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Economy of Albania vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Albania has a GDP of $27B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 112/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $15.2B in government debt (56% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Albania vs China GDP by year

Albania
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania China
2024 $27,046,429,297 $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $23,491,242,727 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $19,017,247,014 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $18,031,989,573 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $15,241,458,745 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $15,585,111,614 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $15,379,508,330 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $13,258,268,436 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $11,988,668,785 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $11,470,171,827 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $13,296,322,588 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $12,796,985,886 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $12,246,499,748 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $12,973,755,875 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $12,086,545,641 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $12,335,540,656 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $13,258,506,375 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $11,116,937,870 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $9,150,528,132 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $8,256,658,250 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $7,406,645,793 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $5,801,712,040 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $4,515,003,117 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $4,059,064,033 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $3,584,570,165 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $3,283,941,510 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $2,600,356,999 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $2,293,666,030 $967,753,570,435
1996 $3,234,486,232 $868,523,936,530
1995 $2,905,092,799 $738,190,896,228
1994 $1,880,950,864 $566,929,539,493
1993 $1,185,315,468 $446,557,291,212
1992 $652,174,991 $428,502,354,788
1991 $1,099,559,028 $384,510,452,962
1990 $2,028,553,750 $361,560,229,446
1989 $2,253,090,000 $348,380,566,802
1988 $2,051,236,250 $312,888,888,889
1987 $2,080,796,250 $273,455,156,951
1986 $2,097,326,250 $301,310,144,928
1985 $1,897,050,117 $310,064,625,850
1984 $1,857,337,995 $260,442,857,143
1983 $1,881,412,587 $231,130,268,199
1982 $1,861,163,170 $205,480,916,031
1981 $1,808,177,156 $196,218,253,968
1980 $1,578,102,105 $191,487,500,000
1979 - $178,573,913,043
1978 - $149,788,617,886
1977 - $175,226,595,860
1976 - $154,196,810,059
1975 - $163,687,619,736
1974 - $144,418,433,058
1973 - $138,764,340,892
1972 - $113,871,930,714
1971 - $99,959,013,880
1970 - $92,752,930,873
1969 - $79,847,786,729
1968 - $70,980,323,819
1967 - $73,011,350,596
1966 - $76,854,053,259
1965 - $70,565,994,356
1964 - $59,821,862,703
1963 - $50,812,227,919
1962 - $47,310,737,754
1961 - $50,162,299,350
1960 - $59,846,235,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs China by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,378 $26,702 $13,303 $27,105
2023 $9,731 $24,822 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $969 $2,964
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $881 $2,690
1998 $831 $3,086 $835 $2,483
1997 $729 $2,760 $787 $2,297
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $713 $2,088
1995 $911 $2,777 $613 $1,884
1994 $586 $2,385 $476 $1,680
1993 $367 $2,143 $379 $1,471
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $368 $1,276
1991 $337 $1,989 $334 $1,105
1990 $617 $2,656 $319 $991
1989 $698 - $311 -
1988 $653 - $284 -
1987 $675 - $252.3 -
1986 $694 - $282.4 -
1985 $640 - $295 -
1984 $639 - $251.2 -
1983 $662 - $225.9 -
1982 $668 - $203.7 -
1981 $663 - $197.4 -
1980 $591 - $195.1 -
1979 - - $184.3 -
1978 - - $156.7 -
1977 - - $185.7 -
1976 - - $165.7 -
1975 - - $178.6 -
1974 - - $160.4 -
1973 - - $157.3 -
1972 - - $132.1 -
1971 - - $118.8 -
1970 - - $113.3 -
1969 - - $100.3 -
1968 - - $91.6 -
1967 - - $96.8 -
1966 - - $104.5 -
1965 - - $98.7 -
1964 - - $85.7 -
1963 - - $74.5 -
1962 - - $71.1 -
1961 - - $76 -
1960 - - $89.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $11,378, ranking 82/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Albania China
Gross domestic product
$27B
2024
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
112/197
2024
2/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,378
2024
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
82/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,375
2024
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2024
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,075
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
450
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2023
5.11%
2021
Population
2342753
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.9% 56% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 28.5% 58% 32.7% 82%
2022 30.3% 65.2% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 34.8% 69%
2019 28.8% 66.6% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 32% 53.9%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 31% 40.8%
2014 31.7% 72% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 25.2% 34%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 18% 25.9%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 17.6% 26%
2003 29.7% 60.2% 18% 26.4%
2002 31.5% 64.1% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 32.7% 60.6% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 33.8% 63.8% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 37.1% 68.2% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 36.8% 71.2% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 30.3% 72.2% 11.5% 20.4%
1996 - - 11% 21.2%
1995 - - 11.1% 21.4%
1994 - - 12.4% -
1993 - - 13.4% -
1992 - - 14.6% -
1991 - - 16.5% -
1990 - - 18.2% -
1989 - - 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government spending was $7.83B, accounting for 28.9% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56% in Albania and 88.3% in China, ranking 94/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania China
2024 -0.72% -7.34%
2023 -1.32% -6.71%
2022 -3.64% -7.32%
2021 -4.57% -5.9%
2020 -6.67% -9.56%
2019 -1.92% -6%
2018 -1.6% -4.2%
2017 -1.41% -3.34%
2016 -1.5% -3.33%
2015 -4.32% -2.5%
2014 -5.46% -0.67%
2013 -5.22% -0.82%
2012 -3.44% -0.3%
2011 -3.52% -0.1%
2010 -3.52% -0.36%
2009 -6.59% -1.72%
2008 -4.88% -0.02%
2007 -3.18% 0.06%
2006 -3.26% -1.13%
2005 -3.46% -1.38%
2004 -5.16% -1.49%
2003 -5.01% -2.36%
2002 -6.21% -2.84%
2001 -6.84% -2.56%
2000 -7.77% -2.81%
1999 -8.84% -2.3%
1998 -9.93% -1.08%
1997 -11.9% -0.73%
1996 - -0.73%
1995 - -0.94%
1994 - -1.68%
1993 - -0.89%
1992 - -1.22%
1991 - -1.04%
1990 - -0.72%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $196M, equivalent to 0.72% of GDP. This compares to China's deficit of $1.38T, or 7.34% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.81% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania China
2024 2.2% 0.2%
2023 4.8% 0.2%
2022 6.7% 2%
2021 2% 0.9%
2020 1.6% 2.5%
2019 1.4% 2.9%
2018 2% 2.1%
2017 2% 1.6%
2016 1.3% 2%
2015 1.9% 1.5%
2014 1.6% 2%
2013 1.9% 2.7%
2012 2% 2.6%
2011 3.4% 5.4%
2010 3.6% 3.3%
2009 2.2% -0.7%
2008 3.3% 5.9%
2007 3% 4.7%
2006 2.4% 1.5%
2005 2.4% 1.8%
2004 2.9% 3.9%
2003 2.4% 1.1%
2002 5.2% -0.8%
2001 3.1% 0.7%
2000 0% 0.4%
1999 0.4% -1.4%
1998 20.6% -0.8%
1997 33.2% 2.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 1.82% in China. In 2024, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $111M
Transport & tourism services $12.1M
Metals $1.95M
Business & finance services $1.42M
IT & IP services $946K
Government & miscellaneous services $354K
Raw agricultural goods $199K
Machinery & equipment $183K
Animal & marine products $104K
Chemicals & pharma $66K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $453M
Textiles & consumer goods $336M
Metals $151M
Chemicals & pharma $97.2M
Raw materials & minerals $33M
Wood & paper products $23.8M
Miscellaneous $19.3M
Raw agricultural goods $9.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.01M
Animal & marine products $4.49M

