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Economy of Argentina vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Argentina has a GDP of $638B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 24/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Argentina has $540B in government debt (84.7% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Argentina vs Malta GDP by year

Argentina
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Argentina Malta
2024 $638,365,455,340 $24,971,574,502
2023 $649,461,687,959 $22,610,561,526
2022 $633,993,756,301 $18,928,276,162
2021 $486,564,085,480 $19,739,875,611
2020 $385,740,508,437 $16,404,663,226
2019 $447,754,683,615 $16,337,793,531
2018 $524,819,892,360 $16,153,779,511
2017 $643,628,393,281 $14,161,366,724
2016 $557,532,320,663 $12,025,782,834
2015 $594,749,285,413 $11,340,795,042
2014 $526,319,673,732 $11,888,032,874
2013 $552,025,140,252 $10,796,782,636
2012 $545,982,375,701 $9,609,532,089
2011 $530,158,122,010 $9,789,361,703
2010 $423,627,422,092 $9,097,044,159
2009 $332,976,484,578 $8,734,745,698
2008 $361,558,037,110 $9,135,419,465
2007 $287,530,508,431 $7,908,412,306
2006 $232,557,260,817 $6,749,838,806
2005 $198,737,095,012 $6,393,234,993
2004 $164,657,930,453 $6,104,141,520
2003 $127,586,973,492 $5,418,315,224
2002 $97,724,004,252 $4,455,127,414
2001 $268,696,750,000 $4,070,867,133
2000 $284,203,750,000 $4,036,809,815
1999 $283,523,000,000 $4,111,857,809
1998 $298,948,250,000 $4,010,111,688
1997 $292,859,000,000 $3,787,023,707
1996 $272,149,750,000 $3,822,547,197
1995 $258,031,750,000 $3,709,396,045
1994 $257,440,000,000 $2,998,505,428
1993 $236,741,715,015 $2,709,193,538
1992 $228,778,917,308 $3,021,942,759
1991 $189,719,984,268 $2,750,216,747
1990 $141,352,654,305 $2,547,328,748
1989 $76,629,728,760 $2,118,655,677
1988 $126,890,235,049 $2,019,503,068
1987 $108,810,885,301 $1,751,293,461
1986 $105,872,372,614 $1,435,038,441
1985 $88,150,891,728 $1,117,797,439
1984 $116,915,052,107 $1,101,807,023
1983 $103,979,106,778 $1,165,729,707
1982 $84,307,486,837 $1,234,474,404
1981 $78,676,842,367 $1,243,509,394
1980 $76,961,923,741 $1,250,198,601
1979 $69,252,328,952 $1,001,288,847
1978 $89,049,453,088 $793,673,402
1977 $56,781,000,101 $625,563,171
1976 $51,169,499,892 $527,936,989
1975 $52,438,647,922 $474,618,321
1974 $72,436,777,342 $376,081,124
1973 $52,544,000,117 $345,616,106
1972 $34,733,000,536 $295,106,628
1971 $33,293,199,095 $264,578,485
1970 $31,584,210,366 $250,728,796
1969 $31,256,284,544 -
1968 $26,436,857,247 -
1967 $24,256,667,553 -
1966 $28,630,474,728 -
1965 $28,344,705,967 -
1964 $25,605,249,382 -
1963 $18,272,123,664 -
1962 $18,337,691,145 -
1961 $20,132,220,375 -
1960 $15,865,474,315 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/argentina/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Argentina vs Malta by year

