Skip to content

Economy of Bhutan vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 170/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Bhutan vs Mali GDP by year

Bhutan
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Mali
2024 - $26,794,747,240
2023 $3,012,896,789 $24,813,860,599
2022 $2,898,227,744 $22,539,987,719
2021 $2,768,802,960 $22,999,245,263
2020 $2,457,604,334 $20,698,560,939
2019 $2,735,683,570 $20,477,421,885
2018 $2,583,335,722 $20,368,015,381
2017 $2,591,358,009 $18,308,362,040
2016 $2,357,504,761 $16,743,796,800
2015 $2,187,815,803 $15,583,181,170
2014 $2,089,079,571 $17,081,681,993
2013 $1,943,696,952 $15,747,192,681
2012 $1,973,387,228 $14,795,114,603
2011 $1,977,728,659 $15,452,791,789
2010 $1,708,880,730 $12,710,739,159
2009 $1,331,343,798 $12,155,217,833
2008 $1,317,517,835 $11,462,490,840
2007 $1,255,767,964 $9,699,047,443
2006 $942,879,879 $8,212,007,554
2005 $860,391,000 $7,429,066,951
2004 $735,348,490 $6,485,774,930
2003 $651,935,430 $5,605,613,011
2002 $559,345,264 $4,647,238,257
2001 $496,110,226 $4,124,281,594
2000 $460,733,418 $3,521,570,876
1999 $399,311,200 $4,091,446,054
1998 $363,458,381 $3,894,433,432
1997 $352,229,077 $3,414,879,486
1996 $303,408,346 $3,743,103,420
1995 $290,490,984 $3,373,322,735
1994 $258,954,708 $2,655,768,636
1993 $225,973,693 $3,632,801,877
1992 $240,233,531 $3,680,775,037
1991 $240,294,286 $3,576,562,682
1990 $287,765,007 $3,248,417,791
1989 $264,798,626 $2,824,822,489
1988 $272,298,067 $2,712,207,901
1987 $242,742,766 $2,437,004,680
1986 $191,218,115 $2,132,938,007
1985 $163,288,815 $1,594,347,021
1984 $160,423,494 $1,387,809,615
1983 $156,704,290 $1,496,616,127
1982 $141,439,317 $1,680,304,773
1981 $139,174,178 $2,234,583,940
1980 $128,669,201 $2,704,362,789
1979 $105,377,995 $1,595,422,956
1978 $94,086,228 $1,222,702,573
1977 $97,884,434 $1,049,838,548
1976 $88,461,263 $939,228,017
1975 $86,820,762 $830,710,615
1974 $92,901,784 $538,747,340
1973 $78,900,289 $563,683,703
1972 $70,139,867 $486,617,280
1971 $66,289,450 $395,218,629
1970 $61,812,113 $359,772,315
1969 - $339,913,867
1968 - $343,771,973
1967 - $275,494,478

