IMF Sees Taiwan’s Per Capita GDP Topping South Korea’s by More Than $10,000 in 2031, Driven by AI and Chip Ecosystem

Taiwan and South Korea have long been regarded as export-oriented Asian economies, both with industrial structures centered on technology manufacturing. The International Monetary Fund said Taiwan’s complete semiconductor ecosystem — spanning foundries, packaging and testing, and server manufacturing — enables it to respond quickly to global AI investment demand, making it a key driver of productivity and income growth.

The IMF’s latest forecast shows Taiwan’s real GDP per capita exceeding South Korea’s by $10,082 in 2031, widening the current gap further. As demand for AI chips and data centers rises, Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductor foundries and supply-chain integration are expected to continue supporting exports, business investment and overall economic growth over the next five years.