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Economy of Germany vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Germany has a GDP of $5.05T compared to $48.6B for Latvia, ranking 3/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $3.18T in government debt (62.9% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (46.9% of GDP) in Latvia.

Germany vs Latvia GDP by year

Germany
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Latvia
2025 $5,050,922,925,047 $48,618,869,160
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $44,001,275,013
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $42,779,550,937
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $38,003,198,509
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $38,183,326,785
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $33,379,927,435
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $33,099,503,951
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $33,247,935,477
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $29,391,059,767
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $27,117,105,060
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $26,344,565,877
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $30,277,203,767
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $29,152,128,168
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $27,116,149,949
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $26,575,547,901
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $23,468,324,572
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $25,691,530,442
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $34,135,200,994
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $29,420,499,248
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $20,434,922,247
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $16,306,935,905
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $13,827,070,379
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $11,244,337,720
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $9,249,030,241
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $8,190,888,740
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $7,761,252,607
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $7,324,192,890
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $6,974,112,951
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $6,349,481,007
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $5,799,465,288
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $5,608,208,785
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 -
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 -
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 -
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 -
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 -
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 -
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 -
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 -
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 -
1985 $735,218,723,093 -
1984 $727,767,760,979 -
1983 $773,507,930,295 -
1982 $779,421,633,755 -
1981 $803,404,797,058 -
1980 $953,772,499,462 -
1979 $884,574,218,333 -
1978 $743,182,891,918 -
1977 $602,698,323,086 -
1976 $521,658,712,133 -
1975 $492,434,094,920 -
1974 $446,934,971,657 -
1973 $399,833,571,167 -
1972 $300,899,944,795 -
1971 $250,900,942,397 -
1970 $216,629,229,947 -
1969 $177,733,486,326 -
1968 $156,527,292,653 -
1967 $145,100,667,773 -
1966 $143,304,275,684 -
1965 $134,774,688,191 -
1964 $123,330,404,665 -
1963 $112,232,503,744 -
1962 $105,895,435,234 -
1961 $96,558,204,043 -
1960 $84,619,845,881 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Germany vs Latvia by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $60,496 - $26,312 -
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $23,579 $43,394
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $27,202 $22,869 - $5,012
1993 $25,617 $21,900 - $4,722
1992 $26,560 $21,746 - $4,760
1991 $23,443 $21,001 - $6,762
1990 $22,386 $19,468 - $7,448
1989 $17,829 - - -
1988 $17,997 - - -
1987 $16,739 - - -
1986 $13,511 - - -
1985 $9,464 - - -
1984 $9,347 - - -
1983 $9,900 - - -
1982 $9,950 - - -
1981 $10,246 - - -
1980 $12,183 - - -
1979 $11,322 - - -
1978 $9,517 - - -
1977 $7,711 - - -
1976 $6,659 - - -
1975 $6,259 - - -
1974 $5,660 - - -
1973 $5,065 - - -
1972 $3,824 - - -
1971 $3,204 - - -
1970 $2,771 - - -
1969 $2,281 - - -
1968 $2,025 - - -
1967 $1,886 - - -
1966 $1,871 - - -
1965 $1,774 - - -
1964 $1,637 - - -
1963 $1,502 - - -
1962 $1,431 - - -
1961 $1,316 - - -
1960 $1,162 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

Germany's GDP per capita is $60,496, ranking 18/197, compared to $26,312 in Latvia, ranking 51/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Germany Latvia
Gross domestic product
$5.05T
2025
$48.6B
2025
GDP rank
3/197
2025
99/197
2025
GDP growth
0.24%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$60,496
2025
$26,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
18/197
2025
51/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$3.18T
2025
$22.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
62.9%
2025
46.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$38,071
2025
$12,353
2025
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2025
50/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,352
2026
$16,702
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.9T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,648,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
212
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2022
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2022
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.5%
2025
45.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.17%
2024-2025
3.75%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.8%
2025
6.9%
2025
Population
82830814
1826986

