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Economy of China vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 2/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

China vs Maldives GDP by year

China
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Maldives
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $7,061,608,267
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $6,621,008,704
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $6,177,123,352
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $5,252,457,370
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $3,712,604,583
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $5,726,094,799
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $5,404,344,163
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $4,816,426,257
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $4,409,942,624
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $4,129,505,319
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $3,697,353,039
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $3,295,009,238
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $2,886,163,997
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $2,774,350,240
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $2,588,176,055
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $2,345,294,875
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $2,271,646,188
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $1,868,383,461
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $1,575,200,391
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $1,163,362,438
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $1,226,829,563
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $1,052,121,055
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $897,031,250
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $870,031,677
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $624,337,145
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $589,239,754
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $540,096,398
1997 $967,753,570,435 $508,223,602
1996 $868,523,936,530 $450,382,328
1995 $738,190,896,228 $398,988,955
1994 $566,929,539,493 $356,014,932
1993 $446,557,291,212 $322,417,837
1992 $428,502,354,788 $284,875,809
1991 $384,510,452,962 $244,396,762
1990 $361,560,229,446 $215,043,970
1989 $348,380,566,802 $189,514,434
1988 $312,888,888,889 $168,514,513
1987 $273,455,156,951 $141,223,029
1986 $301,310,144,928 $141,882,254
1985 $310,064,625,850 $127,190,758
1984 $260,442,857,143 $109,503,546
1983 $231,130,268,199 $57,829,787
1982 $205,480,916,031 $47,911,340
1981 $196,218,253,968 $44,781,457
1980 $191,487,500,000 $42,463,576
1979 $178,573,913,043 $38,523,364
1978 $149,788,617,886 $24,369,109
1977 $175,226,595,860 $20,853,789
1976 $154,196,810,059 $22,399,467
1975 $163,687,619,736 $24,540,878
1974 $144,418,433,058 $39,120,171
1973 $138,764,340,892 $30,862,042
1972 $113,871,930,714 $25,177,138
1971 $99,959,013,880 $21,566,404
1970 $92,752,930,873 $19,328,038
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/maldives | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Maldives by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $13,379 $26,183
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $969 $2,964 $2,214 $8,526
1999 $881 $2,690 $2,124 $8,162
1998 $835 $2,483 $1,980 $7,710
1997 $787 $2,297 $1,898 $7,226
1996 $713 $2,088 $1,717 $6,687
1995 $613 $1,884 $1,555 $6,223
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,419 $5,520
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,317 $5,138
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,194 $4,881
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,054 $4,604
1990 $319 $991 $957 $4,528
1989 $311 - $870 -
1988 $284 - $799 -
1987 $252.3 - $692 -
1986 $282.4 - $720 -
1985 $295 - $669 -
1984 $251.2 - $594 -
1983 $225.9 - $323 -
1982 $203.7 - $274.8 -
1981 $197.4 - $264.1 -
1980 $195.1 - $257.6 -
1979 $184.3 - $240.2 -
1978 $156.7 - $156.1 -
1977 $185.7 - $137.3 -
1976 $165.7 - $151.8 -
1975 $178.6 - $171.4 -
1974 $160.4 - $281.5 -
1973 $157.3 - $228.7 -
1972 $132.1 - $192.2 -
1971 $118.8 - $169.8 -
1970 $113.3 - $156.9 -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/maldives | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

