Korea Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Korea's interest payments to revenue was 4.36% in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Korea's interest payments to revenue stood at 4.36% in 2025, a decline of +0.15pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.36% by 2025. Korea ranked 62nd globally.
Korea’s interest payments to revenue have risen to 4.36 % of total revenue in 2025, placing the country 62nd in the world and slightly above the level recorded by France (4.32 %) while remaining below New Zealand (4.86 %). The indicator, measured over a 53‑year span, shows a long‑term upward drift from the 1972 baseline of 2.95 % to the current figure, despite a pronounced peak of 7.23 % in 1985 during a period of high external borrowing and a trough of 2.37 % in 1996 when fiscal consolidation reduced debt service costs. The post‑1990s decline was driven by stronger primary balances and lower global interest rates, but the recent increase reflects higher sovereign yields and expanding public debt amid pandemic‑related stimulus. If fiscal discipline improves and interest‑rate environments remain stable, the share of interest outlays could moderate; however, rising borrowing costs or a resurgence of debt‑financing would likely sustain or accelerate the upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 4.50% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.36% | −0.15pp | #62 |
| 2023 | 4.51% | +0.91pp | #39 |
| 2022 | 3.60% | +0.27pp | #46 |
| 2021 | 3.33% | −0.52pp | #44 |
| 2020 | 3.84% | +0.17pp | #52 |
| 2019 | 3.67% | +0.02pp | #50 |
| 2018 | 3.65% | −0.36pp | #43 |
| 2017 | 4.00% | −0.33pp | #48 |
| 2016 | 4.33% | −0.66pp | #52 |
| 2015 | 4.99% | −0.27pp | #63 |
| 2014 | 5.26% | +0.09pp | #68 |
| 2013 | 5.17% | −0.06pp | #62 |
| 2012 | 5.24% | +0.17pp | #65 |
| 2011 | 5.07% | +0.03pp | #60 |
| 2010 | 5.04% | +0.34pp | #59 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's interest payments to revenue was 4.36% in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from the previous year.
Korea's interest payments to revenue peaked at 7.23% in 1985.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Korea was 2.37% in 1996.
Korea ranks 62nd globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 4.36% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of Korea in 2025 was 4.36%. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Korea Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}