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Economy of Croatia vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Croatia has a GDP of $93B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 75/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $53.5B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Croatia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Croatia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia UAE
2024 $92,983,810,329 $552,324,846,835
2023 $85,624,153,964 $522,622,191,967
2022 $71,196,498,671 $511,403,403,676
2021 $69,002,365,163 $422,441,388,700
2020 $57,959,843,541 $357,161,878,829
2019 $61,466,721,186 $433,926,208,305
2018 $61,667,925,219 $440,560,108,918
2017 $56,182,782,586 $403,365,010,211
2016 $52,650,714,172 $381,717,086,453
2015 $50,998,893,385 $381,973,042,886
2014 $59,606,934,501 $424,935,874,745
2013 $59,846,265,182 $409,632,675,289
2012 $57,548,115,904 $392,793,464,942
2011 $62,889,007,657 $368,881,143,635
2010 $58,975,205,417 $307,736,419,333
2009 $62,315,996,675 $253,547,358,747
2008 $68,472,854,617 $315,474,615,739
2007 $59,290,621,398 $257,916,133,424
2006 $49,583,544,860 $222,116,541,865
2005 $45,013,119,282 $180,617,467,965
2004 $41,836,292,157 $147,824,370,320
2003 $35,245,317,002 $124,346,358,067
2002 $26,757,722,429 $109,816,201,498
2001 $23,066,883,850 $103,311,640,572
2000 $22,134,411,297 $104,337,372,362
1999 $23,777,026,779 $84,445,473,111
1998 $25,890,228,430 $75,674,336,283
1997 $24,175,764,812 $78,839,008,445
1996 $24,150,978,347 $73,571,233,996
1995 $22,772,394,547 $65,743,666,576
1994 $15,062,911,617 $59,305,093,980
1993 $11,259,647,874 $55,625,170,253
1992 $10,621,169,291 $54,239,171,888
1991 $18,760,386,775 $51,552,165,622
1990 $25,650,213,280 $50,701,443,748
1989 - $41,464,995,914
1988 - $36,275,674,203
1987 - $36,384,908,744
1986 - $33,943,612,095
1985 - $40,603,650,232
1984 - $41,807,954,236
1983 - $42,803,323,345
1982 - $46,622,718,605
1981 - $49,333,424,135
1980 - $43,599,160,050
1979 - $31,225,659,621
1978 - $23,775,764,225
1977 - $24,871,775,165
1976 - $19,213,158,779
1975 - $14,720,728,249
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Croatia vs United Arab Emirates by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $22,184 $47,760 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $10,444 $15,451 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $5,713 $9,890 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $26,710 $88,455
1989 - - $23,167 -
1988 - - $21,570 -
1987 - - $23,113 -
1986 - - $23,132 -
1985 - - $29,468 -
1984 - - $32,012 -
1983 - - $34,650 -
1982 - - $39,972 -
1981 - - $44,854 -
1980 - - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 - - $35,020 -
1976 - - $31,197 -
1975 - - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Croatia's GDP per capita is $24,050, ranking 50/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Croatia UAE
Gross domestic product
$93B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
75/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
3.83%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$24,050
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
50/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$53.5B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,844
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
42/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,856
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.8B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.97%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.03%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
3812193
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48% 57.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 46.8% 61.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 45% 68.5% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 48.1% 78.2% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 53.7% 86.5% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 44.3% 70.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 44.9% 72.8% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 47.5% 82.8% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 47.9% 79.5% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 48.1% 56.8% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 49.2% 47.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 22% 8.95%
2007 46.3% 37.1% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 49% 40% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 20% 3.33%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 58.9% 30% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 56.8% 23.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 51.7% 22.5% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 52.1% - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 50.3% - 26.1% 5.06%
