Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $25B for Malta, ranking 4/197 and 119/197 by economy size, respectively.
Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (46.2% of GDP) in Malta.
Japan vs Malta GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
| 2024 | $4,027,597,523,551 | $24,971,574,502 |
| 2023 | $4,213,167,237,906 | $22,610,561,526 |
| 2022 | $4,262,463,317,797 | $18,928,276,162 |
| 2021 | $5,039,148,168,861 | $19,739,875,611 |
| 2020 | $5,054,068,005,376 | $16,404,663,226 |
| 2019 | $5,117,993,853,017 | $16,337,793,531 |
| 2018 | $5,040,880,939,325 | $16,153,779,511 |
| 2017 | $4,930,837,369,151 | $14,161,366,724 |
| 2016 | $5,003,677,627,544 | $12,025,782,834 |
| 2015 | $4,444,930,651,964 | $11,340,795,042 |
| 2014 | $4,896,994,405,353 | $11,888,032,874 |
| 2013 | $5,212,328,181,166 | $10,796,782,636 |
| 2012 | $6,272,362,996,105 | $9,609,532,089 |
| 2011 | $6,233,147,172,341 | $9,789,361,703 |
| 2010 | $5,759,071,769,013 | $9,097,044,159 |
| 2009 | $5,289,493,117,994 | $8,734,745,698 |
| 2008 | $5,106,679,115,127 | $9,135,419,465 |
| 2007 | $4,579,750,920,355 | $7,908,412,306 |
| 2006 | $4,601,663,122,650 | $6,749,838,806 |
| 2005 | $4,831,467,035,390 | $6,393,234,993 |
| 2004 | $4,893,116,005,657 | $6,104,141,520 |
| 2003 | $4,519,561,645,254 | $5,418,315,224 |
| 2002 | $4,182,846,045,874 | $4,455,127,414 |
| 2001 | $4,374,711,694,091 | $4,070,867,133 |
| 2000 | $4,968,359,075,957 | $4,036,809,815 |
| 1999 | $4,635,982,224,064 | $4,111,857,809 |
| 1998 | $4,098,362,709,531 | $4,010,111,688 |
| 1997 | $4,492,448,605,639 | $3,787,023,707 |
| 1996 | $4,923,391,533,852 | $3,822,547,197 |
| 1995 | $5,545,563,663,890 | $3,709,396,045 |
| 1994 | $4,998,797,547,741 | $2,998,505,428 |
| 1993 | $4,536,940,479,038 | $2,709,193,538 |
| 1992 | $3,980,702,922,118 | $3,021,942,759 |
| 1991 | $3,648,065,760,649 | $2,750,216,747 |
| 1990 | $3,185,904,656,664 | $2,547,328,748 |
| 1989 | $3,109,455,047,824 | $2,118,655,677 |
| 1988 | $3,125,724,434,401 | $2,019,503,068 |
| 1987 | $2,580,748,422,781 | $1,751,293,461 |
| 1986 | $2,120,083,812,110 | $1,435,038,441 |
| 1985 | $1,427,019,759,717 | $1,117,797,439 |
| 1984 | $1,345,824,500,837 | $1,101,807,023 |
| 1983 | $1,270,859,919,743 | $1,165,729,707 |
| 1982 | $1,158,731,426,906 | $1,234,474,404 |
| 1981 | $1,245,221,410,764 | $1,243,509,394 |
| 1980 | $1,129,377,244,854 | $1,250,198,601 |
| 1979 | $1,077,910,077,676 | $1,001,288,847 |
| 1978 | $1,035,611,588,217 | $793,673,402 |
| 1977 | $737,069,290,928 | $625,563,171 |
| 1976 | $598,883,902,156 | $527,936,989 |
| 1975 | $532,861,438,885 | $474,618,321 |
| 1974 | $490,035,789,970 | $376,081,124 |
| 1973 | $441,460,582,536 | $345,616,106 |
| 1972 | $324,933,841,269 | $295,106,628 |
| 1971 | $245,364,056,622 | $264,578,485 |
| 1970 | $217,223,652,719 | $250,728,796 |
| 1969 | $184,298,841,305 | - |
| 1968 | $156,897,496,759 | - |
| 1967 | $132,475,614,227 | - |
| 1966 | $113,046,784,179 | - |
| 1965 | $97,338,107,606 | - |
| 1964 | $87,490,590,818 | - |
| 1963 | $74,379,284,603 | - |
| 1962 | $64,987,857,542 | - |
