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Economy of Bhutan vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.58B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 167/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.71B in government debt (103.6% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Bhutan vs Malta GDP by year

Bhutan
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Malta
2025 $3,579,320,145 $27,771,821,561
2024 $3,346,603,859 $25,042,712,191
2023 $3,012,896,790 $22,625,329,776
2022 $2,898,227,744 $18,938,869,147
2021 $2,768,802,960 $19,730,119,031
2020 $2,457,604,334 $16,404,655,808
2019 $2,735,683,570 $16,337,788,881
2018 $2,583,335,722 $16,153,785,817
2017 $2,591,358,009 $14,161,374,599
2016 $2,357,504,761 $12,025,777,078
2015 $2,187,815,803 $11,340,789,706
2014 $2,089,079,571 $11,888,029,752
2013 $1,943,696,952 $10,796,780,874
2012 $1,973,387,228 $9,609,530,619
2011 $1,977,728,659 $9,789,363,086
2010 $1,708,880,730 $9,097,044,301
2009 $1,331,343,798 $8,769,897,418
2008 $1,317,517,835 $9,172,399,573
2007 $1,255,767,964 $7,908,412,374
2006 $942,879,879 $6,749,838,862
2005 $860,391,000 $6,393,234,965
2004 $735,348,490 $6,104,141,501
2003 $651,935,430 $5,418,315,225
2002 $559,345,264 $4,455,127,398
2001 $496,110,226 $4,070,867,153
2000 $460,733,418 $4,036,809,767
1999 $399,311,200 $4,111,857,836
1998 $363,458,381 $4,010,111,652
1997 $352,229,077 $3,787,023,655
1996 $303,408,346 $3,822,547,151
1995 $290,490,984 $3,709,396,089
1994 $258,954,708 $2,998,505,428
1993 $225,973,693 $2,709,193,538
1992 $240,233,531 $3,021,942,759
1991 $240,294,286 $2,750,216,747
1990 $287,765,007 $2,547,328,748
1989 $264,798,626 $2,118,655,677
1988 $272,298,067 $2,019,503,068
1987 $242,742,766 $1,751,293,461
1986 $191,218,115 $1,435,038,441
1985 $163,288,815 $1,117,797,439
1984 $160,423,494 $1,101,807,023
1983 $156,704,290 $1,165,729,707
1982 $141,439,317 $1,234,474,404
1981 $139,174,178 $1,243,509,394
1980 $128,669,201 $1,250,198,601
1979 $105,377,995 $1,001,288,847
1978 $94,086,228 $793,673,402
1977 $97,884,434 $625,563,171
1976 $88,461,263 $527,936,989
1975 $86,820,762 $474,618,321
1974 $92,901,784 $376,081,124
1973 $78,900,289 $345,616,106
1972 $70,139,867 $295,106,628
1971 $66,289,450 $264,578,485
1970 $61,812,113 $250,728,796

