Skip to content

Economy of Ethiopia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 60/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Ethiopia vs Malta GDP by year

Ethiopia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Malta
2024 $149,740,297,953 $24,971,574,502
2023 $135,874,093,202 $22,610,561,526
2022 $123,140,304,666 $18,928,276,162
2021 $109,070,960,372 $19,739,875,611
2020 $98,676,811,061 $16,404,663,226
2019 $91,834,517,113 $16,337,793,531
2018 $83,337,901,072 $16,153,779,511
2017 $76,366,081,767 $14,161,366,724
2016 $68,475,871,210 $12,025,782,834
2015 $62,103,418,182 $11,340,795,042
2014 $55,612,228,234 $11,888,032,874
2013 $47,648,276,605 $10,796,782,636
2012 $43,310,721,414 $9,609,532,089
2011 $31,952,763,089 $9,789,361,703
2010 $29,933,790,334 $9,097,044,159
2009 $32,437,389,116 $8,734,745,698
2008 $27,066,912,635 $9,135,419,465
2007 $19,707,616,773 $7,908,412,306
2006 $15,280,861,835 $6,749,838,806
2005 $12,401,139,454 $6,393,234,993
2004 $10,131,187,261 $6,104,141,520
2003 $8,623,691,300 $5,418,315,224
2002 $7,850,809,498 $4,455,127,414
2001 $8,231,326,016 $4,070,867,133
2000 $8,242,349,618 $4,036,809,815
1999 $7,892,973,532 $4,111,857,809
1998 $8,013,274,132 $4,010,111,688
1997 $8,803,539,988 $3,787,023,707
1996 $8,761,215,548 $3,822,547,197
1995 $7,855,205,207 $3,709,396,045
1994 $7,100,806,754 $2,998,505,428
1993 $9,051,043,870 $2,709,193,538
1992 $10,754,799,037 $3,021,942,759
1991 $13,799,799,324 $2,750,216,747
1990 $12,478,943,895 $2,547,328,748
1989 $11,762,932,007 $2,118,655,677
1988 $11,181,119,718 $2,019,503,068
1987 $10,790,001,558 $1,751,293,461
1986 $10,094,328,898 $1,435,038,441
1985 $9,717,392,687 $1,117,797,439
1984 $8,298,309,581 $1,101,807,023
1983 $8,781,664,427 $1,165,729,707
1982 $7,899,988,841 $1,234,474,404
1981 $7,507,663,567 $1,243,509,394
1980 $7,012,585,454 $1,250,198,601
1979 $6,586,048,398 $1,001,288,847
1978 $6,014,961,435 $793,673,402
1977 $5,651,840,585 $625,563,171
1976 $4,943,806,093 $527,936,989
1975 $4,577,047,854 $474,618,321
1974 $4,577,209,966 $376,081,124
1973 $4,070,570,550 $345,616,106
1972 $3,520,252,938 $295,106,628
1971 $3,224,280,835 $264,578,485
1970 $3,045,354,455 $250,728,796
1969 $2,768,987,372 -
1968 $2,619,948,865 -
1967 $2,461,762,003 -
1966 $2,324,466,416 -
1965 $2,159,998,591 -
1964 $1,984,129,186 -
1963 $1,825,058,828 -
1962 $1,747,566,307 -
1961 $1,680,859,514 -
1960 $1,610,511,694 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Malta by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $982 $2,845 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $893 $2,588 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $830 $2,407 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $793 $2,242 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $740 $2,095 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $696 $2,005 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $642 $1,858 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $598 $1,633 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $550 $1,485 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $484 $1,253 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $452 $1,179 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $343 $1,098 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $331 $996 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $369 $899 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $316 $845 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $237.1 $770 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $189.3 $693 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $158.2 $625 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $133.2 $558 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $116.8 $493 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $109.6 $509 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $118.5 $509 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $122.3 $474 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $120.7 $450 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $126.5 $436 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $143.4 $461 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $147.3 $453 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $136.5 $409 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $127.7 $391 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $168.5 $384 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $207.4 $343 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $277.6 $383 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $262.1 $417 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $256.4 - $6,041 -
1988 $253.2 - $5,814 -
1987 $254.1 - $5,084 -
1986 $246 - $4,195 -
1985 $243.9 - $3,322 -
1984 $214.2 - $3,333 -
1983 $232.7 - $3,527 -
1982 $215.3 - $3,788 -
1981 $212.7 - $3,898 -
1980 $203.7 - $3,948 -
1979 $192.4 - $3,196 -
1978 $178.3 - $2,559 -
1977 $170.4 - $2,038 -
1976 $152 - $1,727 -
1975 $144.3 - $1,560 -
1974 $147.9 - $1,245 -
1973 $134.9 - $1,144 -
1972 $119.8 - $976 -
1971 $112.7 - $874 -
1970 $109.4 - $828 -
1969 $102.3 - - -
1968 $99.5 - - -
1967 $96.1 - - -
1966 $93.2 - - -
1965 $88.9 - - -
1964 $83.8 - - -
1963 $79.2 - - -
1962 $77.8 - - -
1961 $76.7 - - -
1960 $75.3 - - -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Malta
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.29B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
3.12%
2024
Population
139917664
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 18% 55.3% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 37.8% 55%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 40.1% 65%
2009 17.1% 30% 41.1% 66%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 41.2% 62%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 42% 70.4%
2003 27% 103.7% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 44.4% 70%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 25.8% 94.3% - 69.8%
1998 20.4% 86% - 66.4%
1997 17.3% 77.4% - 60.8%
1996 18.2% 129% - 51.5%
1995 16.9% 142.3% - 45.3%
1994 17.1% 150.7% - -
1993 13.4% 136.9% - -
1992 13.8% 85.4% - -
1991 16.8% 89.3% - -
1990 20.3% 91.6% - -
1989 24% 84.7% - -
1988 21.6% 84.3% - -
1987 18.4% 82.3% - -
1986 19.8% 75.7% - -
1985 19.7% 67.7% - -
1984 18.8% 65.4% - -
1983 21.3% 55.2% - -
1982 16.4% 48.8% - -
1981 14.2% 30.6% - -
1980 13.5% 18.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 150/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Malta
2024 -1.99% -3.58%
2023 -2.6% -4.65%
2022 -4.16% -5.31%
2021 -2.77% -6.95%
2020 -2.76% -8.72%
2019 -2.53% 0.72%
2018 -3.03% 1.86%
2017 -3.24% 3.4%
2016 -2.3% 1.1%
2015 -1.95% -0.84%
2014 -2.58% -1.49%
2013 -1.93% -2.19%
2012 -1.17% -3.31%
2011 -1.61% -2.99%
2010 -1.32% -2.22%
2009 -0.93% -3.11%
2008 -2.88% -4.06%
2007 -3.57% -2.05%
2006 -3.79% -2.46%
2005 -4.12% -2.83%
2004 -2.65% -4.28%
2003 -5.59% -9.04%
2002 -5.76% -5.62%
2001 -3.76% -6.5%
2000 -8.88% -5.83%
1999 -8.23% -
1998 -3.51% -
1997 -1.7% -
1996 -3.81% -
1995 -2.68% -
1994 -5.23% -
1993 -4% -
1992 -4.78% -
1991 -5.83% -
1990 -6.66% -
1989 -4.33% -
1988 -3.48% -
1987 -3.54% -
1986 -3.98% -
1985 -4.71% -
1984 -3.69% -
1983 -7.59% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.19% -
1980 -2.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.98B, equivalent to 1.99% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Malta
2024 21% 1.65%
2023 30.2% 5.09%
2022 33.9% 6.15%
2021 26.8% 1.5%
2020 20.4% 0.64%
2019 15.8% 1.64%
2018 13.8% 1.16%
2017 10.7% 1.36%
2016 6.63% 0.64%
2015 9.57% 1.1%
2014 6.89% 0.31%
2013 7.46% 1.18%
2012 23.6% 2.38%
2011 33.2% 2.96%
2010 8.15% 1.52%
2009 8.48% 2.08%
2008 44.4% 4.26%
2007 17.2% 1.25%
2006 12.3% 2.77%
2005 9.97% 3.01%
2004 3.33% 2.79%
2003 13.7% 1.3%
2002 0.68% 2.19%
2001 -8.24% 2.93%
2000 0.66% 2.37%
1999 7.94% 2.13%
1998 0.89% 2.39%
1997 2.4% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $25.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $201K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Malta
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
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.