Balance of trade

Albania China
Current account balance
-$648M
2024
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2024
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.4%
2024
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$7.87B
2024
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$1.82B
2024
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$3.83B
2024
$613B
2024
Service exports
$8.03B
2024
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Albania China
Economic freedom 68 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 170/197
Property rights 57.6 40.9
Government integrity 41.9 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 38.6
Tax burden 89.3 69.3
Government spending 74.3 67.8
Fiscal health 88 4.4
Business freedom 76.6 68.7
Labor freedom 46.2 57.9
Monetary freedom 78.6 76.1
Trade freedom 83 73.4
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania China
2026 68 48.3
2025 66.6 49
2024 64.8 48.5
2023 65.3 48.3
2022 66.6 48
2021 65.2 58.4
2020 66.9 59.5
2019 66.5 58.4
2018 64.5 57.8
2017 64.4 57.4
2016 65.9 52
2015 65.7 52.7
2014 66.9 52.5
2013 65.2 51.9
2012 65.1 51.2
2011 64 52
2010 66 51
2009 63.7 53.2
2008 62.4 53.1
2007 61.4 52
2006 60.3 53.6
2005 57.8 53.7
2004 58.5 52.5
2003 56.8 52.6
2002 56.8 52.8
2001 56.6 52.6
2000 53.6 56.4
1999 53.4 54.8
1998 53.9 53.1
1997 54.8 51.7
1996 53.8 51.3
1995 49.7 52

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania China
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2024
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.5%
2024
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2024
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,500
2024
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.52B
2024
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking
89/177
2024
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.45B
2024
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
40.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/china | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.