Argentina
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Argentina Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,970 $30,431 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $14,262 $30,221 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $13,962 $29,809 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $10,738 $26,300 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $8,536 $22,393 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $9,956 $23,517 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $11,753 $24,410 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $14,533 $23,385 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $12,700 $20,106 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $13,680 $19,899 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $12,233 $19,487 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $12,964 $19,929 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $12,950 $19,430 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $12,704 $19,105 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $10,260 $17,848 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $8,150 $16,182 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $8,944 $17,277 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $7,185 $16,455 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $5,869 $14,844 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $5,068 $13,465 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $4,242 $12,118 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $3,320 $10,933 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $2,570 $9,953 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $7,141 $11,118 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $7,637 $11,500 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $7,706 $11,464 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $8,219 $11,836 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $8,147 $11,403 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $7,663 $10,496 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $7,358 $9,891 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $7,438 $10,103 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $6,932 $9,472 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $6,790 $8,668 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $5,709 $7,961 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $4,315 $7,158 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $2,375 - $6,041 -
1988 $3,993 - $5,814 -
1987 $3,477 - $5,084 -
1986 $3,436 - $4,195 -
1985 $2,906 - $3,322 -
1984 $3,915 - $3,333 -
1983 $3,538 - $3,527 -
1982 $2,915 - $3,788 -
1981 $2,764 - $3,898 -
1980 $2,748 - $3,948 -
1979 $2,512 - $3,196 -
1978 $3,282 - $2,559 -
1977 $2,126 - $2,038 -
1976 $1,947 - $1,727 -
1975 $2,027 - $1,560 -
1974 $2,845 - $1,245 -
1973 $2,098 - $1,144 -
1972 $1,409 - $976 -
1971 $1,373 - $874 -
1970 $1,323 - $828 -
1969 $1,330 - - -
1968 $1,142 - - -
1967 $1,064 - - -
1966 $1,275 - - -
1965 $1,282 - - -
1964 $1,176 - - -
1963 $853 - - -
1962 $870 - - -
1961 $971 - - -
1960 $778 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/argentina/malta | CC BY

Argentina's GDP per capita is $13,970, ranking 72/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Argentina ranks 73rd at $30,431, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Argentina Malta
Gross domestic product
$638B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
24/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.34%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,970
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
72/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$30,431
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
73/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$540B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
84.7%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,826
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
46/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,743
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$52.9B
2022
$4.29B
2024
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2024
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2024
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
219.9%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
29%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2024
3.12%
2024
Population
46048053
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Argentina
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Argentina Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31% 84.7% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 37.6% 154.6% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 37.6% 84.3% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 37.9% 81% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 42.5% 103.8% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 38.1% 89.8% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 38.9% 85.2% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 41.1% 57% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 41.5% 53.1% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 41.4% 52.6% 37.8% 55%
2014 38.9% 44.7% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 37.6% 43.5% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 36.8% 40.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 34.9% 38.9% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 33.4% 43.5% 40.1% 65%
2009 34.5% 55.4% 41.1% 66%
2008 30.8% 53.8% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 29.6% 62.1% 41.2% 62%
2006 26.6% 70.8% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 24.4% 80.3% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 23% 117.9% 42% 70.4%
2003 22% 125.2% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 21.9% 147.2% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 26.4% 48% 44.4% 70%
2000 25.2% 40.8% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 25.5% 38.9% - 69.8%
1998 23.1% 34.1% - 66.4%
1997 22.6% 31.7% - 60.8%
1996 22.7% 32.6% - 51.5%
1995 22.9% 30.7% - 45.3%
1994 22.9% 28.4% - -
1993 22% 26.9% - -
1992 12.1% 25% - -
1991 11.4% 35.7% - -
1990 11% 48.5% - -
1989 11% 118.2% - -
1988 12.3% 61.4% - -
1987 13.7% 74.1% - -
1986 13.7% 55.9% - -
1985 14.7% 55.2% - -
1984 13% 54.6% - -
1983 14.2% 64.2% - -
1982 15.9% 52.2% - -
1981 17% 26.5% - -
1980 15.2% 11.4% - -
1979 14.5% 12.4% - -
1978 14.9% 17.5% - -
1977 12.6% 25.1% - -
1976 13% 28.7% - -
1975 12.5% 33.8% - -
1974 14% 13% - -
1973 12.6% 12% - -
1972 11.2% 17.1% - -
1971 11.7% 15.2% - -
1970 12% 13.5% - -
1969 12.3% 9.63% - -
1968 12.8% 9.43% - -
1967 13% 10.9% - -
1966 12.1% 13.4% - -
1965 11.6% 15.9% - -
1964 11.8% 16.8% - -
1963 11.2% 23.4% - -
1962 11.3% 25.1% - -
1961 12.3% 8.69% - -
1960 11.3% 8.39% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/argentina/malta | CC BY

