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Economy of Montenegro vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Montenegro has a GDP of $9.23B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 155/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Montenegro has $6.19B in government debt (67.1% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

Montenegro vs Serbia GDP by year

Montenegro
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Montenegro Serbia
2025 $9,232,801,465 $99,953,324,473
2024 $8,274,290,506 $90,088,366,320
2023 $7,643,318,276 $81,343,999,280
2022 $6,259,721,790 $66,809,895,701
2021 $5,822,908,964 $66,159,884,073
2020 $4,734,192,593 $55,874,017,669
2019 $5,483,622,632 $53,864,693,665
2018 $5,433,469,311 $52,787,520,249
2017 $4,803,964,684 $45,972,834,714
2016 $4,357,467,226 $42,225,495,910
2015 $4,010,884,107 $41,297,410,635
2014 $4,579,635,404 $49,114,321,280
2013 $4,422,097,042 $50,455,529,604
2012 $4,071,828,832 $45,103,269,969
2011 $4,507,127,585 $51,251,098,408
2010 $4,136,936,244 $43,536,629,233
2009 $4,159,063,347 $46,955,984,410
2008 $4,559,410,049 $54,220,641,202
2007 $3,682,586,459 $44,888,028,946
2006 $2,719,979,875 $33,298,057,362
2005 $2,258,016,380 $28,334,256,181
2004 $2,077,046,942 $26,845,632,342
2003 $1,708,196,981 $23,593,044,418
2002 $1,286,314,054 $17,930,583,571
2001 $1,159,869,246 $13,599,378,662
2000 $984,293,044 $7,326,373,882
1999 $828,950,327 $20,878,694,851
1998 $854,261,161 $21,004,077,441
1997 $838,288,806 $27,153,408,995
1996 - $23,277,430,168
1995 - $17,921,892,655

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Montenegro vs Serbia by year

Montenegro
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Montenegro Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,817 - $15,262 -
2024 $13,270 $34,063 $13,678 $32,832
2023 $12,258 $31,863 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $10,038 $28,050 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $9,316 $23,690 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $7,555 $20,625 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $8,749 $23,706 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $8,674 $21,084 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $7,674 $19,357 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $6,968 $18,030 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $6,421 $16,092 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $7,342 $15,276 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $7,103 $14,692 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $6,552 $13,793 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $7,266 $14,347 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $6,679 $13,612 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $6,727 $12,976 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $7,390 $13,802 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $5,979 $12,452 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $4,423 $10,440 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $3,676 $8,314 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $3,386 $7,841 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $2,790 $7,340 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $2,109 $7,100 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $1,910 $6,772 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $1,627 $6,004 $975 $6,416
1999 $1,368 $5,684 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $1,406 $6,170 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $1,375 $5,798 $3,574 $6,040
1996 - - $3,054 $5,434
1995 - - $2,349 $5,022

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Montenegro's GDP per capita is $14,817, ranking 71/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Montenegro ranks 65th at $34,063, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Montenegro Serbia
Gross domestic product
$9.23B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
155/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
2.74%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,817
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
71/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$34,063
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
65/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$6.19B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.1%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,942
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
61/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,768
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.79B
2012
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2021
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.9%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.5%
2024
7.3%
2025
Population
613759
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Montenegro
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Montenegro Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 43.9% 67.1% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 44.1% 60.8% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 40.4% 59.6% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 42.2% 70.3% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 45.1% 86.2% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 54.9% 108.4% 46% 54.3%
2019 44.4% 79.6% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 47.8% 72.9% 39% 51.1%
2017 47.6% 66.9% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 47.7% 66.7% 40.3% 65%
2015 46.9% 69.5% 41% 67.1%
2014 44.3% 63.6% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 46.3% 59.2% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 45.9% 57.1% 43.3% 58%
2011 45.7% 49% 40% 46%
2010 46.7% 45.1% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 51.5% 43.9% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 51.2% 34.2% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 43.9% 31.8% 40.6% 30%
2006 42.6% 36.7% 41.3% 37%
2005 38.2% 38.6% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 40% 45.4% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 43.3% 48.6% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 37.5% 85.7% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 - - 30.5% 95.9%
2000 - - 28% 200.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Montenegro's government spending was $4.05B, accounting for 43.9% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.1% in Montenegro and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 63/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Montenegro

