Skip to content

Economy of Gabon vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Gabon has a GDP of $21.4B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 132/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $16.9B in government debt (78.9% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Gabon vs Malta GDP by year

Gabon
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Malta
2025 $21,427,119,323 $27,771,821,561
2024 $20,895,684,426 $25,042,712,191
2023 $19,388,372,071 $22,625,329,776
2022 $20,440,655,695 $18,938,869,147
2021 $19,444,935,097 $19,730,119,031
2020 $15,342,236,164 $16,404,655,808
2019 $16,874,405,465 $16,337,788,881
2018 $16,867,326,402 $16,153,785,817
2017 $14,929,487,485 $14,161,374,599
2016 $14,023,890,265 $12,025,777,078
2015 $14,383,107,763 $11,340,789,706
2014 $18,203,966,896 $11,888,029,752
2013 $17,595,744,798 $10,796,780,874
2012 $17,170,464,016 $9,609,530,619
2011 $18,210,307,744 $9,789,363,086
2010 $14,372,593,020 $9,097,044,301
2009 $12,113,699,068 $8,769,897,418
2008 $15,571,348,344 $9,172,399,573
2007 $12,455,409,587 $7,908,412,374
2006 $10,327,598,306 $6,749,838,862
2005 $9,582,783,991 $6,393,234,965
2004 $7,770,219,008 $6,104,141,501
2003 $6,511,903,365 $5,418,315,225
2002 $5,335,451,100 $4,455,127,398
2001 $5,023,265,413 $4,070,867,153
2000 $5,080,483,629 $4,036,809,767
1999 $4,662,992,036 $4,111,857,836
1998 $4,483,417,310 $4,010,111,652
1997 $5,326,817,115 $3,787,023,655
1996 $5,694,040,003 $3,822,547,151
1995 $4,958,845,648 $3,709,396,089
1994 $4,190,819,344 $2,998,505,428
1993 $4,378,645,081 $2,709,193,538
1992 $5,592,390,827 $3,021,942,759
1991 $5,402,919,785 $2,750,216,747
1990 $5,952,293,765 $2,547,328,748
1989 $4,186,411,464 $2,118,655,677
1988 $3,834,503,376 $2,019,503,068
1987 $3,281,797,043 $1,751,293,461
1986 $3,403,638,189 $1,435,038,441
1985 $3,339,914,757 $1,117,797,439
1984 $3,561,451,561 $1,101,807,023
1983 $3,391,275,732 $1,165,729,707
1982 $3,618,007,841 $1,234,474,404
1981 $3,862,269,121 $1,243,509,394
1980 $4,279,637,942 $1,250,198,601
1979 $3,030,251,120 $1,001,288,847
1978 $2,389,479,272 $793,673,402
1977 $2,809,349,069 $625,563,171
1976 $3,009,409,974 $527,936,989
1975 $2,157,592,940 $474,618,321
1974 $1,544,216,002 $376,081,124
1973 $722,780,701 $345,616,106
1972 $430,508,359 $295,106,628
1971 $381,687,073 $264,578,485
1970 $323,802,476 $250,728,796
1969 $318,124,701 -
1968 $294,468,564 -
1967 $271,543,680 -
1966 $245,849,781 -
1965 $226,474,286 -
1964 $215,679,855 -
1963 $154,480,244 -
1962 $182,796,536 -
1961 $167,637,907 -
1960 $141,468,978 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Malta by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,263 - $47,907 -
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $4,374 - $6,041 -
1988 $4,119 - $5,814 -
1987 $3,624 - $5,084 -
1986 $3,865 - $4,195 -
1985 $3,898 - $3,322 -
1984 $4,273 - $3,333 -
1983 $4,182 - $3,527 -
1982 $4,584 - $3,788 -
1981 $5,026 - $3,898 -
1980 $5,718 - $3,948 -
1979 $4,155 - $3,196 -
1978 $3,360 - $2,559 -
1977 $4,048 - $2,038 -
1976 $4,441 - $1,727 -
1975 $3,258 - $1,560 -
1974 $2,384 - $1,245 -
1973 $1,140 - $1,144 -
1972 $693 - $976 -
1971 $627 - $874 -
1970 $543 - $828 -
1969 $545 - - -
1968 $515 - - -
1967 $482 - - -
1966 $443 - - -
1965 $415 - - -
1964 $400 - - -
1963 $290.7 - - -
1962 $348 - - -
1961 $323 - - -
1960 $276.1 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,263, ranking 96/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Gabon Malta
Gross domestic product
$21.4B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
132/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
2.47%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,263
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.9%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,521
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,617
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
17.4%
2024
3.1%
2025
Population
2676097
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 28.6% 78.9% 37% 46.8%
2024 24.8% 70.9% 37.4% 46%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 19.8% 83% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 37.8% 55%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 40.1% 65%
2009 22.6% 26% 41.1% 66%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 41.2% 62%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 42% 70.4%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 27.8% 81% 44.4% 70%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 25.5% 73.1% - 69.8%
1998 45.5% 87.6% - 66.4%
1997 29.7% 57% - 60.8%
1996 22.2% 64.5% - 51.5%
1995 25.1% 73.4% - 45.3%
1994 23.9% 71.3% - -
1993 26.9% 90.1% - -
1992 26.5% 87.9% - -
1991 25.1% 89.3% - -
1990 22.6% 90% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government spending was $6.14B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.9% in Gabon and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 44/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Malta
2025 -8.47% -3.1%
2024 -3.3% -3.51%
2023 1.79% -4.43%
2022 -0.89% -5.33%
2021 -1.93% -6.96%
2020 -2.19% -8.71%
2019 2.13% 0.72%
2018 -0.21% 1.86%
2017 -1.7% 3.4%
2016 -4.71% 1.1%
2015 -1.12% -0.84%
2014 5.98% -1.49%
2013 -3.07% -2.19%
2012 6.2% -3.31%
2011 1.41% -2.99%
2010 2.7% -2.22%
2009 6.77% -3.11%
2008 11% -4.06%
2007 8.06% -2.05%
2006 8.67% -2.46%
2005 7.98% -2.83%
2004 6.99% -4.28%
2003 7.75% -9.04%
2002 3.72% -5.62%
2001 4.07% -6.5%
2000 11.1% -5.83%
1999 1.11% -
1998 -13.1% -
1997 1.41% -
1996 2.12% -
1995 2.64% -
1994 -1.53% -
1993 -5.35% -
1992 -4.9% -
1991 -2.03% -
1990 -3.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.82B, equivalent to 8.47% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 2.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Malta
2025 1.77% 2.36%
2024 1.17% 1.65%
2023 3.63% 5.09%
2022 4.23% 6.15%
2021 1.09% 1.5%
2020 1.35% 0.64%
2019 2.46% 1.64%
2018 4.75% 1.16%
2017 2.65% 1.36%
2016 2.11% 0.64%
2015 -0.34% 1.1%
2014 4.69% 0.31%
2013 0.51% 1.18%
2012 2.65% 2.38%
2011 1.26% 2.96%
2010 1.46% 1.52%
2009 1.89% 2.08%
2008 5.26% 4.26%
2007 5.03% 1.25%
2006 -1.41% 2.77%
2005 3.71% 3.01%
2004 0.41% 2.79%
2003 2.24% 1.3%
2002 0.04% 2.19%
2001 2.14% 2.93%
2000 0.5% 2.37%
1999 -1.94% 2.13%
1998 1.45% 2.39%
1997 3.97% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Gabon and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $82.3M
Raw materials & minerals $17.5M
Metals $128K
Wood & paper products $117K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Malta
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $72K
Raw agricultural goods $46K
Machinery & equipment $22K