1994 45.4% - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 36% - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 37.1% - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Croatia's government spending was $44.6B, accounting for 48% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in Croatia and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 86/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia UAE
2024 -1.95% 6.41%
2023 -0.79% 5.82%
2022 0.12% 9.8%
2021 -2.58% 3.96%
2020 -7.23% -2.42%
2019 2.31% 2.5%
2018 0.23% 3.65%
2017 0.8% -0.16%
2016 -1.04% -2.95%
2015 -3.53% -6.35%
2014 -5.19% 1.74%
2013 -5.52% 7.99%
2012 -5.46% 8.59%
2011 -7.53% 5.05%
2010 -6.46% 0.52%
2009 -7.15% -6.13%
2008 -2.34% 17.6%
2007 -2.28% 17.1%
2006 -2.01% 20.2%
2005 -3.24% 16%
2004 -6.09% 6.4%
2003 -5.03% 2.35%
2002 -4.9% -1.24%
2001 -4.79% 1.21%
2000 -9.2% 10.7%
1999 -11.1% 1.31%
1998 -6.36% 1%
1997 -4.93% 6.71%
1996 -4.41% 0.92%
1995 -4.23% 3.58%
1994 -0.82% -1.78%
1993 -2.67% -2.89%
1992 -5.69% 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.97% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.26% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia UAE
2024 2.97% 1.7%
2023 7.94% 1.6%
2022 10.8% 4.8%
2021 2.55% -0.1%
2020 0.15% -2.1%
2019 0.77% -1.9%
2018 1.5% 3.1%
2017 1.13% 2%
2016 -1.12% 1.6%
2015 -0.46% 4.1%
2014 -0.22% 2.3%
2013 2.22% 1.1%
2012 3.41% 0.7%
2011 2.27% 0.9%
2010 1.03% 0.9%
2009 2.38% -4.7%
2008 6.08% 12.3%
2007 2.9% 11.1%
2006 3.19% 9.3%
2005 3.32% 6.2%
2004 2.06% 5%
2003 1.77% 3.1%
2002 1.67% 2.9%
2001 3.78% 2.8%
2000 4.61% 1.3%
1999 4.02% 2.1%
1998 6.4% 2%
1997 4.17% 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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.9%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 2.97% in Croatia and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $35.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27.2M
Wood & paper products $23M
Metals $8.33M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.82M
Chemicals & pharma $1.75M
Raw materials & minerals $976K
Weapons & explosives $708K
Precious metals & jewellery $674K
Raw agricultural goods $186K
UAE
Export category Export value
Metals $31.5M
Machinery & equipment $17.1M
Chemicals & pharma $7.42M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.78M
Raw agricultural goods $849K
Textiles & consumer goods $758K
Precious metals & jewellery $598K
Raw materials & minerals $419K
Wood & paper products $121K
Miscellaneous $46K

Balance of trade

Croatia UAE
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
125/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.13%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$41.5B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$8.35B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.8%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.1%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia UAE
Economic freedom 67.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 29/197
Property rights 81.1 62.9
Government integrity 52.6 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 34.4
Tax burden 70 99.9
Government spending 34.9 85.1
Fiscal health 92.2 97.6
Business freedom 79.6 84.5
Labor freedom 58.9 63.2
Monetary freedom 69.9 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia UAE
2026 67.5 71.9
2025 68.7 71.6
2024 67.2 71.1
2023 66.4 70.9
2022 67.6 70.2
2021 63.6 76.9
2020 62.2 76.2
2019 61.4 77.6
2018 61 77.6
2017 59.4 76.9
2016 59.1 72.6
2015 61.5 72.4
2014 60.4 71.4
2013 61.3 71.1
2012 60.9 69.3
2011 61.1 67.8
2010 59.2 67.3
2009 55.1 64.7
2008 54.1 62.6
2007 53.4 62.6
2006 53.6 62.2
2005 51.9 65.2
2004 53.1 67.2
2003 53.3 73.4
2002 51.1 73.6
2001 50.7 74.9
2000 53.6 74.2
1999 53.1 71.5
1998 51.7 72.2
1997 46.7 71.9
1996 48 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/croatia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Croatia UAE
Services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.2%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.9%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$86B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,740
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.34B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.88B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.4%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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 (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.