Skip to content

Economy of Croatia vs Estonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $43.1B for Estonia, ranking 75/197 and 100/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $10.1B (23.4% of GDP) in Estonia.

Croatia vs Estonia GDP by year

Croatia
Estonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Estonia
2024 $92,983,810,329 $43,130,419,829
2023 $85,624,153,964 $41,470,344,395
2022 $71,196,498,671 $38,226,641,740
2021 $69,002,365,163 $37,201,101,171
2020 $57,959,843,541 $31,820,771,494
2019 $61,466,721,186 $31,873,748,770
2018 $61,667,925,219 $31,222,632,741
2017 $56,182,782,586 $27,469,461,919
2016 $52,650,714,172 $24,561,027,788
2015 $50,998,893,385 $23,311,847,751
2014 $59,606,934,501 $27,055,689,003
2013 $59,846,265,182 $25,451,032,781
2012 $57,548,115,904 $23,237,406,116
2011 $62,889,007,657 $23,303,915,795
2010 $58,975,205,417 $19,524,355,419
2009 $62,315,996,675 $19,633,984,440
2008 $68,472,854,617 $24,342,935,404
2007 $59,290,621,398 $22,450,264,166
2006 $49,583,544,860 $17,025,671,810
2005 $45,013,119,282 $14,109,491,357
2004 $41,836,292,157 $12,148,595,031
2003 $35,245,317,002 $9,876,595,528
2002 $26,757,722,429 $7,370,119,619
2001 $23,066,883,850 $6,250,218,423
2000 $22,134,411,297 $5,686,579,748
1999 $23,777,026,779 $5,756,912,266
1998 $25,890,228,430 $5,674,080,543
1997 $24,175,764,812 $5,154,420,649
1996 $24,150,978,347 $4,786,018,988
1995 $22,772,394,547 $4,502,970,889
1994 $15,062,911,617 $4,123,011,420
1993 $11,259,647,874 $4,013,091,682
1992 $10,621,169,291 -
1991 $18,760,386,775 -
1990 $25,650,213,280 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Croatia vs Estonia by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Estonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $31,428 $49,969
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $30,264 $48,637
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $28,340 $48,218
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $27,951 $44,252
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $23,934 $40,672
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $24,021 $40,586
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $23,618 $37,121
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $20,852 $34,507
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $18,666 $31,948
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $17,722 $29,713
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $20,582 $29,404
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $19,310 $27,831
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $17,568 $26,243
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $17,556 $24,652
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $14,664 $21,614
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $14,712 $20,489
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $18,206 $22,804
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $16,745 $22,201
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $12,641 $19,344
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $10,415 $16,638
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $8,916 $14,538
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $7,205 $13,135
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $5,343 $11,667
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $4,503 $10,309
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $4,071 $9,425
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $4,141 $8,412
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $4,093 $8,451
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $3,683 $7,980
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $3,381 $6,892
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $3,134 $6,480
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $2,819 $5,967
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $2,686 $5,814
1992 $2,321 $7,326 - $5,872
1991 $4,001 $7,918 - $7,151
1990 $5,369 $9,526 - $7,481

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $31,428 in Estonia, ranking 40/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969.

Economic indicators

Croatia Estonia
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$43.1B
2024
GDP rank
75/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
-0.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$31,428
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$49,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
45/197
2024
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
23.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$7,356
2024
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
65/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$23,740
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
23.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
43.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
7.5%
2024
Population
3812193
1339590

