South Korea: Stock market capitalization, percent of GDP

The latest value from 2025 is 147.23 percent, an increase from 83.05 percent in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 86.34 percent, based on data from 66 countries. Historically, the average for South Korea from 1979 to 2025 is 54.99 percent. The minimum value, 4.89 percent, was reached in 1983 while the maximum of 147.23 percent was recorded in 2025. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The stock market capitalization in South Korea and other countries is calculated as the number of shares traded on the stock exchange times their prices. It is a measure of the size of the stock market in the country. It is usually reported as percent of GDP so that we can evaluate the size of the stock market relative to the size of the economy.

Stock market capitalization of about 50 percent of GDP and more is an indication of a well developed stock market. Yet, in most countries the stock market almost does not exist. The capitalization there is close to zero.

Have in mind that a large stock market capitalization does not necessarily mean that the stock market is active. The stock market could be composed of a few large companies whose shares are seldom traded.

Definition: Market capitalization (also known as market value) is the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data are end of year values.