| 1961 | $57,266,758,180 | - |
| 1960 | $47,419,238,274 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/japan/malta | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Japan vs Malta by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $32,487 | $52,039 | $43,899 | $69,864 |
| 2023 | $33,836 | $50,662 | $40,906 | $67,057 |
| 2022 | $34,066 | $47,192 | $35,639 | $60,589 |
| 2021 | $40,095 | $44,355 | $38,097 | $56,852 |
| 2020 | $40,029 | $42,426 | $31,823 | $49,972 |
| 2019 | $40,416 | $42,678 | $32,422 | $51,393 |
| 2018 | $39,751 | $42,142 | $33,382 | $48,178 |
| 2017 | $38,834 | $41,444 | $30,317 | $45,764 |
| 2016 | $39,375 | $40,597 | $26,459 | $41,000 |
| 2015 | $34,961 | $40,899 | $25,530 | $38,369 |
| 2014 | $38,475 | $39,555 | $27,425 | $35,206 |
| 2013 | $40,899 | $39,402 | $25,416 | $33,138 |
| 2012 | $49,145 | $37,606 | $22,878 | $30,716 |
| 2011 | $48,760 | $36,214 | $23,517 | $29,426 |
| 2010 | $44,968 | $35,336 | $21,947 | $28,909 |
| 2009 | $41,309 | $33,543 | $21,176 | $26,782 |
| 2008 | $39,876 | $35,274 | $22,315 | $26,654 |
| 2007 | $35,779 | $35,015 | $19,444 | $25,012 |
| 2006 | $35,992 | $33,632 | $16,654 | $23,219 |
| 2005 | $37,813 | $32,170 | $15,831 | $22,227 |
| 2004 | $38,299 | $30,832 | $15,212 | $21,566 |
| 2003 | $35,387 | $29,392 | $13,594 | $20,813 |
| 2002 | $32,821 | $28,624 | $11,251 | $19,532 |
| 2001 | $34,406 | $27,943 | $10,358 | $18,435 |
| 2000 | $39,169 | $27,288 | $10,348 | $18,214 |
| 1999 | $36,610 | $25,736 | $10,609 | $16,898 |
| 1998 | $32,424 | $25,508 | $10,408 | $16,219 |
| 1997 | $35,638 | $25,619 | $9,893 | $15,465 |
| 1996 | $39,150 | $24,999 | $10,062 | $14,661 |
| 1995 | $44,198 | $23,858 | $9,828 | $13,950 |
| 1994 | $39,934 | $22,823 | $8,000 | $12,938 |
| 1993 | $36,345 | $22,168 | $7,296 | $12,103 |
| 1992 | $31,993 | $21,825 | $8,220 | $11,429 |
| 1991 | $29,428 | $21,227 | $7,559 | $10,784 |
| 1990 | $25,801 | $19,912 | $7,192 | $10,086 |
| 1989 | $25,266 | - | $6,041 | - |
| 1988 | $25,500 | - | $5,814 | - |
| 1987 | $21,142 | - | $5,084 | - |
| 1986 | $17,452 | - | $4,195 | - |
| 1985 | $11,809 | - | $3,322 | - |
| 1984 | $11,207 | - | $3,333 | - |
| 1983 | $10,652 | - | $3,527 | - |
| 1982 | $9,780 | - | $3,788 | - |
| 1981 | $10,583 | - | $3,898 | - |
| 1980 | $9,669 | - | $3,948 | - |
| 1979 | $9,301 | - | $3,196 | - |
| 1978 | $9,012 | - | $2,559 | - |
| 1977 | $6,473 | - | $2,038 | - |
| 1976 | $5,310 | - | $1,727 | - |
| 1975 | $4,776 | - | $1,560 | - |
| 1974 | $4,448 | - | $1,245 | - |
| 1973 | $4,061 | - | $1,144 | - |
| 1972 | $3,031 | - | $976 | - |
| 1971 | $2,321 | - | $874 | - |
| 1970 | $2,101 | - | $828 | - |
| 1969 | $1,803 | - | - | - |
| 1968 | $1,553 | - | - | - |
| 1967 | $1,326 | - | - | - |
| 1966 | $1,144 | - | - | - |
| 1965 | $994 | - | - | - |
| 1964 | $903 | - | - | - |
| 1963 | $776 | - | - | - |
| 1962 | $685 | - | - | - |
| 1961 | $609 | - | - | - |
| 1960 | $509 | - | - | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/japan/malta | CC BY
Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $43,899 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.
