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Economy of China vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $30.1B for Mali, ranking 2/197 and 114/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $12.6B (41.9% of GDP) in Mali.

China vs Mali GDP by year

China
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Mali
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $30,069,148,581
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $26,761,281,077
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $24,777,941,861
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 $12,710,739,160
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 $7,429,066,952
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $13,862 - $1,193 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $1,093 $3,315
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,042 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $1,193 in Mali, ranking 174/197. 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
$19.5T
2025
$30.1B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
114/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
5.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$1,193
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
174/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$12.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
41.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$500
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
168/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$1,949
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
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%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
4.5%
2024
Population
1403335670
26322576

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
2025 32.9% 99.2% 20.9% 41.9%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 21% 44%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 21.2% 44.3%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 20.8% 42.9%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 22.5% 43.2%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 22% 39.8%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 19.5% 34.3%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 17% 31.4%
2017 32% 53.9% 19.2% 30.1%
2016 31.7% 50% 18.6% 30.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 17.6% 25.8%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 16.8% 22.6%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 16.6% 22.2%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 13.1% 21.3%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 17.3% 20.1%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 17.4% 21.8%
2009 25.2% 34% 19.6% 18.8%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 16.2% 17.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 18.1% 15.6%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 18.9% 15.4%
2005 18% 25.9% 18.3% 39.5%
2004 17.6% 26% 18.5% 36.1%
2003 18% 26.4% 17.8% 37.7%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 16.8% 36%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 15.7% 66.3%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 16.5% 77%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.29B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 41.9% in Mali, ranking 26/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Mali
2025 -7.87% -1.59%
2024 -7.11% -2.16%
2023 -6.71% -3.05%
2022 -7.32% -4.05%
2021 -5.9% -4.12%
2020 -9.56% -4.56%
2019 -6% -1.42%
2018 -4.2% -3.97%
2017 -3.34% -2.4%
2016 -3.33% -3.3%
2015 -2.5% -1.53%
2014 -0.67% -2.43%
2013 -0.82% -1.99%
2012 -0.3% -0.8%
2011 -0.1% -2.87%
2010 -0.36% -2.21%
2009 -1.72% -3.19%
2008 -0.02% -1.69%
2007 0.06% -2.35%
2006 -1.13% 23.7%
2005 -1.38% -2.34%
2004 -1.49% -2.01%
2003 -2.36% -1.01%
2002 -2.84% -2.61%
2001 -2.56% -2.39%
2000 -2.81% -2.25%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Mali's deficit of $478M, or 1.59% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.48% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Mali
2025 0% 2.3%
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 1.4% 1.4%
2014 2% 0.9%
2013 2.6% -0.6%
2012 2.6% 5.3%
2011 5.4% 3%
2010 3.3% 1.2%
2009 -0.7% 2.4%
2008 5.8% 9.2%
2007 4.8% 1.4%
2006 1.5% 1.6%
2005 1.8% 6.4%
2004 3.9% -3.1%
2003 1.2% -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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 2.09% in Mali. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 2.3% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.08B
Chemicals & pharma $88M
Textiles & consumer goods $81.2M
Raw agricultural goods $47.4M
Metals $38.8M
Raw materials & minerals $38.4M
Animal & marine products $33.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.1M
Miscellaneous $3.81M
Wood & paper products $3.67M
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
$735B
2025
-$1.16B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
122/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-4.33%
2024
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$5.49B
2024
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$5.48B
2024
Service imports
$623B
2025
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$385B
2025
$516M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
26.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
22.1%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
57.7%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
23.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
33%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$28.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$3,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$843M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
20%
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/china/mali | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.