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Economy of Estonia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Estonia has a GDP of $47B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 101/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $11.4B in government debt (24.2% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Estonia vs Malta GDP by year

Estonia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia Malta
2025 $47,030,833,799 $27,771,821,561
2024 $43,130,419,829 $25,042,712,191
2023 $41,470,344,395 $22,625,329,776
2022 $38,226,641,740 $18,938,869,147
2021 $37,201,101,171 $19,730,119,031
2020 $31,820,771,494 $16,404,655,808
2019 $31,873,748,770 $16,337,788,881
2018 $31,222,632,741 $16,153,785,817
2017 $27,469,461,919 $14,161,374,599
2016 $24,561,027,788 $12,025,777,078
2015 $23,311,847,751 $11,340,789,706
2014 $27,055,689,003 $11,888,029,752
2013 $25,451,032,781 $10,796,780,874
2012 $23,237,406,116 $9,609,530,619
2011 $23,303,915,795 $9,789,363,086
2010 $19,524,355,419 $9,097,044,301
2009 $19,633,984,440 $8,769,897,418
2008 $24,342,935,404 $9,172,399,573
2007 $22,450,264,166 $7,908,412,374
2006 $17,025,671,810 $6,749,838,862
2005 $14,109,491,357 $6,393,234,965
2004 $12,148,595,031 $6,104,141,501
2003 $9,876,595,528 $5,418,315,225
2002 $7,370,119,619 $4,455,127,398
2001 $6,250,218,423 $4,070,867,153
2000 $5,686,579,748 $4,036,809,767
1999 $5,756,912,266 $4,111,857,836
1998 $5,674,080,543 $4,010,111,652
1997 $5,154,420,649 $3,787,023,655
1996 $4,786,018,988 $3,822,547,151
1995 $4,502,970,889 $3,709,396,089
1994 $4,123,011,420 $2,998,505,428
1993 $4,013,091,682 $2,709,193,538
1992 - $3,021,942,759
1991 - $2,750,216,747
1990 - $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/estonia/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Estonia vs Malta by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,418 - $47,907 -
2024 $31,428 $49,969 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $7,296 $12,103
1992 - $5,872 $8,220 $11,429
1991 - $7,151 $7,559 $10,784
1990 - $7,481 $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/estonia/malta | CC BY

Estonia's GDP per capita is $34,418, ranking 37/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Estonia Malta
Gross domestic product
$47B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
101/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
0.58%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,418
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$11.4B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.2%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$8,325
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
67/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,647
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.83%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
1347027
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.2% 24.2% 37% 46.8%
2024 43.6% 23.5% 37.4% 46%
2023 43.5% 20.2% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 40.1% 19.2% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 40.1% 65%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 41.1% 66%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 41.2% 62%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 42% 70.4%
2003 35% 5.6% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 44.4% 70%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 40.7% 5.93% - 69.8%
1998 38.9% 5.4% - 66.4%
1997 35.8% 6.03% - 60.8%
1996 38.6% 7.3% - 51.5%
1995 39.5% 8.66% - 45.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Estonia's government spending was $21.3B, accounting for 45.2% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.2% in Estonia and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 168/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia Malta
2025 -1.33% -3.1%
2024 -1.54% -3.51%
2023 -3.07% -4.43%
2022 -1.08% -5.33%
2021 -2.57% -6.96%
2020 -5.42% -8.71%
2019 -0.11% 0.72%
2018 -1.15% 1.86%
2017 -1.07% 3.4%
2016 -0.62% 1.1%
2015 -0.24% -0.84%
2014 0.42% -1.49%
2013 -0.66% -2.19%
2012 -0.86% -3.31%
2011 0.09% -2.99%
2010 -1.09% -2.22%
2009 -3.43% -3.11%
2008 -2.92% -4.06%
2007 2.5% -2.05%
2006 2.71% -2.46%
2005 1.07% -2.83%
2004 2.29% -4.28%
2003 1.67% -9.04%
2002 0.29% -5.62%
2001 0.4% -6.5%
2000 -0.11% -5.83%
1999 -3.42% -
1998 0.65% -
1997 2.98% -
1996 -0.93% -
1995 -0.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $626M, equivalent to 1.33% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia Malta
2025 4.83% 2.36%
2024 3.52% 1.65%
2023 9.16% 5.09%
2022 19.4% 6.15%
2021 4.65% 1.5%
2020 -0.44% 0.64%
2019 2.28% 1.64%
2018 3.44% 1.16%
2017 3.42% 1.36%
2016 0.15% 0.64%
2015 -0.49% 1.1%
2014 -0.11% 0.31%
2013 2.78% 1.18%
2012 3.93% 2.38%
2011 4.98% 2.96%
2010 2.97% 1.52%
2009 -0.08% 2.08%
2008 10.4% 4.26%
2007 6.6% 1.25%
2006 4.44% 2.77%
2005 4.08% 3.01%
2004 3.05% 2.79%
2003 1.33% 1.3%
2002 3.57% 2.19%
2001 5.75% 2.93%
2000 4.02% 2.37%
1999 3.3% 2.13%
1998 8.21% 2.39%
1997 10.6% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.47%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 4.83% in Estonia and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $178M
Business & finance services $112M
Transport & tourism services $13.5M
Manufacturing & construction services $1.95M
Machinery & equipment $1.26M
Wood & paper products $1.18M
Miscellaneous $936K
Animal & marine products $833K
Raw agricultural goods $758K
Chemicals & pharma $572K
Malta
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $16.6M
Transport & tourism services $12M
IT & IP services $1.17M
Wood & paper products $776K
Manufacturing & construction services $591K
Government & miscellaneous services $237K
Machinery & equipment $181K
Chemicals & pharma $122K
Precious metals & jewellery $107K
Raw materials & minerals $67K

Balance of trade

Estonia Malta
Current account balance
-$70M
2025
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
79/190
2025
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$21.2B
2025
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$12B
2025
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$15.6B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.4%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.4%
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.

Estonia Malta
Economic freedom 78.7 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 49/197
Property rights 93.6 85.5
Government integrity 86.3 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 80.2
Tax burden 77.9 68.5
Government spending 46 58.4
Fiscal health 93.1 63.2
Business freedom 82.8 83.2
Labor freedom 59 62.6
Monetary freedom 73.9 73.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia Malta
2026 78.7 68.2
2025 78.9 66.8
2024 77.8 64.5
2023 78.6 67.5
2022 80 71.5
2021 78.2 70.2
2020 77.7 69.5
2019 76.6 68.6
2018 78.8 68.5
2017 79.1 67.7
2016 77.2 66.7
2015 76.8 66.5
2014 75.9 66.4
2013 75.3 67.5
2012 73.2 67
2011 75.2 65.7
2010 74.7 67.2
2009 76.4 66.1
2008 77.9 66
2007 78 66.1
2006 74.9 67.3
2005 75.2 68.9
2004 77.4 63.3
2003 77.7 61.1
2002 77.6 62.2
2001 76.1 62.9
2000 69.9 58.3
1999 73.8 59.3
1998 72.5 61.2
1997 69.1 57.9
1996 65.4 55.8
1995 65.2 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, 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

Estonia Malta
Services, % of GDP
65.8%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.65%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$44.2B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$51,370
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.44B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$814M
2025
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
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/estonia/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 (1995–2025, 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)

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.