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Economy of Nigeria vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 54/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Nigeria vs Serbia GDP by year

Nigeria
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Serbia
2024 $252,261,880,141 $90,097,765,959
2023 $487,387,801,881 $81,343,999,280
2022 $646,950,257,578 $66,809,895,701
2021 $609,147,716,973 $66,159,884,073
2020 $598,586,817,819 $55,874,017,669
2019 $668,219,992,691 $53,864,693,665
2018 $421,739,251,509 $52,787,520,249
2017 $375,745,731,053 $45,972,834,714
2016 $404,649,125,252 $42,225,495,910
2015 $493,026,682,801 $41,297,410,635
2014 $574,183,763,412 $49,114,321,280
2013 $520,117,180,314 $50,455,529,604
2012 $463,971,018,239 $45,103,269,969
2011 $414,466,676,831 $51,251,098,408
2010 $366,990,417,129 $43,536,629,233
2009 $295,008,835,381 $46,955,984,410
2008 $339,476,276,258 $54,220,641,202
2007 $278,260,846,800 $44,888,028,946
2006 $238,454,997,161 $33,298,057,362
2005 $175,670,569,969 $28,334,256,181
2004 $135,764,731,646 $26,845,632,342
2003 $104,738,954,264 $23,593,044,418
2002 $95,054,059,303 $17,930,583,571
2001 $73,557,840,064 $13,599,378,662
2000 $69,171,451,627 $7,326,373,882
1999 $59,145,077,039 $20,878,694,851
1998 $218,416,200,673 $21,004,077,441
1997 $200,850,397,618 $27,153,408,995
1996 $185,730,236,700 $23,277,430,168
1995 $140,919,776,986 $17,921,892,655
1994 $80,399,613,064 -
1993 $56,721,051,402 -
1992 $52,058,181,854 -
1991 $59,526,833,412 -
1990 $54,035,795,388 -
1989 $44,003,061,108 -
1988 $49,648,470,440 -
1987 $52,676,041,931 -
1986 $54,805,852,581 -
1985 $73,745,821,158 -
1984 $73,484,359,521 -
1983 $97,094,911,792 -
1982 $142,769,363,314 -
1981 $164,475,209,516 -
1980 $64,201,788,123 -
1979 $47,259,911,894 -
1978 $36,527,862,209 -
1977 $36,035,407,725 -
1976 $36,308,883,249 -
1975 $27,778,934,625 -
1974 $24,846,641,318 -
1973 $15,162,871,287 -
1972 $12,274,416,018 -
1971 $9,181,769,912 -
1970 $12,546,094,982 -
1969 $6,634,317,346 -
1968 $5,200,997,920 -
1967 $5,203,237,919 -
1966 $6,366,917,453 -
1965 $5,874,537,650 -
1964 $5,552,931,319 -
1963 $5,165,590,254 -
1962 $4,909,399,176 -
1961 $4,467,287,893 -
1960 $4,196,174,502 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Serbia by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $962 $4,381 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $763 $4,015 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $712 $3,770 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $566 $3,309 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $547 $3,139 $975 $6,416
1999 $481 $3,002 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $745 $2,853 - -
1993 $540 $2,921 - -
1992 $509 $2,991 - -
1991 $597 $2,870 - -
1990 $556 $2,840 - -
1989 $465 - - -
1988 $540 - - -
1987 $588 - - -
1986 $628 - - -
1985 $869 - - -
1984 $890 - - -
1983 $1,207 - - -
1982 $1,822 - - -
1981 $2,162 - - -
1980 $870 - - -
1979 $661 - - -
1978 $527 - - -
1977 $536 - - -
1976 $556 - - -
1975 $438 - - -
1974 $403 - - -
1973 $252.4 - - -
1972 $209.5 - - -
1971 $160.5 - - -
1970 $224.5 - - -
1969 $121.4 - - -
1968 $97.3 - - -
1967 $99.5 - - -
1966 $124.4 - - -
1965 $117.3 - - -
1964 $113.3 - - -
1963 $107.7 - - -
1962 $104.5 - - -
1961 $97.1 - - -
1960 $93.1 - - -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Serbia
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$4.06B
2011
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
7.24%
2024
Population
243824469
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 39% 51.1%
2017 8.51% 18% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 40.3% 65%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 41% 67.1%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 10% 13% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 40% 42%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 11% 6.12% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 40.6% 30%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 41.3% 37%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 13% 25.2% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 28% 200.6%
1999 14.9% 46.1% - -
1998 11.2% 15.8% - -
1997 9.68% 17.1% - -
1996 7.87% 17.9% - -
1995 8.87% 24.2% - -
1994 12.1% 39.7% - -
1993 20% 50.4% - -
1992 15.9% 49.8% - -
1991 13.6% 53.2% - -
1990 14.2% 50.9% - -

