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Economy of Maldives vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Maldives has a GDP of $7.74B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 159/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Maldives has $9.71B in government debt (125.4% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Maldives vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Maldives
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Maldives Saint Lucia
2025 $7,741,066,861 $2,656,444,444
2024 $7,061,608,267 $2,605,148,148
2023 $6,621,008,704 $2,441,259,259
2022 $6,177,123,352 $2,319,888,889
2021 $5,252,457,370 $1,871,111,111
2020 $3,712,604,583 $1,521,740,741
2019 $5,726,094,799 $2,090,074,074
2018 $5,404,344,163 $2,060,955,556
2017 $4,816,426,257 $1,998,503,704
2016 $4,409,942,624 $1,868,544,444
2015 $4,129,505,319 $1,807,640,741
2014 $3,697,353,039 $1,749,185,185
2013 $3,295,009,238 $1,660,392,593
2012 $2,886,163,997 $1,598,207,407
2011 $2,774,350,240 $1,568,370,370
2010 $2,588,176,055 $1,482,385,185
2009 $2,345,294,875 $1,401,507,889
2008 $2,271,646,188 $1,437,731,111
2007 $1,868,383,461 $1,336,088,815
2006 $1,575,200,391 $1,268,319,185
2005 $1,163,362,438 $1,135,555,556
2004 $1,226,829,563 $1,066,666,667
2003 $1,052,121,055 $987,407,407
2002 $897,031,250 $900,000,000
2001 $870,031,677 $892,592,593
2000 $624,337,145 $932,592,593
1999 $589,239,754 $921,851,852
1998 $540,096,398 $877,407,407
1997 $508,223,602 $805,925,926
1996 $450,382,328 $788,888,889
1995 $398,988,955 $762,962,963
1994 $356,014,932 $713,703,704
1993 $322,417,837 $684,814,815
1992 $284,875,809 $674,074,074
1991 $244,396,762 $613,703,704
1990 $215,043,970 $579,629,630
1989 $189,514,434 $486,666,667
1988 $168,514,513 $429,629,630
1987 $141,223,029 $375,555,556
1986 $141,882,254 $340,000,000
1985 $127,190,758 $284,444,444
1984 $109,503,546 $251,481,481
1983 $57,829,787 $197,037,037
1982 $47,911,340 $183,333,333
1981 $44,781,457 $194,444,444
1980 $42,463,576 $170,370,370
1979 $38,523,364 -
1978 $24,369,109 -
1977 $20,853,789 -
1976 $22,399,467 -
1975 $24,540,878 -
1974 $39,120,171 -
1973 $30,862,042 -
1972 $25,177,138 -
1971 $21,566,404 -
1970 $19,328,038 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/maldives/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Maldives vs Saint Lucia by year

Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Maldives Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,615 - $14,746 -
2024 $13,379 $26,183 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $12,588 $24,786 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $11,786 $22,881 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $10,176 $19,053 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $7,394 $13,425 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $11,740 $23,077 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $11,423 $21,899 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $10,510 $19,768 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $9,948 $18,770 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $9,645 $17,875 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $8,939 $16,723 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $8,236 $15,264 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $7,461 $13,989 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $7,425 $13,726 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $7,174 $12,797 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $6,734 $12,266 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $6,757 $13,779 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $5,758 $12,852 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $5,019 $12,075 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $3,797 $9,704 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $4,070 $10,770 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $3,549 $10,065 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $3,076 $8,823 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $3,034 $8,236 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $2,214 $8,526 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $2,124 $8,162 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $1,980 $7,710 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $1,898 $7,226 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $1,717 $6,687 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $1,555 $6,223 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $1,419 $5,520 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $1,317 $5,138 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $1,194 $4,881 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $1,054 $4,604 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $957 $4,528 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $870 - $3,565 -
1988 $799 - $3,182 -
1987 $692 - $2,819 -
1986 $720 - $2,591 -
1985 $669 - $2,202 -
1984 $594 - $1,979 -
1983 $323 - $1,576 -
1982 $274.8 - $1,489 -
1981 $264.1 - $1,605 -
1980 $257.6 - $1,428 -
1979 $240.2 - - -
1978 $156.1 - - -
1977 $137.3 - - -
1976 $151.8 - - -
1975 $171.4 - - -
1974 $281.5 - - -
1973 $228.7 - - -
1972 $192.2 - - -
1971 $169.8 - - -
1970 $156.9 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/maldives/saint-lucia | CC BY

