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Economy of Maldives vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Maldives has a GDP of $7.74B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 159/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Maldives has $9.71B in government debt (125.4% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Maldives vs Qatar GDP by year

Maldives
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Maldives Qatar
2025 $7,741,066,861 $215,559,615,385
2024 $7,061,608,267 $216,294,505,495
2023 $6,621,008,704 $213,002,809,341
2022 $6,177,123,352 $235,709,325,714
2021 $5,252,457,370 $179,732,009,560
2020 $3,712,604,583 $144,411,363,352
2019 $5,726,094,799 $176,371,267,692
2018 $5,404,344,163 $183,334,953,819
2017 $4,816,426,257 $161,099,122,225
2016 $4,409,942,624 $151,732,181,868
2015 $4,129,505,319 $161,739,955,577
2014 $3,697,353,039 $206,224,598,571
2013 $3,295,009,238 $198,727,642,967
2012 $2,886,163,997 $186,833,502,363
2011 $2,774,350,240 $167,775,274,725
2010 $2,588,176,055 $125,122,252,747
2009 $2,345,294,875 $97,798,351,648
2008 $2,271,646,188 $115,269,780,220
2007 $1,868,383,461 $79,711,813,187
2006 $1,575,200,391 $60,882,142,857
2005 $1,163,362,438 $44,530,494,505
2004 $1,226,829,563 $31,734,065,934
2003 $1,052,121,055 $23,533,791,209
2002 $897,031,250 $19,363,736,264
2001 $870,031,677 $17,538,461,538
2000 $624,337,145 $17,759,890,110
1999 $589,239,754 $12,393,131,868
1998 $540,096,398 $10,255,494,505
1997 $508,223,602 $11,297,802,198
1996 $450,382,328 $9,059,340,659
1995 $398,988,955 $8,137,912,088
1994 $356,014,932 $7,374,450,549
1993 $322,417,837 $7,156,593,407
1992 $284,875,809 $7,646,153,846
1991 $244,396,762 $6,883,516,484
1990 $215,043,970 $7,360,439,560
1989 $189,514,434 $6,487,912,088
1988 $168,514,513 $6,038,186,813
1987 $141,223,029 $5,446,428,571
1986 $141,882,254 $5,053,021,978
1985 $127,190,758 $6,153,296,703
1984 $109,503,546 $6,870,329,670
1983 $57,829,787 $6,484,890,110
1982 $47,911,340 $7,611,263,736
1981 $44,781,457 $8,672,527,473
1980 $42,463,576 $7,837,915,956
1979 $38,523,364 $5,632,962,997
1978 $24,369,109 $4,052,000,413
1977 $20,853,789 $3,617,564,638
1976 $22,399,467 $3,284,273,987
1975 $24,540,878 $2,512,773,166
1974 $39,120,171 $2,401,403,227
1973 $30,862,042 $793,885,560
1972 $25,177,138 $510,262,500
1971 $21,566,404 $387,703,106
1970 $19,328,038 $301,791,302

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

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

GDP per capita in Maldives vs Qatar by year

Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Maldives Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,615 - $72,525 -
2024 $13,379 $26,183 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $12,588 $24,786 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $11,786 $22,881 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $10,176 $19,053 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $7,394 $13,425 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $11,740 $23,077 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $11,423 $21,899 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $10,510 $19,768 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $9,948 $18,770 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $9,645 $17,875 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $8,939 $16,723 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $8,236 $15,264 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $7,461 $13,989 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $7,425 $13,726 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $7,174 $12,797 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $6,734 $12,266 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $6,757 $13,779 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $5,758 $12,852 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $5,019 $12,075 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $3,797 $9,704 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $4,070 $10,770 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $3,549 $10,065 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $3,076 $8,823 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $3,034 $8,236 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $2,214 $8,526 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $2,124 $8,162 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $1,980 $7,710 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $1,898 $7,226 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $1,717 $6,687 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $1,555 $6,223 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $1,419 $5,520 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $1,317 $5,138 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $1,194 $4,881 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $1,054 $4,604 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $957 $4,528 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $870 - $15,243 -
1988 $799 - $14,682 -
1987 $692 - $13,719 -
1986 $720 - $13,213 -
1985 $669 - $16,815 -
1984 $594 - $19,749 -
1983 $323 - $19,669 -
1982 $274.8 - $24,431 -
1981 $264.1 - $29,543 -
1980 $257.6 - $28,407 -
1979 $240.2 - $21,777 -
1978 $156.1 - $16,757 -
1977 $137.3 - $16,058 -
1976 $151.8 - $15,710 -
1975 $171.4 - $13,014 -
1974 $281.5 - $13,540 -
1973 $228.7 - $4,905 -
1972 $192.2 - $3,483 -
1971 $169.8 - $2,952 -
1970 $156.9 - $2,594 -

