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Economy of Maldives vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Maldives has a GDP of $7.74B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 159/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Maldives has $9.71B in government debt (125.4% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Maldives vs Malta GDP by year

Maldives
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Maldives Malta
2025 $7,741,066,861 $27,771,821,561
2024 $7,061,608,267 $25,042,712,191
2023 $6,621,008,704 $22,625,329,776
2022 $6,177,123,352 $18,938,869,147
2021 $5,252,457,370 $19,730,119,031
2020 $3,712,604,583 $16,404,655,808
2019 $5,726,094,799 $16,337,788,881
2018 $5,404,344,163 $16,153,785,817
2017 $4,816,426,257 $14,161,374,599
2016 $4,409,942,624 $12,025,777,078
2015 $4,129,505,319 $11,340,789,706
2014 $3,697,353,039 $11,888,029,752
2013 $3,295,009,238 $10,796,780,874
2012 $2,886,163,997 $9,609,530,619
2011 $2,774,350,240 $9,789,363,086
2010 $2,588,176,055 $9,097,044,301
2009 $2,345,294,875 $8,769,897,418
2008 $2,271,646,188 $9,172,399,573
2007 $1,868,383,461 $7,908,412,374
2006 $1,575,200,391 $6,749,838,862
2005 $1,163,362,438 $6,393,234,965
2004 $1,226,829,563 $6,104,141,501
2003 $1,052,121,055 $5,418,315,225
2002 $897,031,250 $4,455,127,398
2001 $870,031,677 $4,070,867,153
2000 $624,337,145 $4,036,809,767
1999 $589,239,754 $4,111,857,836
1998 $540,096,398 $4,010,111,652
1997 $508,223,602 $3,787,023,655
1996 $450,382,328 $3,822,547,151
1995 $398,988,955 $3,709,396,089
1994 $356,014,932 $2,998,505,428
1993 $322,417,837 $2,709,193,538
1992 $284,875,809 $3,021,942,759
1991 $244,396,762 $2,750,216,747
1990 $215,043,970 $2,547,328,748
1989 $189,514,434 $2,118,655,677
1988 $168,514,513 $2,019,503,068
1987 $141,223,029 $1,751,293,461
1986 $141,882,254 $1,435,038,441
1985 $127,190,758 $1,117,797,439
1984 $109,503,546 $1,101,807,023
1983 $57,829,787 $1,165,729,707
1982 $47,911,340 $1,234,474,404
1981 $44,781,457 $1,243,509,394
1980 $42,463,576 $1,250,198,601
1979 $38,523,364 $1,001,288,847
1978 $24,369,109 $793,673,402
1977 $20,853,789 $625,563,171
1976 $22,399,467 $527,936,989
1975 $24,540,878 $474,618,321
1974 $39,120,171 $376,081,124
1973 $30,862,042 $345,616,106
1972 $25,177,138 $295,106,628
1971 $21,566,404 $264,578,485
1970 $19,328,038 $250,728,796

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

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

GDP per capita in Maldives vs Malta by year

Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Maldives Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,615 - $47,907 -
2024 $13,379 $26,183 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $12,588 $24,786 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $11,786 $22,881 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $10,176 $19,053 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $7,394 $13,425 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $11,740 $23,077 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $11,423 $21,899 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $10,510 $19,768 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $9,948 $18,770 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $9,645 $17,875 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $8,939 $16,723 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $8,236 $15,264 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $7,461 $13,989 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $7,425 $13,726 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $7,174 $12,797 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $6,734 $12,266 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $6,757 $13,779 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $5,758 $12,852 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $5,019 $12,075 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $3,797 $9,704 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $4,070 $10,770 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $3,549 $10,065 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $3,076 $8,823 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $3,034 $8,236 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $2,214 $8,526 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $2,124 $8,162 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $1,980 $7,710 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $1,898 $7,226 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $1,717 $6,687 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $1,555 $6,223 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $1,419 $5,520 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $1,317 $5,138 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $1,194 $4,881 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $1,054 $4,604 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $957 $4,528 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $870 - $6,041 -
1988 $799 - $5,814 -
1987 $692 - $5,084 -
1986 $720 - $4,195 -
1985 $669 - $3,322 -
1984 $594 - $3,333 -
1983 $323 - $3,527 -
1982 $274.8 - $3,788 -
1981 $264.1 - $3,898 -
1980 $257.6 - $3,948 -
1979 $240.2 - $3,196 -
1978 $156.1 - $2,559 -
1977 $137.3 - $2,038 -
1976 $151.8 - $1,727 -
1975 $171.4 - $1,560 -
1974 $281.5 - $1,245 -
1973 $228.7 - $1,144 -
1972 $192.2 - $976 -
1971 $169.8 - $874 -
1970 $156.9 - $828 -

