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Economy of Croatia vs Hungary compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $223B for Hungary, ranking 75/197 and 55/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $164B (73.5% of GDP) in Hungary.

Croatia vs Hungary GDP by year

Croatia
Hungary
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Hungary
2024 $92,983,810,329 $222,722,738,926
2023 $85,624,153,964 $213,240,316,635
2022 $71,196,498,671 $177,002,580,544
2021 $69,002,365,163 $183,282,685,440
2020 $57,959,843,541 $158,468,487,754
2019 $61,466,721,186 $164,936,682,034
2018 $61,667,925,219 $161,184,691,014
2017 $56,182,782,586 $143,335,098,992
2016 $52,650,714,172 $128,983,560,865
2015 $50,998,893,385 $125,244,126,623
2014 $59,606,934,501 $141,128,696,412
2013 $59,846,265,182 $135,646,053,779
2012 $57,548,115,904 $128,470,269,690
2011 $62,889,007,657 $141,712,804,954
2010 $58,975,205,417 $131,898,737,241
2009 $62,315,996,675 $130,807,441,076
2008 $68,472,854,617 $158,228,265,916
2007 $59,290,621,398 $140,123,326,896
2006 $49,583,544,860 $115,604,111,412
2005 $45,013,119,282 $113,098,237,571
2004 $41,836,292,157 $104,015,363,080
2003 $35,245,317,002 $85,190,469,121
2002 $26,757,722,429 $67,636,468,625
2001 $23,066,883,850 $53,800,068,066
2000 $22,134,411,297 $47,275,954,429
1999 $23,777,026,779 $49,160,204,397
1998 $25,890,228,430 $48,784,412,624
1997 $24,175,764,812 $47,398,564,799
1996 $24,150,978,347 $46,833,767,124
1995 $22,772,394,547 $46,577,614,589
1994 $15,062,911,617 $43,307,949,890
1993 $11,259,647,874 $40,256,233,360
1992 $10,621,169,291 $38,857,339,125
1991 $18,760,386,775 $34,867,307,353
1990 $25,650,213,280 $34,478,360,679
1989 - $30,422,508,938
1988 - $29,799,838,597
1987 - $27,232,016,527
1986 - $24,778,163,812
1985 - $21,510,643,750
1984 - $21,242,726,264
1983 - $21,910,365,258
1982 - $24,141,667,188
1981 - $23,705,883,892
1980 - $23,116,977,148
1979 - $19,959,731,325
1978 - $17,286,744,154
1977 - $14,783,674,055
1976 - $13,235,612,079
1975 - $11,420,392,515
1974 - $10,016,338,179
1973 - $9,138,292,402
1972 - $7,379,313,742
1971 - $6,291,568,221
1970 - $5,780,929,203
1969 - $5,429,812,387
1968 - $4,886,222,555

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Croatia vs Hungary by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Hungary
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $23,292 $48,552
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $22,231 $46,592
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $18,428 $44,366
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $19,031 $38,887
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $16,387 $35,584
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $17,013 $35,627
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $16,605 $32,258
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $14,736 $29,728
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $13,216 $28,179
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $12,783 $26,938
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $14,353 $25,796
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $13,739 $24,592
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $12,950 $23,205
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $14,211 $22,992
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $13,190 $21,691
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $13,051 $20,691
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $15,763 $20,709
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $13,935 $19,089
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $11,478 $18,362
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $11,212 $17,091
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $10,291 $16,251
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $8,410 $15,460
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $6,658 $14,532
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $5,281 $13,223
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $4,630 $11,872
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $4,802 $10,892
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $4,752 $10,415
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $4,606 $9,846
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $4,542 $9,388
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $4,509 $9,222
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $4,187 $8,888
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $3,887 $8,441
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $3,747 $8,284
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $3,361 $8,352
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $3,324 $9,169
1989 - - $2,902 -
1988 - - $2,812 -
1987 - - $2,566 -
1986 - - $2,331 -
1985 - - $2,020 -
1984 - - $1,991 -
1983 - - $2,050 -
1982 - - $2,255 -
1981 - - $2,213 -
1980 - - $2,158 -
1979 - - $1,865 -
1978 - - $1,618 -
1977 - - $1,388 -
1976 - - $1,249 -
1975 - - $1,083 -
1974 - - $956 -
1973 - - $876 -
1972 - - $710 -
1971 - - $607 -
1970 - - $559 -
1969 - - $527 -
1968 - - $476 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $23,292 in Hungary, ranking 55/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552.

Economic indicators

Croatia Hungary
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$223B
2024
GDP rank
75/197
2024
55/197
2024
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
0.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$23,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
55/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$48,552
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
48/197
2024
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$164B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
73.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$17,109
2024
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$16,996
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
$41.5B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
24,692
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
24.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
46.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
3.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
4.47%
2024
Population
3812193
9475525

