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Economy of Barbados vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 157/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Barbados vs Malta GDP by year

Barbados
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Malta
2024 $7,498,050,000 $24,971,574,502
2023 $7,223,250,000 $22,610,561,526
2022 $6,884,900,000 $18,928,276,162
2021 $5,947,550,000 $19,739,875,611
2020 $5,407,050,000 $16,404,663,226
2019 $6,161,850,000 $16,337,793,531
2018 $6,001,950,000 $16,153,779,511
2017 $5,683,150,000 $14,161,366,724
2016 $5,674,600,000 $12,025,782,834
2015 $5,698,150,000 $11,340,795,042
2014 $5,620,600,000 $11,888,032,874
2013 $5,667,200,000 $10,796,782,636
2012 $5,761,450,000 $9,609,532,089
2011 $5,663,100,000 $9,789,361,703
2010 $5,672,900,000 $9,097,044,159
2009 $4,466,809,600 $8,734,745,698
2008 $4,790,410,400 $9,135,419,465
2007 $4,675,767,950 $7,908,412,306
2006 $4,217,323,400 $6,749,838,806
2005 $3,819,500,000 $6,393,234,993
2004 $3,444,500,000 $6,104,141,520
2003 $3,209,500,000 $5,418,315,224
2002 $3,106,500,000 $4,455,127,414
2001 $3,054,500,000 $4,070,867,133
2000 $3,059,500,000 $4,036,809,815
1999 $2,951,822,205 $4,111,857,809
1998 $2,817,083,478 $4,010,111,688
1997 $2,498,384,130 $3,787,023,707
1996 $2,363,645,403 $3,822,547,197
1995 $2,216,974,096 $3,709,396,045
1994 $2,151,344,901 $2,998,505,428
1993 $2,063,342,117 $2,709,193,538
1992 $1,957,000,000 $3,021,942,759
1991 $2,020,583,702 $2,750,216,747
1990 $2,012,131,457 $2,547,328,748
1989 $2,006,165,167 $2,118,655,677
1988 $1,812,757,918 $2,019,503,068
1987 $1,704,370,308 $1,751,293,461
1986 $1,547,755,183 $1,435,038,441
1985 $1,409,536,121 $1,117,797,439
1984 $1,346,890,071 $1,101,807,023
1983 $1,236,016,507 $1,165,729,707
1982 $1,163,923,830 $1,234,474,404
1981 $1,114,204,743 $1,243,509,394
1980 $1,012,280,615 $1,250,198,601
1979 $670,362,452 $1,001,288,847
1978 $552,883,707 $793,673,402
1977 $495,097,668 $625,563,171
1976 $435,911,269 $527,936,989
1975 $402,178,605 $474,618,321
1974 $311,804,630 $376,081,124
1973 $260,767,828 $345,616,106
1972 $213,725,217 $295,106,628
1971 $186,826,503 $264,578,485
1970 $166,210,203 $250,728,796
1969 $141,393,142 -
1968 $125,733,669 -
1967 $125,554,009 -
1966 $113,195,123 -
1965 $105,021,997 -
1964 $99,252,731 -
1963 $99,893,761 -
1962 $88,782,583 -
1961 $85,363,759 -
1960 $80,021,847 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Malta by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $7,773 - $6,041 -
1988 $7,033 - $5,814 -
1987 $6,625 - $5,084 -
1986 $6,031 - $4,195 -
1985 $5,510 - $3,322 -
1984 $5,284 - $3,333 -
1983 $4,866 - $3,527 -
1982 $4,599 - $3,788 -
1981 $4,417 - $3,898 -
1980 $4,025 - $3,948 -
1979 $2,668 - $3,196 -
1978 $2,198 - $2,559 -
1977 $1,968 - $2,038 -
1976 $1,734 - $1,727 -
1975 $1,601 - $1,560 -
1974 $1,243 - $1,245 -
1973 $1,042 - $1,144 -
1972 $856 - $976 -
1971 $750 - $874 -
1970 $666 - $828 -
1969 $567 - - -
1968 $506 - - -
1967 $508 - - -
1966 $462 - - -
1965 $433 - - -
1964 $414 - - -
1963 $421 - - -
1962 $377 - - -
1961 $366 - - -
1960 $347 - - -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Barbados Malta
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$4.29B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.12%
2024
Population
282798
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 26.9% 115% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 37.8% 55%
2014 29% 122% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 29.7% 96% 40.1% 65%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 41.1% 66%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 27.8% 69% 41.2% 62%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 42% 70.4%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 31% 66.1% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 22% 62.6% 44.4% 70%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 19.7% 50.1% - 69.8%
1998 19% 50.5% - 66.4%
1997 21.5% 56.9% - 60.8%
1996 20.5% 56.1% - 51.5%
1995 18.6% 55.9% - 45.3%
1994 17% 55% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 18/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Malta
2024 -0.89% -3.58%
2023 -1.71% -4.65%
2022 -1.96% -5.31%
2021 -4.65% -6.95%
2020 -4.16% -8.72%
2019 3.08% 0.72%
2018 -0.34% 1.86%
2017 -3.89% 3.4%
2016 -4.88% 1.1%
2015 -8.16% -0.84%
2014 -6.57% -1.49%
2013 -8.98% -2.19%
2012 -7.07% -3.31%
2011 -3.63% -2.99%
2010 -7.55% -2.22%
2009 -6.56% -3.11%
2008 -4.1% -4.06%
2007 -4.34% -2.05%
2006 -3.41% -2.46%
2005 -3.03% -2.83%
2004 -2.97% -4.28%
2003 -3.08% -9.04%
2002 -5.28% -5.62%
2001 4.07% -6.5%
2000 4.94% -5.83%
1999 5.39% -
1998 6.03% -
1997 5.64% -
1996 3.76% -
1995 6.22% -
1994 6.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 3.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Malta
2024 -0.44% 1.65%
2023 9.79% 5.09%
2022 - 6.15%
2021 - 1.5%
2020 - 0.64%
2019 4.1% 1.64%
2018 3.67% 1.16%
2017 4.66% 1.36%
2016 1.28% 0.64%
2015 -1.11% 1.1%
2014 1.77% 0.31%
2013 1.81% 1.18%
2012 4.53% 2.38%
2011 9.43% 2.96%
2010 5.82% 1.52%
2009 3.64% 2.08%
2008 8.11% 4.26%
2007 4.03% 1.25%
2006 7.31% 2.77%
2005 6.08% 3.01%
2004 1.39% 2.79%
2003 1.62% 1.3%
2002 0.13% 2.19%
2001 2.58% 2.93%
2000 2.44% 2.37%
1999 1.56% 2.13%
1998 -1.27% 2.39%
1997 7.71% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Metals $4K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $227K

