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Economy of China vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 2/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

China vs Mali GDP by year

China
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Mali
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $26,794,747,240
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $24,813,860,599
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $22,539,987,719
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $22,999,245,263
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $20,698,560,939
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $20,477,421,885
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $20,368,015,381
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $18,308,362,040
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $16,743,796,800
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $15,583,181,170
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $17,081,681,993
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $15,747,192,681
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $14,795,114,603
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $15,452,791,789
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $12,710,739,159
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $12,155,217,833
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $11,462,490,840
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $9,699,047,443
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $8,212,007,554
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $7,429,066,951
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $6,485,774,930
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $5,605,613,011
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $4,647,238,257
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $4,124,281,594
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $3,521,570,876
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $4,091,446,054
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $3,894,433,432
1997 $967,753,570,435 $3,414,879,486
1996 $868,523,936,530 $3,743,103,420
1995 $738,190,896,228 $3,373,322,735
1994 $566,929,539,493 $2,655,768,636
1993 $446,557,291,212 $3,632,801,877
1992 $428,502,354,788 $3,680,775,037
1991 $384,510,452,962 $3,576,562,682
1990 $361,560,229,446 $3,248,417,791
1989 $348,380,566,802 $2,824,822,489
1988 $312,888,888,889 $2,712,207,901
1987 $273,455,156,951 $2,437,004,680
1986 $301,310,144,928 $2,132,938,007
1985 $310,064,625,850 $1,594,347,021
1984 $260,442,857,143 $1,387,809,615
1983 $231,130,268,199 $1,496,616,127
1982 $205,480,916,031 $1,680,304,773
1981 $196,218,253,968 $2,234,583,940
1980 $191,487,500,000 $2,704,362,789
1979 $178,573,913,043 $1,595,422,956
1978 $149,788,617,886 $1,222,702,573
1977 $175,226,595,860 $1,049,838,548
1976 $154,196,810,059 $939,228,017
1975 $163,687,619,736 $830,710,615
1974 $144,418,433,058 $538,747,340
1973 $138,764,340,892 $563,683,703
1972 $113,871,930,714 $486,617,280
1971 $99,959,013,880 $395,218,629
1970 $92,752,930,873 $359,772,315
1969 $79,847,786,729 $339,913,867
1968 $70,980,323,819 $343,771,973
1967 $73,011,350,596 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Mali by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $977 $3,014
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $953 $2,724
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $972 $2,820
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $996 $2,684
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $924 $2,607
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $872 $2,532
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $838 $2,330
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $948 $2,185
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $902 $2,059
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $873 $1,990
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $938 $2,046
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $797 $2,012
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $787 $1,945
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $767 $1,893
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $671 $1,852
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $587 $1,832
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $549 $1,771
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $495 $1,730
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $442 $1,715
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $378 $1,581
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $346 $1,559
2000 $969 $2,964 $305 $1,357
1999 $881 $2,690 $364 $1,376
1998 $835 $2,483 $357 $1,332
1997 $787 $2,297 $321 $1,267
1996 $713 $2,088 $360 $1,224
1995 $613 $1,884 $331 $1,154
1994 $476 $1,680 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $379 $1,471 $372 $1,087
1992 $368 $1,276 $385 $1,039
1991 $334 $1,105 $382 $1,091
1990 $319 $991 $354 $956
1989 $311 - $314 -
1988 $284 - $307 -
1987 $252.3 - $280.7 -
1986 $282.4 - $250 -
1985 $295 - $190.4 -
1984 $251.2 - $169.1 -
1983 $225.9 - $186.3 -
1982 $203.7 - $213.8 -
1981 $197.4 - $290.5 -
1980 $195.1 - $359 -
1979 $184.3 - $216.3 -
1978 $156.7 - $169.1 -
1977 $185.7 - $148.1 -
1976 $165.7 - $134.9 -
1975 $178.6 - $121.5 -
1974 $160.4 - $80.2 -
1973 $157.3 - $85.4 -
1972 $132.1 - $75.1 -
1971 $118.8 - $62 -
1970 $113.3 - $57.3 -
1969 $100.3 - $55 -
1968 $91.6 - $56.5 -
1967 $96.8 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

