Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita (Agriculture) in South Korea
South Korea: Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita (Agriculture) was 1.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita in South Korea, 1960–2025
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 1.5% for agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in 2025.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and down 22.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in South Korea peaked at 46.3% in 1964 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 2023.
South Korea ranks 166th of 203 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita (Agriculture) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 36.4% | — |
| 1961 | 38.5% | +5.7% |
| 1962 | 36.5% | -5.4% |
| 1963 | 42.9% | +17.7% |
| 1964 | 46.3% | +7.9% |
| 1965 | 37.3% | -19.5% |
| 1966 | 34.2% | -8.4% |
| 1967 | 30.0% | -12.3% |
| 1968 | 27.9% | -6.8% |
| 1969 | 27.2% | -2.7% |
| 1970 | 26.3% | -3.4% |
| 1971 | 26.9% | +2.3% |
| 1972 | 26.2% | -2.5% |
| 1973 | 24.3% | -7.3% |
| 1974 | 23.8% | -2.0% |
| 1975 | 24.1% | +1.3% |
| 1976 | 22.7% | -5.9% |
| 1977 | 21.4% | -5.5% |
| 1978 | 19.6% | -8.6% |
| 1979 | 18.2% | -7.0% |
| 1980 | 14.0% | -23.1% |
| 1981 | 14.7% | +5.2% |
| 1982 | 13.7% | -6.9% |
| 1983 | 12.3% | -10.0% |
| 1984 | 11.6% | -6.1% |
| 1985 | 11.5% | -1.1% |
| 1986 | 10.1% | -11.5% |
| 1987 | 9.0% | -10.9% |
| 1988 | 8.9% | -1.0% |
| 1989 | 8.3% | -7.4% |
| 1990 | 7.4% | -11.0% |
| 1991 | 6.6% | -10.3% |
| 1992 | 6.4% | -3.3% |
| 1993 | 5.7% | -10.6% |
| 1994 | 5.5% | -4.4% |
| 1995 | 5.1% | -5.9% |
| 1996 | 4.8% | -6.9% |
| 1997 | 4.3% | -9.8% |
| 1998 | 4.1% | -5.8% |
| 1999 | 4.1% | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 3.7% | -9.4% |
| 2001 | 3.4% | -7.5% |
| 2002 | 3.1% | -10.1% |
| 2003 | 2.8% | -7.6% |
| 2004 | 2.8% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 2.5% | -11.6% |
| 2006 | 2.4% | -4.7% |
| 2007 | 2.2% | -8.7% |
| 2008 | 2.0% | -6.3% |
| 2009 | 2.1% | +4.7% |
| 2010 | 2.0% | -4.4% |
| 2011 | 2.1% | +3.1% |
| 2012 | 2.1% | -1.2% |
| 2013 | 2.0% | -4.2% |
| 2014 | 2.0% | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 1.9% | -2.7% |
| 2016 | 1.7% | -8.4% |
| 2017 | 1.7% | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 1.6% | -6.7% |
| 2019 | 1.5% | -5.8% |
| 2020 | 1.6% | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 1.7% | +5.5% |
| 2022 | 1.4% | -13.0% |
| 2023 | 1.4% | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 1.5% | +0.7% |
| 2025 | 1.5% | +0.4% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 1.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 1.5%, 96% of the median. (74 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 1.5% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 9.1%, 16% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 35.7% | 27.2% | 46.3% | 10 |
| 1970s | 23.3% | 18.2% | 26.9% | 10 |
| 1980s | 11.4% | 8.3% | 14.7% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.4% | 4.1% | 7.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.7% | 2.0% | 3.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.9% | 1.5% | 2.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More agriculture & rural data for South Korea
- Cropland extent over the long-term, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2025)
- Cropland extent over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Cropland extent over the long-term, per capita 0.0286 hectares per person (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, annual growth rate -1.1 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, per capita 0.0297 hectares per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 0.2516 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0146 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 530.46 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.1591 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in South Korea?
- Agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in South Korea was 1.5% in 2025, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 46.3% in 1964.
- What is the lowest agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 2023.
- How does South Korea rank for agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita?
- South Korea ranks 166th out of 203 countries with data for 2025.
- Is agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Agriculture includes the cultivation of crops and livestock production, as well as forestry, hunting, and fishing. GDP per capita is adjusted for inflation and differences in living costs between countries.