South Korea

South Korea ranks 23rd of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 55.9. This is 89% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places South Korea in the 89th percentile, 10.5 points above the global average of 45.4.

South Korea performs best in Intellectual Capital (1st) and Economic Sustainability (10th), and weakest in Resource Efficiency (168th) and Natural Capital (164th). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Social Capital 24th, Governance 29th.

South Korea's GSCI score has declined by 0.7 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is negative (-1.5 points).

South Korea has a population of 51.8 million, 25% above the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 515 people per km², 8.9 times the world average (58). Its GDP is $1.71 trillion, 3.0 times the average country ($569.2 billion).

South Korea's GDP per capita is $33,121, 2.4 times the world average of $13,684.

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.