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UK vs South Korea GDP
United Kingdom has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 South Korea stood at roughly 5% of United Kingdom’s GDP; today the figure is about 47%, and the pair was closest in 2020 (64%).
| Year | United Kingdom | South Korea | South Korea as % of UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 73,233,967,692.1 | 3,973,069,306.93 | 5% |
| 1970 | 130,671,946,244.3 | 9,085,001,793.56 | 7% |
| 1980 | 564,947,710,899.37 | 66,547,970,350.62 | 12% |
| 1990 | 1,093,169,389,204.55 | 292,064,221,388.99 | 27% |
| 2000 | 1,671,597,821,152.97 | 597,487,173,479.11 | 36% |
| 2010 | 2,496,740,681,057.14 | 1,192,830,015,737.68 | 48% |
| 2020 | 2,724,001,478,304.59 | 1,744,070,276,373.34 | 64% |
| 2025 | 4,002,587,541,846.01 | 1,872,374,961,553.15 | 47% |
Frequently asked questions
When did United Kingdom pass South Korea in GDP?
It has not come to that. United Kingdom has posted the larger GDP in every published year (1960–2025).
How do United Kingdom and Korea, Rep. compare today?
United Kingdom is ahead: 4,002,587,541,846.01 against 1,872,374,961,553.15 — the trailing economy stands at about 47% of the leader.
Are these GDP 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: