%
Global GDP Share(%)17%
Tech Sector Market Capitalization(USD trillion)$4.2 trillion
Projected GDP 2030(USD trillion)$24 trillion
Gross Domestic Product(USD trillion)$17.9 trillion
Merchandise Exports(USD Billion)$1,370 billion
Digital Payment Transaction Value(USD trillion)$12.3 trillion
Foreign Exchange Reserves(trillion USD)$3.3 trillion
Unemployment Rate(% of workforce)5.1%2.8%
Nominal GDP (2024)(USD trillions)$17.9 trillion$1.3 trillion
GDP per Capita (2024)(USD)$12,720$32,250
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024)(%)5.0%2.3%
Global Trade Exports(USD Trillions)$3.6 trillion
National Debt to GDP Ratio(%)77%
GDP per Capita 2026(USD)$12,700
Average Annual GDP Growth (2020-2026)(Percent)5.1%
Global GDP Market Share(percent)20.6%
Annual Merchandise Exports(Trillion USD)$3.6 trillion
Unemployment Rate 2026(Percent)5.2%
R&D Spending (% of GDP)(percent)2.1%
GDP (PPP Adjusted)(USD trillions)$28.7T
Real GDP Growth Rate 2026(Percent)4.2%
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025(USD billions)$163B
Semiconductor Export Value (2023)(USD billions)$90 billion$168 billion
Global Manufacturing Share(%)28%1.2%
R&D Spending as % of GDP (2023)(%)2.1%4.6%
Population (2024)(millions)1,420 million52 million
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)(percent)5.1%
Global Trade Share(percent)12.8%
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow(Billion USD)$189B
Population(Billion)1.42B51.6 million
Tech Patent Filings (Annual)(Count)142,000
EV Production Market Share(% of Global)60%
Nominal GDP (2025)(USD trillion)$17.9 trillion
Research & Development Spending(% of GDP)2.4%
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate(% per year)5.2%
Household Savings Rate(percent of disposable income)28%

Sourced from publicly available data ·

Key Differences

7 attributes compared head-to-head

CE
4China Economy
China Economy leads
SK
3South Korea Economy
  • Nominal GDP (2024)

    China Economy

    $17.9 trillion(winner)

    South Korea Economy

    $1.3 trillion

  • GDP per Capita (2024)

    China Economy

    $12,720

    South Korea Economy

    $32,250(winner)

  • Population (2024)

    China Economy

    1.42 billion(winner)

    South Korea Economy

    52 million

  • Manufacturing Output

    China Economy

    28% of global manufacturing(winner)

    South Korea Economy

    1.2% of global manufacturing

  • Semiconductor Export Value (2023)

    China Economy

    $90 billion

    South Korea Economy

    $168 billion(winner)

  • Average Unemployment Rate (2024)

    China Economy

    5.1%

    South Korea Economy

    2.8%(winner)

  • Real GDP Growth Rate (2024)

    China Economy

    5.0%(winner)