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 135/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Serbia
2024 -1.57% -1.75%
2023 -3.12% -1.21%
2022 -4% -0.14%
2021 -3.97% -3.16%
2020 -4.03% -6.91%
2019 -3.31% -0.004%
2018 -3.06% 0.78%
2017 -3.85% 1.32%
2016 -3.3% -1.08%
2015 -2.7% -3.25%
2014 -1.72% -5.61%
2013 -1.89% -4.79%
2012 -0.09% -6.11%
2011 0.31% -3.75%
2010 -2.96% -3.35%
2009 -3.78% -3.3%
2008 4.05% -4.25%
2007 -0.79% -0.8%
2006 6.22% -0.9%
2005 3.49% 1.02%
2004 3.9% 0.06%
2003 -1.56% -2.39%
2002 0.95% -2.33%
2001 -2.29% 0.32%
2000 2.89% -0.15%
1999 -1.39% -
1998 -3.47% -
1997 1.14% -
1996 3.37% -
1995 2.52% -
1994 -2.96% -
1993 -6.07% -
1992 0.94% -
1991 -1.18% -
1990 -0.48% -

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.95B, equivalent to 1.57% of GDP. This compares to Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Serbia
2024 33.2% 4.67%
2023 24.7% 12.4%
2022 18.8% 12%
2021 17% 4.09%
2020 13.2% 1.58%
2019 11.4% 1.85%
2018 12.1% 1.96%
2017 16.5% 3.13%
2016 15.7% 1.12%
2015 9.01% 1.39%
2014 8.05% 2.08%
2013 8.5% 7.69%
2012 12.2% 7.33%
2011 10.8% 11.1%
2010 13.7% 6.14%
2009 12.5% 8.12%
2008 11.6% 12.4%
2007 5.39% 6.39%
2006 8.23% 11.7%
2005 17.9% 16.1%
2004 15% 11%
2003 14% 9.88%
2002 12.9% 19.5%
2001 18.9% 95%
2000 6.93% 71.1%
1999 6.62% 42.5%
1998 10% 30.2%
1997 8.53% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Metals $323K
Raw agricultural goods $119K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $11.8M
Wood & paper products $8M
Transport & tourism services $3.98M
Manufacturing & construction services $3.33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $806K
Chemicals & pharma $659K
Textiles & consumer goods $255K
Machinery & equipment $182K
Raw materials & minerals $175K
Raw agricultural goods $166K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Serbia
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Serbia
Economic freedom 54.8 65
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 68/197
Property rights 29.7 57.2
Government integrity 23.5 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 50.1
Tax burden 84.6 88
Government spending 96.3 48.2
Fiscal health 83.5 94.3
Business freedom 50.3 73.6
Labor freedom 75.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 56.1 73
Trade freedom 64.4 76.6
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Serbia
2026 54.8 65
2025 53.4 64.4
2024 53.1 62.7
2023 53.9 63.5
2022 54.4 65.2
2021 58.7 67.2
2020 57.2 66
2019 57.3 63.9
2018 58.5 62.5
2017 57.1 58.9
2016 57.5 62.1
2015 55.6 60
2014 54.3 59.4
2013 55.1 58.6
2012 56.3 58
2011 56.7 58
2010 56.8 56.9
2009 55.1 56.6
2008 55.1 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 48.4 -
2004 49.2 -
2003 49.5 43.5
2002 50.9 46.6
2001 49.6 -
2000 53.1 -
1999 55.7 -
1998 52.3 -
1997 52.8 -
1996 47.4 -
1995 47.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Serbia
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/nigeria/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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2014–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.