Balance of trade

Gabon Malta
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2015
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.5%
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.

Gabon Malta
Economic freedom 56.6 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 49/197
Property rights 30 85.5
Government integrity 22.6 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 80.2
Tax burden 76.5 68.5
Government spending 85.5 58.4
Fiscal health 87.9 63.2
Business freedom 63.6 83.2
Labor freedom 55.4 62.6
Monetary freedom 80.9 73.1
Trade freedom 57.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Malta
2026 56.6 68.2
2025 56.3 66.8
2024 56.9 64.5
2023 56.1 67.5
2022 55.8 71.5
2021 58.1 70.2
2020 56.7 69.5
2019 56.3 68.6
2018 58 68.5
2017 58.6 67.7
2016 59 66.7
2015 58.3 66.5
2014 57.8 66.4
2013 57.8 67.5
2012 56.4 67
2011 56.7 65.7
2010 55.4 67.2
2009 55 66.1
2008 54.2 66
2007 54.8 66.1
2006 56.1 67.3
2005 54.8 68.9
2004 57.1 63.3
2003 58.7 61.1
2002 58 62.2
2001 55 62.9
2000 58.2 58.3
1999 60.5 59.3
1998 59.2 61.2
1997 58.8 57.9
1996 55.7 55.8
1995 57.5 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Malta
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
47.2%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.75%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$21B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,660
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$639M
2024
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
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/gabon/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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2020–2024, 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.

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.