Economic indicators
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$4.03T
2024 |
$25B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
4/197
2024 |
119/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
0.1%
2023-2024 |
6.8%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$32,487
2024 |
$43,899
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
38/197
2024 |
28/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$52,039
2024 |
$69,864
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
41/197
2024 |
25/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$9.51T
2024 |
$11.5B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
236.1%
2024 |
46.2%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$76,704
2024 |
$20,269
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
3/185
2024 |
31/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$23,653
2026 |
$23,692
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$6.31T
2024 |
$4.29B
2024 |
| Number of millionaires |
2,732,000
2025 |
n/a |
| Number of billionaires |
42
2025 |
n/a |
| Income share by richest 10% |
23.9%
2020 |
27.7%
2022 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.4%
2020 |
2.7%
2022 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
39.1%
2024 |
37.3%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
2.74%
2023-2024 |
1.65%
2023-2024 |
| Central bank interest rate |
0.75%
2025 |
n/a |
| Unemployment rate |
2.54%
2024 |
3.12%
2024 |
| Population |
122677250
|
581729
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 39.1% | 236.1% | 37.3% | 46.2% |
| 2023 | 39.2% | 240.5% | 36.1% | 46.8% |
| 2022 | 41.8% | 248.2% | 38.3% | 50.1% |
| 2021 | 42.5% | 253.7% | 39.4% | 49.6% |
| 2020 | 44.5% | 258.4% | 42.1% | 48.6% |
| 2019 | 37.3% | 236.4% | 34.9% | 39.2% |
| 2018 | 36.7% | 232.4% | 34.5% | 41.4% |
| 2017 | 36.7% | 231.3% | 32.7% | 45.6% |
| 2016 | 37.2% | 232.4% | 35.5% | 53.1% |
| 2015 | 37.3% | 228.3% | 37.8% | 55% |
| 2014 | 38.4% | 233.3% | 39.6% | 60.7% |
| 2013 | 38.8% | 229.5% | 40.1% | 64.9% |
| 2012 | 38.6% | 226.1% | 41.7% | 65.6% |
| 2011 | 38.6% | 219.2% | 41.5% | 68.9% |
| 2010 | 37.7% | 205.9% | 40.1% | 65% |
| 2009 | 38.7% | 198.8% | 41.1% | 66% |
| 2008 | 34.1% | 180.9% | 42.1% | 61.5% |
| 2007 | 33.1% | 173% | 41.2% | 62% |
| 2006 | 33.1% | 174.1% | 42.5% | 64.5% |
| 2005 | 33.5% | 174.6% | 42.5% | 70.2% |
| 2004 | 33.7% | 169.5% | 42% | 70.4% |
| 2003 | 35% | 160% | 45.6% | 68.6% |
| 2002 | 35.4% | 154.1% | 43.6% | 65.1% |
| 2001 | 35.2% | 145.1% | 44.4% | 70% |
| 2000 | 36% | 135.6% | 42.9% | 64.4% |
| 1999 | 35.6% | 129.5% | - | 69.8% |
| 1998 | 38.6% | 116% | - | 66.4% |
| 1997 | 33.1% | 105% | - | 60.8% |
| 1996 | 33.8% | 98.1% | - | 51.5% |
| 1995 | 33.4% | 92.5% | - | 45.3% |
| 1994 | 32.8% | 84.4% | - | - |
| 1993 | 32.1% | 72.8% | - | - |
| 1992 | 30.3% | 66.8% | - | - |
| 1991 | 29.3% | 62.4% | - | - |
| 1990 | 29.5% | 63.2% | - | - |
| 1989 | 29.2% | 65.7% | - | - |