China Mali
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$1,463
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
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
5.45%
2023
Population
1402578808
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 32.7% 82% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 34.8% 69% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 32% 53.9% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 31% 40.8% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 20% 26.9%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 20.6% 24%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 25.2% 34% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 18% 25.9% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 17.6% 26% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 18% 26.4% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 34/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Mali
2024 -7.34% -2.57%
2023 -6.71% -3.57%
2022 -7.32% -4.75%
2021 -5.9% -4.91%
2020 -9.56% -5.42%
2019 -6% -1.68%
2018 -4.2% -4.74%
2017 -3.34% -2.86%
2016 -3.33% -3.95%
2015 -2.5% -1.82%
2014 -0.67% -2.89%
2013 -0.82% -2.37%
2012 -0.3% -0.96%
2011 -0.1% -3.42%
2010 -0.36% -2.57%
2009 -1.72% -3.71%
2008 -0.02% -1.97%
2007 0.06% -2.78%
2006 -1.13% 27.8%
2005 -1.38% -2.76%
2004 -1.49% -2.36%
2003 -2.36% -1.19%
2002 -2.84% -3.09%
2001 -2.56% -2.8%
2000 -2.81% -2.64%
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
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/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Mali
2024 0.2% 3.2%
2023 0.2% 2.1%
2022 2% 9.7%
2021 0.9% 3.8%
2020 2.5% 0.5%
2019 2.9% -3%
2018 2.1% 1.9%
2017 1.6% 2.4%
2016 2% -1.8%
2015 1.5% 1.4%
2014 2% 0.9%
2013 2.7% -0.6%
2012 2.6% 5.3%
2011 5.4% 3%
2010 3.3% 1.2%
2009 -0.7% 2.4%
2008 5.9% 9.2%
2007 4.7% 1.4%
2006 1.5% 1.6%
2005 1.8% 6.4%
2004 3.9% -3.1%
2003 1.1% -1.3%
2002 -0.8% 5%
2001 0.7% 5.2%
2000 0.4% -0.8%
1999 -1.4% -1.2%
1998 -0.8% 4.1%
1997 2.8% -0.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $733M
Chemicals & pharma $85.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $46.4M
Metals $39.3M
Raw agricultural goods $32.7M
Raw materials & minerals $30M
Animal & marine products $24.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.83M
Wood & paper products $3.52M
Miscellaneous $2.01M
Mali
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.84M
Raw agricultural goods $2.82M
Machinery & equipment $2.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.2M
Animal & marine products $602K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $579K
Metals $300K
Chemicals & pharma $199K
Precious metals & jewellery $73K
Wood & paper products $25K

Balance of trade

China Mali
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$613B
2024
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$384B
2024
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Mali
Economic freedom 48.3 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 150/197
Property rights 40.9 13.8
Government integrity 42.3 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 23.3
Tax burden 69.3 67.9
Government spending 67.8 81.8
Fiscal health 4.4 73.6
Business freedom 68.7 40.8
Labor freedom 57.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 76.1 78.2
Trade freedom 73.4 64
Investment freedom 20 65
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Mali
2026 48.3 52.1
2025 49 52.6
2024 48.5 52.5
2023 48.3 54.5
2022 48 55.9
2021 58.4 55.6
2020 59.5 55.9
2019 58.4 58.1
2018 57.8 57.6
2017 57.4 58.6
2016 52 56.5
2015 52.7 56.4
2014 52.5 55.5
2013 51.9 56.4
2012 51.2 55.8
2011 52 56.3
2010 51 55.6
2009 53.2 55.6
2008 53.1 55.6
2007 52 54.7
2006 53.6 54.1
2005 53.7 57.3
2004 52.5 56.6
2003 52.6 58.6
2002 52.8 61.1
2001 52.6 60.1
2000 56.4 60.3
1999 54.8 58.4
1998 53.1 57.3
1997 51.7 56.4
1996 51.3 57
1995 52 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Mali
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
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/china/mali | 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.