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Mali by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,095 $3,315
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $977 $3,014
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $953 $2,724
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $972 $2,820
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $996 $2,684
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $924 $2,607
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $872 $2,532
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $838 $2,330
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $948 $2,185
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $902 $2,059
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $873 $1,990
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $938 $2,046
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $797 $2,012
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $787 $1,945
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $767 $1,893
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $671 $1,852
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $587 $1,832
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $549 $1,771
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $495 $1,730
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $442 $1,715
2002 $896 $3,663 $378 $1,581
2001 $812 $3,338 $346 $1,559
2000 $772 $3,113 $305 $1,357
1999 $685 $3,017 $364 $1,376
1998 $638 $2,819 $357 $1,332
1997 $630 $2,683 $321 $1,267
1996 $553 $2,548 $360 $1,224
1995 $530 $2,374 $331 $1,154
1994 $467 $2,146 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $407 $2,001 $372 $1,087
1992 $416 $1,840 $385 $1,039
1991 $401 $1,657 $382 $1,091
1990 $488 $1,638 $354 $956
1989 $462 - $314 -
1988 $489 - $307 -
1987 $449 - $280.7 -
1986 $365 - $250 -
1985 $321 - $190.4 -
1984 $326 - $169.1 -
1983 $328 - $186.3 -
1982 $306 - $213.8 -
1981 $311 - $290.5 -
1980 $296.9 - $359 -
1979 $251.4 - $216.3 -
1978 $232.2 - $169.1 -
1977 $249.9 - $148.1 -
1976 $233.7 - $134.9 -
1975 $237.4 - $121.5 -
1974 $262.8 - $80.2 -
1973 $230.9 - $85.4 -
1972 $212.4 - $75.1 -
1971 $207.7 - $62 -
1970 $200.3 - $57.3 -
1969 - - $55 -
1968 - - $56.5 -
1967 - - $46 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/mali | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Mali
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
113/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
174/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,463
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
5.45%
2023
Population
803385
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 30.9% 116% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 30.5% 103% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 20% 26.9%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 20.6% 24%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 39.3% 61% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 31% 76% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 43% 44% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 40.2% 39.2% - -
1998 31.1% 36.4% - -
1997 37.8% 33% - -
1996 37.9% 36.8% - -
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/mali | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 17/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Mali
2024 -0.17% -2.57%
2023 -4.73% -3.57%
2022 -6.95% -4.75%
2021 -5.76% -4.91%
2020 -1.81% -5.42%
2019 -1.49% -1.68%
2018 -1.52% -4.74%
2017 -4.49% -2.86%
2016 -2.31% -3.95%
2015 -0.49% -1.82%
2014 2.46% -2.89%
2013 -4.55% -2.37%
2012 -2.1% -0.96%
2011 -3.02% -3.42%
2010 1.92% -2.57%
2009 -0.8% -3.71%
2008 -2.57% -1.97%
2007 0.79% -2.78%
2006 -0.07% 27.8%
2005 -6.96% -2.76%
2004 1.8% -2.36%
2003 -10.2% -1.19%
2002 -4.33% -3.09%
2001 -12.2% -2.8%
2000 -3.39% -2.64%
1999 -1.28% -
1998 1.28% -
1997 -1.92% -
1996 2.55% -
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/mali | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Mali's deficit of $887M, or 3.57% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.73% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Mali
2024 4.3% 3.2%
2023 4.5% 2.1%
2022 5.9% 9.7%
2021 8.2% 3.8%
2020 3% 0.5%
2019 2.8% -3%
2018 3.6% 1.9%
2017 4.3% 2.4%
2016 3.3% -1.8%
2015 6.7% 1.4%
2014 9.6% 0.9%
2013 8.1% -0.6%
2012 10.1% 5.3%
2011 8.6% 3%
2010 4.8% 1.2%
2009 7.1% 2.4%
2008 6.3% 9.2%
2007 5.2% 1.4%
2006 4.9% 1.6%
2005 4.8% 6.4%
2004 3.3% -3.1%
2003 2.5% -1.3%
2002 2.9% 5%
2001 3.7% 5.2%
2000 7.2% -0.8%
1999 9.1% -1.2%
1998 7.6% 4.1%
1997 8.6% -0.7%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/mali | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 3.2% in Mali.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Mali
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$228M
2024
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$288M
2024
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Mali
Economic freedom 57.5 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 150/197
Property rights 69.2 13.8
Government integrity 72.2 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 23.3
Tax burden 83.4 67.9
Government spending 74.1 81.8
Fiscal health 25.8 73.6
Business freedom 67.8 40.8
Labor freedom 60.1 54.1
Monetary freedom 71.6 78.2
Trade freedom 63.4 64
Investment freedom 20 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Mali
2026 57.5 52.1
2025 57.5 52.6
2024 55.4 52.5
2023 59 54.5
2022 59.3 55.9
2021 58.3 55.6
2020 62.1 55.9
2019 62.9 58.1
2018 61.8 57.6
2017 58.4 58.6
2016 59.5 56.5
2015 57.4 56.4
2014 56.7 55.5
2013 55 56.4
2012 56.6 55.8
2011 57.6 56.3
2010 57 55.6
2009 57.7 55.6
2008 - 55.6
2007 - 54.7
2006 - 54.1
2005 - 57.3
2004 - 56.6
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 60.1
2000 - 60.3
1999 - 58.4
1998 - 57.3
1997 - 56.4
1996 - 57
1995 - 52.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/mali | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Mali
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
19.5%
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/bhutan/mali | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

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.