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Economy of Latvia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Latvia has a GDP of $48.6B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 99/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Latvia has $22.8B in government debt (46.9% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Latvia vs Malta GDP by year

Latvia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Latvia Malta
2025 $48,618,869,160 $27,771,821,561
2024 $44,001,275,013 $25,042,712,191
2023 $42,779,550,937 $22,625,329,776
2022 $38,003,198,509 $18,938,869,147
2021 $38,183,326,785 $19,730,119,031
2020 $33,379,927,435 $16,404,655,808
2019 $33,099,503,951 $16,337,788,881
2018 $33,247,935,477 $16,153,785,817
2017 $29,391,059,767 $14,161,374,599
2016 $27,117,105,060 $12,025,777,078
2015 $26,344,565,877 $11,340,789,706
2014 $30,277,203,767 $11,888,029,752
2013 $29,152,128,168 $10,796,780,874
2012 $27,116,149,949 $9,609,530,619
2011 $26,575,547,901 $9,789,363,086
2010 $23,468,324,572 $9,097,044,301
2009 $25,691,530,442 $8,769,897,418
2008 $34,135,200,994 $9,172,399,573
2007 $29,420,499,248 $7,908,412,374
2006 $20,434,922,247 $6,749,838,862
2005 $16,306,935,905 $6,393,234,965
2004 $13,827,070,379 $6,104,141,501
2003 $11,244,337,720 $5,418,315,225
2002 $9,249,030,241 $4,455,127,398
2001 $8,190,888,740 $4,070,867,153
2000 $7,761,252,607 $4,036,809,767
1999 $7,324,192,890 $4,111,857,836
1998 $6,974,112,951 $4,010,111,652
1997 $6,349,481,007 $3,787,023,655
1996 $5,799,465,288 $3,822,547,151
1995 $5,608,208,785 $3,709,396,089
1994 - $2,998,505,428
1993 - $2,709,193,538
1992 - $3,021,942,759
1991 - $2,750,216,747
1990 - $2,547,328,748
1989 - $2,118,655,677
1988 - $2,019,503,068
1987 - $1,751,293,461
1986 - $1,435,038,441
1985 - $1,117,797,439
1984 - $1,101,807,023
1983 - $1,165,729,707
1982 - $1,234,474,404
1981 - $1,243,509,394
1980 - $1,250,198,601
1979 - $1,001,288,847
1978 - $793,673,402
1977 - $625,563,171
1976 - $527,936,989
1975 - $474,618,321
1974 - $376,081,124
1973 - $345,616,106
1972 - $295,106,628
1971 - $264,578,485
1970 - $250,728,796

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

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

GDP per capita in Latvia vs Malta by year

Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Latvia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $26,312 - $47,907 -
2024 $23,579 $43,394 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $22,710 $42,576 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $20,221 $40,559 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $20,262 $36,912 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $17,564 $32,741 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $17,295 $32,199 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $17,252 $29,818 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $15,132 $25,764 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $13,839 $24,063 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $13,322 $22,544 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $15,186 $21,554 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $14,484 $20,474 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $13,329 $19,417 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $12,903 $17,680 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $11,188 $16,373 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $11,996 $15,545 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $15,678 $17,443 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $13,371 $16,246 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $9,212 $14,180 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $7,284 $12,826 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $6,110 $11,319 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $4,915 $10,193 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $4,004 $9,569 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $3,505 $8,808 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $3,278 $7,849 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $3,064 $7,256 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $2,894 $6,922 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $2,610 $6,366 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $2,360 $5,688 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $2,257 $5,391 $9,828 $13,950
1994 - $5,012 $8,000 $12,938
1993 - $4,722 $7,296 $12,103
1992 - $4,760 $8,220 $11,429
1991 - $6,762 $7,559 $10,784
1990 - $7,448 $7,192 $10,086
1989 - - $6,041 -
1988 - - $5,814 -
1987 - - $5,084 -
1986 - - $4,195 -
1985 - - $3,322 -
1984 - - $3,333 -
1983 - - $3,527 -
1982 - - $3,788 -
1981 - - $3,898 -
1980 - - $3,948 -
1979 - - $3,196 -
1978 - - $2,559 -
1977 - - $2,038 -
1976 - - $1,727 -
1975 - - $1,560 -
1974 - - $1,245 -
1973 - - $1,144 -
1972 - - $976 -
1971 - - $874 -
1970 - - $828 -

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

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

Latvia's GDP per capita is $26,312, ranking 51/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Latvia Malta
Gross domestic product
$48.6B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
99/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$26,312
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
51/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$43,394
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
53/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.9%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,353
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,702
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2023
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.75%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2025
3.1%
2025
Population
1826986
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Latvia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Latvia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.4% 46.9% 37% 46.8%
2024 44% 46.2% 37.4% 46%
2023 42.9% 44.4% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 43.6% 44.4% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 44.6% 45.9% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 42.6% 44% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 39% 37.9% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 39.4% 38.3% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 37.8% 40.3% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 37.4% 41.7% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 38.7% 38.3% 37.8% 55%
2014 39.2% 43.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 38.7% 41.8% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 38.6% 44.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 41.2% 46.8% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 43.6% 48.2% 40.1% 65%
2009 43.6% 37.6% 41.1% 66%
2008 38.2% 19.3% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 34.8% 9% 41.2% 62%
2006 35.5% 10.7% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 35.8% 12.5% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 34.8% 15.3% 42% 70.4%
2003 34.4% 15.4% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 35.4% 15.4% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 35% 17.8% 44.4% 70%
2000 37% 15.1% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 40.4% 14.8% - 69.8%
1998 38.1% 9.81% - 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/latvia/malta | CC BY

