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Economy of France vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

France has a GDP of $3.16T compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 7/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

France has $3.58T in government debt (113.1% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

France vs Malta GDP by year

France
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
France Malta
2024 $3,160,442,622,465 $24,971,574,502
2023 $3,056,250,648,138 $22,610,561,526
2022 $2,794,788,137,067 $18,928,276,162
2021 $2,966,433,692,008 $19,739,875,611
2020 $2,647,926,055,110 $16,404,663,226
2019 $2,722,793,515,172 $16,337,793,531
2018 $2,781,576,320,884 $16,153,779,511
2017 $2,588,868,323,335 $14,161,366,724
2016 $2,470,407,619,777 $12,025,782,834
2015 $2,442,483,452,643 $11,340,795,042
2014 $2,861,236,112,552 $11,888,032,874
2013 $2,816,077,607,875 $10,796,782,636
2012 $2,683,007,095,787 $9,609,532,089
2011 $2,870,408,553,990 $9,789,361,703
2010 $2,646,230,027,988 $9,097,044,159
2009 $2,700,075,882,519 $8,734,745,698
2008 $2,926,802,941,586 $9,135,419,465
2007 $2,655,816,911,867 $7,908,412,306
2006 $2,317,861,544,691 $6,749,838,806
2005 $2,192,146,403,028 $6,393,234,993
2004 $2,109,792,297,237 $6,104,141,520
2003 $1,835,095,983,049 $5,418,315,224
2002 $1,492,427,756,382 $4,455,127,414
2001 $1,370,376,677,299 $4,070,867,133
2000 $1,360,959,069,477 $4,036,809,815
1999 $1,486,915,879,702 $4,111,857,809
1998 $1,496,906,382,032 $4,010,111,688
1997 $1,449,392,222,971 $3,787,023,707
1996 $1,598,889,216,566 $3,822,547,197
1995 $1,595,219,345,512 $3,709,396,045
1994 $1,385,822,778,828 $2,998,505,428
1993 $1,314,383,368,080 $2,709,193,538
1992 $1,389,663,073,110 $3,021,942,759
1991 $1,258,961,748,634 $2,750,216,747
1990 $1,257,649,439,827 $2,547,328,748
1989 $1,016,742,237,302 $2,118,655,677
1988 $1,010,827,662,152 $2,019,503,068
1987 $926,320,855,615 $1,751,293,461
1986 $764,946,585,851 $1,435,038,441
1985 $547,220,981,165 $1,117,797,439
1984 $525,033,325,828 $1,101,807,023
1983 $553,356,312,936 $1,165,729,707
1982 $578,152,310,610 $1,234,474,404
1981 $609,184,791,792 $1,243,509,394
1980 $694,529,183,483 $1,250,198,601
1979 $608,218,624,730 $1,001,288,847
1978 $501,724,418,605 $793,673,402
1977 $406,401,711,688 $625,563,171
1976 $368,363,152,144 $527,936,989
1975 $357,324,307,786 $474,618,321
1974 $282,739,225,314 $376,081,124
1973 $261,970,536,240 $345,616,106
1972 $201,738,881,664 $295,106,628
1971 $164,694,210,962 $264,578,485
1970 $147,312,861,698 $250,728,796
1969 $140,660,914,841 -
1968 $128,710,572,572 -
1967 $118,088,635,381 -
1966 $109,306,730,313 -
1965 $100,927,668,584 -
1964 $93,424,179,943 -
1963 $84,227,606,650 -
1962 $75,196,980,365 -
1961 $67,158,050,215 -
1960 $61,959,085,885 -

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

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

GDP per capita in France vs Malta by year

France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
France Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $46,103 $62,557 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $44,700 $60,839 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $40,989 $57,043 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $43,725 $52,517 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $39,170 $49,482 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $40,408 $51,130 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $41,418 $46,381 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $38,687 $44,469 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $37,024 $42,880 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $36,702 $40,905 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $43,148 $40,218 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $42,669 $39,583 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $40,864 $37,671 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $43,930 $37,510 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $40,695 $35,908 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $41,728 $34,685 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $45,465 $35,053 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $41,486 $34,066 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $36,432 $32,424 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $34,696 $30,431 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $33,645 $28,921 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $29,480 $28,024 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $24,145 $28,350 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $22,332 $27,347 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $22,341 $26,007 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $24,576 $24,204 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $24,869 $23,263 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $24,169 $22,190 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $26,758 $21,268 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $26,792 $20,701 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $23,360 $19,892 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $22,239 $19,094 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $23,615 $18,801 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $21,501 $18,198 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $21,586 $17,475 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $17,547 - $6,041 -
1988 $17,550 - $5,814 -
1987 $16,176 - $5,084 -
1986 $13,430 - $4,195 -
1985 $9,657 - $3,322 -
1984 $9,312 - $3,333 -
1983 $9,862 - $3,527 -
1982 $10,360 - $3,788 -
1981 $10,956 - $3,898 -
1980 $12,565 - $3,948 -
1979 $11,063 - $3,196 -
1978 $9,167 - $2,559 -
1977 $7,459 - $2,038 -
1976 $6,792 - $1,727 -
1975 $6,617 - $1,560 -
1974 $5,261 - $1,245 -
1973 $4,907 - $1,144 -
1972 $3,809 - $976 -
1971 $3,137 - $874 -
1970 $2,833 - $828 -
1969 $2,729 - - -
1968 $2,518 - - -
1967 $2,328 - - -
1966 $2,173 - - -
1965 $2,024 - - -
1964 $1,891 - - -
1963 $1,723 - - -
1962 $1,554 - - -
1961 $1,402 - - -
1960 $1,307 - - -

