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Economy of Australia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 14/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Australia vs Malta GDP by year

Australia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Malta
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $24,971,574,502
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $22,610,561,526
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $18,928,276,162
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $19,739,875,611
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $16,404,663,226
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $16,337,793,531
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $16,153,779,511
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $14,161,366,724
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $12,025,782,834
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $11,340,795,042
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $11,888,032,874
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $10,796,782,636
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $9,609,532,089
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $9,789,361,703
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $9,097,044,159
2009 $931,761,689,771 $8,734,745,698
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $9,135,419,465
2007 $856,603,595,823 $7,908,412,306
2006 $749,708,370,333 $6,749,838,806
2005 $696,811,489,613 $6,393,234,993
2004 $615,643,050,221 $6,104,141,520
2003 $468,517,181,130 $5,418,315,224
2002 $396,436,967,263 $4,455,127,414
2001 $380,360,222,861 $4,070,867,133
2000 $416,901,962,163 $4,036,809,815
1999 $390,347,787,943 $4,111,857,809
1998 $400,361,527,505 $4,010,111,688
1997 $436,321,902,767 $3,787,023,707
1996 $401,962,517,479 $3,822,547,197
1995 $368,725,126,225 $3,709,396,045
1994 $323,269,456,935 $2,998,505,428
1993 $312,568,858,910 $2,709,193,538
1992 $325,982,966,981 $3,021,942,759
1991 $326,416,407,861 $2,750,216,747
1990 $311,840,666,465 $2,547,328,748
1989 $300,264,309,002 $2,118,655,677
1988 $236,461,079,970 $2,019,503,068
1987 $189,726,707,253 $1,751,293,461
1986 $182,707,050,923 $1,435,038,441
1985 $180,861,108,959 $1,117,797,439
1984 $193,749,932,078 $1,101,807,023
1983 $177,523,719,680 $1,165,729,707
1982 $194,323,071,831 $1,234,474,404
1981 $177,151,979,566 $1,243,509,394
1980 $150,200,557,103 $1,250,198,601
1979 $135,093,718,051 $1,001,288,847
1978 $118,660,813,780 $793,673,402
1977 $110,504,702,914 $625,563,171
1976 $105,209,354,856 $527,936,989
1975 $97,440,939,506 $474,618,321
1974 $89,086,219,602 $376,081,124
1973 $63,923,126,201 $345,616,106
1972 $52,117,990,654 $295,106,628
1971 $45,283,847,245 $264,578,485
1970 $41,395,206,623 $250,728,796
1969 $36,738,245,878 -
1968 $32,763,365,242 -
1967 $30,487,524,878 -
1966 $27,349,284,376 -
1965 $26,014,244,162 -
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Australia vs Malta by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $17,858 - $6,041 -
1988 $14,303 - $5,814 -
1987 $11,666 - $5,084 -
1986 $11,406 - $4,195 -
1985 $11,455 - $3,322 -
1984 $12,436 - $3,333 -
1983 $11,532 - $3,527 -
1982 $12,798 - $3,788 -
1981 $11,871 - $3,898 -
1980 $10,223 - $3,948 -
1979 $9,308 - $3,196 -
1978 $8,264 - $2,559 -
1977 $7,786 - $2,038 -
1976 $7,497 - $1,727 -
1975 $7,014 - $1,560 -
1974 $6,492 - $1,245 -
1973 $4,778 - $1,144 -
1972 $3,955 - $976 -
1971 $3,500 - $874 -
1970 $3,310 - $828 -
1969 $2,996 - - -
1968 $2,728 - - -
1967 $2,584 - - -
1966 $2,347 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

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

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

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Australia Malta
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
$4.29B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
3.12%
2024
Population
27799169
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 37.8% 55%
2014 36.7% 34% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 36.3% 24% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 37% 20.3% 40.1% 65%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 41.1% 66%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 41.2% 62%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 42% 70.4%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 34.9% 15% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 44.4% 70%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 36.2% 22.5% - 69.8%
1998 34.6% 23.7% - 66.4%
1997 32.8% 25.9% - 60.8%
1996 33.5% 29.3% - 51.5%
1995 33.7% 31.1% - 45.3%
1994 33.7% 31.7% - -
1993 34.1% 30.7% - -
1992 34.1% 27.6% - -
1991 33.1% 21.6% - -
1990 30.5% 16.4% - -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

