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Economy of Madagascar vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Madagascar has a GDP of $17.4B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 136/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Madagascar has $8.77B in government debt (50.3% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Madagascar vs Thailand GDP by year

Madagascar
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Madagascar Thailand
2024 $17,420,501,490 $526,517,658,842
2023 $15,869,945,478 $515,906,283,941
2022 $15,325,603,273 $495,644,697,588
2021 $14,354,731,964 $506,194,668,790
2020 $13,051,441,204 $500,461,898,480
2019 $14,104,664,679 $543,976,691,794
2018 $13,760,033,282 $506,754,208,404
2017 $13,176,313,594 $456,356,813,537
2016 $11,848,613,858 $413,366,349,748
2015 $11,323,020,701 $401,296,238,228
2014 $12,522,957,399 $407,339,040,198
2013 $12,423,555,455 $420,333,654,593
2012 $11,578,975,062 $397,558,325,279
2011 $11,551,819,618 $370,818,739,624
2010 $9,982,711,338 $341,104,766,329
2009 $9,616,879,409 $281,710,630,187
2008 $10,725,137,724 $291,382,982,431
2007 $8,524,620,890 $262,942,621,455
2006 $6,395,712,491 $221,758,296,022
2005 $5,859,269,753 $189,318,408,469
2004 $5,064,732,626 $172,895,685,155
2003 $6,372,498,890 $152,280,615,246
2002 $5,351,701,663 $134,300,904,400
2001 $5,438,332,602 $120,296,476,180
2000 $4,629,247,204 $126,392,224,254
1999 $4,277,903,780 $126,669,211,779
1998 $4,401,967,633 $113,675,596,788
1997 $4,262,965,420 $150,180,456,566
1996 $4,931,861,039 $183,035,237,429
1995 $3,838,100,904 $169,278,916,593
1994 $3,522,227,092 $146,683,778,959
1993 $4,063,298,919 $128,889,262,951
1992 $3,714,966,678 $111,452,746,518
1991 $3,254,713,056 $98,234,714,971
1990 $3,931,334,875 $85,343,190,719
1989 $3,175,638,333 $72,250,748,100
1988 $3,189,456,965 $61,667,253,471
1987 $3,212,900,556 $50,535,446,555
1986 $4,347,989,788 $43,096,773,981
1985 $3,802,557,895 $38,900,711,333
1984 $3,905,938,481 $41,797,647,776
1983 $4,686,457,031 $40,042,798,388
1982 $4,784,977,326 $36,589,772,404
1981 $4,759,333,998 $34,846,039,194
1980 $5,201,818,348 $32,353,514,989
1979 $3,463,565,854 $27,371,650,825
1978 $2,669,755,115 $24,006,566,637
1977 $2,358,930,406 $19,779,312,261
1976 $2,181,844,179 $16,985,208,648
1975 $2,283,049,215 $14,882,770,594
1974 $1,917,508,190 $13,702,998,512
1973 $1,653,062,335 $10,838,587,358
1972 $1,341,590,690 $8,177,873,151
1971 $1,199,507,631 $7,375,000,024
1970 $1,111,859,571 $7,086,538,438
1969 $1,056,391,056 $6,695,336,567
1968 $1,031,669,637 $6,081,009,428
1967 $956,436,932 $5,638,461,442
1966 $900,264,585 $5,279,230,817
1965 $833,563,473 $4,388,937,649
1964 $802,482,184 $3,889,129,942
1963 $759,345,864 $3,540,403,457
1962 $739,286,908 $3,308,912,797
1961 $699,161,945 $3,034,037,811
1960 $673,081,725 $2,760,750,861

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Madagascar vs Thailand by year

Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Madagascar Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $545 $1,884 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $509 $1,808 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $504 $1,717 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $483 $1,577 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $451 $1,490 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $500 $1,612 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $500 $1,547 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $492 $1,547 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $454 $1,562 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $445 $1,497 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $506 $1,499 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $515 $1,473 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $494 $1,464 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $506 $1,475 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $450 $1,464 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $446 $1,480 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $513 $1,577 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $420 $1,493 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $324 $1,416 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $306 $1,343 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $272.2 $1,280 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $353 $1,219 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $305 $1,121 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $319 $1,299 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $280.3 $1,236 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $267.4 $1,194 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $284.2 $1,162 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $284.4 $1,142 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $340 $1,119 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $273.1 $1,111 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $258.7 $1,104 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $308 $1,116 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $290.2 $1,101 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $262 $1,096 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $326 $1,166 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $271.3 - $1,342 -
1988 $280.5 - $1,164 -
1987 $290.8 - $970 -
1986 $405 - $842 -
1985 $364 - $774 -
1984 $385 - $847 -
1983 $476 - $827 -
1982 $501 - $770 -
1981 $513 - $748 -
1980 $578 - $709 -
1979 $396 - $612 -
1978 $315 - $548 -
1977 $286.9 - $462 -
1976 $273.5 - $405 -
1975 $295 - $364 -
1974 $255.3 - $343 -
1973 $226.8 - $278.3 -
1972 $189.6 - $215.6 -
1971 $174.6 - $199.7 -
1970 $166.6 - $197.1 -
1969 $162.9 - $191.4 -
1968 $163.6 - $178.8 -
1967 $155.9 - $170.7 -
1966 $150.7 - $164.5 -
1965 $143.2 - $140.9 -
1964 $141.5 - $128.6 -
1963 $137.4 - $120.7 -
1962 $137.3 - $116.2 -
1961 $133.3 - $109.7 -
1960 $131.7 - $102.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

Madagascar's GDP per capita is $545, ranking 193/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Madagascar Thailand
Gross domestic product
$17.4B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
136/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$545
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
193/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,884
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
187/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$8.77B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.3%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$274.3
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
180/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,268
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.2%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.87%
2022-2023
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2022
0.78%
2024
Population
33750171
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Madagascar
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Madagascar Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.2% 50.3% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 17.9% 52.7% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 16.2% 49.9% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 13.9% 49.4% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 16.4% 52.9% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 15.4% 41.3% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 14.4% 42.9% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 14.9% 40.1% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 13.5% 40.3% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 13% 44.1% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 12.6% 37.8% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 12.7% 36.2% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 11.5% 30.4% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 12% 29.9% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 12.3% 32.3% 22% 39.8%
2009 12.5% 34.9% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 15.7% 31% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 16.1% 28.2% 20% 36%
2006 18.5% 32.2% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 18.4% 74.4% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 21.7% 81.9% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 16.6% 85.9% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 12.4% 86.7% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 15.3% 82.1% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 15.3% 90.2% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 15.5% 104.1% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 16.9% 108.5% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 14.5% 89.7% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 14.4% 98.7% 18% 15.2%
1995 14.5% 95.8% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 16.7% 96% 16% 6.69%
1993 17.1% 105.2% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 16.2% 110.9% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 13.5% 113.8% 17% 14.1%
1990 13.3% 92.7% 16.6% 18%
1989 15.5% 122% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 11.4% 126.6% 15.1% 30.3%
1987 10.4% 127.5% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 11.1% 84.9% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 11.8% 82.7% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 13.9% 70.9% 19.3% 30.6%
1983 13.4% 57.5% 19.5% 28.9%
1982 14.3% 56.1% 20.2% 27.1%
1981 18.2% 51.5% 19.1% 24.4%
1980 22.7% 37.7% 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Madagascar's government spending was $2.82B, accounting for 16.2% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.3% in Madagascar and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 106/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Madagascar

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Madagascar Thailand
2024 -2.48% -1.29%
2023 -4.19% -1.98%
2022 -5.46% -4.61%
2021 -2.83% -6.74%
2020 -3.96% -4.47%
2019 -1.42% 0.43%
2018 -1.34% 0.2%
2017 -2.1% -0.42%
2016 -1.11% 0.41%
2015 -2.85% 0.19%
2014 -1.96% -0.7%
2013 -3.4% 0.6%
2012 -2.24% -0.86%
2011 -2.04% 0.09%
2010 -0.76% -1.07%
2009 -2.26% -2.21%
2008 -1.72% 0.8%
2007 -2.31% 0.22%
2006 -5.71% 1.87%
2005 -2.47% 2.17%
2004 -4.23% 1.11%
2003 -3.32% 1.98%
2002 -4.09% -6.72%
2001 -3.61% -1.77%
2000 -2.35% -1.79%
1999 -2.42% -9.02%
1998 -5.31% -6.29%
1997 -2% -1.68%
1996 -3.97% 2.75%
1995 -5.09% 3.05%
1994 -7.23% 2.78%
1993 -6.34% 6.67%
1992 -5% -0.18%
1991 -4.4% 1.6%
1990 -0.49% 1.41%
1989 -3.35% 0.16%
1988 -0.57% 0.58%
1987 -2.12% -2.38%
1986 -2.24% -4.32%
1985 -2.39% -5.11%
1984 -6.09% -3.85%
1983 -6.04% -4.02%
1982 -6.97% -6.18%
1981 -9.97% -4.07%
1980 -11% -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Madagascar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $432M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Madagascar recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Madagascar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.27% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Madagascar

