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Economy of Hungary vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Hungary has a GDP of $246B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 55/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $185B in government debt (75.2% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

Hungary vs Serbia GDP by year

Hungary
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Serbia
2025 $246,490,213,513 $99,953,324,473
2024 $222,848,211,034 $90,088,366,320
2023 $213,029,511,029 $81,343,999,280
2022 $177,002,580,544 $66,809,895,701
2021 $183,282,685,440 $66,159,884,073
2020 $158,468,487,754 $55,874,017,669
2019 $164,936,682,034 $53,864,693,665
2018 $161,184,691,014 $52,787,520,249
2017 $143,335,098,992 $45,972,834,714
2016 $128,983,560,865 $42,225,495,910
2015 $125,244,126,623 $41,297,410,635
2014 $141,128,696,412 $49,114,321,280
2013 $135,646,053,779 $50,455,529,604
2012 $128,470,269,690 $45,103,269,969
2011 $141,712,804,954 $51,251,098,408
2010 $131,898,737,241 $43,536,629,233
2009 $130,807,441,076 $46,955,984,410
2008 $158,228,265,916 $54,220,641,202
2007 $140,123,326,896 $44,888,028,946
2006 $115,604,111,412 $33,298,057,362
2005 $113,098,237,571 $28,334,256,181
2004 $104,015,363,080 $26,845,632,342
2003 $85,190,469,121 $23,593,044,418
2002 $67,636,468,625 $17,930,583,571
2001 $53,800,068,066 $13,599,378,662
2000 $47,275,954,429 $7,326,373,882
1999 $49,160,204,397 $20,878,694,851
1998 $48,784,412,624 $21,004,077,441
1997 $47,398,564,799 $27,153,408,995
1996 $46,833,767,124 $23,277,430,168
1995 $46,577,614,589 $17,921,892,655
1994 $43,307,949,890 -
1993 $40,256,233,360 -
1992 $38,857,339,125 -
1991 $34,867,307,353 -
1990 $34,478,360,679 -
1989 $30,422,508,938 -
1988 $29,799,838,597 -
1987 $27,232,016,527 -
1986 $24,778,163,812 -
1985 $21,510,643,750 -
1984 $21,242,726,264 -
1983 $21,910,365,258 -
1982 $24,141,667,188 -
1981 $23,705,883,892 -
1980 $23,116,977,148 -
1979 $19,959,731,325 -
1978 $17,286,744,154 -
1977 $14,783,674,055 -
1976 $13,235,612,079 -
1975 $11,420,392,515 -
1974 $10,016,338,179 -
1973 $9,138,292,402 -
1972 $7,379,313,742 -
1971 $6,291,568,221 -
1970 $5,780,929,203 -
1969 $5,429,812,387 -
1968 $4,886,222,555 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Serbia by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $25,907 - $15,262 -
2024 $23,305 $48,552 $13,678 $32,832
2023 $22,209 $46,592 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $975 $6,416
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $4,187 $8,888 - -
1993 $3,887 $8,441 - -
1992 $3,747 $8,284 - -
1991 $3,361 $8,352 - -
1990 $3,324 $9,169 - -
1989 $2,902 - - -
1988 $2,812 - - -
1987 $2,566 - - -
1986 $2,331 - - -
1985 $2,020 - - -
1984 $1,991 - - -
1983 $2,050 - - -
1982 $2,255 - - -
1981 $2,213 - - -
1980 $2,158 - - -
1979 $1,865 - - -
1978 $1,618 - - -
1977 $1,388 - - -
1976 $1,249 - - -
1975 $1,083 - - -
1974 $956 - - -
1973 $876 - - -
1972 $710 - - -
1971 $607 - - -
1970 $559 - - -
1969 $527 - - -
1968 $476 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Hungary's GDP per capita is $25,907, ranking 52/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Hungary Serbia
Gross domestic product
$246B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
55/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
0.51%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$25,907
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
52/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$185B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
75.2%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$19,473
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
33/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,331
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$62.6B
2025
$4.06B
2011
Number of millionaires
27,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.5%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.41%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.25%
2026
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
7.3%
2025
Population
9454659
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 47.5% 75.2% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 46.9% 73.5% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 49.3% 73.2% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 48.9% 74.1% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 51% 78.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 45.8% 65% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 39% 51.1%
2017 46.6% 72% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 40.3% 65%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 41% 67.1%
2014 50% 76.5% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 43.3% 58%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 40% 46%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 40.6% 30%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 41.3% 37%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 51% 55.6% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 28% 200.6%
1999 48.9% 60.3% - -
1998 50.7% 60.4% - -
1997 49.5% 62.2% - -
1996 50.9% 71.2% - -
1995 55% 83.9% - -
1994 - 86.2% - -
1993 - 87.2% - -
1992 - 76.5% - -
1991 - 74.2% - -
1990 - 63.7% - -
1989 - 70.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Hungary's government spending was $117B, accounting for 47.5% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 75.2% in Hungary and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 50/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Serbia
2025 -4.68% -2.21%
2024 -4.9% -1.73%
2023 -6.77% -1.21%
2022 -6.19% -0.14%
2021 -7.11% -3.16%
2020 -7.49% -6.91%
2019 -2.02% -0.004%
2018 -2.05% 0.78%
2017 -2.45% 1.32%
2016 -1.79% -1.08%
2015 -2% -3.25%
2014 -2.77% -5.61%
2013 -2.6% -4.79%
2012 -2.33% -6.11%
2011 -5.22% -3.75%
2010 -4.44% -3.35%
2009 -4.76% -3.3%
2008 -3.78% -4.25%
2007 -5.09% -0.8%
2006 -9.27% -0.9%
2005 -7.79% 1.02%
2004 -6.6% 0.06%
2003 -7.19% -2.39%
2002 -8.79% -2.33%
2001 -4% 0.32%
2000 -3.04% -0.15%
1999 -5.27% -
1998 -7.41% -
1997 -5.54% -
1996 -4.36% -
1995 -8.57% -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1943, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.5B, equivalent to 4.68% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 4.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Serbia
2025 4.41% 3.89%
2024 3.7% 4.67%
2023 17.1% 12.4%
2022 14.6% 12%
2021 5.11% 4.09%
2020 3.33% 1.58%
2019 3.34% 1.85%
2018 2.85% 1.96%
2017 2.35% 3.13%
2016 0.39% 1.12%
2015 -0.06% 1.39%
2014 -0.23% 2.08%
2013 1.73% 7.69%
2012 5.65% 7.33%
2011 3.93% 11.1%
2010 4.86% 6.14%
2009 4.21% 8.12%
2008 6.04% 12.4%
2007 7.96% 6.39%
2006 3.93% 11.7%
2005 3.56% 16.1%
2004 6.74% 11%
2003 4.66% 9.88%
2002 5.27% 19.5%
2001 9.12% 95%
2000 9.8% 71.1%
1999 10% 42.5%
1998 14.2% 30.2%
1997 18.3% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.1%, compared with 15.2% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 4.41% in Hungary and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.01B
Raw materials & minerals $839M
Chemicals & pharma $577M
Textiles & consumer goods $280M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $247M
Wood & paper products $96.8M
Metals $92.3M
Raw agricultural goods $79.9M
Animal & marine products $70.7M
Miscellaneous $10.5M
Serbia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $855M
Raw materials & minerals $287M
Transport & tourism services $143M
Chemicals & pharma $138M
Metals $128M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $93.1M
Raw agricultural goods $61.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $59.2M
Wood & paper products $53.3M
Business & finance services $41.4M

