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Economy of Iran vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 34/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.

Iran vs Malta GDP by year

Iran
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Malta
2024 $475,252,089,215 $24,971,574,502
2023 $457,510,482,317 $22,610,561,526
2022 $422,662,261,526 $18,928,276,162
2021 $407,350,685,583 $19,739,875,611
2020 $280,934,329,280 $16,404,663,226
2019 $347,988,400,958 $16,337,793,531
2018 $411,903,303,606 $16,153,779,511
2017 $510,239,893,418 $14,161,366,724
2016 $478,618,064,871 $12,025,782,834
2015 $409,191,686,497 $11,340,795,042
2014 $462,284,793,281 $11,888,032,874
2013 $500,399,839,840 $10,796,782,636
2012 $644,019,315,004 $9,609,532,089
2011 $629,082,257,472 $9,789,361,703
2010 $487,069,570,464 $9,097,044,159
2009 $414,059,094,949 $8,734,745,698
2008 $406,070,949,554 $9,135,419,465
2007 $349,736,591,832 $7,908,412,306
2006 $265,602,187,404 $6,749,838,806
2005 $224,970,371,325 $6,393,234,993
2004 $187,754,571,248 $6,104,141,520
2003 $151,911,222,119 $5,418,315,224
2002 $128,626,917,504 $4,455,127,414
2001 $126,878,750,296 $4,070,867,133
2000 $109,591,707,802 $4,036,809,815
1999 $113,848,450,088 $4,111,857,809
1998 $110,276,913,363 $4,010,111,688
1997 $113,919,163,421 $3,787,023,707
1996 $120,403,931,885 $3,822,547,197
1995 $96,419,225,744 $3,709,396,045
1994 $71,841,461,173 $2,998,505,428
1993 $63,743,623,232 $2,709,193,538
1992 $119,768,691,217 $3,021,942,759
1991 $131,637,664,958 $2,750,216,747
1990 $124,813,263,926 $2,547,328,748
1989 $120,496,362,916 $2,118,655,677
1988 $123,057,861,334 $2,019,503,068
1987 $134,009,995,923 $1,751,293,461
1986 $209,094,561,833 $1,435,038,441
1985 $180,183,629,600 $1,117,797,439
1984 $162,276,728,620 $1,101,807,023
1983 $156,365,156,618 $1,165,729,707
1982 $125,948,756,439 $1,234,474,404
1981 $100,499,312,750 $1,243,509,394
1980 $94,362,275,580 $1,250,198,601
1979 $90,391,877,326 $1,001,288,847
1978 $77,994,316,621 $793,673,402
1977 $80,600,122,702 $625,563,171
1976 $68,055,295,081 $527,936,989
1975 $51,776,222,350 $474,618,321
1974 $46,209,092,072 $376,081,124
1973 $27,081,698,250 $345,616,106
1972 $17,153,463,263 $295,106,628
1971 $13,731,802,833 $264,578,485
1970 $10,976,245,154 $250,728,796
1969 $9,743,089,607 -
1968 $8,623,172,960 -
1967 $7,555,383,690 -
1966 $6,789,938,672 -
1965 $6,197,319,929 -
1964 $5,379,845,648 -
1963 $4,928,628,018 -
1962 $4,693,566,416 -
1961 $4,426,949,095 -
1960 $4,199,134,390 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Malta by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $43,899 $69,864
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $40,906 $67,057
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $35,639 $60,589
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $38,097 $56,852
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $21,176 $26,782
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $22,315 $26,654
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $2,125 - $6,041 -
1988 $2,234 - $5,814 -
1987 $2,513 - $5,084 -
1986 $4,064 - $4,195 -
1985 $3,634 - $3,322 -
1984 $3,395 - $3,333 -
1983 $3,397 - $3,527 -
1982 $2,845 - $3,788 -
1981 $2,393 - $3,898 -
1980 $2,368 - $3,948 -
1979 $2,352 - $3,196 -
1978 $2,101 - $2,559 -
1977 $2,243 - $2,038 -
1976 $1,954 - $1,727 -
1975 $1,532 - $1,560 -
1974 $1,409 - $1,245 -
1973 $851 - $1,144 -
1972 $555 - $976 -
1971 $457 - $874 -
1970 $377 - $828 -
1969 $345 - - -
1968 $314 - - -
1967 $283.7 - - -
1966 $262.9 - - -
1965 $247.5 - - -
1964 $221.7 - - -
1963 $209.6 - - -
1962 $205.8 - - -
1961 $200.1 - - -
1960 $195.6 - - -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Iran Malta
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
6.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
31/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$23,692
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
$4.29B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
37.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
1.65%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
3.12%
2024
Population
93468444
581729

