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Germany vs South Korea GDP per capita
Germany has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 South Korea stood at roughly 14% of Germany’s GDP per capita; today the figure is about 60%, and the pair was closest in 2017 (73%).
| Year | Germany | South Korea | South Korea as % of Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,162.12 | 158.84 | 14% |
| 1970 | 2,771.28 | 281.79 | 10% |
| 1980 | 12,182.78 | 1,745.58 | 14% |
| 1990 | 22,385.68 | 6,812.9 | 30% |
| 2000 | 23,925.86 | 12,710.3 | 53% |
| 2010 | 42,396.97 | 24,071.26 | 57% |
| 2020 | 47,394.87 | 33,645.77 | 71% |
| 2025 | 60,496.44 | 36,226.97 | 60% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Germany pass South Korea in GDP per capita?
It has not come to that. Germany has posted the larger GDP per capita in every published year (1960–2025).
How do Germany and Korea, Rep. compare today?
Germany is ahead: 60,496.44 against 36,226.97 — the trailing economy stands at about 60% of the leader.
Are these GDP per capita figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — current US$ — with no inflation restatement, no PPP conversion and no interpolation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: