Skip to content

Economy of New Zealand vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has a GDP of $260B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 52/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

New Zealand has $131B in government debt (50.2% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

New Zealand vs Serbia GDP by year

New Zealand
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
New Zealand Serbia
2024 $260,172,385,098 $90,097,765,959
2023 $255,194,972,673 $81,343,999,280
2022 $249,509,991,440 $66,809,895,701
2021 $253,977,931,815 $66,159,884,073
2020 $213,029,554,654 $55,874,017,669
2019 $213,006,341,102 $53,864,693,665
2018 $211,985,631,173 $52,787,520,249
2017 $206,745,969,246 $45,972,834,714
2016 $189,100,085,275 $42,225,495,910
2015 $178,224,167,088 $41,297,410,635
2014 $201,518,402,787 $49,114,321,280
2013 $191,012,364,177 $50,455,529,604
2012 $176,560,711,239 $45,103,269,969
2011 $168,484,908,960 $51,251,098,408
2010 $146,887,902,524 $43,536,629,233
2009 $121,663,439,315 $46,955,984,410
2008 $133,437,126,590 $54,220,641,202
2007 $137,188,946,866 $44,888,028,946
2006 $111,538,810,713 $33,298,057,362
2005 $114,720,129,550 $28,334,256,181
2004 $103,905,210,084 $26,845,632,342
2003 $88,250,885,550 $23,593,044,418
2002 $66,627,729,311 $17,930,583,571
2001 $53,872,425,917 $13,599,378,662
2000 $52,623,281,957 $7,326,373,882
1999 $58,762,260,626 $20,878,694,851
1998 $56,227,169,851 $21,004,077,441
1997 $66,075,143,415 $27,153,408,995
1996 $70,140,835,299 $23,277,430,168
1995 $63,918,703,507 $17,921,892,655
1994 $55,314,732,279 -
1993 $46,775,620,817 -
1992 $41,649,829,860 -
1991 $42,745,329,732 -
1990 $45,495,129,385 -
1989 $43,920,222,525 -
1988 $45,176,811,594 -
1987 $40,376,354,070 -
1986 $30,604,668,357 -
1985 $24,679,795,396 -
1984 $21,665,975,319 -
1983 $24,309,279,706 -
1982 $24,164,603,059 -
1981 $24,417,617,184 -
1980 $23,244,547,385 -
1979 $20,731,243,113 -
1978 $18,530,518,395 -
1977 $15,446,825,318 -
1976 $13,604,832,424 -
1975 $12,861,983,284 -
1974 $13,940,981,798 -
1973 $12,802,281,898 -
1972 $9,567,331,065 -
1971 $7,911,136,757 -
1970 $6,495,605,331 -
1969 $5,814,357,709 -
1968 $5,228,045,415 -
1967 $6,016,017,227 -
1966 $5,917,437,693 -
1965 $5,706,251,400 -
1964 $7,340,766,415 -
1963 $6,699,741,645 -
1962 $6,133,158,532 -
1961 $5,721,994,864 -
1960 $5,536,098,360 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in New Zealand vs Serbia by year

New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
New Zealand Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $49,205 $55,551 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $49,076 $54,697 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $49,100 $54,034 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $49,950 $48,249 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $41,998 $45,513 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $42,856 $45,278 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $43,257 $42,527 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $42,950 $42,244 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $40,114 $39,989 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $38,665 $37,513 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $44,618 $37,331 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $43,000 $36,263 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $40,054 $33,055 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $38,432 $32,739 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $33,762 $31,305 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $28,277 $30,746 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $31,325 $29,896 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $32,480 $29,331 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $26,655 $27,732 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $27,751 $25,677 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $25,420 $25,124 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $21,914 $23,996 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $16,874 $23,306 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $13,883 $22,511 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $13,641 $21,500 $975 $6,416
1999 $15,322 $20,579 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $14,738 $19,323 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $17,474 $19,100 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $18,794 $18,392 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $17,400 $17,864 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $15,280 $17,108 - -
1993 $13,094 $15,900 - -
1992 $11,793 $14,877 - -
1991 $12,230 $14,501 - -
1990 $13,663 $14,812 - -
1989 $13,312 - - -
1988 $13,759 - - -
1987 $12,331 - - -
1986 $9,428 - - -
1985 $7,601 - - -
1984 $6,714 - - -
1983 $7,598 - - -
1982 $7,656 - - -
1981 $7,814 - - -
1980 $7,467 - - -
1979 $6,668 - - -
1978 $5,937 - - -
1977 $4,951 - - -
1976 $4,374 - - -
1975 $4,172 - - -
1974 $4,611 - - -
1973 $4,323 - - -
1972 $3,295 - - -
1971 $2,773 - - -
1970 $2,311 - - -
1969 $2,097 - - -
1968 $1,902 - - -
1967 $2,208 - - -
1966 $2,211 - - -
1965 $2,171 - - -
1964 $2,839 - - -
1963 $2,646 - - -
1962 $2,471 - - -
1961 $2,365 - - -
1960 $2,334 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

New Zealand's GDP per capita is $49,205, ranking 26/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

New Zealand Serbia
Gross domestic product
$260B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
52/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
1.29%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$49,205
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
26/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
38/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$131B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.2%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$24,722
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,758
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$92.9B
2024
$4.06B
2011
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.92%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.25%
2025
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.76%
2024
7.24%
2024
Population
5374272
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

New Zealand
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
New Zealand Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 41.9% 50.2% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 41.2% 46.9% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 41.8% 46.9% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 41.9% 47.5% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 42% 43.2% 46% 54.3%
2019 38.8% 31.8% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 36.1% 28.1% 39% 51.1%
2017 35.6% 31.1% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 36.4% 33.3% 40.3% 65%
2015 37.2% 34.2% 41% 67.1%
2014 37.7% 34.2% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 38.6% 34.5% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 39.7% 35.7% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 42.4% 34.7% 40% 42%
2010 42.9% 29.6% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 40.3% 24.3% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 38.5% 19% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 37.1% 16.3% 40.6% 30%
2006 37.9% 18.4% 41.3% 37%
2005 37.1% 20.8% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 36.2% 22.5% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 36.7% 24.7% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 36.8% 26.4% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 37.2% 28.2% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 38.3% 30% 28% 200.6%
1999 39.3% 32% - -
1998 40.1% 34.5% - -
1997 39.3% 34.6% - -
1996 39.9% 37.3% - -
1995 41.6% 43.5% - -
1994 42.8% 48.9% - -
1993 46.8% 54.6% - -
1992 52.5% 58.7% - -
1991 53% 58% - -
1990 49.6% 55.5% - -
1989 47.8% 54.9% - -
1988 46.1% 54.7% - -
1987 46.1% 62.9% - -
1986 46.9% 68.5% - -
1985 46.2% 64.1% - -
1984 40.7% 62.8% - -
1983 41.4% 59.6% - -
1982 39.9% 51.5% - -
1981 39.1% 50.5% - -
1980 38% 52.2% - -
1979 38.4% 52% - -
1978 36.6% 50% - -
1977 30% 44.6% - -
1976 31.6% 47.6% - -
1975 30.1% 41.4% - -
1974 27.3% 39.6% - -
1973 27.1% 44% - -
1972 26.4% 46% - -
1971 26.8% 71.3% - -
1970 24.8% 76.5% - -
1969 25.9% 85.8% - -
1968 26.2% 86.5% - -
1967 26% 59.7% - -
1966 25% 58.2% - -
1965 24.9% 59.6% - -
1964 19.4% 61.8% - -
1963 19.4% 64.5% - -
1962 21.6% 65% - -
1961 21.1% 64.6% - -
1960 25.3% 68.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, New Zealand's government spending was $109B, accounting for 41.9% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.2% in New Zealand and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 107/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
New Zealand

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
New Zealand Serbia
2024 -3.61% -1.75%
2023 -3.54% -1.21%
2022 -4.16% -0.14%
2021 -3.5% -3.16%
2020 -4.35% -6.91%
2019 -2.5% -0.004%
2018 1.27% 0.78%
2017 1.36% 1.32%
2016 0.98% -1.08%
2015 0.36% -3.25%
2014 -0.34% -5.61%
2013 -1.29% -4.79%
2012 -2.19% -6.11%
2011 -4.96% -3.75%
2010 -5.51% -3.35%
2009 -1.81% -3.3%
2008 1.47% -4.25%
2007 3.6% -0.8%
2006 4.62% -0.9%
2005 5.13% 1.02%
2004 4.49% 0.06%
2003 3.68% -2.39%
2002 2.55% -2.33%
2001 1.29% 0.32%
2000 0.17% -0.15%
1999 -1.11% -
1998 -0.48% -
1997 1.23% -
1996 2.58% -
1995 3.7% -
1994 1.99% -
1993 -1.53% -
1992 -6.27% -
1991 -6.14% -
1990 -2.74% -
1989 -2.16% -
1988 -1.88% -
1987 -3.43% -
1986 -5.33% -
1985 -6.97% -
1984 -8.68% -
1983 -6.64% -
1982 -6.26% -
1981 -6.02% -
1980 -4.9% -
1979 -6.55% -
1978 -3.41% -
1977 -1.09% -
1976 -2.07% -
1975 0.11% -
1974 0.03% -
1973 -0.07% -
1972 0.12% -
1971 0.09% -
1970 -0.05% -
1969 0.17% -
1968 0.03% -
1967 0.02% -
1966 0.09% -
1965 0.26% -
1964 -0.08% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 0.02% -
1961 0.03% -
1960 0.05% -
1959 0.03% -
1958 -0.02% -
1957 0.32% -
1956 1.33% -
1955 0.73% -
1954 0.22% -
1953 0.43% -
1952 1.73% -
1951 1.17% -
1950 0.78% -
1949 0.53% -
1948 0.36% -
1947 1.07% -
1946 0.31% -
1945 0.32% -
1944 0.59% -
1943 1.24% -
1942 0.56% -
1941 0.64% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 0.34% -
1938 0.38% -
1937 0.23% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 1.19% -
1934 -0.55% -
1933 0.02% -
1932 -1.77% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 0.09% -
1929 -0.37% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.4% -
1926 0.72% -
1925 0.78% -
1924 1.2% -
1923 0.95% -
1922 -0.2% -
1921 3.55% -
1920 1.51% -
1919 2.9% -
1918 4.35% -
1917 3.89% -
1916 1.46% -
1915 0.06% -
1914 0.45% -
1913 0.79% -
1912 0.89% -
1911 1.24% -
1910 0.36% -
1909 0.31% -
1908 1.26% -
1907 1.13% -
1906 0.97% -
1905 1.41% -
1904 1.42% -
1903 0.55% -
1902 0.63% -
1901 1.11% -
1900 1.59% -
1899 1.15% -
1898 1.38% -
1897 0.86% -
1896 0.65% -
1895 0.32% -
1894 0.76% -
1893 1.14% -
1892 0.09% -
1891 0.46% -
1890 0.05% -
1889 0.59% -
1888 -1.64% -
1887 -1.63% -
1886 -0.53% -
1885 -0.47% -
1884 -0.1% -
1883 0.38% -
1882 0.18% -
1881 -2.33% -
1880 -2.39% -
1879 -0.55% -
1878 -0.85% -
1877 -2.53% -
1876 -5.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, New Zealand's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.38B, equivalent to 3.61% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, New Zealand recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, New Zealand posted an annual deficit equal to 0.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
New Zealand

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
New Zealand Serbia
2024 2.92% 4.67%
2023 5.73% 12.4%
2022 7.17% 12%
2021 3.94% 4.09%
2020 1.71% 1.58%
2019 1.62% 1.85%
2018 1.6% 1.96%
2017 1.85% 3.13%
2016 0.65% 1.12%
2015 0.29% 1.39%
2014 1.23% 2.08%
2013 1.13% 7.69%
2012 1.06% 7.33%
2011 4.03% 11.1%
2010 2.3% 6.14%
2009 2.12% 8.12%
2008 3.96% 12.4%
2007 2.38% 6.39%
2006 3.37% 11.7%
2005 3.04% 16.1%
2004 2.29% 11%
2003 1.75% 9.88%
2002 2.68% 19.5%
2001 2.63% 95%
2000 2.62% 71.1%
1999 -0.11% 42.5%
1998 1.27% 30.2%
1997 1.19% 23.3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, New Zealand has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.37%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 2.92% in New Zealand and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

New Zealand
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.28M
Transport & tourism services $1M
Chemicals & pharma $982K
Machinery & equipment $408K
Animal & marine products $210K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $1.22M
IT & IP services $1.12M
Raw agricultural goods $1.09M
Machinery & equipment $871K
Raw materials & minerals $700K
Chemicals & pharma $238K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $139K
Textiles & consumer goods $74K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

New Zealand Serbia
Current account balance
-$12.1B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
178/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.65%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$47.3B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$43.3B
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$19.5B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$18.9B
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.4%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.8%
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.

New Zealand Serbia
Economic freedom 77.8 65
Economic freedom ranking 13/197 68/197
Property rights 85.4 57.2
Government integrity 90 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.9 50.1
Tax burden 66.1 88
Government spending 48 48.2
Fiscal health 72.2 94.3
Business freedom 89.1 73.6
Labor freedom 68.6 61.8
Monetary freedom 77.4 73
Trade freedom 90.6 76.6
Investment freedom 70 70
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

New Zealand
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
New Zealand Serbia
2026 77.8 65
2025 78.1 64.4
2024 77.8 62.7
2023 78.9 63.5
2022 80.6 65.2
2021 83.9 67.2
2020 84.1 66
2019 84.4 63.9
2018 84.2 62.5
2017 83.7 58.9
2016 81.6 62.1
2015 82.1 60
2014 81.2 59.4
2013 81.4 58.6
2012 82.1 58
2011 82.3 58
2010 82.1 56.9
2009 82 56.6
2008 80.7 -
2007 81.4 -
2006 82 -
2005 82.3 -
2004 81.5 -
2003 81.1 43.5
2002 80.7 46.6
2001 81.1 -
2000 80.9 -
1999 81.7 -
1998 79.2 -
1997 79 -
1996 78.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for New Zealand is 77.8, ranking 13/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

New Zealand Serbia
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2022
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.6%
2022
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.57%
2022
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$53,600
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.1B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
59/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$878M
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.76B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$882M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.5%
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/new-zealand/serbia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, 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.