    South Korea Economy

    2.3%

Full Comparison

CChina Economy
SSouth Korea Economy
Real GDP Growth Rate (2025)(% annual)
4.2%
Per Capita Income(USD)
$12,800
Per Capita GDP(USD)
$12,720
GDP Per Capita (Nominal)(USD)
$14,874
GDP per Capita (estimated 2026)(USD)
$14,800+
GDP Per Capita (2024)(USD)
$12,500
Show 4 more attributes
GDP Per Capita(USD)
$12,720
$32,400
GDP Per Capita (PPP)(USD)
$12,720
GDP per Capita (2024)(USD)
$12,720
$32,250
GDP per Capita 2026(USD)
$12,700
IT Services & Software Exports(USD Billion)
$220 billion
Semiconductor Market Share(Percentage)
8-10%
18-20%
Foreign Direct Investment (2024)(USD Billions)
$189 billion
Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)(billion USD)
$163 billion
Total GDP(trillion USD)
$17-18
Total GDP 2026(USD Trillions)
$17.9
Total Nominal GDP(USD trillions)
$17.9 trillion
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)(USD trillion)
$18.7 trillion
Purchasing Power Parity GDP(trillion USD)
$31.6 trillion
Show 1 more attribute
Total GDP (Nominal)(USD Trillion)
$28.7 trillion
GDP Growth Rate(% annually)
5.0%
GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)
4.6-4.8%
GDP Growth Rate (2026 Target)(%)
4.5-5.0%
Annual Real GDP Growth Rate(%)
5.1%
Real GDP Growth Rate(%)
5.2%
2.3%
Show 3 more attributes
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024)(%)
5.0%
2.3%
Real GDP Growth Rate 2026(Percent)
4.2%
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)(percent)
5.1%
Global EV Market Share(%)
70%
Global Solar Panel Production(%)
~80%
Solar Panel Production(% of global)
80%+
Global Solar Panel Manufacturing(%)
80%+
AI Chip Technology Leadership(competitive ranking)
Limited by US export controls, advancing in AI adoption
AI Adoption Growth Contribution(percentage points)
0.2-0.3%
Tech Sector Market Cap(USD trillions)
$3.8 trillion
Tariff Impact on GDP (2026 risk)(percentage points reduction)
-0.5 to -2%
Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)
4.5-5.0%
Projected GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)
4.6-4.8%
Real GDP Growth Rate(%)
5.0%
Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent)
4.8%
Government Defense Expenditure(USD Billions)
$296.5 billion
Government Defense Expenditure 2024(billion USD)
$296.5 billion
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)
€296.5 billion
Total Government Expenditure 2024(USD Billion)
$5,708.7
Global EV Production Share(%)
70%
Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)
$620.1 billion
Tariff Impact Risk on GDP(Percentage Points)
0.5-2.0%
Potential GDP Loss from Tariffs(USD Billions)
$400-800B
Potential Tariff Impact on GDP(USD billion)
$400-800B reduction
Semiconductor Technology Tier(nanometers)
Restricted to 7nm+ (export controls)
EV Production Share(% of global)
70%
GDP Per Capita 2024(USD)
$12,700
Government Health Expenditure 2024(billion USD)
$620 billion
Education Expenditure Per Capita 2023(USD)
$525
Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)
€467
Solar Panel Manufacturing(% of global)
82%
Tariff Impact Risk 2026(% GDP reduction)
-0.5 to -2.0%
Semiconductor Technology Leadership(index (0-100))
Limited by US export controls
Global EV Production Market Share(percent)
70%
Global Manufacturing Output(%)
35%
Unemployment Rate Projection(%)
~5.2%
Unemployment Rate Forecast 2026(percent)
~5.5%
Unemployment Rate(%)
5.1%
Unemployment Rate (2024)(Percent)
5.3%
Unemployment Rate (2024)(%)
5.1%
2.8%
Show 1 more attribute
Unemployment Rate 2026(Percent)
5.2%
R&D Spending as % of GDP(%)
2.1%
Annual R&D Investment(USD billion)
$680 billion
R&D Spending(USD billion)
$652 billion
Annual Patent Filings(thousands)
1,200 thousand
Patent Filings in Technology(Annual count)
687,231
Show 7 more attributes
Patent Filings Annually (2023)(thousand filings)
1,820,000
Patent Filings (2024)(thousands filed)
1,200,000
Technology & IT Sector as % of GDP(%)
8.7%
Patent Applications Filed (2023)(Count (thousands))
1,750,000
R&D Spending (% of GDP)(percent)
2.1%
R&D Spending as % of GDP (2023)(%)
2.1%
4.6%
Tech Patent Filings (Annual)(Count)
142,000
Per Capita GDP 2026(USD)
$13,500
Defense Expenditure 2024(USD Billion)
$296.5
Annual Infrastructure Investment(USD billion)
$680 billion
LFP Battery Production Share(%)
94%
Tariff Impact Risk to GDP(percentage points)
0.5-2.0%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)
94%
Global Manufacturing Output Share(percent)
28.3%
Manufacturing Output(% of global share)
28%
Global Manufacturing Share(Percent of Global)
31%
Share of Global Manufacturing Output(Percent)
28%
Projected GDP Growth (2026)(%)
4.7%
Projected Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent)
6.0%
Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)
80%
Global Solar Panel Production Share(%)
82%
Advanced Semiconductor Leadership(Market Share %)
Limited by US export controls
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share(%)
94%
Potential Tariff Impact on GDP Growth(percentage points)
0.5-2.0pp
Total GDP(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
Nominal GDP 2026(trillion USD)
$17.9 trillion
PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026(USD trillion)
$45.78 trillion
Nominal GDP (2024)(USD Trillions)
$17.9T
Nominal GDP(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
$1.4T
Show 5 more attributes
GDP by Purchasing Power Parity(trillion USD)
$35.5 trillion
Nominal GDP (2026)(trillion USD)
$17.9 trillion
Nominal GDP (2024)(USD trillions)
$17.9 trillion
$1.3 trillion
GDP (PPP Adjusted)(USD trillions)
$28.7T
Nominal GDP (2025)(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
EV Production (Global Share)(%)
70%
