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Economy of Germany vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 3/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Germany vs Poland GDP by year

Germany
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Poland
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $917,767,106,147
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $812,451,193,396
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $695,607,470,875
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $689,170,230,665
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $605,914,237,904
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $602,683,770,145
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $594,616,687,350
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $528,356,676,667
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $473,259,583,970
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $480,054,118,583
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $542,134,167,179
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $518,179,836,405
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $498,148,649,703
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $527,848,543,023
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $478,111,630,684
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $440,891,472,247
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $535,612,030,672
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $429,715,132,138
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $345,897,630,736
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $306,999,913,151
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $256,268,656,145
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $218,561,225,998
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $199,694,463,256
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $191,823,200,371
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $172,953,527,033
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $170,704,452,715
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $175,282,269,667
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $159,893,964,917
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $160,813,026,223
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $142,838,527,115
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $110,803,635,288
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $96,043,157,273
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $94,337,050,693
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $85,500,935,935
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $65,977,748,211
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Poland by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $1,731 $6,185
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Germany Poland
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
$197B
2024
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
82575542
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 50.7% 68% 43.6% 53%
2020 51.1% 68% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 41% 48.2%
2017 44.5% 64% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 48.1% 81% 46% 53.7%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 44% 46.6%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 47% 65% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 48.5% 60.3% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 48.3% 59.4% 44% 38.7%
1997 48.8% 58.8% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 49.6% 57.7% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 55.2% 54.9% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 48.3% 47.5% - 64.3%
1993 48.3% 45.1% - 83.9%
1992 47.4% 41.4% - 81.9%
1991 46.5% 39% - 76.9%
1990 44.7% 40.7% - 89.7%
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% 35.6% -
1978 47.7% 27.4% 35.8% -
1977 49% 26% 35.6% -
1976 49.4% 25.1% 34.8% -
1975 50.3% 23.7% 34.1% -
1974 46% 18.5% 28.6% -
1973 42.4% 17.3% 24.5% -
1972 41.8% 18% 24.1% -
1971 40.9% 17.7% 24.1% -
1970 39.5% 17.7% 25.8% -
1969 29.7% 20.3% 26.3% -
1968 28.5% 22.5% 27.3% -
1967 28.8% 22.5% 29.6% -
1966 28.3% 19.8% 31.7% -
1965 28.4% 18.7% 31.8% -
1964 29% 18.2% 33.5% -
1963 29.1% 18.1% 33.3% -
1962 29.2% 17.6% 43% -
1961 28.8% 18.7% 42.8% -
1960 22.9% 18.4% 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 72/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Poland
2024 -2.66% -6.59%
2023 -2.49% -5.27%
2022 -1.91% -3.44%
2021 -3.17% -1.75%
2020 -4.38% -6.85%
2019 1.33% -0.73%
2018 1.88% -0.24%
2017 1.34% -1.49%
2016 1.13% -2.38%
2015 0.91% -2.59%
2014 0.73% -3.66%
2013 0.12% -4.25%
2012 -0.05% -3.8%
2011 -0.84% -4.97%
2010 -4.42% -7.43%
2009 -3.18% -7.24%
2008 -0.26% -3.6%
2007 0.15% -1.88%
2006 -1.76% -3.53%
2005 -3.37% -3.93%
2004 -3.42% -4.99%
2003 -3.83% -6.02%
2002 -4.09% -4.8%
2001 -3.12% -4.73%
2000 -1.71% -4%
1999 -1.87% -2.3%
1998 -2.65% -4.25%
1997 -3.03% -4.61%
1996 -3.64% -4.84%
1995 -9.44% -4.39%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $125B, equivalent to 2.66% of GDP. This compares to Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Poland
2024 2.26% 3.78%
2023 5.95% 11.5%
2022 6.87% 14.4%
2021 3.07% 5.06%
2020 0.14% 3.37%
2019 1.45% 2.23%
2018 1.73% 1.81%
2017 1.51% 2.08%
2016 0.49% -0.66%
2015 0.51% -0.87%
2014 0.91% 0.05%
2013 1.5% 0.99%
2012 2.01% 3.56%
2011 2.08% 4.24%
2010 1.1% 2.58%
2009 0.31% 3.8%
2008 2.63% 4.16%
2007 2.3% 2.46%
2006 1.58% 1.28%
2005 1.55% 2.18%
2004 1.67% 3.38%
2003 1.03% 0.68%
2002 1.42% 1.91%
2001 1.98% 5.41%
2000 1.44% 9.9%
1999 0.59% 7.15%
1998 0.91% 11.6%
1997 1.94% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $41.1B
Chemicals & pharma $14.4B
Textiles & consumer goods $12.3B
Metals $9.92B
Raw materials & minerals $7.26B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.37B
Wood & paper products $3.7B
Miscellaneous $3.48B
Transport & tourism services $2.08B
Animal & marine products $1.8B
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $40.5B
Textiles & consumer goods $17.4B
Chemicals & pharma $11.1B
Metals $9.3B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.56B
Wood & paper products $5B
Raw materials & minerals $3.84B
Animal & marine products $3.81B
Raw agricultural goods $2.4B
Transport & tourism services $1.09B

Balance of trade

Germany Poland
Current account balance
$270B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Germany Poland
Economic freedom 71.7 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 46/197
Property rights 95.5 71.8
Government integrity 84.5 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 62.5
Tax burden 60.5 72.7
Government spending 28.8 35.1
Fiscal health 83.1 74.8
Business freedom 79.8 77.5
Labor freedom 52.2 53.7
Monetary freedom 72.5 73.8
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Poland
2026 71.7 68.5
2025 71.6 67.1
2024 72.1 66
2023 73.7 67.7
2022 76.1 68.7
2021 72.5 69.7
2020 73.5 69.1
2019 73.5 67.8
2018 74.2 68.5
2017 73.8 68.3
2016 74.4 69.3
2015 73.8 68.6
2014 73.4 67
2013 72.8 66
2012 71 64.2
2011 71.8 64.1
2010 71.1 63.2
2009 70.5 60.3
2008 70.6 60.3
2007 70.8 58.1
2006 70.8 59.3
2005 68.1 59.6
2004 69.5 58.7
2003 69.7 61.8
2002 70.4 65
2001 69.5 61.8
2000 65.7 60
1999 65.6 59.6
1998 64.3 59.2
1997 67.5 56.8
1996 69.1 57.8
1995 69.8 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, 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

Germany Poland
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/germany/poland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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)

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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.