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

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

France's GDP per capita is $46,103, ranking 27/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), France ranks 30th at $62,557, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

France Malta
Gross domestic product
$3.16T
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
7/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
1.19%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$46,103
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
27/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,557
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
30/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$3.58T
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
113.1%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$52,165
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
8/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,669
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.37T
2018
$4.29B
2024
Number of millionaires
2,897,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
52
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2023
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2023
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
7.44%
2024
3.12%
2024
Population
68788006
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

France
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
France Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.2% 113.1% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 56.8% 109.6% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 58.4% 111.4% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 59.5% 112.8% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 61.7% 114.9% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 55.3% 98.1% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 56.4% 98.5% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 57.7% 98.7% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 57.4% 98.1% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 57.6% 96.9% 37.8% 55%
2014 58.4% 96.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 58.6% 94.5% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 57.9% 91.7% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 57% 88.7% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 57.7% 86.3% 40.1% 65%
2009 58% 84.1% 41.1% 66%
2008 54.3% 69.8% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 53.6% 65.5% 41.2% 62%
2006 53.7% 65.4% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 54.3% 68.2% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 54% 66.9% 42% 70.4%
2003 54.4% 65.4% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 53.9% 61.3% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 52.8% 59.3% 44.4% 70%
2000 52.6% 59.7% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 53.7% 61.4% - 69.8%
1998 54% 62.1% - 66.4%
1997 55.6% 62% - 60.8%
1996 56% 60.6% - 51.5%
1995 56% 57.8% - 45.3%
1994 55.9% 51.6% - -
1993 56.5% 48.2% - -
1992 54% 41.7% - -
1991 52.7% 37.8% - -
1990 51.6% 36.8% - -
1989 48.9% 34% - -
1988 50.1% 33.3% - -
1987 50.7% 33.4% - -
1986 51.3% 31.1% - -
1985 51.9% 30.6% - -
1984 51.2% 29% - -
1983 50.2% 26.6% - -
1982 49.9% 25.3% - -
1981 48.5% 22% - -
1980 46% 20.7% - -
1979 44.9% 21.1% - -
1978 44.7% 21.2% - -
1977 21.4% 15% - -
1976 21.7% 15.1% - -
1975 22% 16.1% - -
1974 19.9% 15.4% - -
1973 19.7% 15.8% - -
1972 19.8% 17.7% - -
1971 20% 20.1% - -
1970 20.5% 21% - -
1969 21.5% 14.4% - -
1968 22.7% 15.8% - -
1967 21.4% 16.1% - -
1966 21.4% 15.3% - -
1965 21.1% 17.6% - -
1964 21% 19.6% - -
1963 22.6% 22.2% - -
1962 21.7% 23.6% - -
1961 21.9% 26.3% - -
1960 22.2% 28.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, France's government spending was $1.81T, accounting for 57.2% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 113.1% in France and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 14/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
France

