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Economy of Albania vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Albania has a GDP of $30.5B compared to $19.1B for North Macedonia, ranking 113/197 and 137/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $16.1B in government debt (52.6% of GDP), compared to $10B (52.5% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Albania vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Albania
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania North Macedonia
2025 $30,540,188,271 $19,101,199,817
2024 $27,037,474,263 $16,951,682,221
2023 $23,491,242,727 $15,855,131,189
2022 $19,017,247,014 $13,932,436,550
2021 $18,031,989,573 $14,000,283,827
2020 $15,241,458,745 $12,361,036,914
2019 $15,585,111,614 $12,606,338,449
2018 $15,379,508,330 $12,683,068,114
2017 $13,258,268,436 $11,307,067,070
2016 $11,988,668,785 $10,672,467,073
2015 $11,470,171,827 $10,064,519,963
2014 $13,296,322,588 $11,362,265,253
2013 $12,796,985,886 $10,817,702,346
2012 $12,246,499,748 $9,745,261,301
2011 $12,973,755,875 $10,494,626,768
2010 $12,086,545,641 $9,407,170,321
2009 $12,335,540,656 $9,401,736,825
2008 $13,258,506,375 $9,909,552,435
2007 $11,116,937,870 $8,336,474,974
2006 $9,150,528,132 $6,861,226,972
2005 $8,256,658,250 $6,258,602,873
2004 $7,406,645,793 $5,682,784,472
2003 $5,801,712,040 $4,946,296,599
2002 $4,515,003,117 $4,018,365,747
2001 $4,059,064,033 $3,709,636,031
2000 $3,584,570,165 $3,772,859,034
1999 $3,283,941,510 $3,863,619,285
1998 $2,600,356,999 $3,765,745,023
1997 $2,293,666,030 $3,912,986,091
1996 $3,234,486,232 $4,642,021,256
1995 $2,905,092,799 $4,707,041,315
1994 $1,880,950,864 $3,559,608,640
1993 $1,185,315,468 $2,682,456,897
1992 $652,174,991 $2,436,849,342
1991 $1,099,559,028 $4,938,775,510
1990 $2,028,553,750 $4,699,646,643
1989 $2,253,090,000 -
1988 $2,051,236,250 -
1987 $2,080,796,250 -
1986 $2,097,326,250 -
1985 $1,897,050,117 -
1984 $1,857,337,995 -
1983 $1,881,412,587 -
1982 $1,861,163,170 -
1981 $1,808,177,156 -
1980 $1,578,102,105 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs North Macedonia by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $12,998 - $10,490 -
2024 $11,374 $26,702 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $9,741 $24,822 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $831 $3,086 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $729 $2,760 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $911 $2,777 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $586 $2,385 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $367 $2,143 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $337 $1,989 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $617 $2,656 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $698 - - -
1988 $653 - - -
1987 $675 - - -
1986 $694 - - -
1985 $640 - - -
1984 $639 - - -
1983 $662 - - -
1982 $668 - - -
1981 $663 - - -
1980 $591 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $12,998, ranking 79/197, compared to $10,490 in North Macedonia, ranking 86/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Albania North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$30.5B
2025
$19.1B
2025
GDP rank
113/197
2025
137/197
2025
GDP growth
3.79%
2024-2025
3.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$12,998
2025
$10,490
2025
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2025
86/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$16.1B
2025
$10B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.6%
2025
52.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,837
2025
$5,510
2025
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2025
78/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,481
2026
$9,326
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.1%
2025
36.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2024-2025
4.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.43%
2024
11.5%
2025
Population
2332078
1811466

