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Economy of Germany vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 3/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Germany vs Serbia GDP by year

Germany
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Serbia
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $90,097,765,959
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $81,343,999,280
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $66,809,895,701
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $66,159,884,073
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $55,874,017,669
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $53,864,693,665
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $52,787,520,249
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $45,972,834,714
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $42,225,495,910
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $41,297,410,635
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $49,114,321,280
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $50,455,529,604
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $45,103,269,969
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $51,251,098,408
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $43,536,629,233
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $46,955,984,410
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $54,220,641,202
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $44,888,028,946
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $33,298,057,362
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $28,334,256,181
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $26,845,632,342
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $23,593,044,418
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $17,930,583,571
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $13,599,378,662
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $7,326,373,882
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $20,878,694,851
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $21,004,077,441
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $27,153,408,995
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $23,277,430,168
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $17,921,892,655
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Serbia by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $975 $6,416
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $27,202 $22,869 - -
1993 $25,617 $21,900 - -
1992 $26,560 $21,746 - -
1991 $23,443 $21,001 - -
1990 $22,386 $19,468 - -
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/serbia | CC BY

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Germany Serbia
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
$4.06B
2011
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
7.24%
2024
Population
82575542
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 50.7% 68% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 51.1% 68% 46% 54.3%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 39% 51.1%
2017 44.5% 64% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 40.3% 65%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 41% 67.1%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 40% 42%
2010 48.1% 81% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 40.6% 30%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 41.3% 37%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 47% 65% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 28% 200.6%
1999 48.5% 60.3% - -
1998 48.3% 59.4% - -
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 72/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Serbia
2024 -2.66% -1.75%
2023 -2.49% -1.21%
2022 -1.91% -0.14%
2021 -3.17% -3.16%
2020 -4.38% -6.91%
2019 1.33% -0.004%
2018 1.88% 0.78%
2017 1.34% 1.32%
2016 1.13% -1.08%
2015 0.91% -3.25%
2014 0.73% -5.61%
2013 0.12% -4.79%
2012 -0.05% -6.11%
2011 -0.84% -3.75%
2010 -4.42% -3.35%
2009 -3.18% -3.3%
2008 -0.26% -4.25%
2007 0.15% -0.8%
2006 -1.76% -0.9%
2005 -3.37% 1.02%
2004 -3.42% 0.06%
2003 -3.83% -2.39%
2002 -4.09% -2.33%
2001 -3.12% 0.32%
2000 -1.71% -0.15%
1999 -1.87% -
1998 -2.65% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/germany/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Serbia
2024 2.26% 4.67%
2023 5.95% 12.4%
2022 6.87% 12%
2021 3.07% 4.09%
2020 0.14% 1.58%
2019 1.45% 1.85%
2018 1.73% 1.96%
2017 1.51% 3.13%
2016 0.49% 1.12%
2015 0.51% 1.39%
2014 0.91% 2.08%
2013 1.5% 7.69%
2012 2.01% 7.33%
2011 2.08% 11.1%
2010 1.1% 6.14%
2009 0.31% 8.12%
2008 2.63% 12.4%
2007 2.3% 6.39%
2006 1.58% 11.7%
2005 1.55% 16.1%
2004 1.67% 11%
2003 1.03% 9.88%
2002 1.42% 19.5%
2001 1.98% 95%
2000 1.44% 71.1%
1999 0.59% 42.5%
1998 0.91% 30.2%
1997 1.94% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.64B
Chemicals & pharma $1.01B
Metals $616M
Textiles & consumer goods $347M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $292M
Miscellaneous $234M
Raw materials & minerals $167M
Wood & paper products $147M
Animal & marine products $95.2M
Raw agricultural goods $33.3M
Serbia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.86B
Metals $421M
Chemicals & pharma $381M
Business & finance services $298M
Transport & tourism services $266M
Textiles & consumer goods $238M
IT & IP services $228M
Raw agricultural goods $228M
Raw materials & minerals $216M
Manufacturing & construction services $203M

Balance of trade

Germany Serbia
Current account balance
$270B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Germany Serbia
Economic freedom 71.7 65
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 68/197
Property rights 95.5 57.2
Government integrity 84.5 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 50.1
Tax burden 60.5 88
Government spending 28.8 48.2
Fiscal health 83.1 94.3
Business freedom 79.8 73.6
Labor freedom 52.2 61.8
Monetary freedom 72.5 73
Trade freedom 79.4 76.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Serbia
2026 71.7 65
2025 71.6 64.4
2024 72.1 62.7
2023 73.7 63.5
2022 76.1 65.2
2021 72.5 67.2
2020 73.5 66
2019 73.5 63.9
2018 74.2 62.5
2017 73.8 58.9
2016 74.4 62.1
2015 73.8 60
2014 73.4 59.4
2013 72.8 58.6
2012 71 58
2011 71.8 58
2010 71.1 56.9
2009 70.5 56.6
2008 70.6 -
2007 70.8 -
2006 70.8 -
2005 68.1 -
2004 69.5 -
2003 69.7 43.5
2002 70.4 46.6
2001 69.5 -
2000 65.7 -
1999 65.6 -
1998 64.3 -
1997 67.5 -
1996 69.1 -
1995 69.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Germany Serbia
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/germany/serbia | 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 (1880–1990, 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 (2021–2024, 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.

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.