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Economy of Bhutan vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 170/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Bhutan vs Serbia GDP by year

Bhutan
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Serbia
2024 - $90,097,765,959
2023 $3,012,896,789 $81,343,999,280
2022 $2,898,227,744 $66,809,895,701
2021 $2,768,802,960 $66,159,884,073
2020 $2,457,604,334 $55,874,017,669
2019 $2,735,683,570 $53,864,693,665
2018 $2,583,335,722 $52,787,520,249
2017 $2,591,358,009 $45,972,834,714
2016 $2,357,504,761 $42,225,495,910
2015 $2,187,815,803 $41,297,410,635
2014 $2,089,079,571 $49,114,321,280
2013 $1,943,696,952 $50,455,529,604
2012 $1,973,387,228 $45,103,269,969
2011 $1,977,728,659 $51,251,098,408
2010 $1,708,880,730 $43,536,629,233
2009 $1,331,343,798 $46,955,984,410
2008 $1,317,517,835 $54,220,641,202
2007 $1,255,767,964 $44,888,028,946
2006 $942,879,879 $33,298,057,362
2005 $860,391,000 $28,334,256,181
2004 $735,348,490 $26,845,632,342
2003 $651,935,430 $23,593,044,418
2002 $559,345,264 $17,930,583,571
2001 $496,110,226 $13,599,378,662
2000 $460,733,418 $7,326,373,882
1999 $399,311,200 $20,878,694,851
1998 $363,458,381 $21,004,077,441
1997 $352,229,077 $27,153,408,995
1996 $303,408,346 $23,277,430,168
1995 $290,490,984 $17,921,892,655
1994 $258,954,708 -
1993 $225,973,693 -
1992 $240,233,531 -
1991 $240,294,286 -
1990 $287,765,007 -
1989 $264,798,626 -
1988 $272,298,067 -
1987 $242,742,766 -
1986 $191,218,115 -
1985 $163,288,815 -
1984 $160,423,494 -
1983 $156,704,290 -
1982 $141,439,317 -
1981 $139,174,178 -
1980 $128,669,201 -
1979 $105,377,995 -
1978 $94,086,228 -
1977 $97,884,434 -
1976 $88,461,263 -
1975 $86,820,762 -
1974 $92,901,784 -
1973 $78,900,289 -
1972 $70,139,867 -
1971 $66,289,450 -
1970 $61,812,113 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Serbia by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,679 $32,832
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $896 $3,663 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $812 $3,338 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $772 $3,113 $975 $6,416
1999 $685 $3,017 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $638 $2,819 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $630 $2,683 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $553 $2,548 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $530 $2,374 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $467 $2,146 - -
1993 $407 $2,001 - -
1992 $416 $1,840 - -
1991 $401 $1,657 - -
1990 $488 $1,638 - -
1989 $462 - - -
1988 $489 - - -
1987 $449 - - -
1986 $365 - - -
1985 $321 - - -
1984 $326 - - -
1983 $328 - - -
1982 $306 - - -
1981 $311 - - -
1980 $296.9 - - -
1979 $251.4 - - -
1978 $232.2 - - -
1977 $249.9 - - -
1976 $233.7 - - -
1975 $237.4 - - -
1974 $262.8 - - -
1973 $230.9 - - -
1972 $212.4 - - -
1971 $207.7 - - -
1970 $200.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Serbia
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
76/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
69/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
7.24%
2024
Population
803385
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 30.9% 116% 46% 54.3%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 39% 51.1%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 30.5% 103% 40.3% 65%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 41% 67.1%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 40% 42%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 39.3% 61% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 40.6% 30%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 41.3% 37%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 31% 76% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 43% 44% 28% 200.6%
1999 40.2% 39.2% - -
1998 31.1% 36.4% - -
1997 37.8% 33% - -
1996 37.9% 36.8% - -
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 17/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Serbia
2024 -0.17% -1.75%
2023 -4.73% -1.21%
2022 -6.95% -0.14%
2021 -5.76% -3.16%
2020 -1.81% -6.91%
2019 -1.49% -0.004%
2018 -1.52% 0.78%
2017 -4.49% 1.32%
2016 -2.31% -1.08%
2015 -0.49% -3.25%
2014 2.46% -5.61%
2013 -4.55% -4.79%
2012 -2.1% -6.11%
2011 -3.02% -3.75%
2010 1.92% -3.35%
2009 -0.8% -3.3%
2008 -2.57% -4.25%
2007 0.79% -0.8%
2006 -0.07% -0.9%
2005 -6.96% 1.02%
2004 1.8% 0.06%
2003 -10.2% -2.39%
2002 -4.33% -2.33%
2001 -12.2% 0.32%
2000 -3.39% -0.15%
1999 -1.28% -
1998 1.28% -
1997 -1.92% -
1996 2.55% -
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $985M, or 1.21% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.08% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Serbia
2024 4.3% 4.67%
2023 4.5% 12.4%
2022 5.9% 12%
2021 8.2% 4.09%
2020 3% 1.58%
2019 2.8% 1.85%
2018 3.6% 1.96%
2017 4.3% 3.13%
2016 3.3% 1.12%
2015 6.7% 1.39%
2014 9.6% 2.08%
2013 8.1% 7.69%
2012 10.1% 7.33%
2011 8.6% 11.1%
2010 4.8% 6.14%
2009 7.1% 8.12%
2008 6.3% 12.4%
2007 5.2% 6.39%
2006 4.9% 11.7%
2005 4.8% 16.1%
2004 3.3% 11%
2003 2.5% 9.88%
2002 2.9% 19.5%
2001 3.7% 95%
2000 7.2% 71.1%
1999 9.1% 42.5%
1998 7.6% 30.2%
1997 8.6% 23.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 4.67% in Serbia.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Serbia
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Serbia
Economic freedom 57.5 65
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 68/197
Property rights 69.2 57.2
Government integrity 72.2 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 50.1
Tax burden 83.4 88
Government spending 74.1 48.2
Fiscal health 25.8 94.3
Business freedom 67.8 73.6
Labor freedom 60.1 61.8
Monetary freedom 71.6 73
Trade freedom 63.4 76.6
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Serbia
2026 57.5 65
2025 57.5 64.4
2024 55.4 62.7
2023 59 63.5
2022 59.3 65.2
2021 58.3 67.2
2020 62.1 66
2019 62.9 63.9
2018 61.8 62.5
2017 58.4 58.9
2016 59.5 62.1
2015 57.4 60
2014 56.7 59.4
2013 55 58.6
2012 56.6 58
2011 57.6 58
2010 57 56.9
2009 57.7 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - 43.5
2002 - 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Serbia
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
25%
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/bhutan/serbia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, 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 (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.