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Economy of China vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 2/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

China vs Malta GDP by year

China
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Malta
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $24,971,574,502
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $22,610,561,526
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $18,928,276,162
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $19,739,875,611
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $16,404,663,226
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $16,337,793,531
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $16,153,779,511
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $14,161,366,724
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $12,025,782,834
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $11,340,795,042
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $11,888,032,874
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $10,796,782,636
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $9,609,532,089
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $9,789,361,703
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $9,097,044,159
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $8,734,745,698
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $9,135,419,465
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $7,908,412,306
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $6,749,838,806
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $6,393,234,993
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $6,104,141,520
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $5,418,315,224
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $4,455,127,414
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $4,070,867,133
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $4,036,809,815
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $4,111,857,809
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $4,010,111,688
1997 $967,753,570,435 $3,787,023,707
1996 $868,523,936,530 $3,822,547,197
1995 $738,190,896,228 $3,709,396,045
1994 $566,929,539,493 $2,998,505,428
1993 $446,557,291,212 $2,709,193,538
1992 $428,502,354,788 $3,021,942,759
1991 $384,510,452,962 $2,750,216,747
1990 $361,560,229,446 $2,547,328,748
1989 $348,380,566,802 $2,118,655,677
1988 $312,888,888,889 $2,019,503,068
1987 $273,455,156,951 $1,751,293,461
1986 $301,310,144,928 $1,435,038,441
1985 $310,064,625,850 $1,117,797,439
1984 $260,442,857,143 $1,101,807,023
1983 $231,130,268,199 $1,165,729,707
1982 $205,480,916,031 $1,234,474,404
1981 $196,218,253,968 $1,243,509,394
1980 $191,487,500,000 $1,250,198,601
1979 $178,573,913,043 $1,001,288,847
1978 $149,788,617,886 $793,673,402
1977 $175,226,595,860 $625,563,171
1976 $154,196,810,059 $527,936,989
1975 $163,687,619,736 $474,618,321
1974 $144,418,433,058 $376,081,124
1973 $138,764,340,892 $345,616,106
1972 $113,871,930,714 $295,106,628
1971 $99,959,013,880 $264,578,485
1970 $92,752,930,873 $250,728,796
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/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Malta by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $969 $2,964 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $881 $2,690 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $835 $2,483 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $787 $2,297 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $713 $2,088 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $613 $1,884 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $476 $1,680 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $379 $1,471 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $368 $1,276 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $334 $1,105 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $319 $991 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $311 - $6,041 -
1988 $284 - $5,814 -
1987 $252.3 - $5,084 -
1986 $282.4 - $4,195 -
1985 $295 - $3,322 -
1984 $251.2 - $3,333 -
1983 $225.9 - $3,527 -
1982 $203.7 - $3,788 -
1981 $197.4 - $3,898 -
1980 $195.1 - $3,948 -
1979 $184.3 - $3,196 -
1978 $156.7 - $2,559 -
1977 $185.7 - $2,038 -
1976 $165.7 - $1,727 -
1975 $178.6 - $1,560 -
1974 $160.4 - $1,245 -
1973 $157.3 - $1,144 -
1972 $132.1 - $976 -
1971 $118.8 - $874 -
1970 $113.3 - $828 -
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/malta | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

China Malta
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$4.29B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
3.12%
2024
Population
1402578808
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 32.7% 82% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 34.8% 69% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 32% 53.9% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 40.1% 65%
2009 25.2% 34% 41.1% 66%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 41.2% 62%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 18% 25.9% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 17.6% 26% 42% 70.4%
2003 18% 26.4% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 44.4% 70%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 14.9% 21.6% - 69.8%
1998 12.6% 20.4% - 66.4%
1997 11.5% 20.4% - 60.8%
1996 11% 21.2% - 51.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% - 45.3%
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/malta | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 34/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Malta
2024 -7.34% -3.58%
2023 -6.71% -4.65%
2022 -7.32% -5.31%
2021 -5.9% -6.95%
2020 -9.56% -8.72%
2019 -6% 0.72%
2018 -4.2% 1.86%
2017 -3.34% 3.4%
2016 -3.33% 1.1%
2015 -2.5% -0.84%
2014 -0.67% -1.49%
2013 -0.82% -2.19%
2012 -0.3% -3.31%
2011 -0.1% -2.99%
2010 -0.36% -2.22%
2009 -1.72% -3.11%
2008 -0.02% -4.06%
2007 0.06% -2.05%
2006 -1.13% -2.46%
2005 -1.38% -2.83%
2004 -1.49% -4.28%
2003 -2.36% -9.04%
2002 -2.84% -5.62%
2001 -2.56% -6.5%
2000 -2.81% -5.83%
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/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Malta
2024 0.2% 1.65%
2023 0.2% 5.09%
2022 2% 6.15%
2021 0.9% 1.5%
2020 2.5% 0.64%
2019 2.9% 1.64%
2018 2.1% 1.16%
2017 1.6% 1.36%
2016 2% 0.64%
2015 1.5% 1.1%
2014 2% 0.31%
2013 2.7% 1.18%
2012 2.6% 2.38%
2011 5.4% 2.96%
2010 3.3% 1.52%
2009 -0.7% 2.08%
2008 5.9% 4.26%
2007 4.7% 1.25%
2006 1.5% 2.77%
2005 1.8% 3.01%
2004 3.9% 2.79%
2003 1.1% 1.3%
2002 -0.8% 2.19%
2001 0.7% 2.93%
2000 0.4% 2.37%
1999 -1.4% 2.13%
1998 -0.8% 2.39%
1997 2.8% 3.11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.07B
Raw materials & minerals $670M
Textiles & consumer goods $109M
Metals $86.9M
Chemicals & pharma $59.2M
Miscellaneous $42.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.15M
Wood & paper products $8.77M
Animal & marine products $1.61M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.36M
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $18M
Chemicals & pharma $15.4M
Business & finance services $10.5M
Machinery & equipment $7.8M
Raw materials & minerals $5.63M
Animal & marine products $3.61M
IT & IP services $2.72M
Manufacturing & construction services $591K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $383K
Textiles & consumer goods $297K

Balance of trade

China Malta
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
118.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Malta
Economic freedom 48.3 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 49/197
Property rights 40.9 85.5
Government integrity 42.3 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 80.2
Tax burden 69.3 68.5
Government spending 67.8 58.4
Fiscal health 4.4 63.2
Business freedom 68.7 83.2
Labor freedom 57.9 62.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 73.1
Trade freedom 73.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Malta
2026 48.3 68.2
2025 49 66.8
2024 48.5 64.5
2023 48.3 67.5
2022 48 71.5
2021 58.4 70.2
2020 59.5 69.5
2019 58.4 68.6
2018 57.8 68.5
2017 57.4 67.7
2016 52 66.7
2015 52.7 66.5
2014 52.5 66.4
2013 51.9 67.5
2012 51.2 67
2011 52 65.7
2010 51 67.2
2009 53.2 66.1
2008 53.1 66
2007 52 66.1
2006 53.6 67.3
2005 53.7 68.9
2004 52.5 63.3
2003 52.6 61.1
2002 52.8 62.2
2001 52.6 62.9
2000 56.4 58.3
1999 54.8 59.3
1998 53.1 61.2
1997 51.7 57.9
1996 51.3 55.8
1995 52 56.3

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

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

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

China Malta
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
19%
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/malta | 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 (2021–2024, 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.