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Hungary
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Hungary
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% 46.9% 73.5%
2023 46.8% 61.8% 49.2% 73%
2022 45% 68.5% 48.7% 73.9%
2021 48.1% 78.2% 48.1% 76.2%
2020 53.7% 86.5% 51% 78.7%
2019 44.3% 70.9% 45.8% 65%
2018 44.9% 72.8% 45.9% 68.8%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 46.6% 72%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 46.7% 74.6%
2015 47.5% 82.8% 50.4% 75.7%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 50% 76.5%
2013 47.9% 79.5% 50.1% 77.2%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 49.2% 78.4%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 49.1% 80.5%
2010 48.1% 56.8% 48.9% 80.2%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 50.7% 78.2%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 48.8% 71.8%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 49.9% 65.6%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 51.4% 64.5%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 49.4% 60.6%
2004 49% 40% 48.8% 58.9%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 49.2% 58.2%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 51% 55.6%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 47.2% 52.2%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 47.3% 55.6%
1999 58.9% 30% 48.9% 60.3%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 50.7% 60.4%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 49.5% 62.2%
1996 52.1% - 50.9% 71.2%
1995 50.3% - 55% 83.9%
1994 45.4% - - 86.2%
1993 36% - - 87.2%
1992 37.1% - - 76.5%
1991 - - - 74.2%
1990 - - - 63.7%
1989 - - - 70.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while Hungary spent $104B, or 46.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 73.5% in Hungary, ranking 86/185 and 49/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Hungary
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Hungary
2024 -1.95% -4.92%
2023 -0.79% -6.75%
2022 0.12% -6.17%
2021 -2.58% -7.11%
2020 -7.23% -7.49%
2019 2.31% -2.02%
2018 0.23% -2.05%
2017 0.8% -2.45%
2016 -1.04% -1.79%
2015 -3.53% -2%
2014 -5.19% -2.77%
2013 -5.52% -2.6%
2012 -5.46% -2.33%
2011 -7.53% -5.22%
2010 -6.46% -4.44%
2009 -7.15% -4.76%
2008 -2.34% -3.78%
2007 -2.28% -5.09%
2006 -2.01% -9.27%
2005 -3.24% -7.79%
2004 -6.09% -6.6%
2003 -5.03% -7.19%
2002 -4.9% -8.79%
2001 -4.79% -4%
2000 -9.2% -3.04%
1999 -11.1% -5.27%
1998 -6.36% -7.41%
1997 -4.93% -5.54%
1996 -4.41% -4.36%
1995 -4.23% -8.57%
1994 -0.82% -
1993 -2.67% -
1992 -5.69% -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -0.17%
1942 - 0.31%
1941 - 0.2%
1940 - -0.07%
1939 - 0.19%
1938 - -0.11%
1937 - -0.01%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.03%
1934 - 0.04%
1933 - -0.03%
1932 - -0.22%
1931 - -0.32%
1930 - -0.26%
1929 - 0.02%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1943, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/hungary | 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 Hungary's deficit of $10.9B, or 4.92% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Hungary ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.05% of GDP for Hungary.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Hungary
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Hungary
2024 2.97% 3.7%
2023 7.94% 17.1%
2022 10.8% 14.6%
2021 2.55% 5.11%
2020 0.15% 3.33%
2019 0.77% 3.34%
2018 1.5% 2.85%
2017 1.13% 2.35%
2016 -1.12% 0.39%
2015 -0.46% -0.06%
2014 -0.22% -0.23%
2013 2.22% 1.73%
2012 3.41% 5.65%
2011 2.27% 3.93%
2010 1.03% 4.86%
2009 2.38% 4.21%
2008 6.08% 6.04%
2007 2.9% 7.96%
2006 3.19% 3.93%
2005 3.32% 3.56%
2004 2.06% 6.74%
2003 1.77% 4.66%
2002 1.67% 5.27%
2001 3.78% 9.12%
2000 4.61% 9.8%
1999 4.02% 10%
1998 6.4% 14.2%
1997 4.17% 18.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.9%, compared with 6.16% in Hungary. In 2024, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 3.7% in Hungary.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $899M
Transport & tourism services $451M
Machinery & equipment $169M
Chemicals & pharma $150M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $91.8M
Animal & marine products $86.5M
Business & finance services $80.1M
Wood & paper products $63.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $61.8M
Raw agricultural goods $43.8M
Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $819M
Raw materials & minerals $606M
Chemicals & pharma $562M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $350M
Textiles & consumer goods $274M
Animal & marine products $219M
Raw agricultural goods $117M
Transport & tourism services $114M
Metals $107M
Wood & paper products $76.9M

Balance of trade

Croatia Hungary
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$3.52B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
36/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
+1.58%
2024
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$130B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$129B
2024
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$38.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
71.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
2024
75.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia Hungary
Economic freedom 67.5 62.5
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 86/197
Property rights 81.1 67.3
Government integrity 52.6 44
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 61.9
Tax burden 70 85.1
Government spending 34.9 30.2
Fiscal health 92.2 32.7
Business freedom 79.6 70.8
Labor freedom 58.9 56.5
Monetary freedom 69.9 72.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Hungary
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Hungary
2026 67.5 62.5
2025 68.7 61.4
2024 67.2 61.2
2023 66.4 64.1
2022 67.6 66.9
2021 63.6 67.2
2020 62.2 66.4
2019 61.4 65
2018 61 66.7
2017 59.4 65.8
2016 59.1 66
2015 61.5 66.8
2014 60.4 67
2013 61.3 67.3
2012 60.9 67.1
2011 61.1 66.6
2010 59.2 66.1
2009 55.1 66.8
2008 54.1 67.6
2007 53.4 64.8
2006 53.6 65
2005 51.9 63.5
2004 53.1 62.7
2003 53.3 63
2002 51.1 64.5
2001 50.7 65.6
2000 53.6 64.4
1999 53.1 59.6
1998 51.7 56.9
1997 46.7 55.3
1996 48 56.8
1995 - 55.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, compared to 62.5 for Hungary, ranking 86/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Croatia Hungary
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
59.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
23.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
2.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$199B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$47,290
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$46.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
42/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
-$15.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
-$62.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
-$78B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
12.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
2024
23.5%
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/hungary | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.

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.