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Economy of North Macedonia vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

North Macedonia has a GDP of $17B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 138/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

North Macedonia has $9.3B in government debt (54.8% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

North Macedonia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
North Macedonia UAE
2024 $16,951,682,245 $552,324,846,835
2023 $15,855,131,189 $522,622,191,967
2022 $13,932,436,550 $511,403,403,676
2021 $14,000,283,827 $422,441,388,700
2020 $12,361,036,914 $357,161,878,829
2019 $12,606,338,449 $433,926,208,305
2018 $12,683,068,114 $440,560,108,918
2017 $11,307,067,070 $403,365,010,211
2016 $10,672,467,073 $381,717,086,453
2015 $10,064,519,963 $381,973,042,886
2014 $11,362,265,253 $424,935,874,745
2013 $10,817,702,346 $409,632,675,289
2012 $9,745,261,301 $392,793,464,942
2011 $10,494,626,768 $368,881,143,635
2010 $9,407,170,321 $307,736,419,333
2009 $9,401,736,825 $253,547,358,747
2008 $9,909,552,435 $315,474,615,739
2007 $8,336,474,974 $257,916,133,424
2006 $6,861,226,972 $222,116,541,865
2005 $6,258,602,873 $180,617,467,965
2004 $5,682,784,472 $147,824,370,320
2003 $4,946,296,599 $124,346,358,067
2002 $4,018,365,747 $109,816,201,498
2001 $3,709,636,031 $103,311,640,572
2000 $3,772,859,034 $104,337,372,362
1999 $3,863,619,285 $84,445,473,111
1998 $3,765,745,023 $75,674,336,283
1997 $3,912,986,091 $78,839,008,445
1996 $4,642,021,256 $73,571,233,996
1995 $4,707,041,315 $65,743,666,576
1994 $3,559,608,640 $59,305,093,980
1993 $2,682,456,897 $55,625,170,253
1992 $2,436,849,342 $54,239,171,888
1991 $4,938,775,510 $51,552,165,622
1990 $4,699,646,643 $50,701,443,748
1989 - $41,464,995,914
1988 - $36,275,674,203
1987 - $36,384,908,744
1986 - $33,943,612,095
1985 - $40,603,650,232
1984 - $41,807,954,236
1983 - $42,803,323,345
1982 - $46,622,718,605
1981 - $49,333,424,135
1980 - $43,599,160,050
1979 - $31,225,659,621
1978 - $23,775,764,225
1977 - $24,871,775,165
1976 - $19,213,158,779
1975 - $14,720,728,249
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in North Macedonia vs United Arab Emirates by year

North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
North Macedonia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $9,292 $26,995 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $8,674 $25,354 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $7,606 $24,212 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $7,621 $22,144 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $6,660 $19,962 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $6,719 $20,223 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $6,714 $18,460 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $5,955 $17,161 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $5,598 $16,458 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $5,263 $15,034 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $5,925 $14,485 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $5,626 $13,663 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $5,050 $12,726 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $5,417 $12,421 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $4,833 $11,992 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $4,800 $11,532 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $5,026 $10,924 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $4,204 $9,639 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $3,440 $8,888 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $3,121 $7,972 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $2,819 $7,229 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $2,445 $6,608 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,989 $6,395 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,823 $6,051 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,862 $6,154 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,915 $5,724 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,876 $5,448 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $1,960 $5,227 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $2,307 $5,026 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $2,355 $4,912 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,786 $4,880 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,337 $4,829 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,199 $5,033 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $2,402 $5,207 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $2,277 $5,348 $26,710 $88,455
1989 - - $23,167 -
1988 - - $21,570 -
1987 - - $23,113 -
1986 - - $23,132 -
1985 - - $29,468 -
1984 - - $32,012 -
1983 - - $34,650 -
1982 - - $39,972 -
1981 - - $44,854 -
1980 - - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 - - $35,020 -
1976 - - $31,197 -
1975 - - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

North Macedonia's GDP per capita is $9,292, ranking 88/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