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Malta by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,493 - $47,907 -
2024 $4,228 - $44,024 $69,864
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $896 $3,663 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $812 $3,338 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $772 $3,113 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $685 $3,017 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $638 $2,819 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $630 $2,683 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $553 $2,548 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $530 $2,374 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $467 $2,146 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $407 $2,001 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $416 $1,840 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $401 $1,657 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $488 $1,638 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $462 - $6,041 -
1988 $489 - $5,814 -
1987 $449 - $5,084 -
1986 $365 - $4,195 -
1985 $321 - $3,322 -
1984 $326 - $3,333 -
1983 $328 - $3,527 -
1982 $306 - $3,788 -
1981 $311 - $3,898 -
1980 $296.9 - $3,948 -
1979 $251.4 - $3,196 -
1978 $232.2 - $2,559 -
1977 $249.9 - $2,038 -
1976 $233.7 - $1,727 -
1975 $237.4 - $1,560 -
1974 $262.8 - $1,245 -
1973 $230.9 - $1,144 -
1972 $212.4 - $976 -
1971 $207.7 - $874 -
1970 $200.3 - $828 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $4,493, ranking 128/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Malta
Gross domestic product
$3.58B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
167/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
8.01%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,493
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
25/197
2024
Government debt
$3.71B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
103.6%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,655
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,215
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.36%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
805057
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.5% 103.6% 37% 46.8%
2024 28.3% 108.7% 37.4% 46%
2023 28.9% 117.2% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 30.9% 116% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 30.5% 103% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 37.8% 55%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 39.3% 61% 41.1% 66%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 41.2% 62%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 31% 76% 42% 70.4%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 44.4% 70%
2000 43% 44% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 40.2% 39.2% - 69.8%
1998 31.1% 36.4% - 66.4%
1997 37.8% 33% - 60.8%
1996 37.9% 36.8% - 51.5%
1995 38.6% 38.7% - 45.3%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bhutan's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 103.6% in Bhutan and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 19/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Malta
2025 -2.7% -3.1%
2024 -1.79% -3.51%
2023 -4.73% -4.43%
2022 -6.95% -5.33%
2021 -5.76% -6.96%
2020 -1.81% -8.71%
2019 -1.49% 0.72%
2018 -1.52% 1.86%
2017 -4.49% 3.4%
2016 -2.31% 1.1%
2015 -0.49% -0.84%
2014 2.46% -1.49%
2013 -4.55% -2.19%
2012 -2.1% -3.31%
2011 -3.02% -2.99%
2010 1.92% -2.22%
2009 -0.8% -3.11%
2008 -2.57% -4.06%
2007 0.79% -2.05%
2006 -0.07% -2.46%
2005 -6.96% -2.83%
2004 1.8% -4.28%
2003 -10.2% -9.04%
2002 -4.33% -5.62%
2001 -12.2% -6.5%
2000 -3.39% -5.83%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $96.7M, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Malta
2025 2.6% 2.36%
2024 4.3% 1.65%
2023 4.5% 5.09%
2022 5.9% 6.15%
2021 8.2% 1.5%
2020 3% 0.64%
2019 2.8% 1.64%
2018 3.6% 1.16%
2017 4.3% 1.36%
2016 3.3% 0.64%
2015 6.7% 1.1%
2014 9.6% 0.31%
2013 8.1% 1.18%
2012 10.1% 2.38%
2011 8.6% 2.96%
2010 4.8% 1.52%
2009 7.1% 2.08%
2008 6.3% 4.26%
2007 5.2% 1.25%
2006 4.9% 2.77%
2005 4.8% 3.01%
2004 3.3% 2.79%
2003 2.5% 1.3%
2002 2.9% 2.19%
2001 3.7% 2.93%
2000 7.2% 2.37%
1999 9.1% 2.13%
1998 7.6% 2.39%
1997 8.6% 3.11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.64%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in Bhutan and 2.36% in Malta.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Malta
Current account balance
-$649M
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.4%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$1.28B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$660M
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.9%
2024
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Malta
Economic freedom 57.5 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 49/197
Property rights 69.2 85.5
Government integrity 72.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 80.2
Tax burden 83.4 68.5
Government spending 74.1 58.4
Fiscal health 25.8 63.2
Business freedom 67.8 83.2
Labor freedom 60.1 62.6
Monetary freedom 71.6 73.1
Trade freedom 63.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Malta
2026 57.5 68.2
2025 57.5 66.8
2024 55.4 64.5
2023 59 67.5
2022 59.3 71.5
2021 58.3 70.2
2020 62.1 69.5
2019 62.9 68.6
2018 61.8 68.5
2017 58.4 67.7
2016 59.5 66.7
2015 57.4 66.5
2014 56.7 66.4
2013 55 67.5
2012 56.6 67
2011 57.6 65.7
2010 57 67.2
2009 57.7 66.1
2008 - 66
2007 - 66.1
2006 - 67.3
2005 - 68.9
2004 - 63.3
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 62.2
2001 - 62.9
2000 - 58.3
1999 - 59.3
1998 - 61.2
1997 - 57.9
1996 - 55.8
1995 - 56.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, 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

Bhutan Malta
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
33.2%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.7%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.43B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,520
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.19B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.11%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.