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Economy of Croatia vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $2.38T for Italy, ranking 75/197 and 8/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $3.22T (135.3% of GDP) in Italy.

Croatia vs Italy GDP by year

Croatia
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Italy
2024 $92,983,810,329 $2,380,825,077,244
2023 $85,624,153,964 $2,316,727,999,333
2022 $71,196,498,671 $2,104,067,630,319
2021 $69,002,365,163 $2,179,207,773,596
2020 $57,959,843,541 $1,907,481,094,079
2019 $61,466,721,186 $2,019,606,796,584
2018 $61,667,925,219 $2,099,435,266,459
2017 $56,182,782,586 $1,970,720,904,585
2016 $52,650,714,172 $1,887,111,188,177
2015 $50,998,893,385 $1,845,428,048,839
2014 $59,606,934,501 $2,173,255,507,986
2013 $59,846,265,182 $2,153,225,581,941
2012 $57,548,115,904 $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $62,889,007,657 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $58,975,205,417 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $62,315,996,675 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $68,472,854,617 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $59,290,621,398 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $49,583,544,860 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $45,013,119,282 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $41,836,292,157 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $35,245,317,002 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $26,757,722,429 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $23,066,883,850 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $22,134,411,297 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 $23,777,026,779 $1,255,004,736,464
1998 $25,890,228,430 $1,272,729,786,997
1997 $24,175,764,812 $1,244,988,176,444
1996 $24,150,978,347 $1,314,776,508,972
1995 $22,772,394,547 $1,177,369,428,266
1994 $15,062,911,617 $1,101,750,159,702
1993 $11,259,647,874 $1,067,412,587,671
1992 $10,621,169,291 $1,323,204,350,354
1991 $18,760,386,775 $1,249,092,439,519
1990 $25,650,213,280 $1,183,945,130,899
1989 - $930,801,709,004
1988 - $893,663,934,841
1987 - $807,570,134,449
1986 - $641,862,313,287
1985 - $453,259,761,687
1984 - $438,896,930,791
1983 - $444,063,496,940
1982 - $428,257,421,618
1981 - $431,695,533,981
1980 - $478,356,755,596
1979 - $394,584,507,108
1978 - $315,784,469,541
1977 - $258,190,019,750
1976 - $225,235,205,862
1975 - $228,220,643,535
1974 - $200,024,444,775
1973 - $175,896,529,392
1972 - $145,594,833,997
1971 - $124,959,712,859
1970 - $113,656,669,765
1969 - $100,996,667,239
1968 - $91,485,448,148
1967 - $84,401,995,573
1966 - $76,622,444,787
1965 - $70,717,012,186
1964 - $65,720,771,779
1963 - $60,035,924,618
1962 - $52,413,872,628
1961 - $46,649,487,320
1960 - $42,012,422,612

