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Economy of Croatia vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 75/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Croatia vs Poland GDP by year

Croatia
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Poland
2024 $92,983,810,329 $917,767,106,147
2023 $85,624,153,964 $812,451,193,396
2022 $71,196,498,671 $695,607,470,875
2021 $69,002,365,163 $689,170,230,665
2020 $57,959,843,541 $605,914,237,904
2019 $61,466,721,186 $602,683,770,145
2018 $61,667,925,219 $594,616,687,350
2017 $56,182,782,586 $528,356,676,667
2016 $52,650,714,172 $473,259,583,970
2015 $50,998,893,385 $480,054,118,583
2014 $59,606,934,501 $542,134,167,179
2013 $59,846,265,182 $518,179,836,405
2012 $57,548,115,904 $498,148,649,703
2011 $62,889,007,657 $527,848,543,023
2010 $58,975,205,417 $478,111,630,684
2009 $62,315,996,675 $440,891,472,247
2008 $68,472,854,617 $535,612,030,672
2007 $59,290,621,398 $429,715,132,138
2006 $49,583,544,860 $345,897,630,736
2005 $45,013,119,282 $306,999,913,151
2004 $41,836,292,157 $256,268,656,145
2003 $35,245,317,002 $218,561,225,998
2002 $26,757,722,429 $199,694,463,256
2001 $23,066,883,850 $191,823,200,371
2000 $22,134,411,297 $172,953,527,033
1999 $23,777,026,779 $170,704,452,715
1998 $25,890,228,430 $175,282,269,667
1997 $24,175,764,812 $159,893,964,917
1996 $24,150,978,347 $160,813,026,223
1995 $22,772,394,547 $142,838,527,115
1994 $15,062,911,617 $110,803,635,288
1993 $11,259,647,874 $96,043,157,273
1992 $10,621,169,291 $94,337,050,693
1991 $18,760,386,775 $85,500,935,935
1990 $25,650,213,280 $65,977,748,211

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

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

GDP per capita in Croatia vs Poland by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $1,731 $6,185

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

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Croatia Poland
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
75/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
3812193
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 46.8% 61.8% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 45% 68.5% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 48.1% 78.2% 43.6% 53%
2020 53.7% 86.5% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 44.3% 70.9% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 44.9% 72.8% 41% 48.2%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 47.5% 82.8% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 47.9% 79.5% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 48.1% 56.8% 46% 53.7%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 44% 46.6%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 49% 40% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 58.9% 30% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 44% 38.7%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 52.1% - 50.7% 43.2%
1995 50.3% - 47.5% 48.7%
1994 45.4% - - 64.3%
1993 36% - - 83.9%
1992 37.1% - - 81.9%
1991 - - - 76.9%
1990 - - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 86/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Poland
2024 -1.95% -6.59%
2023 -0.79% -5.27%
2022 0.12% -3.44%
2021 -2.58% -1.75%
2020 -7.23% -6.85%
2019 2.31% -0.73%
2018 0.23% -0.24%
2017 0.8% -1.49%
2016 -1.04% -2.38%
2015 -3.53% -2.59%
2014 -5.19% -3.66%
2013 -5.52% -4.25%
2012 -5.46% -3.8%
2011 -7.53% -4.97%
2010 -6.46% -7.43%
2009 -7.15% -7.24%
2008 -2.34% -3.6%
2007 -2.28% -1.88%
2006 -2.01% -3.53%
2005 -3.24% -3.93%
2004 -6.09% -4.99%
2003 -5.03% -6.02%
2002 -4.9% -4.8%
2001 -4.79% -4.73%
2000 -9.2% -4%
1999 -11.1% -2.3%
1998 -6.36% -4.25%
1997 -4.93% -4.61%
1996 -4.41% -4.84%
1995 -4.23% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Poland
2024 2.97% 3.78%
2023 7.94% 11.5%
2022 10.8% 14.4%
2021 2.55% 5.06%
2020 0.15% 3.37%
2019 0.77% 2.23%
2018 1.5% 1.81%
2017 1.13% 2.08%
2016 -1.12% -0.66%
2015 -0.46% -0.87%
2014 -0.22% 0.05%
2013 2.22% 0.99%
2012 3.41% 3.56%
2011 2.27% 4.24%
2010 1.03% 2.58%
2009 2.38% 3.8%
2008 6.08% 4.16%
2007 2.9% 2.46%
2006 3.19% 1.28%
2005 3.32% 2.18%
2004 2.06% 3.38%
2003 1.77% 0.68%
2002 1.67% 1.91%
2001 3.78% 5.41%
2000 4.61% 9.9%
1999 4.02% 7.15%
1998 6.4% 11.6%
1997 4.17% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.9%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $485M
Machinery & equipment $180M
Textiles & consumer goods $108M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $73.9M
Chemicals & pharma $69.8M
Metals $50M
Wood & paper products $30.6M
Raw materials & minerals $25.3M
Business & finance services $23.9M
IT & IP services $13M
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $475M
Textiles & consumer goods $410M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $293M
Chemicals & pharma $208M
Metals $148M
Animal & marine products $118M
Raw materials & minerals $54.1M
Wood & paper products $51.2M
Raw agricultural goods $33.8M
Miscellaneous $20.6M

Balance of trade

Croatia Poland
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia Poland
Economic freedom 67.5 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 46/197
Property rights 81.1 71.8
Government integrity 52.6 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 62.5
Tax burden 70 72.7
Government spending 34.9 35.1
Fiscal health 92.2 74.8
Business freedom 79.6 77.5
Labor freedom 58.9 53.7
Monetary freedom 69.9 73.8
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Poland
2026 67.5 68.5
2025 68.7 67.1
2024 67.2 66
2023 66.4 67.7
2022 67.6 68.7
2021 63.6 69.7
2020 62.2 69.1
2019 61.4 67.8
2018 61 68.5
2017 59.4 68.3
2016 59.1 69.3
2015 61.5 68.6
2014 60.4 67
2013 61.3 66
2012 60.9 64.2
2011 61.1 64.1
2010 59.2 63.2
2009 55.1 60.3
2008 54.1 60.3
2007 53.4 58.1
2006 53.6 59.3
2005 51.9 59.6
2004 53.1 58.7
2003 53.3 61.8
2002 51.1 65
2001 50.7 61.8
2000 53.6 60
1999 53.1 59.6
1998 51.7 59.2
1997 46.7 56.8
1996 48 57.8
1995 - 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Croatia Poland
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
2024
17.8%
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/poland | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.