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Madagascar Thailand
2024 - 1.37%
2023 9.87% 8.48%
2022 8.16% -1.61%
2021 5.81% 1.23%
2020 4.2% -0.85%
2019 5.61% 0.71%
2018 8.59% 1.06%
2017 8.61% 0.67%
2016 6.04% 0.19%
2015 7.4% -0.9%
2014 6.08% 1.9%
2013 5.83% 2.18%
2012 5.71% 3.01%
2011 9.48% 3.81%
2010 9.25% 3.25%
2009 8.95% -0.85%
2008 9.3% 5.47%
2007 10.3% 2.24%
2006 10.8% 4.64%
2005 18.4% 4.54%
2004 14% 2.76%
2003 -1.7% 1.8%
2002 16.5% 0.7%
2001 7.92% 1.63%
2000 11.9% 1.59%
1999 9.93% 0.28%
1998 6.21% 7.99%
1997 4.49% 5.63%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Madagascar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.42%, compared with 2.28% in Thailand. In 2023, inflation was 9.87% in Madagascar and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Madagascar
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $5.15M
Chemicals & pharma $1.7M
Raw materials & minerals $1.31M
Metals $846K
Precious metals & jewellery $700K
Animal & marine products $151K
Textiles & consumer goods $112K
Miscellaneous $24K
Wood & paper products $2K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $10.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.48M
Chemicals & pharma $6.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.52M
Metals $1.14M
Wood & paper products $705K
Animal & marine products $525K
Precious metals & jewellery $62K
Raw agricultural goods $32K

Balance of trade

Madagascar Thailand
Current account balance
-$829M
2022
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
119/190
2022
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.41%
2022
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$4.52B
2022
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$3.55B
2022
$297B
2024
Service imports
$1.52B
2022
$74B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2022
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.7%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Madagascar Thailand
Economic freedom 57 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 119/197 88/197
Property rights 39.8 41.8
Government integrity 26.8 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 33.7 35
Tax burden 90.5 80.8
Government spending 91.5 83.6
Fiscal health 68.8 81
Business freedom 37.3 69.9
Labor freedom 56.1 56.4
Monetary freedom 71.8 73.3
Trade freedom 67.6 70.2
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Madagascar
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Madagascar Thailand
2026 57 62.2
2025 57 60.6
2024 57.3 59
2023 58.9 60.6
2022 58.9 63.2
2021 57.7 69.7
2020 60.5 69.4
2019 56.6 68.3
2018 56.8 67.1
2017 57.4 66.2
2016 61.1 63.9
2015 61.7 62.4
2014 61.7 63.3
2013 62 64.1
2012 62.4 64.9
2011 61.2 64.7
2010 63.2 64.1
2009 62.2 63
2008 62.4 62.3
2007 61.1 63.5
2006 61 63.3
2005 63.1 62.5
2004 60.9 63.7
2003 62.8 65.8
2002 56.8 69.1
2001 53.9 68.9
2000 54.4 66.6
1999 52.8 66.9
1998 51.8 67.3
1997 53.8 66.1
1996 52.2 71
1995 51.6 71.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Madagascar is 57, ranking 119/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Madagascar Thailand
Services, % of GDP
47.7%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.4B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.78B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
120/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$326M
2022
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$606M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$134M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.72%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
75.2%
2021
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
21.6%
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/madagascar/thailand | CC BY

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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 (1948–1995, 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 (2023–2024, 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.