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Economy of Croatia vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 75/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Croatia vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Croatia
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia North Macedonia
2024 $92,983,810,329 $16,951,682,245
2023 $85,624,153,964 $15,855,131,189
2022 $71,196,498,671 $13,932,436,550
2021 $69,002,365,163 $14,000,283,827
2020 $57,959,843,541 $12,361,036,914
2019 $61,466,721,186 $12,606,338,449
2018 $61,667,925,219 $12,683,068,114
2017 $56,182,782,586 $11,307,067,070
2016 $52,650,714,172 $10,672,467,073
2015 $50,998,893,385 $10,064,519,963
2014 $59,606,934,501 $11,362,265,253
2013 $59,846,265,182 $10,817,702,346
2012 $57,548,115,904 $9,745,261,301
2011 $62,889,007,657 $10,494,626,768
2010 $58,975,205,417 $9,407,170,321
2009 $62,315,996,675 $9,401,736,825
2008 $68,472,854,617 $9,909,552,435
2007 $59,290,621,398 $8,336,474,974
2006 $49,583,544,860 $6,861,226,972
2005 $45,013,119,282 $6,258,602,873
2004 $41,836,292,157 $5,682,784,472
2003 $35,245,317,002 $4,946,296,599
2002 $26,757,722,429 $4,018,365,747
2001 $23,066,883,850 $3,709,636,031
2000 $22,134,411,297 $3,772,859,034
1999 $23,777,026,779 $3,863,619,285
1998 $25,890,228,430 $3,765,745,023
1997 $24,175,764,812 $3,912,986,091
1996 $24,150,978,347 $4,642,021,256
1995 $22,772,394,547 $4,707,041,315
1994 $15,062,911,617 $3,559,608,640
1993 $11,259,647,874 $2,682,456,897
1992 $10,621,169,291 $2,436,849,342
1991 $18,760,386,775 $4,938,775,510
1990 $25,650,213,280 $4,699,646,643

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

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Croatia vs North Macedonia by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $2,277 $5,348

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

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/north-macedonia | CC BY

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Croatia North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
75/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$7,534
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
12.3%
2024
Population
3812193
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 46.8% 61.8% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 45% 68.5% 35% 50.4%
2021 48.1% 78.2% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 53.7% 86.5% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 44.3% 70.9% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 44.9% 72.8% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 47.5% 82.8% 32.2% 38%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 31.7% 38%
2013 47.9% 79.5% 31.7% 34%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 48.1% 56.8% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 49% 40% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 36% 36.5%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 32% 45.6%
1999 58.9% 30% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 32.9% 29.3%
1996 52.1% - - -
1995 50.3% - - -
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 (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 86/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia North Macedonia
2024 -1.95% -4.45%
2023 -0.79% -4.61%
2022 0.12% -5.23%
2021 -2.58% -5.32%
2020 -7.23% -8.05%
2019 2.31% -1.97%
2018 0.23% -1.76%
2017 0.8% -2.73%
2016 -1.04% -2.7%
2015 -3.53% -3.48%
2014 -5.19% -4.19%
2013 -5.52% -3.84%
2012 -5.46% -3.81%
2011 -7.53% -2.47%
2010 -6.46% -2.41%
2009 -7.15% -2.63%
2008 -2.34% -0.93%
2007 -2.28% 0.58%
2006 -2.01% -0.51%
2005 -3.24% 0.21%
2004 -6.09% 0.37%
2003 -5.03% -0.07%
2002 -4.9% -5.24%
2001 -4.79% -5.88%
2000 -9.2% 2.37%
1999 -11.1% 0.03%
1998 -6.36% -1.63%
1997 -4.93% -0.36%
1996 -4.41% -
1995 -4.23% -
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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia North Macedonia
2024 2.97% 3.5%
2023 7.94% 9.4%
2022 10.8% 14.2%
2021 2.55% 3.2%
2020 0.15% 1.2%
2019 0.77% 0.8%
2018 1.5% 1.5%
2017 1.13% 1.4%
2016 -1.12% -0.2%
2015 -0.46% -0.3%
2014 -0.22% -0.3%
2013 2.22% 2.8%
2012 3.41% 3.3%
2011 2.27% 3.9%
2010 1.03% 1.5%
2009 2.38% -0.7%
2008 6.08% 8.3%
2007 2.9% 2.3%
2006 3.19% 3.2%
2005 3.32% 0.5%
2004 2.06% -0.4%
2003 1.77% 0.9%
2002 1.67% 1.1%
2001 3.78% 5.2%
2000 4.61% 6.6%
1999 4.02% -1.3%
1998 6.4% 0.5%
1997 4.17% 1.3%

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/croatia/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.9%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $58.7M
Chemicals & pharma $52.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $16.9M
Wood & paper products $11.3M
Animal & marine products $9.8M
Raw materials & minerals $7.11M
Raw agricultural goods $5.69M
Metals $3.85M
Miscellaneous $505K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41.5M
Metals $25.8M
Machinery & equipment $14.5M
Raw agricultural goods $13.5M
Chemicals & pharma $12.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.39M
Animal & marine products $5.96M
Raw materials & minerals $2.42M
Wood & paper products $633K
Miscellaneous $47K

Balance of trade

Croatia North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
2024
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia North Macedonia
Economic freedom 67.5 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 81/197
Property rights 81.1 56.2
Government integrity 52.6 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 49.5
Tax burden 70 94.9
Government spending 34.9 61.7
Fiscal health 92.2 57.7
Business freedom 79.6 72.2
Labor freedom 58.9 51.4
Monetary freedom 69.9 69.6
Trade freedom 79.4 77.8
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia North Macedonia
2026 67.5 63.3
2025 68.7 63.2
2024 67.2 61.4
2023 66.4 63.7
2022 67.6 65.7
2021 63.6 68.6
2020 62.2 69.5
2019 61.4 71.1
2018 61 71.3
2017 59.4 70.7
2016 59.1 67.5
2015 61.5 67.1
2014 60.4 68.6
2013 61.3 68.2
2012 60.9 68.5
2011 61.1 66
2010 59.2 65.7
2009 55.1 61.2
2008 54.1 61.1
2007 53.4 60.6
2006 53.6 59.2
2005 51.9 56.1
2004 53.1 56.8
2003 53.3 60.1
2002 51.1 58
2001 50.7 -
2000 53.6 -
1999 53.1 -
1998 51.7 -
1997 46.7 -
1996 48 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Croatia North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
2024
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

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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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

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.