Balance of trade

Hungary Serbia
Current account balance
$4.08B
2025
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
34/190
2025
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.65%
2025
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$136B
2025
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$29.8B
2025
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$43.1B
2025
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2025
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.6%
2025
54.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Hungary Serbia
Economic freedom 62.5 65
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 68/197
Property rights 67.3 57.2
Government integrity 44 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 50.1
Tax burden 85.1 88
Government spending 30.2 48.2
Fiscal health 32.7 94.3
Business freedom 70.8 73.6
Labor freedom 56.5 61.8
Monetary freedom 72.1 73
Trade freedom 79.4 76.6
Investment freedom 80 70
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Serbia
2026 62.5 65
2025 61.4 64.4
2024 61.2 62.7
2023 64.1 63.5
2022 66.9 65.2
2021 67.2 67.2
2020 66.4 66
2019 65 63.9
2018 66.7 62.5
2017 65.8 58.9
2016 66 62.1
2015 66.8 60
2014 67 59.4
2013 67.3 58.6
2012 67.1 58
2011 66.6 58
2010 66.1 56.9
2009 66.8 56.6
2008 67.6 -
2007 64.8 -
2006 65 -
2005 63.5 -
2004 62.7 -
2003 63 43.5
2002 64.5 46.6
2001 65.6 -
2000 64.4 -
1999 59.6 -
1998 56.9 -
1997 55.3 -
1996 56.8 -
1995 55.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Hungary Serbia
Services, % of GDP
60.1%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.65%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$227B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,630
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$59.1B
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$9.1B
2025
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$61.3B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$76.3B
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2025
23.4%
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/hungary/serbia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.