Skip to content

Economy of Colombia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 39/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Colombia vs Malta GDP by year

Colombia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Malta
2024 $418,818,154,879 $24,971,574,502
2023 $366,291,836,138 $22,610,561,526
2022 $345,632,492,851 $18,928,276,162
2021 $318,524,633,225 $19,739,875,611
2020 $270,348,342,541 $16,404,663,226
2019 $323,031,701,193 $16,337,793,531
2018 $334,198,218,098 $16,153,779,511
2017 $311,866,875,157 $14,161,366,724
2016 $282,720,100,286 $12,025,782,834
2015 $293,492,370,193 $11,340,795,042
2014 $381,240,864,422 $11,888,032,874
2013 $382,093,697,078 $10,796,782,636
2012 $370,691,143,018 $9,609,532,089
2011 $334,966,134,805 $9,789,361,703
2010 $286,498,534,095 $9,097,044,159
2009 $232,468,663,110 $8,734,745,698
2008 $242,504,150,473 $9,135,419,465
2007 $206,229,540,926 $7,908,412,306
2006 $161,792,958,905 $6,749,838,806
2005 $145,600,529,606 $6,393,234,993
2004 $117,092,416,666 $6,104,141,520
2003 $94,644,969,157 $5,418,315,224
2002 $97,945,812,803 $4,455,127,414
2001 $98,200,641,203 $4,070,867,133
2000 $99,875,074,951 $4,036,809,815
1999 $86,186,158,685 $4,111,857,809
1998 $98,443,739,941 $4,010,111,688
1997 $106,659,508,271 $3,787,023,707
1996 $97,160,109,278 $3,822,547,197
1995 $92,507,279,383 $3,709,396,045
1994 $81,703,500,846 $2,998,505,428
1993 $66,446,804,803 $2,709,193,538
1992 $58,418,985,443 $3,021,942,759
1991 $49,175,565,911 $2,750,216,747
1990 $47,844,090,710 $2,547,328,748
1989 $39,540,080,200 $2,118,655,677
1988 $39,212,550,050 $2,019,503,068
1987 $36,373,307,085 $1,751,293,461
1986 $34,942,489,684 $1,435,038,441
1985 $34,894,411,352 $1,117,797,439
1984 $38,253,120,738 $1,101,807,023
1983 $38,729,822,782 $1,165,729,707
1982 $38,968,039,722 $1,234,474,404
1981 $36,388,366,869 $1,243,509,394
1980 $33,400,735,644 $1,250,198,601
1979 $27,940,411,250 $1,001,288,847
1978 $23,263,511,958 $793,673,402
1977 $19,470,960,619 $625,563,171
1976 $15,341,403,660 $527,936,989
1975 $13,098,633,902 $474,618,321
1974 $12,370,029,584 $376,081,124
1973 $10,315,760,000 $345,616,106
1972 $8,671,358,733 $295,106,628
1971 $7,820,380,971 $264,578,485
1970 $7,198,360,460 $250,728,796
1969 $6,450,175,214 -
1968 $5,960,212,869 -
1967 $5,825,170,438 -
1966 $5,428,518,519 -
1965 $5,760,761,905 -
1964 $5,973,366,667 -
1963 $4,836,166,667 -
1962 $4,955,543,963 -
1961 $4,540,447,761 -
1960 $4,031,152,977 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Colombia vs Malta by year

Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $1,244 - $6,041 -
1988 $1,260 - $5,814 -
1987 $1,193 - $5,084 -
1986 $1,169 - $4,195 -
1985 $1,192 - $3,322 -
1984 $1,336 - $3,333 -
1983 $1,384 - $3,527 -
1982 $1,425 - $3,788 -
1981 $1,362 - $3,898 -
1980 $1,280 - $3,948 -
1979 $1,095 - $3,196 -
1978 $932 - $2,559 -
1977 $798 - $2,038 -
1976 $643 - $1,727 -
1975 $561 - $1,560 -
1974 $542 - $1,245 -
1973 $462 - $1,144 -
1972 $397 - $976 -
1971 $367 - $874 -
1970 $346 - $828 -
1969 $318 - - -
1968 $302 - - -
1967 $303 - - -
1966 $290.3 - - -
1965 $317 - - -
1964 $339 - - -
1963 $282.6 - - -
1962 $298.5 - - -
1961 $282.1 - - -
1960 $258.3 - - -