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Estonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Estonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% 43.6% 23.4%
2023 46.8% 61.8% 43.5% 20.1%
2022 45% 68.5% 40.1% 19.2%
2021 48.1% 78.2% 42.1% 18.4%
2020 53.7% 86.5% 44.7% 19.1%
2019 44.3% 70.9% 39.1% 9.05%
2018 44.9% 72.8% 38.8% 8.51%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 38.9% 9.43%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 38.9% 10.2%
2015 47.5% 82.8% 39.3% 10.8%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 37.6% 11.6%
2013 47.9% 79.5% 38.3% 11.4%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 39.4% 11.1%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 37.6% 7.6%
2010 48.1% 56.8% 40.7% 7.99%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 46.1% 7.98%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 39.5% 4.67%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 33.8% 3.91%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 33.5% 4.72%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 33.7% 4.73%
2004 49% 40% 34.1% 5.16%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 35% 5.6%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 35.9% 5.66%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 35.3% 4.93%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 36.4% 5.11%
1999 58.9% 30% 40.7% 5.93%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 38.9% 5.4%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 35.8% 6.03%
1996 52.1% - 38.6% 7.3%
1995 50.3% - 39.5% 8.66%
1994 45.4% - - -
1993 36% - - -
1992 37.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while Estonia spent $18.8B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 23.4% in Estonia, ranking 86/185 and 171/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Estonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Estonia
2024 -1.95% -1.51%
2023 -0.79% -3.13%
2022 0.12% -1.08%
2021 -2.58% -2.57%
2020 -7.23% -5.42%
2019 2.31% -0.11%
2018 0.23% -1.15%
2017 0.8% -1.07%
2016 -1.04% -0.62%
2015 -3.53% -0.24%
2014 -5.19% 0.42%
2013 -5.52% -0.66%
2012 -5.46% -0.86%
2011 -7.53% 0.09%
2010 -6.46% -1.09%
2009 -7.15% -3.43%
2008 -2.34% -2.92%
2007 -2.28% 2.5%
2006 -2.01% 2.71%
2005 -3.24% 1.07%
2004 -6.09% 2.29%
2003 -5.03% 1.67%
2002 -4.9% 0.29%
2001 -4.79% 0.4%
2000 -9.2% -0.11%
1999 -11.1% -3.42%
1998 -6.36% 0.65%
1997 -4.93% 2.98%
1996 -4.41% -0.93%
1995 -4.23% -0.26%
1994 -0.82% -
1993 -2.67% -
1992 -5.69% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Croatia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.82B, equivalent to 1.95% of GDP. This compares to Estonia's deficit of $651M, or 1.51% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Estonia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.52% of GDP for Estonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Estonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Estonia
2024 2.97% 3.52%
2023 7.94% 9.16%
2022 10.8% 19.4%
2021 2.55% 4.65%
2020 0.15% -0.44%
2019 0.77% 2.28%
2018 1.5% 3.44%
2017 1.13% 3.42%
2016 -1.12% 0.15%
2015 -0.46% -0.49%
2014 -0.22% -0.11%
2013 2.22% 2.78%
2012 3.41% 3.93%
2011 2.27% 4.98%
2010 1.03% 2.97%
2009 2.38% -0.08%
2008 6.08% 10.4%
2007 2.9% 6.6%
2006 3.19% 4.44%
2005 3.32% 4.08%
2004 2.06% 3.05%
2003 1.77% 1.33%
2002 1.67% 3.57%
2001 3.78% 5.75%
2000 4.61% 4.02%
1999 4.02% 3.3%
1998 6.4% 8.21%
1997 4.17% 10.6%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.9%, compared with 4.46% in Estonia. In 2024, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 3.52% in Estonia.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $7.69M
Machinery & equipment $5.99M
Business & finance services $4.32M
IT & IP services $4.32M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.81M
Manufacturing & construction services $2.16M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.46M
Wood & paper products $894K
Chemicals & pharma $717K
Metals $580K
Estonia
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $22.2M
Animal & marine products $6.25M
Machinery & equipment $5.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.05M
IT & IP services $3.03M
Metals $2.77M
Transport & tourism services $1.84M
Chemicals & pharma $1.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.24M
Raw materials & minerals $1.12M

Balance of trade

Croatia Estonia
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$543M
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
107/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
-1.26%
2024
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$19B
2024
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$10.4B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
75.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
2024
75.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia Estonia
Economic freedom 67.5 78.7
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 10/197
Property rights 81.1 93.6
Government integrity 52.6 86.3
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 92.4
Tax burden 70 77.9
Government spending 34.9 46
Fiscal health 92.2 93.1
Business freedom 79.6 82.8
Labor freedom 58.9 59
Monetary freedom 69.9 73.9
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Estonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Estonia
2026 67.5 78.7
2025 68.7 78.9
2024 67.2 77.8
2023 66.4 78.6
2022 67.6 80
2021 63.6 78.2
2020 62.2 77.7
2019 61.4 76.6
2018 61 78.8
2017 59.4 79.1
2016 59.1 77.2
2015 61.5 76.8
2014 60.4 75.9
2013 61.3 75.3
2012 60.9 73.2
2011 61.1 75.2
2010 59.2 74.7
2009 55.1 76.4
2008 54.1 77.9
2007 53.4 78
2006 53.6 74.9
2005 51.9 75.2
2004 53.1 77.4
2003 53.3 77.7
2002 51.1 77.6
2001 50.7 76.1
2000 53.6 69.9
1999 53.1 73.8
1998 51.7 72.5
1997 46.7 69.1
1996 48 65.4
1995 - 65.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, compared to 78.7 for Estonia, ranking 10/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Croatia Estonia
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
65.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
1.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$39.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$48,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$2.07B
2024
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
-$285M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
-$3.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
-$3.72B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
2024
24.6%
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/croatia/estonia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.

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.