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Economy of East Timor vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 181/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

East Timor vs Serbia GDP by year

East Timor
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Serbia
2024 $1,865,608,515 $90,097,765,959
2023 $2,079,767,170 $81,343,999,280
2022 $3,208,599,889 $66,809,895,701
2021 $3,625,024,341 $66,159,884,073
2020 $2,162,619,241 $55,874,017,669
2019 $2,032,550,389 $53,864,693,665
2018 $1,555,988,614 $52,787,520,249
2017 $1,584,878,440 $45,972,834,714
2016 $1,640,464,612 $42,225,495,910
2015 $1,590,282,371 $41,297,410,635
2014 $1,447,535,183 $49,114,321,280
2013 $1,395,727,421 $50,455,529,604
2012 $1,160,555,040 $45,103,269,969
2011 $1,042,534,598 $51,251,098,408
2010 $881,909,347 $43,536,629,233
2009 $726,937,836 $46,955,984,410
2008 $648,523,571 $54,220,641,202
2007 $542,795,447 $44,888,028,946
2006 $453,792,415 $33,298,057,362
2005 $462,267,954 $28,334,256,181
2004 $440,771,962 $26,845,632,342
2003 $490,439,116 $23,593,044,418
2002 $469,455,491 $17,930,583,571
2001 $477,359,253 $13,599,378,662
2000 $366,924,277 $7,326,373,882
1999 $225,357,600 $20,878,694,851
1998 $325,729,800 $21,004,077,441
1997 $319,972,700 $27,153,408,995
1996 $306,956,900 $23,277,430,168
1995 $262,819,900 $17,921,892,655
1994 $239,040,500 -
1993 $216,914,400 -
1992 $187,891,500 -
1991 $147,713,000 -
1990 $128,210,142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Serbia by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $939 $2,066 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $813 $1,955 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $687 $1,810 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $628 $1,675 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $540 $1,516 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $465 $1,377 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $487 $1,435 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $474 $1,379 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $535 $1,355 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $534 $1,417 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $588 $1,619 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $492 $1,483 $975 $6,416
1999 $270 $819 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $346 $1,108 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $349 $1,149 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $344 $1,116 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $303 $1,043 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $283.1 $985 - -
1993 $264.1 $925 - -
1992 $235.1 $843 - -
1991 $189.8 $766 - -
1990 $168.6 $685 - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/serbia | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

East Timor Serbia
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
7.24%
2024
Population
1441764
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 46% 54.3%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 39% 51.1%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 40.3% 65%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 41% 67.1%
2014 111% 1.52% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 133.3% 0% 40% 42%
2010 121.3% 0% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 121.8% 0% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 122.4% 0% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 75.8% 0% 40.6% 30%
2006 59.8% 0% 41.3% 37%
2005 58.3% 0% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 74.2% 0% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 80.1% 0% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 93.5% 0% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 95.7% 0% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 - - 28% 200.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 178/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Serbia
2024 -43.5% -1.75%
2023 -34.7% -1.21%
2022 -29.5% -0.14%
2021 -20.1% -3.16%
2020 -18.9% -6.91%
2019 -25.4% -0.004%
2018 -26.9% 0.78%
2017 -33.8% 1.32%
2016 -55.7% -1.08%
2015 -33.2% -3.25%
2014 -37.5% -5.61%
2013 -14.4% -4.79%
2012 -38.7% -6.11%
2011 -25.4% -3.75%
2010 -19.8% -3.35%
2009 -17.2% -3.3%
2008 -18.6% -4.25%
2007 -29.9% -0.8%
2006 41% -0.9%
2005 -10.5% 1.02%
2004 -7.48% 0.06%
2003 -8.24% -2.39%
2002 -7.64% -2.33%
2001 3.24% 0.32%
2000 - -0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 43.5% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Serbia
2024 2.1% 4.67%
2023 8.4% 12.4%
2022 7% 12%
2021 3.8% 4.09%
2020 0.5% 1.58%
2019 0.9% 1.85%
2018 2.3% 1.96%
2017 0.5% 3.13%
2016 -1.5% 1.12%
2015 0.6% 1.39%
2014 0.8% 2.08%
2013 9.5% 7.69%
2012 10.9% 7.33%
2011 13.2% 11.1%
2010 5.2% 6.14%
2009 -0.2% 8.12%
2008 7.4% 12.4%
2007 8.6% 6.39%
2006 5.2% 11.7%
2005 1.6% 16.1%
2004 2.2% 11%
2003 8% 9.88%
2002 4.1% 19.5%
2001 3.6% 95%
2000 - 71.1%
1999 - 42.5%
1998 - 30.2%
1997 - 23.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 11.2% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 4.67% in Serbia.

Balance of trade

East Timor Serbia
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Serbia
Economic freedom 47.9 65
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 68/197
Property rights 43.5 57.2
Government integrity 43.9 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 50.1
Tax burden 97.1 88
Government spending 0 48.2
Fiscal health 19.6 94.3
Business freedom 62.7 73.6
Labor freedom 56.5 61.8
Monetary freedom 72.2 73
Trade freedom 79.8 76.6
Investment freedom 45 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Serbia
2026 47.9 65
2025 47.9 64.4
2024 50.2 62.7
2023 47.2 63.5
2022 46.3 65.2
2021 44.7 67.2
2020 45.9 66
2019 44.2 63.9
2018 48.1 62.5
2017 46.3 58.9
2016 45.8 62.1
2015 45.5 60
2014 43.2 59.4
2013 43.7 58.6
2012 43.3 58
2011 42.8 58
2010 45.8 56.9
2009 50.5 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - 43.5
2002 - 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Serbia
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
25%
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/east-timor/serbia | 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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.