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

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

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Colombia Malta
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
$4.29B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
3.12%
2024
Population
54105437
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 32.9% 51% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 30% 49.9% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 37.8% 55%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 30% 37.6% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 29.1% 34% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 40.1% 65%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 41.1% 66%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 41.2% 62%
2006 28.4% 36% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 42% 70.4%
2003 28% 45% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 28.1% 47.5% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 27.5% 41.1% 44.4% 70%
2000 26.6% 38% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 28.2% 34% - 69.8%
1998 26.3% 27.4% - 66.4%
1997 26.2% 25.3% - 60.8%
1996 25.1% 23.3% - 51.5%
1995 22.2% 13.8% - 45.3%
1994 20.6% 12.5% - -
1993 20% 14.2% - -
1992 18.4% 16.1% - -
1991 17.7% 14.5% - -
1990 17.4% 16.7% - -
1989 10.3% 17.3% - -
1988 10.3% 17.9% - -
1987 9.7% 18.9% - -
1986 9.8% 20.2% - -
1985 10.5% 19.3% - -
1984 10.3% 15.5% - -
1983 10.2% 10.8% - -
1982 10.6% 8.8% - -
1981 9.9% 8.5% - -
1980 9.6% 8% - -
1979 8.6% 7.7% - -
1978 8.1% 7.6% - -
1977 7.7% 9.2% - -
1976 8% 12.2% - -
1975 9.4% 14.6% - -
1974 8.8% 15.9% - -
1973 9.4% 16.3% - -
1972 10.3% 16.9% - -
1971 10.3% 16.2% - -
1970 10% 16.7% - -
1969 9.2% 17% - -
1968 8.9% 16.2% - -
1967 8.2% 15.8% - -
1966 8% 15.3% - -
1965 7% 15.2% - -
1964 8.1% 13.1% - -
1963 8.6% 13.9% - -
1962 7.8% 14.8% - -
1961 8.6% 8.7% - -
1960 6.7% 7.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 75/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Malta
2024 -6.25% -3.58%
2023 -2.92% -4.65%
2022 -6.34% -5.31%
2021 -7.26% -6.95%
2020 -7.12% -8.72%
2019 -3.48% 0.72%
2018 -4.67% 1.86%
2017 -2.5% 3.4%
2016 -2.27% 1.1%
2015 -3.52% -0.84%
2014 -1.74% -1.49%
2013 -1.02% -2.19%
2012 0.15% -3.31%
2011 -1.99% -2.99%
2010 -3.3% -2.22%
2009 -2.67% -3.11%
2008 0.04% -4.06%
2007 -0.82% -2.05%
2006 -0.99% -2.46%
2005 -0.02% -2.83%
2004 -1.31% -4.28%
2003 -2.7% -9.04%
2002 -3.45% -5.62%
2001 -2.71% -6.5%
2000 -2.94% -5.83%
1999 -5.37% -
1998 -3.86% -
1997 -3.23% -
1996 -2.49% -
1995 -1% -
1994 -0.14% -
1993 -0.24% -
1992 -0.07% -
1991 0.35% -
1990 -0.41% -
1989 -1.4% -
1988 -1.3% -
1987 -0.4% -
1986 -1.4% -
1985 -2.4% -
1984 -3.3% -
1983 -3.1% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.8% -
1980 -2.2% -
1979 -0.7% -
1978 0.3% -
1977 0.5% -
1976 0.6% -
1975 -0.5% -
1974 -1.2% -
1973 -1.1% -
1972 -1.7% -
1971 -1% -
1970 -0.7% -
1969 -0.5% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.2% -
1966 0.1% -
1965 -0.6% -
1964 -1.1% -
1963 -1.7% -
1962 -1.6% -
1961 -1.5% -
1960 1.2% -
1959 2% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.4% -
1956 -0.2% -
1955 0.7% -
1954 1.3% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 1.6% -
1951 2.1% -
1950 0.9% -
1949 0.5% -
1948 -0.1% -
1947 0.2% -
1946 -0.5% -
1945 0.1% -
1944 -0.2% -
1943 -0.7% -
1942 -1.5% -
1941 0% -
1940 -1.5% -
1939 0.8% -
1938 0.5% -
1937 1.4% -
1936 1.1% -
1935 1.3% -
1934 0.2% -
1933 -0.4% -
1932 -0.8% -
1931 -0.2% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 -0.6% -
1926 0% -
1925 1% -
1924 0.5% -
1923 0.3% -
1922 -0.7% -
1921 -1.6% -
1920 0.4% -
1919 -0.8% -
1918 -2.1% -
1917 -0.5% -
1916 0.2% -
1915 -0.2% -
1914 -0.5% -
1913 0.5% -
1912 -0.3% -
1911 -0.1% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -3.3% -
1908 -2.7% -
1907 -2.7% -
1906 0.2% -
1905 -0.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.2B, equivalent to 6.25% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Malta
2024 6.61% 1.65%
2023 11.7% 5.09%
2022 10.2% 6.15%
2021 3.5% 1.5%
2020 2.53% 0.64%
2019 3.52% 1.64%
2018 3.24% 1.16%
2017 4.31% 1.36%
2016 7.51% 0.64%
2015 4.99% 1.1%
2014 2.9% 0.31%
2013 2.02% 1.18%
2012 3.17% 2.38%
2011 3.42% 2.96%
2010 2.27% 1.52%
2009 4.2% 2.08%
2008 7% 4.26%
2007 5.54% 1.25%
2006 4.29% 2.77%
2005 5.05% 3.01%
2004 5.9% 2.79%
2003 7.13% 1.3%
2002 6.35% 2.19%
2001 7.97% 2.93%
2000 9.23% 2.37%
1999 10.9% 2.13%
1998 18.7% 2.39%
1997 18.5% 3.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.52%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $21.7M
Raw agricultural goods $187K
Animal & marine products $144K
Textiles & consumer goods $74K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $37K
Chemicals & pharma $22K
Miscellaneous $7K
Malta
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $550K
Chemicals & pharma $101K
Wood & paper products $22K