China Maldives
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
81/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$9,909
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
4.56%
2019
Population
1402578808
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 32.7% 82% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 42% 111.6%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 34.8% 69% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 32% 53.9% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 31% 40.8% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 27% 55.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 25.2% 34% 37% 48.4%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 35.6% 39%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 35% 36.8%
2005 18% 25.9% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 17.6% 26% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 18% 26.4% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 29.6% 41.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 29% 39%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 28% 38.9%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 25.9% 39.3%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 25.2% 38.1%
1996 11% 21.2% 27.3% 46.9%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 31.3% 52.2%
1994 12.4% - 30.7% 54.6%
1993 13.4% - 34.7% 55.7%
1992 14.6% - 36.1% 49%
1991 16.5% - 37.7% 46.7%
1990 18.2% - 33.3% 42.4%
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/maldives | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 34/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Maldives
2024 -7.34% -13.9%
2023 -6.71% -13.2%
2022 -7.32% -11.2%
2021 -5.9% -14.2%
2020 -9.56% -23.7%
2019 -6% -6.54%
2018 -4.2% -5.17%
2017 -3.34% -3.02%
2016 -3.33% -9.93%
2015 -2.5% -6.52%
2014 -0.67% -2.42%
2013 -0.82% -3.49%
2012 -0.3% -6.91%
2011 -0.1% -8.13%
2010 -0.36% -13.6%
2009 -1.72% -17.9%
2008 -0.02% -9.92%
2007 0.06% -3.16%
2006 -1.13% -4.52%
2005 -1.38% -7.81%
2004 -1.49% -2.26%
2003 -2.36% -3.45%
2002 -2.84% -3.97%
2001 -2.56% -3.97%
2000 -2.81% -3.89%
1999 -2.3% -3.03%
1998 -1.08% -2.25%
1997 -0.73% -1.46%
1996 -0.73% -2.01%
1995 -0.94% -5.66%
1994 -1.68% -4.82%
1993 -0.89% -13.9%
1992 -1.22% -12.6%
1991 -1.04% -10.2%
1990 -0.72% -12.8%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/maldives | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Maldives' deficit of $982M, or 13.9% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.75% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Maldives
2024 0.2% 1.4%
2023 0.2% 2.6%
2022 2% 2.6%
2021 0.9% 0.2%
2020 2.5% -1.6%
2019 2.9% 1.3%
2018 2.1% 1.4%
2017 1.6% 2.3%
2016 2% 0.8%
2015 1.5% 1.4%
2014 2% 2.4%
2013 2.7% 4%
2012 2.6% 10.9%
2011 5.4% 11.3%
2010 3.3% 6.1%
2009 -0.7% 4.5%
2008 5.9% 12%
2007 4.7% 6.8%
2006 1.5% 3.5%
2005 1.8% 2.5%
2004 3.9% 6.3%
2003 1.1% -2.8%
2002 -0.8% 0.9%
2001 0.7% 0.7%
2000 0.4% -1.2%
1999 -1.4% 3%
1998 -0.8% -1.4%
1997 2.8% 7.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/maldives | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 3.2% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 1.4% in Maldives.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $206M
Textiles & consumer goods $182M
Metals $91.1M
Chemicals & pharma $53.8M
Miscellaneous $36.8M
Wood & paper products $20.1M
Raw materials & minerals $12.7M
Raw agricultural goods $5.87M
Animal & marine products $4.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.39M
Maldives
Export category Export value
Metals $13K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K

Balance of trade

China Maldives
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$383M
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Maldives
Economic freedom 48.3 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 174/197
Property rights 40.9 52.2
Government integrity 42.3 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 39.3
Tax burden 69.3 89.9
Government spending 67.8 39.5
Fiscal health 4.4 0
Business freedom 68.7 49.7
Labor freedom 57.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 76.1 76.4
Trade freedom 73.4 62.8
Investment freedom 20 35
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Maldives
2026 48.3 47.6
2025 49 48.3
2024 48.5 47.8
2023 48.3 46.6
2022 48 47.3
2021 58.4 55.2
2020 59.5 56.5
2019 58.4 53.2
2018 57.8 51.1
2017 57.4 50.3
2016 52 53.9
2015 52.7 53.4
2014 52.5 51
2013 51.9 49
2012 51.2 49.2
2011 52 48.3
2010 51 49
2009 53.2 51.3
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 -
1999 54.8 -
1998 53.1 -
1997 51.7 -
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/maldives | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Maldives
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
30.8%
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/china/maldives | 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. 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 (1982–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.