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Montenegro Serbia
2025 -3.61% -2.21%
2024 -3.44% -1.73%
2023 0.38% -1.21%
2022 -4.05% -0.14%
2021 -1.37% -3.16%
2020 -10.9% -6.91%
2019 -1.74% -0.004%
2018 -6.3% 0.78%
2017 -6.89% 1.32%
2016 -6.21% -1.08%
2015 -6.03% -3.25%
2014 -0.7% -5.61%
2013 -4.54% -4.79%
2012 -5.87% -6.11%
2011 -6.79% -3.75%
2010 -4.88% -3.35%
2009 -6.74% -3.3%
2008 -2.3% -4.25%
2007 8.44% -0.8%
2006 4.34% -0.9%
2005 -1.42% 1.02%
2004 -2.45% 0.06%
2003 -4.06% -2.39%
2002 -1.44% -2.33%
2001 - 0.32%
2000 - -0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Montenegro's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $334M, equivalent to 3.61% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Montenegro recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Montenegro posted an annual deficit equal to 3.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.25% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Montenegro

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Montenegro Serbia
2025 3.9% 3.89%
2024 3.3% 4.67%
2023 8.6% 12.4%
2022 13% 12%
2021 2.4% 4.09%
2020 -0.3% 1.58%
2019 0.4% 1.85%
2018 2.6% 1.96%
2017 2.4% 3.13%
2016 -0.3% 1.12%
2015 1.5% 1.39%
2014 -0.7% 2.08%
2013 2.2% 7.69%
2012 4.1% 7.33%
2011 3.5% 11.1%
2010 0.4% 6.14%
2009 3.6% 8.12%
2008 9% 12.4%
2007 3.4% 6.39%
2006 2.1% 11.7%
2005 3.4% 16.1%
2004 3.1% 11%
2003 7.5% 9.88%
2002 19.7% 19.5%
2001 23.7% 95%
2000 29.9% 71.1%
1999 - 42.5%
1998 - 30.2%
1997 - 23.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Montenegro has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.86%, compared with 13.2% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 3.9% in Montenegro and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Montenegro
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $43.9M
Chemicals & pharma $43.9M
Animal & marine products $29.4M
Machinery & equipment $24.7M
Metals $17.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.5M
Wood & paper products $9.97M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.87M
Weapons & explosives $3.66M
Raw agricultural goods $2.16M
Serbia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $333M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $326M
Chemicals & pharma $256M
Raw materials & minerals $209M
Textiles & consumer goods $182M
Metals $91.2M
Animal & marine products $82.4M
Raw agricultural goods $62.2M
Wood & paper products $59M
Precious metals & jewellery $7.98M

Balance of trade

Montenegro Serbia
Current account balance
-$1.88B
2025
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
140/190
2025
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-20.4%
2025
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$4.91B
2025
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$663M
2025
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$1.24B
2025
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$3.07B
2025
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.7%
2025
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
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.

Montenegro Serbia
Economic freedom 63.8 65
Economic freedom ranking 78/197 68/197
Property rights 60.9 57.2
Government integrity 49.9 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 51.5 50.1
Tax burden 88.7 88
Government spending 47.6 48.2
Fiscal health 86.2 94.3
Business freedom 68.4 73.6
Labor freedom 59.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 75.2 73
Trade freedom 78.4 76.6
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Montenegro
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Montenegro Serbia
2026 63.8 65
2025 63.8 64.4
2024 59.7 62.7
2023 60.9 63.5
2022 57.8 65.2
2021 63.4 67.2
2020 61.5 66
2019 60.5 63.9
2018 64.3 62.5
2017 62 58.9
2016 64.9 62.1
2015 64.7 60
2014 63.6 59.4
2013 62.6 58.6
2012 62.5 58
2011 62.5 58
2010 63.6 56.9
2009 58.2 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 43.5 43.5
2002 46.6 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Montenegro is 63.8, ranking 78/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Montenegro Serbia
Services, % of GDP
63.4%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.3%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$8.82B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$35,700
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.2B
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$601M
2025
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$599M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
15%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2023
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.9%
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/montenegro/serbia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.