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Economy of Gambia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.59B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 174/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (73.9% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Gambia vs Malta GDP by year

Gambia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Malta
2025 $2,593,673,988 $27,771,821,561
2024 $2,404,888,738 $25,042,712,191
2023 $2,382,262,185 $22,625,329,776
2022 $2,204,734,528 $18,938,869,147
2021 $2,014,158,842 $19,730,119,031
2020 $1,812,170,891 $16,404,655,808
2019 $1,813,609,692 $16,337,788,881
2018 $1,670,671,328 $16,153,785,817
2017 $1,504,909,463 $14,161,374,599
2016 $1,484,578,886 $12,025,777,078
2015 $1,378,176,609 $11,340,789,706
2014 $1,229,461,721 $11,888,029,752
2013 $1,375,609,453 $10,796,780,874
2012 $1,415,004,738 $9,609,530,619
2011 $1,409,693,597 $9,789,363,086
2010 $1,543,294,927 $9,097,044,301
2009 $1,450,142,509 $8,769,897,418
2008 $1,561,766,956 $9,172,399,573
2007 $1,279,703,047 $7,908,412,374
2006 $1,054,112,488 $6,749,838,862
2005 $1,027,701,068 $6,393,234,965
2004 $961,900,651 $6,104,141,501
2003 $487,038,685 $5,418,315,225
2002 $578,235,309 $4,455,127,398
2001 $687,410,645 $4,070,867,153
2000 $782,913,872 $4,036,809,767
1999 $814,724,032 $4,111,857,836
1998 $840,285,265 $4,010,111,652
1997 $803,633,342 $3,787,023,655
1996 $848,239,446 $3,822,547,151
1995 $785,999,865 $3,709,396,089
1994 $746,493,952 $2,998,505,428
1993 $755,040,974 $2,709,193,538
1992 $714,254,256 $3,021,942,759
1991 $690,311,081 $2,750,216,747
1990 $317,083,695 $2,547,328,748
1989 $284,120,329 $2,118,655,677
1988 $266,672,212 $2,019,503,068
1987 $220,626,484 $1,751,293,461
1986 $185,646,987 $1,435,038,441
1985 $225,726,359 $1,117,797,439
1984 $177,340,880 $1,101,807,023
1983 $213,448,585 $1,165,729,707
1982 $216,050,552 $1,234,474,404
1981 $218,767,743 $1,243,509,394
1980 $241,083,090 $1,250,198,601
1979 $207,112,628 $1,001,288,847
1978 $171,833,086 $793,673,402
1977 $138,093,099 $625,563,171
1976 $112,190,829 $527,936,989
1975 $115,179,719 $474,618,321
1974 $95,796,022 $376,081,124
1973 $75,187,749 $345,616,106
1972 $59,160,569 $295,106,628
1971 $55,728,663 $264,578,485
1970 $52,296,084 $250,728,796
1969 $45,168,072 -
1968 $41,160,066 -
1967 $46,695,007 -
1966 $44,212,081 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Malta by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $919 - $47,907 -
2024 $871 $3,476 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $883 $3,289 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $836 $3,067 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $782 $2,778 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $720 $2,531 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $738 $2,422 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $696 $2,277 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $643 $2,039 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $650 $2,013 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $620 $1,990 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $568 $1,934 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $654 $2,007 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $693 $2,065 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $711 $2,064 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $801 $2,267 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $775 $2,177 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $859 $2,088 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $725 $1,985 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $615 $1,931 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $616 $1,938 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $593 $1,979 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $309 $1,850 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $377 $1,744 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $460 $1,823 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $538 $1,731 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $575 $1,649 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $610 $1,572 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $600 $1,544 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $652 $1,489 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $622 $1,472 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $608 $1,473 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $635 $1,487 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $623 $1,462 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $628 $1,440 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $301 $1,409 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $280.9 - $6,041 -
1988 $274.9 - $5,814 -
1987 $237 - $5,084 -
1986 $207.7 - $4,195 -
1985 $262.8 - $3,322 -
1984 $214.8 - $3,333 -
1983 $268.6 - $3,527 -
1982 $282.1 - $3,788 -
1981 $296 - $3,898 -
1980 $338 - $3,948 -
1979 $300 - $3,196 -
1978 $257.6 - $2,559 -
1977 $213.8 - $2,038 -
1976 $179.3 - $1,727 -
1975 $189.8 - $1,560 -
1974 $162.6 - $1,245 -
1973 $131.4 - $1,144 -
1972 $106.5 - $976 -
1971 $103.3 - $874 -
1970 $99.8 - $828 -
1969 $88.7 - - -
1968 $83.1 - - -
1967 $97 - - -
1966 $94.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $919, ranking 183/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Gambia Malta
Gross domestic product
$2.59B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
174/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
5.89%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$919
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.9%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$679
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$710
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.05%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
2916990
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27.1% 73.9% 37% 46.8%
2024 25.3% 78.5% 37.4% 46%
2023 23.9% 77.4% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 23.9% 83% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 19% 83.6% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 23.6% 87% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 19.4% 79.5% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 37.8% 55%
2014 19% 71.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 40.1% 65%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 41.1% 66%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 11.2% 38% 41.2% 62%
2006 14% 87.3% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 42% 70.4%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 44.4% 70%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 - - - 69.8%
1998 - - - 66.4%
1997 - - - 60.8%
1996 - - - 51.5%
1995 - - - 45.3%

