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Economy of Croatia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Croatia has a GDP of $105B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 73/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Croatia has $58.7B in government debt (55.9% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Croatia vs Malta GDP by year

Croatia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Croatia Malta
2025 $105,060,182,186 $27,771,821,561
2024 $92,981,894,168 $25,042,712,191
2023 $85,621,337,533 $22,625,329,776
2022 $71,196,460,237 $18,938,869,147
2021 $69,002,262,505 $19,730,119,031
2020 $57,959,824,238 $16,404,655,808
2019 $61,467,261,345 $16,337,788,881
2018 $61,668,280,700 $16,153,785,817
2017 $56,182,225,079 $14,161,374,599
2016 $52,650,804,052 $12,025,777,078
2015 $50,999,271,059 $11,340,789,706
2014 $59,607,109,597 $11,888,029,752
2013 $59,846,869,999 $10,796,780,874
2012 $57,547,495,860 $9,609,530,619
2011 $62,889,150,894 $9,789,363,086
2010 $58,975,127,201 $9,097,044,301
2009 $62,315,450,611 $8,769,897,418
2008 $68,473,103,477 $9,172,399,573
2007 $59,290,547,254 $7,908,412,374
2006 $49,583,643,048 $6,749,838,862
2005 $45,012,776,906 $6,393,234,965
2004 $41,836,096,243 $6,104,141,501
2003 $35,244,797,329 $5,418,315,225
2002 $26,757,633,353 $4,455,127,398
2001 $23,067,071,478 $4,070,867,153
2000 $22,134,069,750 $4,036,809,767
1999 $23,776,940,769 $4,111,857,836
1998 $25,889,813,449 $4,010,111,652
1997 $24,175,272,572 $3,787,023,655
1996 $24,151,469,717 $3,822,547,151
1995 $22,772,224,146 $3,709,396,089
1994 $15,062,911,617 $2,998,505,428
1993 $11,259,647,874 $2,709,193,538
1992 $10,621,169,291 $3,021,942,759
1991 $18,760,386,775 $2,750,216,747
1990 $25,650,213,280 $2,547,328,748
1989 - $2,118,655,677
1988 - $2,019,503,068
1987 - $1,751,293,461
1986 - $1,435,038,441
1985 - $1,117,797,439
1984 - $1,101,807,023
1983 - $1,165,729,707
1982 - $1,234,474,404
1981 - $1,243,509,394
1980 - $1,250,198,601
1979 - $1,001,288,847
1978 - $793,673,402
1977 - $625,563,171
1976 - $527,936,989
1975 - $474,618,321
1974 - $376,081,124
1973 - $345,616,106
1972 - $295,106,628
1971 - $264,578,485
1970 - $250,728,796