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Croatia vs Italy by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $40,385 $62,014
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $39,277 $60,030
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $35,654 $57,261
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $36,853 $49,825
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $32,091 $44,436
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $33,813 $46,662
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $34,904 $43,387
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $32,844 $42,142
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $31,392 $40,483
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $30,640 $37,384
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $36,028 $36,666
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $35,702 $36,459
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $34,854 $36,281
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $20,190 $27,152
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $22,050 $25,655
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $22,365 $25,075
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $21,884 $23,937
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $23,123 $23,101
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $20,712 $22,446
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $19,382 $21,369
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $18,782 $20,485
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $23,297 $20,196
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $22,007 $19,596
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $20,874 $18,680
1989 - - $16,424 -
1988 - - $15,781 -
1987 - - $14,268 -
1986 - - $11,341 -
1985 - - $8,009 -
1984 - - $7,758 -
1983 - - $7,851 -
1982 - - $7,574 -
1981 - - $7,640 -
1980 - - $8,476 -
1979 - - $7,006 -
1978 - - $5,623 -
1977 - - $4,614 -
1976 - - $4,042 -
1975 - - $4,116 -
1974 - - $3,629 -
1973 - - $3,213 -
1972 - - $2,677 -
1971 - - $2,311 -
1970 - - $2,112 -
1969 - - $1,886 -
1968 - - $1,718 -
1967 - - $1,595 -
1966 - - $1,459 -
1965 - - $1,357 -
1964 - - $1,272 -
1963 - - $1,171 -
1962 - - $1,030 -
1961 - - $923 -
1960 - - $837 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $40,385 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Croatia Italy
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$2.38T
2024
GDP rank
75/197
2024
8/197
2024
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$40,385
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
31/197
2024
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$3.22T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
135.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$54,652
2024
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
6/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$23,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
1,344,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
74
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
50.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
0.98%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
6.5%
2024
Population
3812193
58562681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% 50.6% 135.3%
2023 46.8% 61.8% 54% 134.6%
2022 45% 68.5% 54.9% 138.3%
2021 48.1% 78.2% 56% 145.8%
2020 53.7% 86.5% 56.8% 154.4%
2019 44.3% 70.9% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 44.9% 72.8% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 49% 134.2%
2015 47.5% 82.8% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 47.9% 79.5% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 49% 119.1%
2010 48.1% 56.8% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 49% 40% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 47% 105.1%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 47.1% 108.5%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 46.4% 108.7%
1999 58.9% 30% 47.1% 113.1%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 48% 113.9%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 49.3% 116.5%
1996 52.1% - 51.3% 118.9%
1995 50.3% - 51.4% 119.1%
1994 45.4% - 55.1% 130.8%
1993 36% - 57.8% 124.1%
1992 37.1% - 56.8% 113%
1991 - - 55.3% 105.3%
1990 - - 54.2% 101.7%
1989 - - 51.6% 91.8%
1988 - - 50.4% 89.2%
1987 - - 49.8% 87.4%
1986 - - 50.5% 83.4%
1985 - - 49.8% 79.1%
1984 - - 49.1% 73.1%
1983 - - 48.9% 67.8%
1982 - - 46.7% 61.8%
1981 - - 44.6% 57.3%
1980 - - 40.8% 55.1%
1979 - - 40.1% 58.9%
1978 - - 40.9% 59.9%
1977 - - 38.5% 56%
1976 - - 38.1% 57.3%
1975 - - 39.1% 57.9%
1974 - - 34.8% 50.8%
1973 - - 35.3% 51.1%
1972 - - 36.4% 48.2%
1971 - - 34.4% 42.4%
1970 - - 32.3% 37.8%
1969 - - 32.1% 37%
1968 - - 32.6% 36.4%
1967 - - 17.9% 33.3%
1966 - - 19.1% 33.4%
1965 - - 18.6% 28.4%
1964 - - 18.2% 27.2%
1963 - - 16.7% 27.2%
1962 - - 17.5% 29%
1961 - - 17.3% 30%
1960 - - 16.5% 31.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.2T, or 50.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 135.3% in Italy, ranking 86/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Italy
2024 -1.95% -3.45%
2023 -0.79% -7.24%
2022 0.12% -8.11%
2021 -2.58% -8.88%
2020 -7.23% -9.38%
2019 2.31% -1.45%
2018 0.23% -2.19%
2017 0.8% -2.51%
2016 -1.04% -2.4%
2015 -3.53% -2.46%
2014 -5.19% -2.82%
2013 -5.52% -2.87%
2012 -5.46% -2.99%
2011 -7.53% -3.52%
2010 -6.46% -4.16%
2009 -7.15% -5.06%
2008 -2.34% -2.58%
2007 -2.28% -1.33%
2006 -2.01% -3.61%
2005 -3.24% -4.1%
2004 -6.09% -3.46%
2003 -5.03% -3.23%
2002 -4.9% -2.88%
2001 -4.79% -3.18%
2000 -9.2% -2.42%
1999 -11.1% -1.77%
1998 -6.36% -2.99%
1997 -4.93% -2.98%
1996 -4.41% -6.61%
1995 -4.23% -7.2%
1994 -0.82% -8.84%
1993 -2.67% -9.76%
1992 -5.69% -10.1%
1991 - -11.1%
1990 - -11.1%
1989 - -11.4%
1988 - -11%
1987 - -11.5%
1986 - -12%
1985 - -12.4%
1984 - -11.5%
1983 - -10.1%
1982 - -10%
1981 - -10.9%
1980 - -6.97%
1979 - -8.23%
1978 - -8.47%
1977 - -6.96%
1976 - -7.88%
1975 - -10.3%
1974 - -6.24%
1973 - -6.36%
1972 - -6.84%
1971 - -4.71%
1970 - -3.22%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.55%
1967 - -0.97%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.67%
1964 - -2.35%
1963 - -0.3%
1962 - -0.95%
1961 - -0.57%
1960 - -0.28%
1959 - -1%
1958 - -0.98%
1957 - -1.09%
1956 - -1.46%
1955 - -2.03%
1954 - -1.84%
1953 - -2.33%
1952 - -4.08%
1951 - -3.86%
1950 - -2.42%
1949 - -2.82%
1948 - -4.58%
1947 - -6.62%
1946 - -9.82%
1945 - -16.9%
1944 - -35.1%
1943 - -16.1%
1942 - -26.9%
1941 - -25.1%
1940 - -24.3%
1939 - -9.49%
1938 - -5.97%
1937 - -5.78%
1936 - -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 - -2.5%
1933 - -4.85%
1932 - -3.06%
1931 - -2.14%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -0.59%
1928 - -2.09%
1927 - -1.71%
1926 - -0.09%
1925 - 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 - -0.86%
1912 - -1.86%
1911 - -0.63%
1910 - -0.32%
1909 - -0.69%
1908 - -1.31%
1907 - -0.51%
1906 - -0.69%
1905 - -1.57%
1904 - 0.58%
1903 - 0.32%
1902 - 0.48%
1901 - 0.36%
1900 - 0.28%
1899 - -0.11%
1898 - -0.21%
1897 - 0.009%
1896 - -0.43%
1895 - -0.69%
1894 - -0.23%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.25%
1891 - -1.41%
1890 - -0.32%
1889 - -1.32%
1888 - -2.11%
1887 - -1.94%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - 0.2%
1884 - -1.46%
1883 - -0.51%
1882 - -0.5%
1881 - -0.04%
1880 - 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/italy | 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 Italy's deficit of $82B, or 3.45% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.44% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Italy
2024 2.97% 0.98%
2023 7.94% 5.62%
2022 10.8% 8.2%
2021 2.55% 1.87%
2020 0.15% -0.14%
2019 0.77% 0.61%
2018 1.5% 1.14%
2017 1.13% 1.23%
2016 -1.12% -0.09%
2015 -0.46% 0.04%
2014 -0.22% 0.24%
2013 2.22% 1.22%
2012 3.41% 3.04%
2011 2.27% 2.78%
2010 1.03% 1.53%
2009 2.38% 0.77%
2008 6.08% 3.35%
2007 2.9% 1.83%
2006 3.19% 2.09%
2005 3.32% 1.99%
2004 2.06% 2.21%
2003 1.77% 2.67%
2002 1.67% 2.47%
2001 3.78% 2.79%
2000 4.61% 2.54%
1999 4.02% 1.66%
1998 6.4% 1.96%
1997 4.17% 2.04%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.9%, compared with 2.02% in Italy. In 2024, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 0.98% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $1.31B
Textiles & consumer goods $558M
Machinery & equipment $477M
Raw agricultural goods $363M
Wood & paper products $357M
Metals $309M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $247M
Animal & marine products $208M
Raw materials & minerals $206M
Chemicals & pharma $206M
Italy
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.46B
Machinery & equipment $1.19B
Textiles & consumer goods $934M
Metals $851M
Transport & tourism services $531M
Chemicals & pharma $511M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $426M
Business & finance services $333M
Raw agricultural goods $190M
Animal & marine products $186M

