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Economy of Guinea-Bissau vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guinea-Bissau has a GDP of $2.53B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 176/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea-Bissau has $1.9B in government debt (75.3% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Guinea-Bissau vs Malta GDP by year

Guinea-Bissau
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea-Bissau Malta
2025 $2,527,930,273 $27,771,821,561
2024 $2,197,777,210 $25,042,712,191
2023 $2,076,748,678 $22,625,329,776
2022 $1,856,239,955 $18,938,869,147
2021 $1,907,611,288 $19,730,119,031
2020 $1,705,062,170 $16,404,655,808
2019 $1,596,214,680 $16,337,788,881
2018 $1,554,133,594 $16,153,785,817
2017 $1,469,978,606 $14,161,374,599
2016 $1,245,074,264 $12,025,777,078
2015 $1,152,384,167 $11,340,789,706
2014 $1,135,250,721 $11,888,029,752
2013 $1,109,682,824 $10,796,780,874
2012 $1,049,412,177 $9,609,530,619
2011 $1,157,074,319 $9,789,363,086
2010 $940,112,539 $9,097,044,301
2009 $890,167,833 $8,769,897,418
2008 $952,667,544 $9,172,399,573
2007 $753,162,998 $7,908,412,374
2006 $634,781,901 $6,749,838,862
2005 $639,776,041 $6,393,234,965
2004 $582,169,841 $6,104,141,501
2003 $553,614,800 $5,418,315,225
2002 $466,773,711 $4,455,127,398
2001 $412,610,872 $4,070,867,153
2000 $391,345,597 $4,036,809,767
1999 $579,365,780 $4,111,857,836
1998 $591,034,143 $4,010,111,652
1997 $698,107,222 $3,787,023,655
1996 $702,965,148 $3,822,547,151
1995 $660,195,402 $3,709,396,089
1994 $612,502,085 $2,998,505,428
1993 $615,779,519 $2,709,193,538
1992 $588,309,271 $3,021,942,759
1991 $668,470,891 $2,750,216,747
1990 $634,187,269 $2,547,328,748
1989 $554,072,303 $2,118,655,677
1988 $427,514,322 $2,019,503,068
1987 $451,893,375 $1,751,293,461
1986 $338,524,233 $1,435,038,441
1985 $373,959,151 $1,117,797,439
1984 $359,980,491 $1,101,807,023
1983 $425,225,177 $1,165,729,707
1982 $430,284,022 $1,234,474,404
1981 $402,230,865 $1,243,509,394
1980 $287,648,258 $1,250,198,601
1979 $308,143,183 $1,001,288,847
1978 $318,876,550 $793,673,402
1977 $298,871,675 $625,563,171
1976 $292,152,321 $527,936,989
1975 $283,311,997 $474,618,321
1974 $256,769,730 $376,081,124
1973 $232,331,281 $345,616,106
1972 $227,986,203 $295,106,628
1971 $204,167,297 $264,578,485
1970 $204,670,551 $250,728,796

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Guinea-Bissau vs Malta by year

Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea-Bissau Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $47,907 -
2024 $998 $3,119 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $964 $2,990 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $882 $2,789 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $927 $2,523 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $847 $2,340 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $811 $2,247 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $809 $2,058 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $783 $2,082 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $680 $1,824 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $645 $1,730 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $652 $1,456 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $654 $1,416 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $635 $1,402 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $720 $1,472 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $600 $1,370 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $583 $1,315 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $640 $1,309 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $519 $1,260 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $449 $1,226 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $463 $1,187 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $431 $1,105 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $420 $1,089 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $362 $1,095 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $327 $1,064 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $317 $1,014 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $479 $1,001 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $498 $861 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $599 $1,118 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $615 $1,052 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $589 $945 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $561 $909 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $582 $890 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $574 $880 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $672 $877 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $651 $824 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $578 - $6,041 -
1988 $454 - $5,814 -
1987 $488 - $5,084 -
1986 $371 - $4,195 -
1985 $417 - $3,322 -
1984 $407 - $3,333 -
1983 $489 - $3,527 -
1982 $503 - $3,788 -
1981 $477 - $3,898 -
1980 $347 - $3,948 -
1979 $376 - $3,196 -
1978 $403 - $2,559 -
1977 $403 - $2,038 -
1976 $421 - $1,727 -
1975 $435 - $1,560 -
1974 $419 - $1,245 -
1973 $392 - $1,144 -
1972 $389 - $976 -
1971 $348 - $874 -
1970 $350 - $828 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