Solar Panel Production (Global Share)(%)
80%
Potential Tariff Impact (2026-2027)(billion USD annual reduction)
$400-800B
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (Annual)(USD Billion)
$163.5 billion
Median Age(Years)
37.9
Population Over 65 Years(Percent)
14%
Total Population(millions)
1,420 million
Median Population Age(Years)
37.4 years (projected 53 by 2050)
Median Population Age(Years)
38.8 years
Show 3 more attributes
Median Age of Population(years)
38.4 years
Population (2024)(millions)
1,420 million
52 million
Population(Billion)
1.42B
51.6 million
Manufacturing Sector Share of Economy(%)
28% (diversified)
Manufacturing as % of GDP(%)
28.4%
Manufacturing Sector Share(% of GDP)
28.4%
Service Sector Share(% of GDP)
54.8%
GDP Per Capita(USD)
$12,700
Gross Domestic Product(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
Global Economic Ranking 2026(rank)
2nd
Global Economic Ranking(Rank)
2nd
Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)
77%
Total Debt to GDP Ratio(% of GDP)
282%
Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)
282%
National Debt(trillion USD)
$10.8 trillion
Public Debt as Percentage of GDP(%)
77%
Show 4 more attributes
Public Debt to GDP Ratio(%)
77%
Federal Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)
77%
Government Debt-to-GDP(Percent)
77%
National Debt to GDP Ratio(%)
77%
Share of Global GDP(% of world economy)
14.3%
Global Economic Share(%)
16% of world GDP
Primary Tech Focus Area
EV manufacturing, 5G, solar, semiconductors
Average EV Cost (Entry Model)(USD (converted))
$16,800 (119,800 yuan)
GDP Gap vs Competitor(USD Trillions)
$11.1 trillion behind
Q1 2026 GDP Growth Rate(Percent Year-over-Year)
5.0%
Q1 2026 Industrial Output Growth(Percent Year-over-Year)
6.1%
GDP as Percentage of Global Economy(Percent)
~16-17% of global GDP
Q1 2026 Inflation Rate(Percent)
0.9% CPI
Inflation Rate (2024)(Percent)
0.2%
GDP Growth Rate 2026(%)
3-4%
Quarterly GDP Growth (Q1 2026)(% (q/q, SAAR))
Data not available
GDP Advantage Over Rival(USD Trillion)
36% smaller than US
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows(USD billion)
$189 billion
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024)(Percent Annual)
5.2%
Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Trillions)
$3.4T
Foreign Exchange Reserves(trillion USD)
$3.3 trillion
Tech Sector Market Capitalization(USD Trillions)
$4.8T (Alibaba, Tencent, Meituan weighted total)
Total Exports(USD trillions)
$3.6 trillion
Total Annual Exports(USD trillion)
$3.8 trillion
Global Export Share(% of global exports)
14.8%
Total Trade Volume (2024)(USD Trillions)
$6.8 trillion
Manufacturing Exports(USD Trillions)
$3.6T
$680B
Show 3 more attributes
Merchandise Exports(USD Billion)
$1,370 billion
Global Trade Exports(USD Trillions)
$3.6 trillion
Annual Merchandise Exports(Trillion USD)
$3.6 trillion
Manufacturing Output Share(% of global)
28%
Manufacturing Output (Global Share)(Percent)
28%
Global Manufacturing Share (2024)(percent)
28%
Annual Exports(trillion USD)
$3.6 trillion
Annual Trade Balance(USD billions)
+$632 billion (surplus)
Trade Balance(USD billion)
+$631 billion (surplus)
Trade Balance(billion USD annually)
+$821 billion surplus
Fortune 500 Companies(count)
142 companies
Projected GDP in 2030(USD trillion)
$22.8 trillion
Projected GDP 2030(USD trillion)
$24 trillion
Stock Market Capitalization(trillion USD)
$12.8 trillion
Stock Market Capitalization (2024)(USD trillions)
$15.2 trillion
Trade Balance (Annual)(USD Billions)
+$632 billion (surplus)
Global Trade Volume Share(%)
12.4%
Global Trade Ranking(Position)
2nd largest exporter (after USA)
Global Trade Share(percent)
12.8%
Debt-to-GDP Ratio(percent)
282%
Renewable Energy Capacity(Gigawatts)
1,480 GW
Average Annual Wage(USD)
$11,500
GDP at Purchasing Power Parity(USD trillion)
$28.3 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows(USD billion)
$163.2 billion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2023)(USD Billion)
$163 billion
Foreign Direct Investment Annual Inflow(USD Billions)
$189 billion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025(USD billions)
$163B
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow(Billion USD)
$189B
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)(USD Trillion)
$2.8 trillion
Tech Sector Market Capitalization(USD trillion)
$4.2 trillion
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)(%)
6.8%
Annual R&D Spending(USD Billion)
$696 billion
Research & Development Spending(% of GDP)
2.4%
Foreign Direct Investment(billion USD annually)
$163 billion
Technology Sector Market Cap(USD trillions)
$4.2 trillion
Working Age Population(million people)
920 million
Foreign Direct Investment (2025)(billion USD)
$163 billion
Foreign Currency Reserves(USD trillions)
$3.2 trillion
Average Annual Wage (Tech Sector)(USD)
$38,000
Manufacturing Output(USD trillion)
$4.2 trillion
Nominal Gross Domestic Product(USD trillions)
$17.9 trillion
PPP-Adjusted GDP(trillion USD)
$36.1 trillion
Automotive Production(Million vehicles annually)
30 million
3.7 million
Total Trade Volume(trillion USD)
$4.7 trillion
Global GDP Share(%)
17%
Digital Payment Transaction Value(USD trillion)
$12.3 trillion
Unemployment Rate(% of workforce)
5.1%
2.8%
Average Annual GDP Growth (2020-2026)(Percent)
5.1%
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate(% per year)
5.2%
Global GDP Market Share(percent)
20.6%
Semiconductor Export Value (2023)(USD billions)
$90 billion
$168 billion
Global Manufacturing Share(%)
28%
1.2%
EV Production Market Share(% of Global)
60%
Household Savings Rate(percent of disposable income)
28%

