Updated
Overview
Serbia has 3.6 times the population of North Macedonia: 6.55 million people against 1.82 million (2025).
Serbia's economy is 5.2 times the size of North Macedonia's, at $99.95B versus $19.10B.
Per person, Serbia is the wealthier of the two: $15,262 against $10,490 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Serbia | North Macedonia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $99.95B | $19.10B | 2025 | $89.08B / $16.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $15,262 | $10,490 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.0% | Higher: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.9% | 4.1% | 2025 | 4.7% / 3.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.1% | 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 45 | 37 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,559 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $696 | $659 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.55 million | 1.82 million | 2025 | 6.65 million / 2.14 million |
| Population growth | -0.6% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.4 yrs | 41.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 88% | Higher: 93% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 77,474 km² | 25,713 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 84.5/km² | 70.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 42 Mt | Lower: 6.62 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.32B | $353.68M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 32,000 | 16,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
North Macedonia is growing faster: 3.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in Serbia and 4.1% in North Macedonia.
People and society
North Macedonia is the younger society: median age 41.0 versus 44.4 years.
Geography
By land area, Serbia is 3.0 times the size of North Macedonia: 77,474 km² versus 25,713 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Serbia spends 6.6 times as much on defence as North Macedonia: $2.32B versus $353.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Serbia fields the larger armed forces: 32,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Serbia bigger than North Macedonia?
- Serbia is larger by land area. Serbia covers 77,474 km² while North Macedonia covers 25,713 km², so Serbia is 3.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Serbia or North Macedonia?
- Serbia has the larger population: 6.55 million versus 1.82 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Serbia richer than North Macedonia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Serbia is richer: $15,262 against $10,490. Total GDP tells the same story: $99.95B for Serbia versus $19.10B for North Macedonia.
- Who spends more on their military, Serbia or North Macedonia?
- Serbia spends more: $2.32B versus $353.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).