| 1988 | 29.9% | 71.9% | - | - |
| 1987 | 30.6% | 75.8% | - | - |
| 1986 | 30.4% | 74.1% | - | - |
| 1985 | 30.4% | 68.3% | - | - |
| 1984 | 31.2% | 65.6% | - | - |
| 1983 | 31.8% | 63.5% | - | - |
| 1982 | 31.7% | 57.7% | - | - |
| 1981 | 31.5% | 52.8% | - | - |
| 1980 | 33.5% | 47.8% | - | - |
| 1979 | 33.2% | 43.8% | - | - |
| 1978 | 32.1% | 39% | - | - |
| 1977 | 30.4% | 31.1% | - | - |
| 1976 | 29.1% | 26.1% | - | - |
| 1975 | 28.5% | 20.9% | - | - |
| 1974 | 25.5% | 16.7% | - | - |
| 1973 | 23.3% | 15.9% | - | - |
| 1972 | 23.1% | 16.3% | - | - |
| 1971 | 21.8% | 12.6% | - | - |
| 1970 | 20.2% | 11.2% | - | - |
| 1969 | 19.8% | 11.4% | - | - |
| 1968 | 20.1% | 11.8% | - | - |
| 1967 | 19.9% | 11.4% | - | - |
| 1966 | 20.8% | 11.2% | - | - |
| 1965 | 20.4% | 9.78% | - | - |
| 1964 | 19.8% | 8.53% | - | - |
| 1963 | 20% | 8.66% | - | - |
| 1962 | 19.4% | 9.01% | - | - |
| 1961 | 18.2% | 8.44% | - | - |
| 1960 | 18.4% | 10.4% | - | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/japan/malta | CC BY
In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Malta spent $9.32B, or 37.3% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 46.2% in Malta, ranking 3/185 and 118/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
| 2024 | -1.53% | -3.58% |
| 2023 | -2.26% | -4.65% |
| 2022 | -4.21% | -5.31% |
| 2021 | -6.13% | -6.95% |
| 2020 | -9.08% | -8.72% |
| 2019 | -3.04% | 0.72% |
| 2018 | -2.47% | 1.86% |
| 2017 | -3.1% | 3.4% |
| 2016 | -3.6% | 1.1% |
| 2015 | -3.68% | -0.84% |
| 2014 | -5.62% | -1.49% |
| 2013 | -7.61% | -2.19% |
| 2012 | -8.2% | -3.31% |
| 2011 | -8.99% | -2.99% |
| 2010 | -9.08% | -2.22% |
| 2009 | -9.69% | -3.11% |
| 2008 | -4.11% | -4.06% |
| 2007 | -2.9% | -2.05% |
| 2006 | -3.03% | -2.46% |
| 2005 | -4.44% | -2.83% |
| 2004 | -5.31% | -4.28% |
| 2003 | -7.43% | -9.04% |
| 2002 | -7.34% | -5.62% |
| 2001 | -6.2% | -6.5% |
| 2000 | -7.28% | -5.83% |
| 1999 | -6.75% | - |
| 1998 | -10% | - |
| 1997 | -3.53% | - |
| 1996 | -4.87% | - |
| 1995 | -4.3% | - |
| 1994 | -3.76% | - |
| 1993 | -2.39% | - |
| 1992 | 0.57% | - |
| 1991 | 1.67% | - |
| 1990 | 1.96% | - |
| 1989 | 1.23% | - |
| 1988 | 0.49% | - |
| 1987 | -0.36% | - |
| 1986 | -1.36% | - |
| 1985 | -1.37% | - |
| 1984 | -2.62% | - |
| 1983 | -3.95% | - |
| 1982 | -3.81% | - |
| 1981 | -3.85% | - |
| 1980 | -4.66% | - |
| 1979 | -5% | - |
| 1978 | -5.79% | - |
| 1977 | -4.02% | - |
| 1976 | -3.89% | - |
| 1975 | -2.92% | - |
| 1974 | 0.38% | - |
| 1973 | 0.56% | - |
| 1972 | -0.13% | - |
| 1971 | 1.21% | - |
| 1970 | 1.74% | - |
| 1969 | 1.26% | - |
| 1968 | 0.88% | - |
| 1967 | 0.8% | - |
| 1966 | -0.34% | - |
| 1965 | 0.48% | - |
| 1964 | 0.85% | - |
| 1963 | 1.08% | - |
| 1962 | 1.49% | - |
| 1961 | 2.58% | - |
| 1960 | 1.85% | - |
| 1959 | 0.97% | - |
| 1958 | -0.1% | - |
| 1957 | 1.27% | - |
| 1956 | 1.39% | - |
| 1955 | -0.67% | - |
| 1954 | 0.7% | - |
| 1953 | 1.65% | - |
