China vs South Korea: Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP)
China
24.7%
in 2025
South Korea
27.4%
in 2025
China rank
9th
South Korea rank
7th
Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) over time
- China
- South Korea
How they compare
South Korea currently reports 27.4% against 24.7% in China, a difference of 2.7%.
That makes South Korea's figure about 1.1 times China's.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 22 shared years of data; in 2004 it was China ahead.
China ranks 9th and South Korea ranks 7th of 202 countries.
Across the 3 decades both report, China averaged higher in 2 and South Korea in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | South Korea | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 31.6% | 26.1% | 5.5% | China |
| 2010s | 29.1% | 28.0% | 1.0% | China |
| 2020s | 25.5% | 26.3% | 0.9% | South Korea |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp), China or South Korea?
- South Korea, at 27.4% against 24.7% in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) between China and South Korea?
- 2.7%, with South Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and South Korea?
- 22 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2025.
- How do China and South Korea rank globally for share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp)?
- China ranks 9th and South Korea ranks 7th of 202 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Manufacturing comprises units engaged in the physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products.