Balance of trade

Colombia Malta
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
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.

Colombia Malta
Economic freedom 59.8 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 49/197
Property rights 43.1 85.5
Government integrity 41.6 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 80.2
Tax burden 68.6 68.5
Government spending 64 58.4
Fiscal health 49.8 63.2
Business freedom 71.2 83.2
Labor freedom 59.1 62.6
Monetary freedom 71.9 73.1
Trade freedom 71.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Malta
2026 59.8 68.2
2025 59.8 66.8
2024 59.2 64.5
2023 63.1 67.5
2022 65.1 71.5
2021 68.1 70.2
2020 69.2 69.5
2019 67.3 68.6
2018 68.9 68.5
2017 69.7 67.7
2016 70.8 66.7
2015 71.7 66.5
2014 70.7 66.4
2013 69.6 67.5
2012 68 67
2011 68 65.7
2010 65.5 67.2
2009 62.3 66.1
2008 62.2 66
2007 59.9 66.1
2006 60.4 67.3
2005 59.6 68.9
2004 61.2 63.3
2003 64.2 61.1
2002 64.2 62.2
2001 65.6 62.9
2000 63.3 58.3
1999 65.3 59.3
1998 65.5 61.2
1997 66.4 57.9
1996 64.3 55.8
1995 64.5 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, 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

Colombia Malta
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/colombia/malta | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.