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/australia/malta | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 104/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Malta
2024 -2.25% -3.58%
2023 -1.27% -4.65%
2022 -2.21% -5.31%
2021 -6.37% -6.95%
2020 -8.73% -8.72%
2019 -4.41% 0.72%
2018 -1.26% 1.86%
2017 -1.72% 3.4%
2016 -2.42% 1.1%
2015 -2.79% -0.84%
2014 -2.92% -1.49%
2013 -2.81% -2.19%
2012 -3.51% -3.31%
2011 -4.53% -2.99%
2010 -5.12% -2.22%
2009 -4.56% -3.11%
2008 -1.1% -4.06%
2007 1.47% -2.05%
2006 1.77% -2.46%
2005 1.71% -2.83%
2004 1.32% -4.28%
2003 1.05% -9.04%
2002 0.19% -5.62%
2001 -0.03% -6.5%
2000 1.25% -5.83%
1999 0.67% -
1998 -0.25% -
1997 -0.49% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.6% -
1994 -3.79% -
1993 -4.73% -
1992 -4.74% -
1991 -2.79% -
1990 -0.23% -
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Malta
2024 3.16% 1.65%
2023 5.6% 5.09%
2022 6.59% 6.15%
2021 2.86% 1.5%
2020 0.85% 0.64%
2019 1.61% 1.64%
2018 1.91% 1.16%
2017 1.95% 1.36%
2016 1.28% 0.64%
2015 1.51% 1.1%
2014 2.49% 0.31%
2013 2.45% 1.18%
2012 1.76% 2.38%
2011 3.3% 2.96%
2010 2.92% 1.52%
2009 1.77% 2.08%
2008 4.35% 4.26%
2007 2.33% 1.25%
2006 3.56% 2.77%
2005 2.69% 3.01%
2004 2.34% 2.79%
2003 2.73% 1.3%
2002 2.98% 2.19%
2001 4.41% 2.93%
2000 4.46% 2.37%
1999 1.48% 2.13%
1998 0.86% 2.39%
1997 0.22% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.35M
Animal & marine products $1.29M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.04M
Machinery & equipment $708K
Textiles & consumer goods $185K
Miscellaneous $85K
Raw agricultural goods $63K
Metals $58K
Wood & paper products $35K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $55.4M
Machinery & equipment $34.9M
Business & finance services $32.5M
IT & IP services $8.28M
Chemicals & pharma $3.68M
Manufacturing & construction services $1.66M
Government & miscellaneous services $591K
Precious metals & jewellery $222K
Textiles & consumer goods $110K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $100K

Balance of trade

Australia Malta
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
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.

Australia Malta
Economic freedom 80.1 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 49/197
Property rights 88.2 85.5
Government integrity 88.1 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 80.2
Tax burden 61.8 68.5
Government spending 56.6 58.4
Fiscal health 89 63.2
Business freedom 92.3 83.2
Labor freedom 61.5 62.6
Monetary freedom 77.2 73.1
Trade freedom 89.8 79.4
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Malta
2026 80.1 68.2
2025 79.3 66.8
2024 76.2 64.5
2023 74.8 67.5
2022 77.7 71.5
2021 82.4 70.2
2020 82.6 69.5
2019 80.9 68.6
2018 80.9 68.5
2017 81 67.7
2016 80.3 66.7
2015 81.4 66.5
2014 82 66.4
2013 82.6 67.5
2012 83.1 67
2011 82.5 65.7
2010 82.6 67.2
2009 82.6 66.1
2008 82.2 66
2007 81.1 66.1
2006 79.9 67.3
2005 79 68.9
2004 77.9 63.3
2003 77.4 61.1
2002 77.3 62.2
2001 77.4 62.9
2000 77.1 58.3
1999 76.4 59.3
1998 75.6 61.2
1997 75.5 57.9
1996 74 55.8
1995 74.1 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, 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

Australia Malta
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
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/australia/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.

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.