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 37.3% 46.2%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 36.1% 46.8%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 38.3% 50.1%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 39.4% 49.6%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 37.8% 55%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 40.1% 65%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 41.1% 66%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 41.2% 62%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 42% 70.4%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 13.6% 21% 44.4% 70%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 15.7% 22.2% - 69.8%
1998 16.9% 29.6% - 66.4%
1997 17.4% 30.9% - 60.8%
1996 17.3% 29.3% - 51.5%
1995 21% 31.2% - 45.3%
1994 23% 41.7% - -
1993 27.2% 25.6% - -
1992 14.4% 25.2% - -
1991 14% 29.3% - -
1990 16.4% 37% - -
1989 20% 48.8% - -
1988 23.6% 53.2% - -
1987 18.6% 48.6% - -
1986 19% 47.4% - -
1985 21.6% 8.73% - -
1984 23.7% 10% - -
1983 27.5% 35.7% - -
1982 29.7% 47.7% - -
1981 33.7% 47.6% - -
1980 35.8% 35.5% - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - 9.23% - -
1976 - 6.92% - -
1975 - 8.81% - -
1974 - 6.68% - -
1973 - 12.8% - -
1972 - 12.7% - -
1971 - 14.2% - -
1970 - 14.1% - -
1969 - - - -
1968 23.6% - - -
1967 22.3% - - -
1966 20.5% - - -
1965 16.3% 14.9% - -
1964 15.4% 15.2% - -
1963 14.8% 12.4% - -
1962 15.6% 13.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 147/185 and 118/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Malta
2024 -3.83% -3.58%
2023 -2.54% -4.65%
2022 -2.64% -5.31%
2021 -3.01% -6.95%
2020 -4.87% -8.72%
2019 -4.3% 0.72%
2018 -1.59% 1.86%
2017 -1.55% 3.4%
2016 -1.7% 1.1%
2015 -1.3% -0.84%
2014 -0.91% -1.49%
2013 -0.72% -2.19%
2012 -0.5% -3.31%
2011 -0.66% -2.99%
2010 -0.84% -2.22%
2009 -3.3% -3.11%
2008 -4.39% -4.06%
2007 -2.41% -2.05%
2006 -4.91% -2.46%
2005 -2.44% -2.83%
2004 -2.45% -4.28%
2003 -2.76% -9.04%
2002 -2.88% -5.62%
2001 0.02% -6.5%
2000 5.42% -5.83%
1999 -0.51% -
1998 -5.03% -
1997 -1.81% -
1996 -0.75% -
1995 -2.63% -
1994 -3.36% -
1993 -5.15% -
1992 -0.86% -
1991 -1.64% -
1990 -1.73% -
1989 -4.45% -
1988 -10.3% -
1987 -6.84% -
1986 -7.84% -
1985 -3.74% -
1984 -4.02% -
1983 -6.15% -
1982 -5.55% -
1981 -10.7% -
1980 -14.2% -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 -4.57% -
1967 -4% -
1966 -2.63% -
1965 -1.23% -
1964 -0.04% -
1963 0.26% -
1962 -1.39% -

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/iran/malta | CC BY

In 2024, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.2B, equivalent to 3.83% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Malta
2024 32.5% 1.65%
2023 44.6% 5.09%
2022 43.5% 6.15%
2021 43.4% 1.5%
2020 30.6% 0.64%
2019 39.9% 1.64%
2018 18% 1.16%
2017 8.04% 1.36%
2016 7.25% 0.64%
2015 12.5% 1.1%
2014 16.6% 0.31%
2013 36.6% 1.18%
2012 27.3% 2.38%
2011 26.3% 2.96%
2010 10.1% 1.52%
2009 13.6% 2.08%
2008 25.4% 4.26%
2007 17.3% 1.25%
2006 10% 2.77%
2005 13.4% 3.01%
2004 14.8% 2.79%
2003 16.5% 1.3%
2002 14.3% 2.19%
2001 11.3% 2.93%
2000 14.5% 2.37%
1999 20.1% 2.13%
1998 17.9% 2.39%
1997 17.3% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 1.65% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $50K
Raw agricultural goods $26K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Malta
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $732K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Iran Malta
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
47/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
+7.12%
2024
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
99.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
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.

Iran Malta
Economic freedom 41.8 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 49/197
Property rights 20.2 85.5
Government integrity 16.2 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 80.2
Tax burden 81.3 68.5
Government spending 94.7 58.4
Fiscal health 83.3 63.2
Business freedom 37.4 83.2
Labor freedom 41.8 62.6
Monetary freedom 42.2 73.1
Trade freedom 55.8 79.4
Investment freedom 5 60
Financial freedom 5 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Malta
2026 41.8 68.2
2025 42.5 66.8
2024 41.2 64.5
2023 42.2 67.5
2022 42.4 71.5
2021 47.2 70.2
2020 49.2 69.5
2019 51.1 68.6
2018 50.9 68.5
2017 50.5 67.7
2016 43.5 66.7
2015 41.8 66.5
2014 40.3 66.4
2013 43.2 67.5
2012 42.3 67
2011 42.1 65.7
2010 43.4 67.2
2009 44.6 66.1
2008 45 66
2007 45 66.1
2006 45 67.3
2005 50.5 68.9
2004 42.8 63.3
2003 43.2 61.1
2002 36.4 62.2
2001 35.9 62.9
2000 36.1 58.3
1999 36.8 59.3
1998 36 61.2
1997 34.5 57.9
1996 36.1 55.8
1995 - 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, 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

Iran Malta
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
0.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$61,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$1.42B
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
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/iran/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.