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 50.5% 62.9% 45.4% 46.9%
2024 49.4% 62.2% 44% 46.2%
2023 48.1% 62.3% 42.9% 44.4%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 43.6% 44.4%
2021 50.7% 67.9% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 51.1% 68% 42.6% 44%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 39% 37.9%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 44.5% 64% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 48.1% 81% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 34.8% 9%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 47% 65% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 35% 17.8%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 37% 15.1%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 48.8% 58.8% - -
1996 49.6% 57.7% - -
1995 55.2% 54.9% - -
1994 48.3% 47.5% - -
1993 48.3% 45.1% - -
1992 47.4% 41.4% - -
1991 46.5% 39% - -
1990 44.7% 40.7% - -
1989 44.3% 39.2% - -
1988 45.6% 40.5% - -
1987 46% 40.1% - -
1986 45.7% 39.1% - -
1985 46.6% 39.2% - -
1984 47.2% 38.7% - -
1983 47.9% 38% - -
1982 49.1% 36.4% - -
1981 49% 33.6% - -
1980 48.2% 30.1% - -
1979 47.4% 28.2% - -
1978 47.7% 27.4% - -
1977 49% 26% - -
1976 49.4% 25.1% - -
1975 50.3% 23.7% - -
1974 46% 18.5% - -
1973 42.4% 17.3% - -
1972 41.8% 18% - -
1971 40.9% 17.7% - -
1970 39.5% 17.7% - -
1969 29.7% 20.3% - -
1968 28.5% 22.5% - -
1967 28.8% 22.5% - -
1966 28.3% 19.8% - -
1965 28.4% 18.7% - -
1964 29% 18.2% - -
1963 29.1% 18.1% - -
1962 29.2% 17.6% - -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

In 2025, Germany's government spending was $2.55T, accounting for 50.5% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $22.1B, or 45.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 62.9% in Germany and 46.9% in Latvia, ranking 70/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Latvia
2025 -2.67% -4.05%
2024 -2.66% -1.72%
2023 -2.49% -3.36%
2022 -1.91% -3.95%
2021 -3.17% -5.71%
2020 -4.38% -3.85%
2019 1.33% -0.39%
2018 1.88% -0.77%
2017 1.34% -0.85%
2016 1.13% -0.41%
2015 0.91% -1.57%
2014 0.73% -1.74%
2013 0.12% -0.58%
2012 -0.05% 0.18%
2011 -0.84% -3.38%
2010 -4.42% -6.56%
2009 -3.18% -7.14%
2008 -0.26% -3.29%
2007 0.15% 0.63%
2006 -1.76% -0.48%
2005 -3.37% -1.06%
2004 -3.42% -1.04%
2003 -3.83% -1.67%
2002 -4.09% -2.59%
2001 -3.12% -2.03%
2000 -1.71% -2.57%
1999 -1.87% -3.54%
1998 -2.65% -0.66%
1997 -3.03% -
1996 -3.64% -
1995 -9.44% -
1994 -2.54% -
1993 -3.11% -
1992 -2.63% -
1991 -3.21% -
1990 -1.94% -
1989 0.08% -
1988 -2.02% -
1987 -1.85% -
1986 -1.18% -
1985 -1.18% -
1984 -2.04% -
1983 -2.95% -
1982 -3.56% -
1981 -4.03% -
1980 -3.02% -
1979 -2.71% -
1978 -2.62% -
1977 -2.56% -
1976 -3.5% -
1975 -5.78% -
1974 -1.69% -
1973 1.14% -
1972 -0.37% -
1971 0.16% -
1970 0.53% -
1969 -0.43% -
1968 1.39% -
1967 2.73% -
1966 1.76% -
1965 2.26% -
1964 1.49% -
1963 1.43% -
1962 0.49% -
1961 -0.12% -
1960 -0.34% -
1959 0.77% -
1958 1.77% -
1957 1.99% -
1956 0.59% -
1955 -1.41% -
1954 -0.37% -
1953 -0.13% -
1952 0% -
1951 1.15% -
1950 1.81% -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% -
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -
1925 0.34% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.007% -
1912 -0.26% -
1911 0.06% -
1910 -0.21% -
1909 0.11% -
1908 -0.11% -
1907 -0.14% -
1906 0.76% -
1905 1.21% -
1904 0.41% -
1903 0.88% -
1902 0.08% -
1901 0.91% -
1900 0.27% -
1899 0.6% -
1898 0.47% -
1897 0.39% -
1896 0.63% -
1895 0.47% -
1894 0.44% -
1893 0.42% -
1892 -0.24% -
1891 1.18% -
1890 0.12% -
1889 1.16% -
1888 0.62% -
1887 0.88% -
1886 0.23% -
1885 0.21% -
1884 0.23% -
1883 0.55% -
1882 0.41% -
1881 0.12% -
1880 -0.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