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

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

Maldives' GDP per capita is $14,615, ranking 75/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Maldives Qatar
Gross domestic product
$7.74B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
159/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
6.31%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,615
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
75/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,183
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
81/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$9.71B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
125.4%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$18,329
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
35/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,733
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2019
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2019
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.5%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.56%
2019
0.1%
2024
Population
532468
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Maldives
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Maldives Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.5% 125.4% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 43.9% 133.3% 26% 41.3%
2023 46.7% 122.4% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 42% 111.6% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 40.6% 123.4% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 50.4% 155.7% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 32.9% 77.2% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 31.9% 70.7% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 30.4% 63.8% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 37.3% 61.9% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 33.8% 54.8% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 29.1% 55.1% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 27% 55.9% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 29.8% 57.1% 31% 32.1%
2011 31.3% 51.9% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 33.2% 52.7% 32% 30.4%
2009 37% 48.4% 36.4% 36%
2008 35.6% 39% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 34.8% 35.8% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 35% 36.8% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 38.8% 43.2% 29% 19.1%
2004 24.1% 34.7% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 26.4% 37.6% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 29.6% 44.3% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 29.6% 41.8% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 29% 39% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 28% 38.9% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 25.9% 39.3% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 25.2% 38.1% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 27.3% 46.9% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 31.3% 52.2% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 30.7% 54.6% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 34.7% 55.7% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 36.1% 49% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 37.7% 46.7% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 33.3% 42.4% 50% 12.6%

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/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, Maldives' government spending was $2.83B, accounting for 36.5% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 125.4% in Maldives and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 11/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Maldives

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Maldives Qatar
2025 -2.94% -1%
2024 -11.6% 0.71%
2023 -13.2% 5.51%
2022 -11.2% 10.4%
2021 -14.2% 0.24%
2020 -23.7% -2.13%
2019 -6.54% 1%
2018 -5.17% 2.26%
2017 -3.02% -6.82%
2016 -9.93% -9.2%
2015 -6.52% 18.4%
2014 -2.42% 13.4%
2013 -3.49% 19.3%
2012 -6.91% 8.55%
2011 -8.13% 5.24%
2010 -13.6% 4.6%
2009 -17.9% 14.1%
2008 -9.92% 9.49%
2007 -3.16% 10.3%
2006 -4.52% 8.39%
2005 -7.81% 9.8%
2004 -2.26% 17.7%
2003 -3.45% 6.71%
2002 -3.97% 7.89%
2001 -3.97% 4.48%
2000 -3.89% 4.62%
1999 -3.03% -4.35%
1998 -2.25% -7%
1997 -1.46% -9.4%
1996 -2.01% -8.73%
1995 -5.66% -5.78%
1994 -4.82% -11.8%
1993 -13.9% -9.53%
1992 -12.6% -2.74%
1991 -10.2% -2.57%
1990 -12.8% 3.23%

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

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

In 2025, Maldives' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $228M, equivalent to 2.94% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Maldives recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Maldives posted an annual deficit equal to 7.56% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Maldives

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Maldives Qatar
2025 3.5% 0.6%
2024 1.4% 1.2%
2023 2.6% 3.1%
2022 2.6% 5%
2021 0.2% 2.3%
2020 -1.6% -2.5%
2019 1.3% -0.9%
2018 1.4% 0.1%
2017 2.3% 0.6%
2016 0.8% 2.7%
2015 1.4% 0.9%
2014 2.4% 4.2%
2013 4% 3.1%
2012 10.9% 1.8%
2011 11.3% 2%
2010 6.1% -2.4%
2009 4.5% -4.9%
2008 12% 15.1%
2007 6.8% 13.7%
2006 3.5% 11.7%
2005 2.5% 9%
2004 6.3% 6.8%
2003 -2.8% 2.3%
2002 0.9% 0.2%
2001 0.7% 1.7%
2000 -1.2% 1.6%
1999 3% 2.2%
1998 -1.4% 2.9%
1997 7.6% 2.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Maldives has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.21%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Maldives and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Maldives
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Metals $1.81M
Machinery & equipment $1.44M
Chemicals & pharma $716K
Wood & paper products $560K
Textiles & consumer goods $96K
Raw materials & minerals $69K
Precious metals & jewellery $51K

Balance of trade

Maldives Qatar
Current account balance
-$1.32B
2024
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
126/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.7%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$3.46B
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$383M
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$1.89B
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$5.03B
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.3%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.2%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Maldives Qatar
Economic freedom 47.6 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 174/197 37/197
Property rights 52.2 66.2
Government integrity 41.9 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 39.3 41.5
Tax burden 89.9 99.9
Government spending 39.5 79.9
Fiscal health 0 96.6
Business freedom 49.7 68
Labor freedom 54.1 58.5
Monetary freedom 76.4 76
Trade freedom 62.8 81.8
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Maldives
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Maldives Qatar
2026 47.6 70.2
2025 48.3 70.2
2024 47.8 68.8
2023 46.6 68.6
2022 47.3 67.7
2021 55.2 72
2020 56.5 72.3
2019 53.2 72.6
2018 51.1 72.6
2017 50.3 73.1
2016 53.9 70.7
2015 53.4 70.8
2014 51 71.2
2013 49 71.3
2012 49.2 71.3
2011 48.3 70.5
2010 49 69
2009 51.3 65.8
2008 - 62.2
2007 - 62.9
2006 - 62.4
2005 - 63.5
2004 - 66.5
2003 - 65.9
2002 - 61.9
2001 - 60
2000 - 62
1999 - 62

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Maldives is 47.6, ranking 174/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Maldives Qatar
Services, % of GDP
69.9%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.33%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.59%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$6.86B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,600
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$985M
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$806M
2024
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$806M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.02%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, 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.