| 1952 | 2.22% | - |
| 1951 | 5.06% | - |
| 1950 | 6.99% | - |
| 1949 | 12.5% | - |
| 1948 | 7.53% | - |
| 1947 | 6.09% | - |
| 1946 | - | - |
| 1945 | - | - |
| 1944 | - | - |
| 1943 | 0.32% | - |
| 1942 | -0.13% | - |
| 1941 | -0.19% | - |
| 1940 | 0.31% | - |
| 1939 | 0.11% | - |
| 1938 | 0.45% | - |
| 1937 | 0.71% | - |
| 1936 | 0.34% | - |
| 1935 | 0.26% | - |
| 1934 | 0.34% | - |
| 1933 | 0.28% | - |
| 1932 | 0.31% | - |
| 1931 | 0.23% | - |
| 1930 | 0.19% | - |
| 1929 | 0.5% | - |
| 1928 | 0.42% | - |
| 1927 | 0.58% | - |
| 1926 | 0.65% | - |
| 1925 | 0.75% | - |
| 1924 | 0.84% | - |
| 1923 | 0.87% | - |
| 1922 | 0.89% | - |
| 1921 | 1.43% | - |
| 1920 | 1.19% | - |
| 1919 | 1.21% | - |
| 1918 | 1.58% | - |
| 1917 | 1.54% | - |
| 1916 | 1.37% | - |
| 1915 | 1.41% | - |
| 1914 | 1.31% | - |
| 1913 | 1.21% | - |
| 1912 | 1.27% | - |
| 1911 | 1.21% | - |
| 1910 | 1.57% | - |
| 1909 | 1.51% | - |
| 1908 | 1.63% | - |
| 1907 | 1.77% | - |
| 1906 | 0.46% | - |
| 1905 | -0.68% | - |
| 1904 | -0.81% | - |
| 1903 | 0.19% | - |
| 1902 | 0.44% | - |
| 1901 | 0.21% | - |
| 1900 | 0.53% | - |
| 1899 | 0.2% | - |
| 1898 | 0.6% | - |
| 1897 | 0.33% | - |
| 1896 | 0.88% | - |
| 1895 | 0.28% | - |
| 1894 | -0.24% | - |
| 1893 | 0.6% | - |
| 1892 | 0.63% | - |
| 1891 | 0.61% | - |
| 1890 | 0.74% | - |
| 1889 | 0.18% | - |
| 1888 | 0.13% | - |
| 1887 | 0.11% | - |
| 1886 | 0.03% | - |
| 1885 | 0.01% | - |
| 1884 | 0.001% | - |
| 1883 | 0.03% | - |
| 1882 | 0.001% | - |
| 1881 | 0.001% | - |
| 1880 | 0.004% | - |
| 1879 | 0.02% | - |
| 1878 | 0.02% | - |
| 1877 | -0.29% | - |
| 1876 | -0.42% | - |
| 1875 | 0.005% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/japan/malta | CC BY
In 2024, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $61.6B, equivalent to 1.53% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $893M, or 3.58% of GDP.
Over the past 25 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Malta.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
| 2024 | 2.74% | 1.65% |
| 2023 | 3.27% | 5.09% |
| 2022 | 2.5% | 6.15% |
| 2021 | -0.23% | 1.5% |
| 2020 | -0.02% | 0.64% |
| 2019 | 0.47% | 1.64% |
| 2018 | 0.99% | 1.16% |
| 2017 | 0.48% | 1.36% |
| 2016 | -0.13% | 0.64% |
| 2015 | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| 2014 | 2.76% | 0.31% |
| 2013 | 0.34% | 1.18% |
| 2012 | -0.04% | 2.38% |
| 2011 | -0.27% | 2.96% |
| 2010 | -0.73% | 1.52% |
| 2009 | -1.35% | 2.08% |
| 2008 | 1.38% | 4.26% |
| 2007 | 0.06% | 1.25% |
| 2006 | 0.25% | 2.77% |
| 2005 | -0.28% | 3.01% |
| 2004 | -0.009% | 2.79% |
| 2003 | -0.26% | 1.3% |
| 2002 | -0.92% | 2.19% |
| 2001 | -0.74% | 2.93% |
| 2000 | -0.68% | 2.37% |
| 1999 | -0.34% | 2.13% |
| 1998 | 0.66% | 2.39% |
| 1997 | 1.75% | 3.11% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/japan/malta | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 2.21% in Malta. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 1.65% in Malta.
