The Bank of Korea said on the 9th that Korea's per capita gross national income (GNI) last year was $36,963 (52.57 million won). After first surpassing $30,000 in 2014, it has failed to top $40,000 for 12 years.
According to the "2024 National Accounts (final) and 2025 National Accounts (preliminary)" that the Bank of Korea released the same day, GNI rose 4.6% from a year earlier in won terms. But it increased only 0.3% in dollar terms, reflecting the weaker won. Real GNI, adjusted for inflation, increased 2.1% from a year earlier.
Per capita household gross disposable income, meaning income that can be freely used excluding consumption and savings, was 29.177 million won, up 4.1% from a year earlier. However, in dollar terms, it was $20,515, down 0.2%.
Nominal gross disposable income totaled 2.7057 quadrillion won, up 4.4% from a year earlier. Household income was 1.508 quadrillion won, up 4%; income of corporations was 650.9 trillion won, up 6.1%; and government income was 546.8 trillion won, up 3.8%, it was found.
Korea's per capita GNI outpaced Japan and Taiwan for two straight years starting in 2023. Among countries with populations of 50 million or more, it ranked sixth after the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy. But based on last year, it is expected to be overtaken by Japan again and fall to seventh.
Of gross disposable income, 64.9% (1.7556 quadrillion won) was spent on consumption. The remaining 35.1% (950.1 trillion won) flowed into savings.