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

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

Maldives' GDP per capita is $14,615, ranking 75/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Maldives Malta
Gross domestic product
$7.74B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
159/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
6.31%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,615
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
75/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,183
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
81/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$9.71B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
125.4%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$18,329
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
35/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,733
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2019
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2019
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.5%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.56%
2019
3.1%
2025
Population
532468
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Maldives
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Maldives Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.5% 125.4% 37% 46.8%
2024 43.9% 133.3% 37.4% 46%
2023 46.7% 122.4% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 42% 111.6% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 40.6% 123.4% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 50.4% 155.7% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 32.9% 77.2% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 31.9% 70.7% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 30.4% 63.8% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 37.3% 61.9% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 33.8% 54.8% 37.8% 55%
2014 29.1% 55.1% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 27% 55.9% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 29.8% 57.1% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 31.3% 51.9% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 33.2% 52.7% 40.1% 65%
2009 37% 48.4% 41.1% 66%
2008 35.6% 39% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 34.8% 35.8% 41.2% 62%
2006 35% 36.8% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 38.8% 43.2% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 24.1% 34.7% 42% 70.4%
2003 26.4% 37.6% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 29.6% 44.3% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 29.6% 41.8% 44.4% 70%
2000 29% 39% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 28% 38.9% - 69.8%
1998 25.9% 39.3% - 66.4%
1997 25.2% 38.1% - 60.8%
1996 27.3% 46.9% - 51.5%
1995 31.3% 52.2% - 45.3%
1994 30.7% 54.6% - -
1993 34.7% 55.7% - -
1992 36.1% 49% - -
1991 37.7% 46.7% - -
1990 33.3% 42.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Maldives' government spending was $2.83B, accounting for 36.5% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 125.4% in Maldives and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 11/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Maldives

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Maldives Malta
2025 -2.94% -3.1%
2024 -11.6% -3.51%
2023 -13.2% -4.43%
2022 -11.2% -5.33%
2021 -14.2% -6.96%
2020 -23.7% -8.71%
2019 -6.54% 0.72%
2018 -5.17% 1.86%
2017 -3.02% 3.4%
2016 -9.93% 1.1%
2015 -6.52% -0.84%
2014 -2.42% -1.49%
2013 -3.49% -2.19%
2012 -6.91% -3.31%
2011 -8.13% -2.99%
2010 -13.6% -2.22%
2009 -17.9% -3.11%
2008 -9.92% -4.06%
2007 -3.16% -2.05%
2006 -4.52% -2.46%
2005 -7.81% -2.83%
2004 -2.26% -4.28%
2003 -3.45% -9.04%
2002 -3.97% -5.62%
2001 -3.97% -6.5%
2000 -3.89% -5.83%
1999 -3.03% -
1998 -2.25% -
1997 -1.46% -
1996 -2.01% -
1995 -5.66% -
1994 -4.82% -
1993 -13.9% -
1992 -12.6% -
1991 -10.2% -
1990 -12.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Maldives' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $228M, equivalent to 2.94% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Maldives recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Maldives posted an annual deficit equal to 7.82% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Maldives

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Maldives Malta
2025 3.5% 2.36%
2024 1.4% 1.65%
2023 2.6% 5.09%
2022 2.6% 6.15%
2021 0.2% 1.5%
2020 -1.6% 0.64%
2019 1.3% 1.64%
2018 1.4% 1.16%
2017 2.3% 1.36%
2016 0.8% 0.64%
2015 1.4% 1.1%
2014 2.4% 0.31%
2013 4% 1.18%
2012 10.9% 2.38%
2011 11.3% 2.96%
2010 6.1% 1.52%
2009 4.5% 2.08%
2008 12% 4.26%
2007 6.8% 1.25%
2006 3.5% 2.77%
2005 2.5% 3.01%
2004 6.3% 2.79%
2003 -2.8% 1.3%
2002 0.9% 2.19%
2001 0.7% 2.93%
2000 -1.2% 2.37%
1999 3% 2.13%
1998 -1.4% 2.39%
1997 7.6% 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/maldives/malta | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Maldives has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.21%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Maldives and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Maldives
Export category Export value
Malta
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $319K
Wood & paper products $139K
Machinery & equipment $104K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Maldives Malta
Current account balance
-$1.32B
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
126/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.7%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$3.46B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$383M
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.89B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$5.03B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.3%
2024
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.2%
2024
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Maldives Malta
Economic freedom 47.6 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 174/197 49/197
Property rights 52.2 85.5
Government integrity 41.9 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 39.3 80.2
Tax burden 89.9 68.5
Government spending 39.5 58.4
Fiscal health 0 63.2
Business freedom 49.7 83.2
Labor freedom 54.1 62.6
Monetary freedom 76.4 73.1
Trade freedom 62.8 79.4
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Maldives
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Maldives Malta
2026 47.6 68.2
2025 48.3 66.8
2024 47.8 64.5
2023 46.6 67.5
2022 47.3 71.5
2021 55.2 70.2
2020 56.5 69.5
2019 53.2 68.6
2018 51.1 68.5
2017 50.3 67.7
2016 53.9 66.7
2015 53.4 66.5
2014 51 66.4
2013 49 67.5
2012 49.2 67
2011 48.3 65.7
2010 49 67.2
2009 51.3 66.1
2008 - 66
2007 - 66.1
2006 - 67.3
2005 - 68.9
2004 - 63.3
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 62.2
2001 - 62.9
2000 - 58.3
1999 - 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/maldives/malta | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Maldives is 47.6, ranking 174/197, 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

Maldives Malta
Services, % of GDP
69.9%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.33%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.59%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$6.86B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,600
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$985M
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$806M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$806M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.02%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2020
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
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/maldives/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 (1990–2025, 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 (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.