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Economy of China vs Croatia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $105B for Croatia, ranking 2/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $58.7B (55.9% of GDP) in Croatia.

China vs Croatia GDP by year

China
Croatia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Croatia
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $105,060,182,186
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $92,981,894,168
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $85,621,337,533
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $71,196,460,237
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $69,002,262,505
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $57,959,824,238
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $61,467,261,345
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $61,668,280,700
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $56,182,225,079
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $52,650,804,052
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $50,999,271,059
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $59,607,109,597
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $59,846,869,999
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $57,547,495,860
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $62,889,150,894
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $58,975,127,201
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $62,315,450,611
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $68,473,103,477
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $59,290,547,254
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $49,583,643,048
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $45,012,776,906
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $41,836,096,243
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $35,244,797,329
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $26,757,633,353
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $23,067,071,478
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $22,134,069,750
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $23,776,940,769
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $25,889,813,449
1997 $967,753,570,435 $24,175,272,572
1996 $868,523,936,530 $24,151,469,717
1995 $738,190,896,228 $22,772,224,146
1994 $566,929,539,493 $15,062,911,617
1993 $446,557,291,212 $11,259,647,874
1992 $428,502,354,788 $10,621,169,291
1991 $384,510,452,962 $18,760,386,775
1990 $361,560,229,446 $25,650,213,280
1989 $348,380,566,802 -
1988 $312,888,888,889 -
1987 $273,455,156,951 -
1986 $301,310,144,928 -
1985 $310,064,625,850 -
1984 $260,442,857,143 -
1983 $231,130,268,199 -
1982 $205,480,916,031 -
1981 $196,218,253,968 -
1980 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in China vs Croatia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Croatia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $27,104 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $24,050 $49,551
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $22,183 $47,760
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $18,466 $42,125
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $17,789 $36,930
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $14,808 $31,594
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $15,564 $33,064
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $15,460 $29,789
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $13,902 $27,888
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $12,820 $25,803
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $12,284 $23,750
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $14,187 $22,706
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $14,135 $22,430
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $13,508 $21,619
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $14,692 $21,191
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $13,730 $20,139
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $14,475 $20,358
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $15,888 $21,018
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $13,756 $19,568
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $11,501 $17,629
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $10,443 $15,451
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $9,719 $14,686
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $8,190 $13,692
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $6,220 $12,775
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $5,365 $11,653
2000 $969 $2,964 $4,954 $10,675
1999 $881 $2,690 $5,269 $9,943
1998 $835 $2,483 $5,712 $9,890
1997 $787 $2,297 $5,331 $9,536
1996 $713 $2,088 $5,300 $8,806
1995 $613 $1,884 $4,929 $8,052
1994 $476 $1,680 $3,238 $7,337
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,448 $6,861
1992 $368 $1,276 $2,321 $7,326
1991 $334 $1,105 $4,001 $7,918
1990 $319 $991 $5,369 $9,526
1989 $311 - - -
1988 $284 - - -
1987 $252.3 - - -
1986 $282.4 - - -
1985 $295 - - -
1984 $251.2 - - -
1983 $225.9 - - -
1982 $203.7 - - -
1981 $197.4 - - -
1980 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $27,104 in Croatia, ranking 49/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551.

Economic indicators

China Croatia
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$105B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
73/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
3.4%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$27,104
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
49/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$49,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
46/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$58.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
55.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$15,144
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
44/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$20,376
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
$37.9B
2025
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
23.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
49.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
3.69%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
4.9%
2025
Population
1403335670
3849788