Maldives' GDP per capita is $14,615, ranking 75/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Maldives Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$7.74B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
159/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
6.31%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,615
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
75/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,183
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
81/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$9.71B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
125.4%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$18,329
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
35/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,733
2026
$12,464
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2019
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2019
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.5%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
4.56%
2019
7.66%
2025
Population
532468
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Maldives
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Maldives Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.5% 125.4% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 43.9% 133.3% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 46.7% 122.4% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 42% 111.6% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 40.6% 123.4% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 50.4% 155.7% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 32.9% 77.2% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 31.9% 70.7% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 30.4% 63.8% 23% 59.9%
2016 37.3% 61.9% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 33.8% 54.8% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 29.1% 55.1% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 27% 55.9% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 29.8% 57.1% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 31.3% 51.9% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 33.2% 52.7% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 37% 48.4% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 35.6% 39% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 34.8% 35.8% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 35% 36.8% 24.4% 48%
2005 38.8% 43.2% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 24.1% 34.7% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 26.4% 37.6% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 29.6% 44.3% 23% 47.7%
2001 29.6% 41.8% 22% 38%
2000 29% 39% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 28% 38.9% 20.9% 28.8%
1998 25.9% 39.3% 18.6% 29.1%
1997 25.2% 38.1% 19% 26.6%
1996 27.3% 46.9% 18.8% 23.9%
1995 31.3% 52.2% 19% 22.7%
1994 30.7% 54.6% 18.7% 23.4%
1993 34.7% 55.7% 21.6% 22.7%
1992 36.1% 49% 18.3% 22.1%
1991 37.7% 46.7% 18% 19.3%
1990 33.3% 42.4% 16.5% 16.7%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/maldives/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, Maldives' government spending was $2.83B, accounting for 36.5% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 125.4% in Maldives and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 11/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Maldives

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Maldives Saint Lucia
2025 -2.94% -2.88%
2024 -11.6% -1.81%
2023 -13.2% -3.18%
2022 -11.2% -2.48%
2021 -14.2% -5.35%
2020 -23.7% -11.5%
2019 -6.54% -2.95%
2018 -5.17% -1.22%
2017 -3.02% -2.09%
2016 -9.93% -1.53%
2015 -6.52% -1.18%
2014 -2.42% -2.29%
2013 -3.49% -3.98%
2012 -6.91% -6.93%
2011 -8.13% -5.35%
2010 -13.6% -4.11%
2009 -17.9% -2.63%
2008 -9.92% -0.72%
2007 -3.16% -1.59%
2006 -4.52% -5.01%
2005 -7.81% -6%
2004 -2.26% -2.58%
2003 -3.45% -3.17%
2002 -3.97% -3.03%
2001 -3.97% -3.07%
2000 -3.89% -1.17%
1999 -3.03% 1.61%
1998 -2.25% 2.22%
1997 -1.46% -1.1%
1996 -2.01% -0.57%
1995 -5.66% -0.13%
1994 -4.82% -0.02%
1993 -13.9% -0.25%
1992 -12.6% -0.66%
1991 -10.2% -0.42%
1990 -12.8% 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/maldives/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, Maldives' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $228M, equivalent to 2.94% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Maldives recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Maldives posted an annual deficit equal to 7.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.41% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Maldives

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Maldives Saint Lucia
2025 3.5% 2.03%
2024 1.4% -0.67%
2023 2.6% 3.82%
2022 2.6% 9.65%
2021 0.2% 2.41%
2020 -1.6% -1.76%
2019 1.3% 0.54%
2018 1.4% 1.94%
2017 2.3% 0.1%
2016 0.8% -3.08%
2015 1.4% -0.98%
2014 2.4% 3.52%
2013 4% 1.47%
2012 10.9% 4.18%
2011 11.3% 2.77%
2010 6.1% 3.25%
2009 4.5% -0.16%
2008 12% 5.55%
2007 6.8% 2.82%
2006 3.5% 2.4%
2005 2.5% 3.9%
2004 6.3% 1.46%
2003 -2.8% 1.03%
2002 0.9% -0.26%
2001 0.7% 5.31%
2000 -1.2% 3.71%
1999 3% 3.5%
1998 -1.4% 3.2%
1997 7.6% -0.006%

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Maldives has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.21%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Lucia. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Maldives and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Maldives Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$1.32B
2024
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
126/190
2024
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.7%
2024
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$3.46B
2024
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$383M
2024
$144M
2025
Service imports
$1.89B
2024
$672M
2025
Service exports
$5.03B
2024
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.3%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.2%
2024
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Maldives Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 47.6 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 174/197 57/197
Property rights 52.2 64.3
Government integrity 41.9 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 39.3 77.3
Tax burden 89.9 77.7
Government spending 39.5 82.6
Fiscal health 0 80
Business freedom 49.7 71.9
Labor freedom 54.1 65.2
Monetary freedom 76.4 81
Trade freedom 62.8 60
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Maldives
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Maldives Saint Lucia
2026 47.6 67.5
2025 48.3 67
2024 47.8 62.2
2023 46.6 60.7
2022 47.3 64.3
2021 55.2 67.5
2020 56.5 68.2
2019 53.2 68.7
2018 51.1 67.6
2017 50.3 65
2016 53.9 70
2015 53.4 70.2
2014 51 70.7
2013 49 70.4
2012 49.2 71.3
2011 48.3 70.8
2010 49 70.5
2009 51.3 68.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/maldives/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Maldives is 47.6, ranking 174/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Maldives Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
69.9%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.33%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.59%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$6.86B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,600
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$985M
2025
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2025
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$806M
2024
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$806M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.02%
2024
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2020
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (2009–2026, 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 (1985–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.