North Macedonia UAE
Gross domestic product
$17B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
138/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
2.99%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$9,292
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
88/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,995
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
78/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$9.3B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.8%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,095
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,534
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2019
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2019
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.35%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
1805954
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
North Macedonia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 54.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 35.5% 50.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 35% 50.4% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 35.3% 52.7% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 36.4% 50.8% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 31.4% 40.4% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 30.3% 40.4% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 31.8% 39.4% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 31.1% 39.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 32.2% 38% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 31.7% 38% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 31.7% 34% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 33.3% 33.7% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 31.9% 27.7% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 32.5% 24.3% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 33.6% 23.7% 35% 21.1%
2008 33.8% 20.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 31.4% 23.5% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 31.5% 30.6% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 32.5% 36.7% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.1% 34.6% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 36% 36.5% 20% 3.33%
2002 38.2% 40.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 37.4% 45.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 32% 45.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 33.2% 30.4% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 32.8% 33.1% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 32.9% 29.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 - - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 - - 26.1% 5.06%
1994 - - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 - - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 - - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, North Macedonia's government spending was $6.23B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.8% in North Macedonia and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 96/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
North Macedonia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
North Macedonia UAE
2024 -4.45% 6.41%
2023 -4.61% 5.82%
2022 -5.23% 9.8%
2021 -5.32% 3.96%
2020 -8.05% -2.42%
2019 -1.97% 2.5%
2018 -1.76% 3.65%
2017 -2.73% -0.16%
2016 -2.7% -2.95%
2015 -3.48% -6.35%
2014 -4.19% 1.74%
2013 -3.84% 7.99%
2012 -3.81% 8.59%
2011 -2.47% 5.05%
2010 -2.41% 0.52%
2009 -2.63% -6.13%
2008 -0.93% 17.6%
2007 0.58% 17.1%
2006 -0.51% 20.2%
2005 0.21% 16%
2004 0.37% 6.4%
2003 -0.07% 2.35%
2002 -5.24% -1.24%
2001 -5.88% 1.21%
2000 2.37% 10.7%
1999 0.03% 1.31%
1998 -1.63% 1%
1997 -0.36% 6.71%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 3.58%
1994 - -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, North Macedonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $754M, equivalent to 4.45% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, North Macedonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, North Macedonia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.9% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
North Macedonia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
North Macedonia UAE
2024 3.5% 1.7%
2023 9.4% 1.6%
2022 14.2% 4.8%
2021 3.2% -0.1%
2020 1.2% -2.1%
2019 0.8% -1.9%
2018 1.5% 3.1%
2017 1.4% 2%
2016 -0.2% 1.6%
2015 -0.3% 4.1%
2014 -0.3% 2.3%
2013 2.8% 1.1%
2012 3.3% 0.7%
2011 3.9% 0.9%
2010 1.5% 0.9%
2009 -0.7% -4.7%
2008 8.3% 12.3%
2007 2.3% 11.1%
2006 3.2% 9.3%
2005 0.5% 6.2%
2004 -0.4% 5%
2003 0.9% 3.1%
2002 1.1% 2.9%
2001 5.2% 2.8%
2000 6.6% 1.3%
1999 -1.3% 2.1%
1998 0.5% 2%
1997 1.3% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, North Macedonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.62%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.5% in North Macedonia and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.95M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.66M
Raw materials & minerals $862K
Textiles & consumer goods $190K
Chemicals & pharma $78K
Metals $33K
Precious metals & jewellery $29K
Raw agricultural goods $19K
Wood & paper products $7K
Miscellaneous $4K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $125M
Textiles & consumer goods $912K
Chemicals & pharma $293K
Metals $203K
Precious metals & jewellery $139K
Raw materials & minerals $26K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Miscellaneous $5K
Animal & marine products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $3K

Balance of trade

North Macedonia UAE
Current account balance
-$356M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
102/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.1%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$10.6B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$7.3B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$2.01B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$3.16B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
74.6%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.7%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

North Macedonia UAE
Economic freedom 63.3 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 81/197 29/197
Property rights 56.2 62.9
Government integrity 43.2 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 49.5 34.4
Tax burden 94.9 99.9
Government spending 61.7 85.1
Fiscal health 57.7 97.6
Business freedom 72.2 84.5
Labor freedom 51.4 63.2
Monetary freedom 69.6 81.2
Trade freedom 77.8 78.6
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
North Macedonia UAE
2026 63.3 71.9
2025 63.2 71.6
2024 61.4 71.1
2023 63.7 70.9
2022 65.7 70.2
2021 68.6 76.9
2020 69.5 76.2
2019 71.1 77.6
2018 71.3 77.6
2017 70.7 76.9
2016 67.5 72.6
2015 67.1 72.4
2014 68.6 71.4
2013 68.2 71.1
2012 68.5 69.3
2011 66 67.8
2010 65.7 67.3
2009 61.2 64.7
2008 61.1 62.6
2007 60.6 62.6
2006 59.2 62.2
2005 56.1 65.2
2004 56.8 67.2
2003 60.1 73.4
2002 58 73.6
2001 - 74.9
2000 - 74.2
1999 - 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for North Macedonia is 63.3, ranking 81/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

North Macedonia UAE
Services, % of GDP
56.2%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.08%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.1B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,610
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.25B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
97/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.12B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.06B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$64.9M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
9.59%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.2%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/north-macedonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.