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Croatia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Croatia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 49.3% 55.9%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 48% 57.4%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 46.3% 60.9%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 45% 68.5%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 48.2% 78.2%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 53.8% 86.5%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 44.4% 70.9%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 45% 72.8%
2017 32% 53.9% 44.1% 76.2%
2016 31.7% 50% 45.9% 79.3%
2015 31% 40.8% 47.6% 82.8%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 48.7% 83.2%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 48% 79.5%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 47.3% 68.9%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 48.6% 63.1%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 48.2% 56.8%
2009 25.2% 34% 49.3% 47.9%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 46.3% 38.9%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 46.4% 37.1%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 44.6% 38.4%
2005 18% 25.9% 46.5% 40.9%
2004 17.6% 26% 49% 40%
2003 18% 26.4% 49.6% 37.8%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 49.2% 36.5%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 50.6% 36.6%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 54.6% 35.4%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 58.9% 30%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 56.8% 23.3%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 51.7% 22.5%
1996 11% 21.2% 52.1% -
1995 11.1% 21.4% 50.3% -
1994 12.4% - 45.4% -
1993 13.4% - 35.9% -
1992 14.6% - 37.1% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Croatia spent $51.8B, or 49.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 55.9% in Croatia, ranking 26/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Croatia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Croatia
2025 -7.87% -2.89%
2024 -7.11% -1.95%
2023 -6.71% -0.79%
2022 -7.32% 0.14%
2021 -5.9% -2.57%
2020 -9.56% -7.24%
2019 -6% 2.32%
2018 -4.2% 0.22%
2017 -3.34% 0.81%
2016 -3.33% -1.04%
2015 -2.5% -3.53%
2014 -0.67% -5.19%
2013 -0.82% -5.51%
2012 -0.3% -5.46%
2011 -0.1% -7.51%
2010 -0.36% -6.45%
2009 -1.72% -7.15%
2008 -0.02% -2.33%
2007 0.06% -2.27%
2006 -1.13% -2%
2005 -1.38% -3.24%
2004 -1.49% -6.09%
2003 -2.36% -5.03%
2002 -2.84% -4.9%
2001 -2.56% -4.79%
2000 -2.81% -9.2%
1999 -2.3% -11.1%
1998 -1.08% -6.36%
1997 -0.73% -4.93%
1996 -0.73% -4.41%
1995 -0.94% -4.23%
1994 -1.68% -0.82%
1993 -0.89% -2.67%
1992 -1.22% -5.69%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Croatia's deficit of $3.04B, or 2.89% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Croatia ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.94% of GDP for Croatia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Croatia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Croatia
2025 0% 3.69%
2024 0.2% 2.97%
2023 0.2% 7.94%
2022 2% 10.8%
2021 0.9% 2.55%
2020 2.5% 0.15%
2019 2.9% 0.77%
2018 2.1% 1.5%
2017 1.6% 1.13%
2016 2% -1.12%
2015 1.4% -0.46%
2014 2% -0.22%
2013 2.6% 2.22%
2012 2.6% 3.41%
2011 5.4% 2.27%
2010 3.3% 1.03%
2009 -0.7% 2.38%
2008 5.8% 6.08%
2007 4.8% 2.9%
2006 1.5% 3.19%
2005 1.8% 3.32%
2004 3.9% 2.06%
2003 1.2% 1.77%
2002 -0.8% 1.67%
2001 0.7% 3.78%
2000 0.4% 4.61%
1999 -1.4% 4.02%
1998 -0.8% 6.4%
1997 2.8% 4.17%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 2.93% in Croatia. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 3.69% in Croatia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.16B
Textiles & consumer goods $565M
Metals $243M
Chemicals & pharma $242M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $126M
Miscellaneous $87.9M
Raw materials & minerals $68.5M
Wood & paper products $50.1M
Raw agricultural goods $18.5M
Animal & marine products $12.6M
Croatia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $54.9M
Machinery & equipment $37.8M
Transport & tourism services $27.1M
Raw materials & minerals $18M
Business & finance services $7.57M
Chemicals & pharma $5.76M
Animal & marine products $5.15M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.05M
Metals $3.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.53M

Balance of trade

China Croatia
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$1.93B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
141/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$42.5B
2024
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$21.9B
2024
Service imports
$623B
2025
$8.42B
2024
Service exports
$385B
2025
$24.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
53%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
48%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

China Croatia
Economic freedom 48.3 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 56/197
Property rights 40.9 81.1
Government integrity 42.3 52.6
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 71.7
Tax burden 69.3 70
Government spending 67.8 34.9
Fiscal health 4.4 92.2
Business freedom 68.7 79.6
Labor freedom 57.9 58.9
Monetary freedom 76.1 69.9
Trade freedom 73.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Croatia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Croatia
2026 48.3 67.5
2025 49 68.7
2024 48.5 67.2
2023 48.3 66.4
2022 48 67.6
2021 58.4 63.6
2020 59.5 62.2
2019 58.4 61.4
2018 57.8 61
2017 57.4 59.4
2016 52 59.1
2015 52.7 61.5
2014 52.5 60.4
2013 51.9 61.3
2012 51.2 60.9
2011 52 61.1
2010 51 59.2
2009 53.2 55.1
2008 53.1 54.1
2007 52 53.4
2006 53.6 53.6
2005 53.7 51.9
2004 52.5 53.1
2003 52.6 53.3
2002 52.8 51.1
2001 52.6 50.7
2000 56.4 53.6
1999 54.8 53.1
1998 53.1 51.7
1997 51.7 46.7
1996 51.3 48
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 67.5 for Croatia, ranking 56/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Croatia
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
60.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
19%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
2.83%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$98.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$50,410
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$4.22B
2025
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
110/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$1.74B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$4.54B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$2.79B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
24.6%
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/china/croatia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.