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Economy of Libya vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 95/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Libya
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya North Macedonia
2024 $48,487,151,215 $16,951,682,245
2023 $44,027,664,915 $15,855,131,189
2022 $43,246,297,922 $13,932,436,550
2021 $35,217,995,647 $14,000,283,827
2020 $46,854,285,441 $12,361,036,914
2019 $69,254,496,472 $12,606,338,449
2018 $76,686,029,772 $12,683,068,114
2017 $67,157,452,182 $11,307,067,070
2016 $49,912,073,701 $10,672,467,073
2015 $48,717,501,321 $10,064,519,963
2014 $57,372,355,592 $11,362,265,253
2013 $75,351,107,029 $10,817,702,346
2012 $92,540,938,129 $9,745,261,301
2011 $48,169,263,294 $10,494,626,768
2010 $75,380,825,062 $9,407,170,321
2009 $60,808,562,033 $9,401,736,825
2008 $86,710,767,415 $9,909,552,435
2007 $68,032,978,391 $8,336,474,974
2006 $60,094,231,607 $6,861,226,972
2005 $47,334,691,241 $6,258,602,873
2004 $33,122,307,692 $5,682,784,472
2003 $26,265,625,000 $4,946,296,599
2002 $20,481,889,764 $4,018,365,747
2001 $34,112,093,927 $3,709,636,031
2000 $38,270,954,138 $3,772,859,034
1999 $35,975,860,857 $3,863,619,285
1998 $27,251,301,398 $3,765,745,023
1997 $30,700,897,875 $3,912,986,091
1996 $27,884,615,385 $4,642,021,256
1995 $25,541,379,187 $4,707,041,315
1994 $28,610,549,763 $3,559,608,640
1993 $30,660,051,911 $2,682,456,897
1992 $33,887,047,909 $2,436,849,342
1991 $31,991,821,265 $4,938,775,510
1990 $28,904,183,602 $4,699,646,643
1989 $25,156,707,899 -
1988 $24,308,959,591 -
1987 $26,697,659,335 -
1986 $24,180,400,959 -
1985 $31,530,566,324 -
1984 $29,476,109,153 -
1983 $33,200,520,140 -
1982 $33,760,146,991 -
1981 $36,374,353,880 -
1980 $40,953,924,949 -
1979 $30,536,429,497 -
1978 $22,136,422,643 -
1977 $22,428,297,108 -
1976 $19,096,943,017 -
1975 $14,710,912,458 -
1974 $15,112,543,717 -
1973 $8,625,889,430 -
1972 $6,299,395,544 -
1971 $5,260,185,125 -
1970 $4,601,649,451 -
1969 $4,380,987,481 -
1968 $3,850,623,095 -
1967 $2,726,986,913 -
1966 $2,312,438,536 -
1965 $1,804,979,680 -
1964 $1,341,395,421 -
1963 $892,327,911 -
1962 $619,725,785 -
1961 $443,905,612 -
1960 $401,644,249 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Libya vs North Macedonia by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $5,793 - - -
1988 $5,736 - - -
1987 $6,465 - - -
1986 $6,019 - - -
1985 $8,087 - - -
1984 $7,811 - - -
1983 $8,927 - - -
1982 $9,064 - - -
1981 $10,044 - - -
1980 $11,960 - - -
1979 $9,443 - - -
1978 $7,252 - - -
1977 $7,783 - - -
1976 $7,018 - - -
1975 $5,721 - - -
1974 $6,214 - - -
1973 $3,727 - - -
1972 $2,830 - - -
1971 $2,443 - - -
1970 $2,210 - - -
1969 $2,175 - - -
1968 $1,972 - - -
1967 $1,437 - - -
1966 $1,251 - - -
1965 $1,001 - - -
1964 $765 - - -
1963 $528 - - -
1962 $382 - - -
1961 $285.3 - - -
1960 $269 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/north-macedonia | CC BY

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Libya North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$7,534
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
12.3%
2024
Population
7559873
1805954

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya North Macedonia
2024 -25.1% -4.45%
2023 8.22% -4.61%
2022 23.6% -5.23%
2021 14.8% -5.32%
2020 -22.3% -8.05%
2019 11.9% -1.97%
2018 9.39% -1.76%
2017 -11.1% -2.73%
2016 -29.3% -2.7%
2015 -28.5% -3.48%
2014 -30.5% -4.19%
2013 -16.3% -3.84%
2012 24.6% -3.81%
2011 -11.5% -2.47%
2010 11.5% -2.41%
2009 -5.46% -2.63%
2008 27.7% -0.93%
2007 28.4% 0.58%
2006 29.1% -0.51%
2005 30.4% 0.21%
2004 11.3% 0.37%
2003 6.17% -0.07%
2002 6.99% -5.24%
2001 0.07% -5.88%
2000 13.6% 2.37%
1999 5.69% 0.03%
1998 -2.36% -1.63%
1997 -2.1% -0.36%
1996 11.3% -
1995 3.8% -
1994 -2.67% -
1993 -5.77% -
1992 0.11% -
1991 8.41% -
1990 3.36% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.1B, equivalent to 25.1% of GDP. This compares to North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.82% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya North Macedonia
2024 2.13% 3.5%
2023 2.37% 9.4%
2022 4.51% 14.2%
2021 2.87% 3.2%
2020 1.45% 1.2%
2019 -2.16% 0.8%
2018 13.2% 1.5%
2017 25.8% 1.4%
2016 25.9% -0.2%
2015 10.4% -0.3%
2014 2.43% -0.3%
2013 2.61% 2.8%
2012 6.06% 3.3%
2011 15.5% 3.9%
2010 2.8% 1.5%
2009 2.46% -0.7%
2008 10.4% 8.3%
2007 6.25% 2.3%
2006 1.46% 3.2%
2005 2.65% 0.5%
2004 -2.2% -0.4%
2003 -2.19% 0.9%
2002 -9.8% 1.1%
2001 -8.81% 5.2%
2000 -2.9% 6.6%
1999 2.65% -1.3%
1998 3.71% 0.5%
1997 3.55% 1.3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $356K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $214K
Machinery & equipment $208K
Raw materials & minerals $149K
Textiles & consumer goods $49K
Metals $23K
Raw agricultural goods $20K
Animal & marine products $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Libya North Macedonia
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
2024
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya North Macedonia
Economic freedom 35.9 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 81/197
Property rights 6.3 56.2
Government integrity 10.3 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 49.5
Tax burden 95 94.9
Government spending 0 61.7
Fiscal health 19.9 57.7
Business freedom 32.4 72.2
Labor freedom 48.2 51.4
Monetary freedom 75.2 69.6
Trade freedom 80 77.8
Investment freedom 5 65
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya North Macedonia
2026 - 63.3
2025 - 63.2
2024 - 61.4
2023 - 63.7
2022 - 65.7
2021 - 68.6
2020 - 69.5
2019 - 71.1
2018 - 71.3
2017 - 70.7
2016 - 67.5
2015 - 67.1
2014 - 68.6
2013 - 68.2
2012 35.9 68.5
2011 38.6 66
2010 40.2 65.7
2009 43.5 61.2
2008 38.7 61.1
2007 37 60.6
2006 33.2 59.2
2005 32.8 56.1
2004 31.5 56.8
2003 34.6 60.1
2002 35.4 58
2001 34 -
2000 34.7 -
1999 32.3 -
1998 32 -
1997 28.9 -
1996 31.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/libya/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Libya North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
30.6%
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/libya/north-macedonia | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.