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

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

In 2025, the Gambia's government spending was $704M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.9% in the Gambia and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 51/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Malta
2025 -2.95% -3.1%
2024 -4% -3.51%
2023 -3.56% -4.43%
2022 -5.72% -5.33%
2021 -4.77% -6.96%
2020 -2.37% -8.71%
2019 -2.75% 0.72%
2018 -3.92% 1.86%
2017 -4.35% 3.4%
2016 -6.22% 1.1%
2015 -5.38% -0.84%
2014 -3.94% -1.49%
2013 -5.11% -2.19%
2012 -2.85% -3.31%
2011 -3.03% -2.99%
2010 -2.93% -2.22%
2009 -1.65% -3.11%
2008 -0.45% -4.06%
2007 0.27% -2.05%
2006 -3.19% -2.46%
2005 -3.33% -2.83%
2004 -1.77% -4.28%
2003 -1.73% -9.04%
2002 0.06% -5.62%
2001 -2.52% -6.5%
2000 -0.09% -5.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $76.5M, equivalent to 2.95% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Malta
2025 - 2.36%
2024 11.6% 1.65%
2023 17% 5.09%
2022 11.5% 6.15%
2021 7.37% 1.5%
2020 5.93% 0.64%
2019 7.12% 1.64%
2018 6.52% 1.16%
2017 8.03% 1.36%
2016 7.23% 0.64%
2015 6.81% 1.1%
2014 5.95% 0.31%
2013 5.7% 1.18%
2012 4.25% 2.38%
2011 4.8% 2.96%
2010 5.05% 1.52%
2009 4.56% 2.08%
2008 4.44% 4.26%
2007 5.37% 1.25%
2006 2.06% 2.77%
2005 4.84% 3.01%
2004 14.2% 2.79%
2003 17% 1.3%
2002 8.61% 2.19%
2001 4.49% 2.93%
2000 0.84% 2.37%
1999 3.81% 2.13%
1998 1.11% 2.39%
1997 2.78% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $4.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.85M
Textiles & consumer goods $29K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Metals $3K

Balance of trade

Gambia Malta
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.4%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
12.7%
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.

Gambia Malta
Economic freedom 56.3 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 49/197
Property rights 55.4 85.5
Government integrity 40.5 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 80.2
Tax burden 79.2 68.5
Government spending 81.1 58.4
Fiscal health 54.8 63.2
Business freedom 50.1 83.2
Labor freedom 46.4 62.6
Monetary freedom 57.3 73.1
Trade freedom 64.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Malta
2026 56.3 68.2
2025 56.8 66.8
2024 58.2 64.5
2023 57.9 67.5
2022 58 71.5
2021 58.8 70.2
2020 56.3 69.5
2019 52.4 68.6
2018 52.3 68.5
2017 53.4 67.7
2016 57.1 66.7
2015 57.5 66.5
2014 59.5 66.4
2013 58.8 67.5
2012 58.8 67
2011 57.4 65.7
2010 55.1 67.2
2009 55.8 66.1
2008 56.9 66
2007 57.7 66.1
2006 57.3 67.3
2005 56.5 68.9
2004 55.3 63.3
2003 56.3 61.1
2002 57.7 62.2
2001 56.6 62.9
2000 52.7 58.3
1999 52.1 59.3
1998 53.4 61.2
1997 52.9 57.9
1996 - 55.8
1995 - 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia Malta
Services, % of GDP
53.1%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.8%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.62B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,660
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.4%
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/gambia/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2025, 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 (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.

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.