In 2024, Argentina's government spending was $198B, accounting for 31% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 84.7% in Argentina and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 39/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Argentina

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Argentina Malta
2024 0.46% -3.58%
2023 -5.33% -4.65%
2022 -3.84% -5.31%
2021 -4.33% -6.95%
2020 -8.67% -8.72%
2019 -4.44% 0.72%
2018 -5.44% 1.86%
2017 -6.69% 3.4%
2016 -6.65% 1.1%
2015 -6% -0.84%
2014 -4.25% -1.49%
2013 -3.25% -2.19%
2012 -3.02% -3.31%
2011 -2.75% -2.99%
2010 -1.39% -2.22%
2009 -1.83% -3.11%
2008 0.35% -4.06%
2007 0.76% -2.05%
2006 1.65% -2.46%
2005 3.34% -2.83%
2004 3.97% -4.28%
2003 1.5% -9.04%
2002 -1.91% -5.62%
2001 -5.36% -6.5%
2000 -3.42% -5.83%
1999 -3.71% -
1998 -1.83% -
1997 -1.84% -
1996 -2.81% -
1995 -2.07% -
1994 -1.25% -
1993 -0.02% -
1992 1.54% -
1991 0.96% -
1990 -0.14% -
1989 -0.25% -
1988 -1.75% -
1987 1.89% -
1986 3.3% -
1985 3.6% -
1984 -1.39% -
1983 -2.89% -
1982 -4.68% -
1981 -3.93% -
1980 -1.14% -
1979 -1.5% -
1978 -1.36% -
1977 -0.54% -
1976 -2.39% -
1975 -2.9% -
1974 -1.08% -
1973 -1.48% -
1972 -0.12% -
1971 0.32% -
1970 1.01% -
1969 0.54% -
1968 0.25% -
1967 0.66% -
1966 -0.98% -
1965 -0.89% -
1964 -1.34% -
1963 -0.65% -
1962 -0.47% -
1961 1.73% -
1960 -1.98% -
1959 -4.82% -
1958 -6.61% -
1957 -2.72% -
1956 -3.77% -
1955 -3.75% -
1954 -3.21% -
1953 -3.1% -
1952 -3.01% -
1951 -3.52% -
1950 -3.38% -
1949 -3.98% -
1948 -2.73% -
1947 -1.6% -
1946 -4.12% -
1945 -5.25% -
1944 -4.61% -
1943 -3.86% -
1942 -2.9% -
1941 -2.85% -
1940 -2.31% -
1939 -3.09% -
1938 -2.09% -
1937 -1.62% -
1936 -1.44% -
1935 -1.16% -
1934 -1.56% -
1933 -1.27% -
1932 -1.19% -
1931 -2.98% -
1930 -3.94% -
1929 -1.95% -
1928 -1.52% -
1927 -3.3% -
1926 -1% -
1925 -0.46% -
1924 -0.68% -
1923 -0.93% -
1922 -1.86% -
1921 -0.99% -
1920 0.2% -
1919 -0.3% -
1918 -1.14% -
1917 -2.18% -
1916 -2.13% -
1915 -2.64% -
1914 -3.03% -
1913 -0.61% -
1912 -0.78% -
1911 -2.19% -
1910 -2.24% -
1909 -2.57% -
1908 0.28% -
1907 -0.2% -
1906 -0.32% -
1905 -3.52% -
1904 0.15% -
1903 -0.25% -
1902 -2.2% -
1901 -0.54% -
1900 -0.42% -
1899 -0.4% -
1898 -9.31% -
1897 -1.46% -
1896 -4.19% -
1895 -1.59% -
1894 -1.06% -
1893 0.06% -
1892 -1.33% -
1891 -4.48% -
1890 -1.82% -
1889 -2.88% -
1888 -0.69% -
1887 0.35% -
1886 -2.39% -
1885 -2.67% -
1884 -4.07% -
1883 -4.19% -
1882 -5.42% -
1881 -2.31% -
1880 -2.15% -
1879 -1.09% -
1878 -1.08% -
1877 -1.68% -
1876 -4.15% -
1875 -3.08% -
1874 -2.59% -
1873 -1.39% -
1872 -1.18% -
1871 -5.54% -
1870 -2.74% -
1869 -1.61% -
1868 -1.8% -
1867 -1.08% -
1866 -2.09% -
1865 -0.79% -
1864 0.51% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1864–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/argentina/malta | CC BY

