South Korea's GDP per capita is estimated to have exceeded $36,000 in 2024, surpassing Japan's level of development, according to The Korea Herald. The country's GDP per capita reached $36,024 in 2024, representing a 1.28% increase from the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Korea, and the Korean Statistical Information Service. This figure suggests that South Korea has overtaken Japan in terms of GDP per capita. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Japan's GDP per capita fell to $32,859 in 2024, a 3.1% decline from the previous year. The difference in the two countries' indicators suggests that the change may not be solely attributed to real economic growth. GDP per capita is calculated by dividing the total GDP in domestic currency by the population and converting the result to dollars using the annual average market exchange rate. The Japanese yen has been experiencing a significant depreciation, negatively impacting its GDP measured in dollars.
The European Commission has announced a €100 million financial aid package for Moldova, aimed at mitigating the energy crisis caused by Russia's suspension of gas supplies to the country and the separatist region of Transnistria. The aid will be distributed by mid-April and will prioritize vulnerable households, schools, hospitals, and businesses. An additional €60 million will be allocated to Transnistria, contingent on progress in fundamental freedoms and human rights. Russia cut off gas supplies to Moldova and Transnistria in early 2024, accusing Chisinau of failing to pay a €700 million gas debt. The Commission states that the situation has resulted in a severe energy crisis with significant economic and social consequences for Moldovan citizens, particularly impacting the livelihoods of people in Transnistria.