Reserve assets (Assets, Positions, US dollar) in South Korea
South Korea: Reserve assets (Assets, Positions, US dollar) was 428.06 billion US dollar in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Reserve assets in South Korea, 1994–2025
Source: International Monetary Fund. Measured in US dollar.
Analysis
In 2025, reserve assets in South Korea stood at 428.06 billion US dollar.
The figure is up 3.0% on the previous year and up 16.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reserve assets in South Korea peaked at 463.12 billion US dollar in 2021 and was at its lowest, 8.87 billion US dollar, in 1997.
South Korea ranks 10th of 173 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reserve assets (Assets, Positions, US dollar) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | US dollar | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 22.34 billion US dollar | — |
| 1995 | 29.35 billion US dollar | +31.4% |
| 1996 | 29.42 billion US dollar | +0.2% |
| 1997 | 8.87 billion US dollar | -69.8% |
| 1998 | 48.51 billion US dollar | +446.7% |
| 1999 | 74.05 billion US dollar | +52.7% |
| 2000 | 96.20 billion US dollar | +29.9% |
| 2001 | 102.82 billion US dollar | +6.9% |
| 2002 | 121.41 billion US dollar | +18.1% |
| 2003 | 155.35 billion US dollar | +28.0% |
| 2004 | 199.07 billion US dollar | +28.1% |
| 2005 | 210.39 billion US dollar | +5.7% |
| 2006 | 238.96 billion US dollar | +13.6% |
| 2007 | 262.22 billion US dollar | +9.7% |
| 2008 | 201.22 billion US dollar | -23.3% |
| 2009 | 270.00 billion US dollar | +34.2% |
| 2010 | 291.57 billion US dollar | +8.0% |
| 2011 | 306.40 billion US dollar | +5.1% |
| 2012 | 326.97 billion US dollar | +6.7% |
| 2013 | 346.46 billion US dollar | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 363.59 billion US dollar | +4.9% |
| 2015 | 367.96 billion US dollar | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 371.10 billion US dollar | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 389.27 billion US dollar | +4.9% |
| 2018 | 403.69 billion US dollar | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 408.82 billion US dollar | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 443.10 billion US dollar | +8.4% |
| 2021 | 463.12 billion US dollar | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 423.16 billion US dollar | -8.6% |
| 2023 | 420.15 billion US dollar | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 415.60 billion US dollar | -1.1% |
| 2025 | 428.06 billion US dollar | +3.0% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 428.06 billion US dollar is above the median for high income countries, which is 26.00 billion US dollar, 16.5× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 428.06 billion US dollar is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 6.46 billion US dollar, 66.3× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reserve assets (Assets, Positions, US dollar) in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | +446.7% | 8.87 billion US dollar | 48.51 billion US dollar |
| 1997 | -69.8% | 29.42 billion US dollar | 8.87 billion US dollar |
| 1999 | +52.7% | 48.51 billion US dollar | 74.05 billion US dollar |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 35.42 billion US dollar | 8.87 billion US dollar | 74.05 billion US dollar | 6 |
| 2000s | 185.76 billion US dollar | 96.20 billion US dollar | 270.00 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2010s | 357.58 billion US dollar | 291.57 billion US dollar | 408.82 billion US dollar | 10 |
| 2020s | 432.20 billion US dollar | 415.60 billion US dollar | 463.12 billion US dollar | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More financial sector data for South Korea
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 6.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0016 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 58.67 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 1.21 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0012 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 42.84 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 6.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0016 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 58.67 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 1.21 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reserve assets in South Korea?
- Reserve assets in South Korea was 428.06 billion US dollar in 2025, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reserve assets recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 463.12 billion US dollar in 2021.
- What is the lowest reserve assets recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.87 billion US dollar in 1997.
- How does South Korea rank for reserve assets?
- South Korea ranks 10th out of 173 countries with data for 2025.
- Is reserve assets rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Reserve assets (Assets, Positions, US dollar). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The International Investment Position (IIP) is a statistical statement that shows at a point in time the value of financial assets of residents of an economy that are claims on nonresidents or are gold bullion held as reserve assets; and the liabilities of residents of an economy to nonresidents.