Guinea-Bissau's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 177/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Guinea-Bissau Malta
Gross domestic product
$2.53B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
176/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
5.82%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
177/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,119
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
179/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$1.9B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
75.3%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$846
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
149/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,483
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.1%
2021
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2021
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
2.67%
2022
3.1%
2025
Population
2323460
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.9% 75.3% 37% 46.8%
2024 20.4% 82.4% 37.4% 46%
2023 21.9% 79.4% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 21.3% 80.7% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 25% 78.8% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 25% 77.6% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 18.8% 65.1% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 19.5% 59.1% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 18.1% 51.8% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 20.5% 59.1% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 21.5% 56.3% 37.8% 55%
2014 23% 60.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 12.4% 49.6% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 13% 47.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 17.3% 45.6% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 18.5% 61.7% 40.1% 65%
2009 20.6% 148.3% 41.1% 66%
2008 21.8% 148.8% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 23.7% 164% 41.2% 62%
2006 19.8% 190.4% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 20.2% 203.7% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 23% 202% 42% 70.4%
2003 17% 183.4% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 14.1% 197.5% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 19.1% 204.4% 44.4% 70%
2000 23.5% 217.1% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 12.1% 109.9% - 69.8%
1998 8.72% 109.1% - 66.4%
1997 12.7% 94.3% - 60.8%
1996 8.93% 117.3% - 51.5%
1995 8.14% 103.3% - 45.3%
1994 18.4% 105.5% - -
1993 13.1% 112.4% - -
1992 10.1% 85.3% - -
1991 9.19% 88.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

In 2025, Guinea-Bissau's government spending was $502M, accounting for 19.9% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 75.3% in Guinea-Bissau and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 49/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea-Bissau

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea-Bissau Malta
2025 -6.69% -3.1%
2024 -7.26% -3.51%
2023 -8.15% -4.43%
2022 -6.06% -5.33%
2021 -5.88% -6.96%
2020 -9.64% -8.71%
2019 -3.86% 0.72%
2018 -4.76% 1.86%
2017 -1.32% 3.4%
2016 -5.34% 1.1%
2015 -3.16% -0.84%
2014 -2.44% -1.49%
2013 -1.67% -2.19%
2012 -2.12% -3.31%
2011 -1.35% -2.99%
2010 -0.23% -2.22%
2009 2.68% -3.11%
2008 -0.73% -4.06%
2007 -8.77% -2.05%
2006 -4.57% -2.46%
2005 -4.96% -2.83%
2004 -5.92% -4.28%
2003 -5.63% -9.04%
2002 -3.7% -5.62%
2001 -1.83% -6.5%
2000 -2.8% -5.83%
1999 -4.06% -
1998 -5.95% -
1997 -2.56% -
1996 3.48% -
1995 2.45% -
1994 -5.54% -
1993 -0.34% -
1992 -0.25% -
1991 1.61% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

In 2025, Guinea-Bissau's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $169M, equivalent to 6.69% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Guinea-Bissau recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Guinea-Bissau posted an annual deficit equal to 4.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea-Bissau

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea-Bissau Malta
2025 0.9% 2.36%
2024 3.7% 1.65%
2023 7.2% 5.09%
2022 7.9% 6.15%
2021 3.3% 1.5%
2020 1.5% 0.64%
2019 0.3% 1.64%
2018 0.4% 1.16%
2017 -0.2% 1.36%
2016 2.7% 0.64%
2015 1.5% 1.1%
2014 -1% 0.31%
2013 0.8% 1.18%
2012 2.1% 2.38%
2011 5.1% 2.96%
2010 1.1% 1.52%
2009 -1.6% 2.08%
2008 10.4% 4.26%
2007 4.6% 1.25%
2006 2% 2.77%
2005 3.4% 3.01%
2004 0.8% 2.79%
2003 -3.5% 1.3%
2002 3.3% 2.19%
2001 3.3% 2.93%
2000 8.6% 2.37%
1999 -2.1% 2.13%
1998 8.1% 2.39%
1997 49.1% 3.11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Guinea-Bissau has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 0.9% in Guinea-Bissau and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Guinea-Bissau
Export category Export value
Malta
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $302K
Machinery & equipment $5K

Balance of trade

Guinea-Bissau Malta
Current account balance
-$162M
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
87/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.36%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$414M
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$229M
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$198M
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$51M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.9%
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.

Guinea-Bissau Malta
Economic freedom 43.2 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 181/197 49/197
Property rights 28.4 85.5
Government integrity 21 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 13.2 80.2
Tax burden 89 68.5
Government spending 86.5 58.4
Fiscal health 6.5 63.2
Business freedom 34.6 83.2
Labor freedom 55.9 62.6
Monetary freedom 75.9 73.1
Trade freedom 47 79.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea-Bissau
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea-Bissau Malta
2026 43.2 68.2
2025 43.6 66.8
2024 42.7 64.5
2023 44.6 67.5
2022 46 71.5
2021 54.9 70.2
2020 53.3 69.5
2019 54 68.6
2018 56.9 68.5
2017 56.1 67.7
2016 51.8 66.7
2015 52 66.5
2014 51.3 66.4
2013 51.1 67.5
2012 50.1 67
2011 46.5 65.7
2010 43.6 67.2
2009 45.4 66.1
2008 44.4 66
2007 46.1 66.1
2006 46.5 67.3
2005 46 68.9
2004 42.6 63.3
2003 43.1 61.1
2002 42.3 62.2
2001 42.5 62.9
2000 34.7 58.3
1999 33.5 59.3
1998 - 61.2
1997 - 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/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea-Bissau is 43.2, ranking 181/197, 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

Guinea-Bissau Malta
Services, % of GDP
39.1%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
40.6%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.45B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,320
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.3M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.7M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$389K
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.77%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.5%
2021
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
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/guinea-bissau/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.