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Economy of Ghana vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 80/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Ghana vs Malta GDP by year

Ghana
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Malta
2024 $82,308,110,386 $24,971,574,502
2023 $80,547,146,878 $22,610,561,526
2022 $73,919,003,210 $18,928,276,162
2021 $79,514,204,730 $19,739,875,611
2020 $70,008,243,860 $16,404,663,226
2019 $68,352,629,246 $16,337,793,531
2018 $67,259,353,966 $16,153,779,511
2017 $60,385,409,435 $14,161,366,724
2016 $56,144,179,398 $12,025,782,834
2015 $49,436,806,230 $11,340,795,042
2014 $54,678,533,806 $11,888,032,874
2013 $62,845,721,960 $10,796,782,636
2012 $41,271,701,061 $9,609,532,089
2011 $39,336,668,081 $9,789,361,703
2010 $32,197,655,567 $9,097,044,159
2009 $26,048,720,006 $8,734,745,698
2008 $28,679,383,241 $9,135,419,465
2007 $24,827,339,138 $7,908,412,306
2006 $20,885,037,597 $6,749,838,806
2005 $10,744,568,381 $6,393,234,993
2004 $8,881,417,907 $6,104,141,520
2003 $7,632,723,556 $5,418,315,224
2002 $6,166,197,848 $4,455,127,414
2001 $5,314,872,854 $4,070,867,133
2000 $4,982,850,662 $4,036,809,815
1999 $7,718,109,982 $4,111,857,809
1998 $7,482,069,162 $4,010,111,688
1997 $6,891,443,192 $3,787,023,707
1996 $6,932,991,739 $3,822,547,197
1995 $6,464,382,808 $3,709,396,045
1994 $5,446,383,727 $2,998,505,428
1993 $5,968,922,939 $2,709,193,538
1992 $6,416,103,926 $3,021,942,759
1991 $6,603,185,268 $2,750,216,747
1990 $5,889,106,573 $2,547,328,748
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,118,655,677
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,019,503,068
1987 $5,074,829,932 $1,751,293,461
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,435,038,441
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,117,797,439
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,101,807,023
1983 $4,057,275,132 $1,165,729,707
1982 $4,035,994,398 $1,234,474,404
1981 $4,222,441,860 $1,243,509,394
1980 $4,445,228,216 $1,250,198,601
1979 $4,020,227,920 $1,001,288,847
1978 $3,662,478,185 $793,673,402
1977 $3,189,428,571 $625,563,171
1976 $2,765,254,237 $527,936,989
1975 $2,810,106,383 $474,618,321
1974 $2,894,409,938 $376,081,124
1973 $3,006,766,758 $345,616,106
1972 $2,112,293,280 $295,106,628
1971 $2,417,108,578 $264,578,485
1970 $2,215,028,588 $250,728,796
1969 $1,962,050,556 -
1968 $1,666,909,518 -
1967 $1,747,187,645 -
1966 $2,126,300,672 -
1965 $2,053,462,968 -
1964 $1,731,296,200 -
1963 $1,540,797,589 -
1962 $1,382,515,654 -
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Malta by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $906 $3,103 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $479 $2,904 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $406 $2,729 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $358 $2,584 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $403 $2,239 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $400 $2,167 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $378 $2,097 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $389 $2,026 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $372 $1,947 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $321 $1,875 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $360 $1,821 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $396 $1,739 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $418 $1,678 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $383 $1,581 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $350 - $6,041 -
1988 $355 - $5,814 -
1987 $355 - $5,084 -
1986 $411 - $4,195 -
1985 $330 - $3,322 -
1984 $330 - $3,333 -
1983 $311 - $3,527 -
1982 $319 - $3,788 -
1981 $344 - $3,898 -
1980 $372 - $3,948 -
1979 $347 - $3,196 -
1978 $326 - $2,559 -
1977 $292.3 - $2,038 -
1976 $261 - $1,727 -
1975 $273 - $1,560 -
1974 $289.4 - $1,245 -
1973 $310 - $1,144 -
1972 $223.8 - $976 -
1971 $263.4 - $874 -
1970 $248.2 - $828 -
1969 $225.8 - - -
1968 $196.7 - - -
1967 $211.2 - - -
1966 $263.3 - - -
1965 $260.5 - - -
1964 $225 - - -
1963 $205 - - -
1962 $188.4 - - -
1961 $181.9 - - -
1960 $174.9 - - -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Ghana Malta
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$4.29B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
3.12%
2024
Population
35885254
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 20.9% 62% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 17.6% 57% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 37.8% 55%
2014 21% 50.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 19% 32.9% 40.1% 65%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 41.1% 66%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 41.2% 62%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 42% 70.4%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 44.4% 70%
2000 12% 74.5% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 11.1% 51.7% - 69.8%
1998 11.8% 37.6% - 66.4%
1997 12% 45.2% - 60.8%
1996 12.4% 42.9% - 51.5%
1995 13% 47.6% - 45.3%
1994 12.7% 50.6% - -
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
1991 7.09% 17.3% - -
1990 6.59% 17.8% - -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 57/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Malta
2024 -7.31% -3.58%
2023 -3.37% -4.65%
2022 -11.8% -5.31%
2021 -12% -6.95%
2020 -17.4% -8.72%
2019 -7.52% 0.72%
2018 -6.79% 1.86%
2017 -3.97% 3.4%
2016 -6.75% 1.1%
2015 -4.01% -0.84%
2014 -7.81% -1.49%
2013 -9.12% -2.19%
2012 -8.36% -3.31%
2011 -5.47% -2.99%
2010 -7.13% -2.22%
2009 -5.05% -3.11%
2008 -5.56% -4.06%
2007 -4.91% -2.05%
2006 -3.11% -2.46%
2005 -1.87% -2.83%
2004 -2.02% -4.28%
2003 -1.99% -9.04%
2002 -2.73% -5.62%
2001 -3.64% -6.5%
2000 -3.98% -5.83%
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
1997 -6.14% -
1996 -5.61% -
1995 -4.52% -
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -
1990 -1.93% -
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -5.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.02B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Malta
2024 22.8% 1.65%
2023 38.1% 5.09%
2022 31.3% 6.15%
2021 9.97% 1.5%
2020 9.89% 0.64%
2019 7.14% 1.64%
2018 7.81% 1.16%
2017 12.4% 1.36%
2016 17.5% 0.64%
2015 17.1% 1.1%
2014 15.5% 0.31%
2013 11.7% 1.18%
2012 11.2% 2.38%
2011 8.73% 2.96%
2010 10.7% 1.52%
2009 19.2% 2.08%
2008 16.5% 4.26%
2007 10.7% 1.25%
2006 11.7% 2.77%
2005 15.4% 3.01%
2004 18% 2.79%
2003 29.8% 1.3%
2002 9.36% 2.19%
2001 41.5% 2.93%
2000 40.2% 2.37%
1999 4.87% 2.13%
1998 14.6% 2.39%
1997 27.9% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $24.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $127K
Machinery & equipment $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $49.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $270K
Machinery & equipment $203K
Chemicals & pharma $72K
Metals $66K
Raw agricultural goods $25K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Ghana Malta
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
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.