In 2025, Latvia's government spending was $22.1B, accounting for 45.4% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.9% in Latvia and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 112/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Latvia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Latvia Malta
2025 -4.05% -3.1%
2024 -1.72% -3.51%
2023 -3.36% -4.43%
2022 -3.95% -5.33%
2021 -5.71% -6.96%
2020 -3.85% -8.71%
2019 -0.39% 0.72%
2018 -0.77% 1.86%
2017 -0.85% 3.4%
2016 -0.41% 1.1%
2015 -1.57% -0.84%
2014 -1.74% -1.49%
2013 -0.58% -2.19%
2012 0.18% -3.31%
2011 -3.38% -2.99%
2010 -6.56% -2.22%
2009 -7.14% -3.11%
2008 -3.29% -4.06%
2007 0.63% -2.05%
2006 -0.48% -2.46%
2005 -1.06% -2.83%
2004 -1.04% -4.28%
2003 -1.67% -9.04%
2002 -2.59% -5.62%
2001 -2.03% -6.5%
2000 -2.57% -5.83%
1999 -3.54% -
1998 -0.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Latvia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.97B, equivalent to 4.05% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Latvia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Latvia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Latvia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Latvia Malta
2025 3.75% 2.36%
2024 1.27% 1.65%
2023 8.94% 5.09%
2022 17.3% 6.15%
2021 3.28% 1.5%
2020 0.22% 0.64%
2019 2.81% 1.64%
2018 2.53% 1.16%
2017 2.93% 1.36%
2016 0.14% 0.64%
2015 0.17% 1.1%
2014 0.62% 0.31%
2013 -0.03% 1.18%
2012 2.26% 2.38%
2011 4.37% 2.96%
2010 -1.08% 1.52%
2009 3.53% 2.08%
2008 15.4% 4.26%
2007 10.1% 1.25%
2006 6.54% 2.77%
2005 6.75% 3.01%
2004 6.19% 2.79%
2003 2.94% 1.3%
2002 1.94% 2.19%
2001 2.49% 2.93%
2000 2.65% 2.37%
1999 2.36% 2.13%
1998 4.64% 2.39%
1997 8.45% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Latvia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 3.75% in Latvia and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Latvia
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $15.2M
Business & finance services $10.8M
Transport & tourism services $6.49M
Machinery & equipment $3.82M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.19M
Raw agricultural goods $2.38M
Raw materials & minerals $1.7M
Chemicals & pharma $1.54M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.26M
Metals $322K
Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $16.9M
Business & finance services $7.12M
Chemicals & pharma $1.03M
IT & IP services $644K
Machinery & equipment $144K
Precious metals & jewellery $126K
Government & miscellaneous services $118K
Manufacturing & construction services $105K
Textiles & consumer goods $53K
Wood & paper products $30K

Balance of trade

Latvia Malta
Current account balance
-$1.64B
2025
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
133/190
2025
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.38%
2025
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$25.6B
2025
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$21.1B
2025
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$7.07B
2025
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$9.33B
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
67.2%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
62.6%
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.

Latvia Malta
Economic freedom 71.6 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 31/197 49/197
Property rights 88.8 85.5
Government integrity 67.7 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.9 80.2
Tax burden 70.9 68.5
Government spending 42.7 58.4
Fiscal health 80.8 63.2
Business freedom 80.7 83.2
Labor freedom 60.5 62.6
Monetary freedom 76.3 73.1
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Latvia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Latvia Malta
2026 71.6 68.2
2025 71.4 66.8
2024 71.5 64.5
2023 72.8 67.5
2022 74.8 71.5
2021 72.3 70.2
2020 71.9 69.5
2019 70.4 68.6
2018 73.6 68.5
2017 74.8 67.7
2016 70.4 66.7
2015 69.7 66.5
2014 68.7 66.4
2013 66.5 67.5
2012 65.2 67
2011 65.8 65.7
2010 66.2 67.2
2009 66.6 66.1
2008 68.3 66
2007 67.9 66.1
2006 66.9 67.3
2005 66.3 68.9
2004 67.4 63.3
2003 66 61.1
2002 65 62.2
2001 66.4 62.9
2000 63.4 58.3
1999 64.2 59.3
1998 63.4 61.2
1997 62.4 57.9
1996 55 55.8
1995 - 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Latvia is 71.6, ranking 31/197, 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

Latvia Malta
Services, % of GDP
64.2%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.01%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$46.1B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$45,740
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
95/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$72.5M
2025
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.51B
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$257M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/latvia/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 (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 (2021–2025, 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.

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.