In 2024, Argentina's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.92B, equivalent to 0.46% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Argentina recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Argentina posted an annual deficit equal to 2.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Argentina

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Argentina Malta
2024 219.9% 1.65%
2023 133.5% 5.09%
2022 72.4% 6.15%
2021 48.4% 1.5%
2020 42% 0.64%
2019 53.5% 1.64%
2018 34.3% 1.16%
2017 25.7% 1.36%
2016 - 0.64%
2015 - 1.1%
2014 - 0.31%
2013 10.6% 1.18%
2012 10% 2.38%
2011 9.8% 2.96%
2010 10.5% 1.52%
2009 6.3% 2.08%
2008 8.6% 4.26%
2007 8.8% 1.25%
2006 10.9% 2.77%
2005 9.6% 3.01%
2004 4.4% 2.79%
2003 13.4% 1.3%
2002 25.9% 2.19%
2001 -1.1% 2.93%
2000 -0.9% 2.37%
1999 -1.2% 2.13%
1998 0.9% 2.39%
1997 - 3.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/argentina/malta | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Argentina has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 31.5%, compared with 2.18% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 219.9% in Argentina and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Argentina
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $4.07M
Raw agricultural goods $65K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $31.3M
Chemicals & pharma $1.44M
Transport & tourism services $591K
Business & finance services $355K
IT & IP services $118K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K

Balance of trade

Argentina Malta
Current account balance
$5.7B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
32/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.89%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$57.4B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$79.8B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$22.9B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$17.2B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
12.7%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.2%
2024
118.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Argentina Malta
Economic freedom 57.4 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 117/197 49/197
Property rights 41.2 85.5
Government integrity 41.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.2 80.2
Tax burden 67.8 68.5
Government spending 62.3 58.4
Fiscal health 72.2 63.2
Business freedom 56.8 83.2
Labor freedom 53.5 62.6
Monetary freedom 28.9 73.1
Trade freedom 67.4 79.4
Investment freedom 70 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Argentina
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Argentina Malta
2026 57.4 68.2
2025 54.2 66.8
2024 49.9 64.5
2023 51 67.5
2022 50.1 71.5
2021 52.7 70.2
2020 53.1 69.5
2019 52.2 68.6
2018 52.3 68.5
2017 50.4 67.7
2016 43.8 66.7
2015 44.1 66.5
2014 44.6 66.4
2013 46.7 67.5
2012 48 67
2011 51.7 65.7
2010 51.2 67.2
2009 52.3 66.1
2008 54.2 66
2007 54 66.1
2006 53.4 67.3
2005 51.7 68.9
2004 53.9 63.3
2003 56.3 61.1
2002 65.7 62.2
2001 68.6 62.9
2000 70 58.3
1999 70.6 59.3
1998 70.9 61.2
1997 73.3 57.9
1996 74.7 55.8
1995 68 56.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/argentina/malta | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Argentina is 57.4, ranking 117/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Argentina Malta
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.81%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$618B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,800
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$29.6B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
56/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.89B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$11.6B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.76B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.32%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
38.1%
2024
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.8%
2024
19%
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/argentina/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1864–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
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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.