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.1% 52.6% 36.2% 52.5%
2024 28.9% 54.5% 36.1% 52.9%
2023 28.5% 58% 35.3% 50.5%
2022 30.3% 64.7% 35% 50.4%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 28.7% 66.6% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 32.2% 38%
2014 31.7% 72% 31.7% 38%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 31.7% 34%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 29.7% 60.2% 36% 36.5%
2002 31.5% 64.1% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 32.7% 60.6% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 33.8% 63.8% 32% 45.6%
1999 37.1% 68.2% 32.5% 29.8%
1998 36.8% 71.2% 32.2% 33.1%
1997 30.3% 72.2% 32.3% 29.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2025, Albania's government spending was $9.19B, accounting for 30.1% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.91B, or 36.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.6% in Albania and 52.5% in North Macedonia, ranking 96/185 and 97/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania North Macedonia
2025 -1.75% -4.01%
2024 -0.72% -4.38%
2023 -1.32% -4.59%
2022 -3.64% -5.23%
2021 -4.57% -5.32%
2020 -6.67% -8.05%
2019 -1.84% -1.97%
2018 -1.58% -1.76%
2017 -1.41% -2.73%
2016 -1.5% -2.7%
2015 -4.32% -3.48%
2014 -5.46% -4.19%
2013 -5.22% -3.84%
2012 -3.44% -3.81%
2011 -3.52% -2.47%
2010 -3.52% -2.41%
2009 -6.59% -2.63%
2008 -4.88% -0.93%
2007 -3.18% 0.58%
2006 -3.26% -0.51%
2005 -3.46% 0.21%
2004 -5.16% 0.37%
2003 -5.01% -0.07%
2002 -6.21% -5.24%
2001 -6.84% -5.88%
2000 -7.77% 2.37%
1999 -8.84% 0.03%
1998 -9.93% -1.59%
1997 -11.9% -0.35%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2025, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $533M, equivalent to 1.75% of GDP. This compares to North Macedonia's deficit of $766M, or 4.01% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.57% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania North Macedonia
2025 2.2% 4.1%
2024 2.2% 3.5%
2023 4.8% 9.4%
2022 6.7% 14.2%
2021 2% 3.2%
2020 1.6% 1.2%
2019 1.4% 0.8%
2018 2% 1.5%
2017 2% 1.4%
2016 1.3% -0.2%
2015 1.9% -0.2%
2014 1.6% -0.3%
2013 1.9% 2.8%
2012 2% 3.3%
2011 3.4% 3.9%
2010 3.6% 1.5%
2009 2.2% -0.8%
2008 3.3% 7.2%
2007 3% 2.8%
2006 2.4% 3.3%
2005 2.4% 0%
2004 2.9% -0.4%
2003 2.4% 1.1%
2002 5.2% 1.7%
2001 3.1% 5.1%
2000 0% 6.6%
1999 0.4% -1.3%
1998 20.6% 0.5%
1997 33.2% 1.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.2%, compared with 2.66% in North Macedonia. In 2025, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and 4.1% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Metals $47.2M
Raw materials & minerals $39.9M
Raw agricultural goods $13.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.06M
Machinery & equipment $5.13M
Wood & paper products $4.4M
Chemicals & pharma $3.73M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.41M
Miscellaneous $1.94M
Animal & marine products $680K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $25.8M
Metals $25.7M
Chemicals & pharma $21.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20.8M
Machinery & equipment $12.8M
Raw agricultural goods $4.99M
Wood & paper products $4.82M
Animal & marine products $4.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.5M
Miscellaneous $125K

Balance of trade

Albania North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$161M
2025
-$815M
2025
Current account balance ranking
86/190
2025
112/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.53%
2025
-4.27%
2025
Goods imports
$8.52B
2025
$11.7B
2025
Goods exports
$1.76B
2025
$7.87B
2025
Service imports
$4.55B
2025
$2.4B
2025
Service exports
$9.66B
2025
$3.55B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2025
73.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37%
2025
59.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Albania North Macedonia
Economic freedom 68 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 81/197
Property rights 57.6 56.2
Government integrity 41.9 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 49.5
Tax burden 89.3 94.9
Government spending 74.3 61.7
Fiscal health 88 57.7
Business freedom 76.6 72.2
Labor freedom 46.2 51.4
Monetary freedom 78.6 69.6
Trade freedom 83 77.8
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania North Macedonia
2026 68 63.3
2025 66.6 63.2
2024 64.8 61.4
2023 65.3 63.7
2022 66.6 65.7
2021 65.2 68.6
2020 66.9 69.5
2019 66.5 71.1
2018 64.5 71.3
2017 64.4 70.7
2016 65.9 67.5
2015 65.7 67.1
2014 66.9 68.6
2013 65.2 68.2
2012 65.1 68.5
2011 64 66
2010 66 65.7
2009 63.7 61.2
2008 62.4 61.1
2007 61.4 60.6
2006 60.3 59.2
2005 57.8 56.1
2004 58.5 56.8
2003 56.8 60.1
2002 56.8 58
2001 56.6 -
2000 53.6 -
1999 53.4 -
1998 53.9 -
1997 54.8 -
1996 53.8 -
1995 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
49.7%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.8%
2025
5.98%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$28.3B
2025
$17.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,170
2025
$26,680
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.6B
2025
$5.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
86/177
2025
98/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.51B
2025
-$276M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
21.9%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
31.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/north-macedonia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.