Top exports between countries
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $82.3M |
| Miscellaneous | $25.9M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $3.17M |
| Raw materials & minerals | $1.68M |
| Metals | $789K |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $562K |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $112K |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $77K |
| Wood & paper products | $44K |
| Animal & marine products | $5K |
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Animal & marine products | $153M |
| Transport & tourism services | $85.7M |
| Business & finance services | $50.4M |
| Machinery & equipment | $27.3M |
| IT & IP services | $12.9M |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $2.6M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $2.42M |
| Metals | $1.06M |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $828K |
| Raw materials & minerals | $411K |
Balance of trade
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$194B
2024 |
$1.78B
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
3/190
2024 |
47/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+4.82%
2024 |
+7.12%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$719B
2024 |
$7.56B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$694B
2024 |
$4.58B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$246B
2024 |
$17.4B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$228B
2024 |
$25B
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
23.6%
2024 |
99.7%
2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
22.8%
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.
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 70.3 | 68.2 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 36/197 | 49/197 |
| Property rights | 94.2 | 85.5 |
| Government integrity | 81.1 | 54.3 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 97.9 | 80.2 |
| Tax burden | 63 | 68.5 |
| Government spending | 52 | 58.4 |
| Fiscal health | 41.7 | 63.2 |
| Business freedom | 77.8 | 83.2 |
| Labor freedom | 65.9 | 62.6 |
| Monetary freedom | 74.3 | 73.1 |
| Trade freedom | 76.2 | 79.4 |
| Investment freedom | 60 | 60 |
| Financial freedom | 60 | 50 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
| 2026 | 70.3 | 68.2 |
| 2025 | 70.2 | 66.8 |
| 2024 | 67.5 | 64.5 |
| 2023 | 69.3 | 67.5 |
| 2022 | 69.9 | 71.5 |
| 2021 | 74.1 | 70.2 |
| 2020 | 73.3 | 69.5 |
| 2019 | 72.1 | 68.6 |
| 2018 | 72.3 | 68.5 |
| 2017 | 69.6 | 67.7 |
| 2016 | 73.1 | 66.7 |
| 2015 | 73.3 | 66.5 |
| 2014 | 72.4 | 66.4 |
| 2013 | 71.8 | 67.5 |
| 2012 | 71.6 | 67 |
| 2011 | 72.8 | 65.7 |
| 2010 | 72.9 | 67.2 |
| 2009 | 72.8 | 66.1 |
| 2008 | 73 | 66 |
| 2007 | 72.7 | 66.1 |
| 2006 | 73.3 | 67.3 |
| 2005 | 67.3 | 68.9 |
| 2004 | 64.3 | 63.3 |
| 2003 | 67.6 | 61.1 |
| 2002 | 66.7 | 62.2 |
| 2001 | 70.9 | 62.9 |
| 2000 | 70.7 | 58.3 |
| 1999 | 69.1 | 59.3 |
| 1998 | 70.2 | 61.2 |
| 1997 | 70.3 | 57.9 |
| 1996 | 72.6 | 55.8 |
| 1995 | 75 | 56.3 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/japan/malta | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, 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
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
69.8%
2023 |
81.8%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
28.6%
2023 |
10.7%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
0.94%
2023 |
0.23%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$4.46T
2024 |
$20.9B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$55,490
2024 |
$61,340
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.23T
2024 |
$1.42B
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
2/177
2024 |
137/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$191B
2024 |
-$6.13B
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$16.2B
2024 |
$42.6B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$203B
2024 |
$36.5B
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
16.1%
2020 |
16.7%
2021 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
26.2%
2024 |
19%
2024 |
GDP per capita map
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/japan/malta | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- 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.
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.