Pros & Cons

10 pros·6 cons across both

CE
SK
CE

China Economy

+5-3

Pros

  • Nominal GDP of $17.9 trillion (2024), second globally after USA
  • Manufactures 28% of global goods with 400+ million industrial workers
  • Real GDP growth of 5.0% annually (2024), maintaining momentum despite slower pace
  • Dominant in rare earth minerals (97% global production), lithium batteries, and solar panels
  • Population of 1.42 billion provides massive domestic consumer market

Cons

  • Per capita GDP of only $12,720, indicating lower individual wealth than developed nations
  • Real estate sector accounts for 30% of GDP with significant debt risks and property market volatility
  • Aging population with median age of 38.8 years reducing workforce growth
SK

South Korea Economy

+5-3

Pros

  • GDP per capita of $32,250, ranking among world's wealthiest nations per person
  • Semiconductor exports worth $168 billion (2023), dominating global chip market with Samsung and SK Hynix
  • Unemployment rate of 2.8% (2024), indicating tight labor market and economic stability
  • Tech-focused economy with 5G infrastructure, EV adoption (9.5% of new cars in 2023), and R&D spending at 4.6% of GDP
  • Strong currency (won) and $420 billion foreign exchange reserves providing economic resilience

Cons

  • Population of 52 million limits absolute market size and total economic output to $1.3 trillion
  • Demographic crisis with fertility rate of 0.72 children per woman, lowest in OECD, creating workforce shortage
  • Heavy reliance on exports (31% of GDP), making economy vulnerable to global trade disruptions

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

  1. China's economy is significantly larger in absolute terms with a nominal GDP of $17.9 trillion compared to South Korea's $1.3 trillion (2024). However, South Korea's economy is more advanced per capita with GDP per capita of $32,250 versus China's $12,720, indicating higher individual wealth and living standards.

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