In 2025, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $135B, equivalent to 2.67% of GDP. This compares to Latvia's deficit of $1.97B, or 4.05% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.29% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Latvia
2025 2.17% 3.75%
2024 2.26% 1.27%
2023 5.95% 8.94%
2022 6.87% 17.3%
2021 3.07% 3.28%
2020 0.14% 0.22%
2019 1.45% 2.81%
2018 1.73% 2.53%
2017 1.51% 2.93%
2016 0.49% 0.14%
2015 0.51% 0.17%
2014 0.91% 0.62%
2013 1.5% -0.03%
2012 2.01% 2.26%
2011 2.08% 4.37%
2010 1.1% -1.08%
2009 0.31% 3.53%
2008 2.63% 15.4%
2007 2.3% 10.1%
2006 1.58% 6.54%
2005 1.55% 6.75%
2004 1.67% 6.19%
2003 1.03% 2.94%
2002 1.42% 1.94%
2001 1.98% 2.49%
2000 1.44% 2.65%
1999 0.59% 2.36%
1998 0.91% 4.64%
1997 1.94% 8.45%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.83%, compared with 4.26% in Latvia. In 2025, inflation was 2.17% in Germany and 3.75% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.66B
Chemicals & pharma $431M
Textiles & consumer goods $304M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $245M
Transport & tourism services $210M
Metals $154M
Raw materials & minerals $105M
Raw agricultural goods $82.3M
Wood & paper products $70.2M
Miscellaneous $60.4M
Latvia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $504M
Machinery & equipment $406M
Wood & paper products $274M
Business & finance services $195M
Chemicals & pharma $145M
Animal & marine products $128M
Textiles & consumer goods $128M
Raw materials & minerals $124M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $108M
Metals $83M

Balance of trade

Germany Latvia
Current account balance
$228B
2025
-$1.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2025
133/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.51%
2025
-3.38%
2025
Goods imports
$1.32T
2025
$25.6B
2025
Goods exports
$1.53T
2025
$21.1B
2025
Service imports
$602B
2025
$7.07B
2025
Service exports
$518B
2025
$9.33B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.1%
2025
67.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
62.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Latvia
Economic freedom 71.7 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 31/197
Property rights 95.5 88.8
Government integrity 84.5 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 70.9
Tax burden 60.5 70.9
Government spending 28.8 42.7
Fiscal health 83.1 80.8
Business freedom 79.8 80.7
Labor freedom 52.2 60.5
Monetary freedom 72.5 76.3
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Latvia
2026 71.7 71.6
2025 71.6 71.4
2024 72.1 71.5
2023 73.7 72.8
2022 76.1 74.8
2021 72.5 72.3
2020 73.5 71.9
2019 73.5 70.4
2018 74.2 73.6
2017 73.8 74.8
2016 74.4 70.4
2015 73.8 69.7
2014 73.4 68.7
2013 72.8 66.5
2012 71 65.2
2011 71.8 65.8
2010 71.1 66.2
2009 70.5 66.6
2008 70.6 68.3
2007 70.8 67.9
2006 70.8 66.9
2005 68.1 66.3
2004 69.5 67.4
2003 69.7 66
2002 70.4 65
2001 69.5 66.4
2000 65.7 63.4
1999 65.6 64.2
1998 64.3 63.4
1997 67.5 62.4
1996 69.1 55
1995 69.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Latvia
Services, % of GDP
64.5%
2025
64.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.87%
2025
4.01%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$5.03T
2025
$46.1B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$78,140
2025
$45,740
2025
Total reserves including gold
$572B
2025
$6.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2025
95/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$12.9B
2025
$72.5M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$62.6B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$87B
2024
$257M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2025
24.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/latvia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.