Ethiopia Malta
Economic freedom 48.1 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 49/197
Property rights 22.1 85.5
Government integrity 33.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 80.2
Tax burden 78.6 68.5
Government spending 96.4 58.4
Fiscal health 84.3 63.2
Business freedom 44.5 83.2
Labor freedom 37.8 62.6
Monetary freedom 53.7 73.1
Trade freedom 57.4 79.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Malta
2026 48.1 68.2
2025 48.1 66.8
2024 47.9 64.5
2023 48.3 67.5
2022 49.6 71.5
2021 51.7 70.2
2020 53.6 69.5
2019 53.6 68.6
2018 52.8 68.5
2017 52.7 67.7
2016 51.5 66.7
2015 51.5 66.5
2014 50 66.4
2013 49.4 67.5
2012 52 67
2011 50.5 65.7
2010 51.2 67.2
2009 53 66.1
2008 52.5 66
2007 53.6 66.1
2006 50.9 67.3
2005 51.1 68.9
2004 54.5 63.3
2003 48.8 61.1
2002 49.8 62.2
2001 48.9 62.9
2000 50.2 58.3
1999 46.7 59.3
1998 49.2 61.2
1997 48.1 57.9
1996 45.9 55.8
1995 42.6 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, 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

Ethiopia Malta
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
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/ethiopia/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.