NationsData
Country Comparison

Germany vs South Korea

A data-driven side-by-side: investment score, economy, business climate, political stability, and tax — to help you decide where to invest, incorporate, or relocate.

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Germany

Europe & Central Asia

Leader
85/ 100Safe
Credit: AAAGDP: $4,460bn
🇰🇷

South Korea

East Asia & Pacific

80/ 100Safe
Credit: AAGDP: $1,710bn

Overall: Germany ranks higher

Germany scores 85/100 on our composite investment index, ahead of South Korea at 80/100. This blends economic strength, political stability, business climate, financial maturity, and growth outlook. Read the breakdown below to see where each country actually leads.

Category breakdown

82

Economic strength

82

90

Political stability

Germany leads

78

88

Business climate

Germany leads

82

86

Financial maturity

Germany leads

80

62

Growth outlook

South Korea leads

70

Macro snapshot

4,460

GDP (USD bn)

+2750.0 bn

1,710

0.3%

GDP growth (%)

-1.9 pp

2.2%

$52,000

GDP per capita (USD)

+19000.0

$33,000

2.9%

Inflation (%)

+0.4 pp

2.5%

1.8%

FDI (% of GDP)

+0.6 pp

1.2%

65%

Public debt (% of GDP)

+11.0 pp

54%

84

Population (M)

+32.0M

52

Germany — strong sectors

  • Manufacturing20.0% of GDP90
  • Automotive6.0% of GDP82
  • Technology7.0% of GDP80
  • Energy4.0% of GDP72

South Korea — strong sectors

  • Semiconductors8.0% of GDP95
  • Technology12.0% of GDP90
  • Automotive5.0% of GDP82
  • Manufacturing25.0% of GDP82

Frequently asked

Which is better for investment: Germany or South Korea?

Our composite investment index gives Germany a score of 85/100 and South Korea a score of 80/100. Germany ranks higher overall, but the right answer depends on your sector and risk tolerance — see the category breakdown above.

Is Germany a safer market than South Korea?

Risk classification puts Germany as safe (Strong fundamentals, stable governance, favorable investment climate) and South Korea as safe (Strong fundamentals, stable governance, favorable investment climate).

Which has higher GDP growth: Germany or South Korea?

Germany is currently growing at 0.3% per year, vs 2.2% for South Korea. South Korea has the faster headline growth rate today.

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