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Croatia vs Malta by year

Croatia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Croatia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $27,104 - $47,907 -
2024 $24,050 $49,551 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $22,183 $47,760 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $18,466 $42,125 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $17,789 $36,930 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $14,808 $31,594 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $15,564 $33,064 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $15,460 $29,789 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $13,902 $27,888 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $12,820 $25,803 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $12,284 $23,750 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $14,187 $22,706 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $14,135 $22,430 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $13,508 $21,619 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $14,692 $21,191 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $13,730 $20,139 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $14,475 $20,358 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $15,888 $21,018 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $13,756 $19,568 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $11,501 $17,629 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $10,443 $15,451 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $9,719 $14,686 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $8,190 $13,692 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $6,220 $12,775 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $5,365 $11,653 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $4,954 $10,675 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $5,269 $9,943 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $5,712 $9,890 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $5,331 $9,536 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $5,300 $8,806 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $4,929 $8,052 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $3,238 $7,337 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $2,448 $6,861 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $2,321 $7,326 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $4,001 $7,918 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $5,369 $9,526 $7,192 $10,086
1989 - - $6,041 -
1988 - - $5,814 -
1987 - - $5,084 -
1986 - - $4,195 -
1985 - - $3,322 -
1984 - - $3,333 -
1983 - - $3,527 -
1982 - - $3,788 -
1981 - - $3,898 -
1980 - - $3,948 -
1979 - - $3,196 -
1978 - - $2,559 -
1977 - - $2,038 -
1976 - - $1,727 -
1975 - - $1,560 -
1974 - - $1,245 -
1973 - - $1,144 -
1972 - - $976 -
1971 - - $874 -
1970 - - $828 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Croatia's GDP per capita is $27,104, ranking 49/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Croatia ranks 46th at $49,551, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Croatia Malta
Gross domestic product
$105B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
73/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
3.4%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$27,104
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
49/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,551
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
46/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$58.7B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.9%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$15,144
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
44/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,376
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$37.9B
2025
$5.35B
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.3%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.69%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.9%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
3849788
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Croatia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Croatia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 49.3% 55.9% 37% 46.8%
2024 48% 57.4% 37.4% 46%
2023 46.3% 60.9% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 45% 68.5% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 48.2% 78.2% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 53.8% 86.5% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 44.4% 70.9% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 45% 72.8% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 44.1% 76.2% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 45.9% 79.3% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 47.6% 82.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 48.7% 83.2% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 48% 79.5% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 47.3% 68.9% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 48.6% 63.1% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 48.2% 56.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 49.3% 47.9% 41.1% 66%
2008 46.3% 38.9% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 46.4% 37.1% 41.2% 62%
2006 44.6% 38.4% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 46.5% 40.9% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 49% 40% 42% 70.4%
2003 49.6% 37.8% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 49.2% 36.5% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 50.6% 36.6% 44.4% 70%
2000 54.6% 35.4% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 58.9% 30% - 69.8%
1998 56.8% 23.3% - 66.4%
1997 51.7% 22.5% - 60.8%
1996 52.1% - - 51.5%
1995 50.3% - - 45.3%
1994 45.4% - - -
1993 35.9% - - -
1992 37.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Croatia's government spending was $51.8B, accounting for 49.3% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.9% in Croatia and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 87/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Croatia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Croatia Malta
2025 -2.89% -3.1%
2024 -1.95% -3.51%
2023 -0.79% -4.43%
2022 0.14% -5.33%
2021 -2.57% -6.96%
2020 -7.24% -8.71%
2019 2.32% 0.72%
2018 0.22% 1.86%
2017 0.81% 3.4%
2016 -1.04% 1.1%
2015 -3.53% -0.84%
2014 -5.19% -1.49%
2013 -5.51% -2.19%
2012 -5.46% -3.31%
2011 -7.51% -2.99%
2010 -6.45% -2.22%
2009 -7.15% -3.11%
2008 -2.33% -4.06%
2007 -2.27% -2.05%
2006 -2% -2.46%
2005 -3.24% -2.83%
2004 -6.09% -4.28%
2003 -5.03% -9.04%
2002 -4.9% -5.62%
2001 -4.79% -6.5%
2000 -9.2% -5.83%
1999 -11.1% -
1998 -6.36% -
1997 -4.93% -
1996 -4.41% -
1995 -4.23% -
1994 -0.82% -
1993 -2.67% -
1992 -5.69% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Croatia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.04B, equivalent to 2.89% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Croatia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Croatia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Croatia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Croatia Malta
2025 3.69% 2.36%
2024 2.97% 1.65%
2023 7.94% 5.09%
2022 10.8% 6.15%
2021 2.55% 1.5%
2020 0.15% 0.64%
2019 0.77% 1.64%
2018 1.5% 1.16%
2017 1.13% 1.36%
2016 -1.12% 0.64%
2015 -0.46% 1.1%
2014 -0.22% 0.31%
2013 2.22% 1.18%
2012 3.41% 2.38%
2011 2.27% 2.96%
2010 1.03% 1.52%
2009 2.38% 2.08%
2008 6.08% 4.26%
2007 2.9% 1.25%
2006 3.19% 2.77%
2005 3.32% 3.01%
2004 2.06% 2.79%
2003 1.77% 1.3%
2002 1.67% 2.19%
2001 3.78% 2.93%
2000 4.61% 2.37%
1999 4.02% 2.13%
1998 6.4% 2.39%
1997 4.17% 3.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Croatia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.93%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 3.69% in Croatia and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Croatia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $148M
IT & IP services $53M
Transport & tourism services $18.4M
Raw agricultural goods $9.09M
Machinery & equipment $8.24M
Wood & paper products $5.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.79M
Business & finance services $4.33M
Miscellaneous $1.97M
Chemicals & pharma $1.37M
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $28.7M
Chemicals & pharma $2.35M
IT & IP services $1.54M
Machinery & equipment $1.35M
Business & finance services $788K
Manufacturing & construction services $433K
Wood & paper products $32K
Precious metals & jewellery $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Raw materials & minerals $5K

Balance of trade

Croatia Malta
Current account balance
-$1.93B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
141/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.08%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$42.5B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$21.9B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$8.42B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$24.8B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
48%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Croatia Malta
Economic freedom 67.5 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 56/197 49/197
Property rights 81.1 85.5
Government integrity 52.6 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 71.7 80.2
Tax burden 70 68.5
Government spending 34.9 58.4
Fiscal health 92.2 63.2
Business freedom 79.6 83.2
Labor freedom 58.9 62.6
Monetary freedom 69.9 73.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Croatia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Croatia Malta
2026 67.5 68.2
2025 68.7 66.8
2024 67.2 64.5
2023 66.4 67.5
2022 67.6 71.5
2021 63.6 70.2
2020 62.2 69.5
2019 61.4 68.6
2018 61 68.5
2017 59.4 67.7
2016 59.1 66.7
2015 61.5 66.5
2014 60.4 66.4
2013 61.3 67.5
2012 60.9 67
2011 61.1 65.7
2010 59.2 67.2
2009 55.1 66.1
2008 54.1 66
2007 53.4 66.1
2006 53.6 67.3
2005 51.9 68.9
2004 53.1 63.3
2003 53.3 61.1
2002 51.1 62.2
2001 50.7 62.9
2000 53.6 58.3
1999 53.1 59.3
1998 51.7 61.2
1997 46.7 57.9
1996 48 55.8
1995 - 56.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Croatia is 67.5, ranking 56/197, 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

Croatia Malta
Services, % of GDP
60.9%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.83%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$98.3B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$50,410
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.22B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
110/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.74B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.54B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.79B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2024
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.6%
2025
18.7%
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/croatia/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, 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. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997, 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.

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.