South Korea — Central government deficit (% of GDP)

% of GDP · Annual · 1953–2026 · 74 observations

About this series

The central government deficit series records the period's fiscal balance under the source's accounting and sign convention. A deficit indicates a shortfall; the series is a flow, not a debt stock. This series expresses that measure as a percentage of GDP for the matching period.

South Korea's central government deficit reading was −3.16% of GDP in 2025. The period change from −1.79% of GDP in 2024 was −1.38 percentage points. The latest reading was below the selected 10-year average of −0.45% of GDP.

-150-100-500501001953201520202026% of GDPSubscribe to view

Get the full series

  • Annual data, 1953–2026
  • All 3 sources, downloadable

Latest observations

2012–2026

PeriodValue
2026-7.34 % of GDP
2025-3.16 % of GDP
2024-1.79 % of GDP
2023-1.02 % of GDP
2022-1.75 % of GDP
10 earlier values, back to 2012
2021-0.72 % of GDP
2020-1.92 % of GDP
20190.04 % of GDP
20182.28 % of GDP
20171.79 % of GDP
20161.78 % of GDP
20150.73 % of GDP
20140.95 % of GDP
20131.23 % of GDP
20121.14 % of GDP
Data release 2026_08_27_1049, published 30 Sept 2026.