Balance of trade

Croatia Italy
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$25.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
19/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
+1.08%
2024
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$562B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$621B
2024
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$160B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$155B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
30.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
2024
32.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia Italy
Economic freedom 67.5 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 80/197
Property rights 81.1 84.8
Government integrity 52.6 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 80.9
Tax burden 70 57.5
Government spending 34.9 15.3
Fiscal health 92.2 17.2
Business freedom 79.6 74.5
Labor freedom 58.9 70.6
Monetary freedom 69.9 79.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Italy
2026 67.5 63.3
2025 68.7 60.9
2024 67.2 60.1
2023 66.4 62.3
2022 67.6 65.4
2021 63.6 64.9
2020 62.2 63.8
2019 61.4 62.2
2018 61 62.5
2017 59.4 62.5
2016 59.1 61.2
2015 61.5 61.7
2014 60.4 60.9
2013 61.3 60.6
2012 60.9 58.8
2011 61.1 60.3
2010 59.2 62.7
2009 55.1 61.4
2008 54.1 62.6
2007 53.4 62.8
2006 53.6 62
2005 51.9 64.9
2004 53.1 64.2
2003 53.3 64.3
2002 51.1 63.6
2001 50.7 63
2000 53.6 61.9
1999 53.1 61.6
1998 51.7 59.1
1997 46.7 58.1
1996 48 60.8
1995 - 61.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Croatia Italy
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
65%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
22.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$2.28T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$61,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$291B
2024
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
12/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
$19B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
$26.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
$45.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
2024
22.6%
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/italy | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.