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
France Malta
2024 -5.77% -3.58%
2023 -5.44% -4.65%
2022 -4.74% -5.31%
2021 -6.58% -6.95%
2020 -8.93% -8.72%
2019 -2.39% 0.72%
2018 -2.32% 1.86%
2017 -3.36% 3.4%
2016 -3.76% 1.1%
2015 -3.89% -0.84%
2014 -4.57% -1.49%
2013 -4.94% -2.19%
2012 -5.17% -3.31%
2011 -5.3% -2.99%
2010 -7.16% -2.22%
2009 -7.38% -3.11%
2008 -3.5% -4.06%
2007 -2.99% -2.05%
2006 -2.66% -2.46%
2005 -3.5% -2.83%
2004 -3.55% -4.28%
2003 -4.09% -9.04%
2002 -3.18% -5.62%
2001 -1.42% -6.5%
2000 -1.32% -5.83%
1999 -1.55% -
1998 -2.39% -
1997 -3.71% -
1996 -3.89% -
1995 -5.11% -
1994 -5.46% -
1993 -6.4% -
1992 -4.64% -
1991 -2.89% -
1990 -2.45% -
1989 -1.9% -
1988 -2.7% -
1987 -2.13% -
1986 -3.3% -
1985 -3.08% -
1984 -2.8% -
1983 -2.58% -
1982 -2.91% -
1981 -2.39% -
1980 -0.27% -
1979 -0.36% -
1978 -1.73% -
1977 0.9% -
1976 1.01% -
1975 -0.28% -
1974 3.05% -
1973 1.97% -
1972 1.94% -
1971 -0.13% -
1970 0.02% -
1969 -0.49% -
1968 -2.54% -
1967 -0.8% -
1966 -0.57% -
1965 -0.07% -
1964 -0.25% -
1963 -2.24% -
1962 -1.53% -
1961 -1.36% -
1960 -1.95% -
1959 0.56% -
1958 0.08% -
1957 -1.99% -
1956 -2.62% -
1955 -1.04% -
1954 -0.78% -
1953 -4.79% -
1952 -6.82% -
1951 -4.42% -
1950 -5.56% -
1949 -7.31% -
1948 -9.11% -
1947 -7.6% -
1946 -8.1% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -6.89% -
1936 -4.76% -
1935 -4.22% -
1934 -4.31% -
1933 -4.96% -
1932 -1.86% -
1931 -2.06% -
1930 -1.65% -
1929 1.48% -
1928 1.13% -
1927 -0.04% -
1926 -0.02% -
1925 -0.87% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.05% -
1912 0.23% -
1911 0.31% -
1910 -0.12% -
1909 -0.11% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.23% -
1906 -0.04% -
1905 0.18% -
1904 0.3% -
1903 0.21% -
1902 -0.37% -
1901 -0.39% -
1900 0.21% -
1899 0.21% -
1898 0.29% -
1897 0.01% -
1896 -0.03% -
1895 -0.07% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 -0.3% -
1892 -0.03% -
1891 0.36% -
1890 0.31% -
1889 0.09% -
1888 0.18% -
1887 -0.07% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 -0.59% -
1884 -0.35% -
1883 -0.23% -
1882 -0.15% -
1881 0.64% -
1880 0.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, France's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $182B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, France recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, France posted an annual deficit equal to 4.32% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
France

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
France Malta
2024 2% 1.65%
2023 4.88% 5.09%
2022 5.22% 6.15%
2021 1.64% 1.5%
2020 0.48% 0.64%
2019 1.11% 1.64%
2018 1.85% 1.16%
2017 1.03% 1.36%
2016 0.18% 0.64%
2015 0.04% 1.1%
2014 0.51% 0.31%
2013 0.86% 1.18%
2012 1.95% 2.38%
2011 2.11% 2.96%
2010 1.53% 1.52%
2009 0.09% 2.08%
2008 2.81% 4.26%
2007 1.49% 1.25%
2006 1.68% 2.77%
2005 1.75% 3.01%
2004 2.14% 2.79%
2003 2.1% 1.3%
2002 1.92% 2.19%
2001 1.63% 2.93%
2000 1.68% 2.37%
1999 0.54% 2.13%
1998 0.65% 2.39%
1997 1.2% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, France has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.61%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 2% in France and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.13B
Business & finance services $255M
Chemicals & pharma $86.4M
Raw materials & minerals $81.6M
Transport & tourism services $71.4M
IT & IP services $48.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $28.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $21.9M
Animal & marine products $18.5M
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $455M
Business & finance services $268M
IT & IP services $68.2M
Chemicals & pharma $39.2M
Machinery & equipment $21.9M
Manufacturing & construction services $13.4M
Raw materials & minerals $9.92M
Government & miscellaneous services $4.49M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.77M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.5M

Balance of trade

France Malta
Current account balance
$2.69B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$733B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$668B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$341B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$403B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.2%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
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.

France Malta
Economic freedom 64.6 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 72/197 49/197
Property rights 91.2 85.5
Government integrity 73.4 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 84.7 80.2
Tax burden 54.6 68.5
Government spending 0.9 58.4
Fiscal health 34.8 63.2
Business freedom 78.4 83.2
Labor freedom 59.1 62.6
Monetary freedom 73.2 73.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 75 60
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

France
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
France Malta
2026 64.6 68.2
2025 64.4 66.8
2024 62.5 64.5
2023 63.6 67.5
2022 65.9 71.5
2021 65.7 70.2
2020 66 69.5
2019 63.8 68.6
2018 63.9 68.5
2017 63.3 67.7
2016 62.3 66.7
2015 62.5 66.5
2014 63.5 66.4
2013 64.1 67.5
2012 63.2 67
2011 64.6 65.7
2010 64.2 67.2
2009 63.3 66.1
2008 64.7 66
2007 62.1 66.1
2006 61.1 67.3
2005 60.5 68.9
2004 60.9 63.3
2003 59.2 61.1
2002 58 62.2
2001 58 62.9
2000 57.4 58.3
1999 59.1 59.3
1998 58.9 61.2
1997 59.1 57.9
1996 63.7 55.8
1995 64.4 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for France is 64.6, ranking 72/197, 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

France Malta
Services, % of GDP
70.9%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.3%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1T
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,880
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$283B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
13/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.3B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$52.1B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$41.7B
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.6%
2021
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/france/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, 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)

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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.