Korea Trade Balance
External balance on goods and services NE.RSB.GNFS.CD
Korea's trade balance was $32.4B in 2025, ranked 20th globally. This represents a 57.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Korea's trade balance stood at $32.4B in 2025, a decline of +$44.0B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $32.4B by 2025. Korea ranked 20th globally.
South Korea’s trade balance has expanded dramatically since the first recorded deficit of ‑369,108,910.89 in 1960, turning into a persistent surplus that reached an all‑time high of 100,788,936,759.06 in 2015, the year when export‑driven growth and high‑tech manufacturing peaked. After a sharp reversal in 1996 that produced a trough of ‑20,902,145,593.78, the balance recovered and by 2025 stood at 32,430,770,926.18, ranking twentieth worldwide. This 2025 figure is comparable to peers such as Indonesia’s 33,990,113,800.64 and Luxembourg’s 30,538,462,182.98, reflecting South Korea’s continued reliance on sophisticated exports and a relatively modest import bill. Over the 66‑year coverage, the surplus trajectory has been reinforced by sustained investment in R&D and global supply‑chain integration. Future shifts in trade policy, commodity prices, or geopolitical tensions could alter the upward trend, but current dynamics suggest the surplus will likely remain robust in the near term.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Balance | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $25.6B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $29.0B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $32.4B | - | - |
| 2025 | $32.4B | −$44.0B | #20 |
| 2024 | $76.4B | +$69.3B | #150 |
| 2023 | $7.1B | +$7.0B | #134 |
| 2022 | $82.3M | −$65.4B | #117 |
| 2021 | $65.5B | +$1.2B | #169 |
| 2020 | $64.3B | +$18.1B | #174 |
| 2019 | $46.2B | −$30.4B | #170 |
| 2018 | $76.6B | −$488.1M | #174 |
| 2017 | $77.1B | −$22.8B | #175 |
| 2016 | $99.9B | −$887.9M | #179 |
| 2015 | $100.8B | +$28.6B | #179 |
| 2014 | $72.2B | +$10.5B | #171 |
| 2013 | $61.7B | +$27.9B | #167 |
| 2012 | $33.8B | +$22.3B | #163 |
| 2011 | $11.5B | −$18.5B | #148 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw trade balance improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's trade balance was $32.4B in 2025. Ranked 20th globally. This represents a 57.6% decrease from the previous year.
Korea's trade balance peaked at $100.8B in 2015.
The lowest trade balance in Korea was $-20.9B in 1996.
Korea ranks 20th globally in trade balance as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.RSB.GNFS.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea's trade balance is projected to reach $32.4B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Korea's trade balance was approximately 32.43 billion ($32.4B) in 2025.
The trade balance of Korea in 2025 was $32.4B. This ranks 20th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_trade-balance,
title = {Korea Trade Balance},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/trade-balance/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}