Balance of trade

Barbados Malta
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
118.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Malta
Economic freedom 70.4 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 49/197
Property rights 76.4 85.5
Government integrity 71.3 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 80.2
Tax burden 83.2 68.5
Government spending 74.5 58.4
Fiscal health 76.5 63.2
Business freedom 72.3 83.2
Labor freedom 54.3 62.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.1
Trade freedom 48.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Malta
2026 70.4 68.2
2025 68.9 66.8
2024 66.8 64.5
2023 69.8 67.5
2022 71.3 71.5
2021 65 70.2
2020 61.4 69.5
2019 64.7 68.6
2018 57 68.5
2017 54.5 67.7
2016 68.3 66.7
2015 67.9 66.5
2014 68.3 66.4
2013 69.3 67.5
2012 69 67
2011 68.5 65.7
2010 68.3 67.2
2009 71.5 66.1
2008 71.3 66
2007 70 66.1
2006 71.9 67.3
2005 70.1 68.9
2004 69.4 63.3
2003 71.3 61.1
2002 73.6 62.2
2001 71.5 62.9
2000 69.5 58.3
1999 66.7 59.3
1998 67.9 61.2
1997 64.5 57.9
1996 62.3 55.8
1995 - 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, 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

Barbados Malta
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/barbados/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 (1994–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.

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.