Ghana Malta
Economic freedom 57.3 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 49/197
Property rights 50.2 85.5
Government integrity 45.4 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 80.2
Tax burden 79.4 68.5
Government spending 84 58.4
Fiscal health 10.1 63.2
Business freedom 64.5 83.2
Labor freedom 54.9 62.6
Monetary freedom 56.7 73.1
Trade freedom 65.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Malta
2026 57.3 68.2
2025 56 66.8
2024 55.8 64.5
2023 58 67.5
2022 59.8 71.5
2021 59.2 70.2
2020 59.4 69.5
2019 57.5 68.6
2018 56 68.5
2017 56.2 67.7
2016 63 66.7
2015 63 66.5
2014 64.2 66.4
2013 61.3 67.5
2012 60.7 67
2011 59.4 65.7
2010 60.2 67.2
2009 58.1 66.1
2008 57 66
2007 57.6 66.1
2006 55.6 67.3
2005 56.5 68.9
2004 59.1 63.3
2003 58.2 61.1
2002 57.2 62.2
2001 58 62.9
2000 58.1 58.3
1999 57.9 59.3
1998 57 61.2
1997 56.7 57.9
1996 57.7 55.8
1995 55.6 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, 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

Ghana Malta
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
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/ghana/malta | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1962–1989, 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)

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.