Skip to content

Economy of Maldives vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Maldives has a GDP of $7.74B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 159/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Maldives has $9.71B in government debt (125.4% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Maldives vs Vietnam GDP by year

Maldives
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Maldives Vietnam
2025 $7,741,066,861 $514,697,215,165
2024 $7,061,608,267 $476,324,572,784
2023 $6,621,008,704 $433,805,036,898
2022 $6,177,123,352 $413,445,230,669
2021 $5,252,457,370 $366,474,752,771
2020 $3,712,604,583 $346,615,738,538
2019 $5,726,094,799 $334,365,270,497
2018 $5,404,344,163 $310,106,478,395
2017 $4,816,426,257 $281,353,605,987
2016 $4,409,942,624 $257,096,001,178
2015 $4,129,505,319 $239,258,328,382
2014 $3,697,353,039 $233,451,469,643
2013 $3,295,009,238 $213,708,811,665
2012 $2,886,163,997 $195,590,661,129
2011 $2,774,350,240 $172,595,049,184
2010 $2,588,176,055 $147,201,173,197
2009 $2,345,294,875 $106,014,659,565
2008 $2,271,646,188 $99,130,304,099
2007 $1,868,383,461 $77,414,425,532
2006 $1,575,200,391 $66,371,664,817
2005 $1,163,362,438 $57,633,255,738
2004 $1,226,829,563 $45,427,854,693
2003 $1,052,121,055 $39,552,513,232
2002 $897,031,250 $35,064,105,501
2001 $870,031,677 $32,685,198,809
2000 $624,337,145 $31,172,518,403
1999 $589,239,754 $28,683,659,007
1998 $540,096,398 $27,209,602,050
1997 $508,223,602 $26,843,700,442
1996 $450,382,328 $24,657,470,575
1995 $398,988,955 $20,736,164,459
1994 $356,014,932 $16,286,433,533
1993 $322,417,837 $13,180,953,598
1992 $284,875,809 $9,866,990,236
1991 $244,396,762 $9,613,369,520
1990 $215,043,970 $6,471,740,806
1989 $189,514,434 $6,293,304,975
1988 $168,514,513 $25,423,812,649
1987 $141,223,029 $36,658,108,850
1986 $141,882,254 $26,336,616,250
1985 $127,190,758 $14,094,687,821
1984 $109,503,546 -
1983 $57,829,787 -
1982 $47,911,340 -
1981 $44,781,457 -
1980 $42,463,576 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Maldives vs Vietnam by year

Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Maldives Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,615 - $5,066 -
2024 $13,379 $26,183 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $12,588 $24,786 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $11,786 $22,881 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $10,176 $19,053 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $7,394 $13,425 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $11,740 $23,077 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $11,423 $21,899 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $10,510 $19,768 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $9,948 $18,770 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $9,645 $17,875 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $8,939 $16,723 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $8,236 $15,264 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $7,461 $13,989 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $7,425 $13,726 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $7,174 $12,797 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $6,734 $12,266 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $6,757 $13,779 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $5,758 $12,852 $926 $4,581
2006 $5,019 $12,075 $808 $4,237
2005 $3,797 $9,704 $711 $3,894
2004 $4,070 $10,770 $565 $3,543
2003 $3,549 $10,065 $497 $3,240
2002 $3,076 $8,823 $445 $3,002
2001 $3,034 $8,236 $419 $2,809
2000 $2,214 $8,526 $404 $2,614
1999 $2,124 $8,162 $376 $2,421
1998 $1,980 $7,710 $361 $2,308
1997 $1,898 $7,226 $362 $2,189
1996 $1,717 $6,687 $337 $2,019
1995 $1,555 $6,223 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $1,419 $5,520 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $1,317 $5,138 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $1,194 $4,881 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $1,054 $4,604 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $957 $4,528 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $870 - $98.1 -
1988 $799 - $405 -
1987 $692 - $595 -
1986 $720 - $436 -
1985 $669 - $238.6 -
1984 $594 - - -
1983 $323 - - -
1982 $274.8 - - -
1981 $264.1 - - -
1980 $257.6 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Maldives' GDP per capita is $14,615, ranking 75/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Maldives Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$7.74B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
159/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
6.31%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,615
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
75/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,183
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
81/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$9.71B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
125.4%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$18,329
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
35/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,733
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2019
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2019
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.5%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
4.56%
2019
1.53%
2024
Population
532468
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Maldives
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Maldives Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.5% 125.4% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 43.9% 133.3% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 46.7% 122.4% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 42% 111.6% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 40.6% 123.4% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 50.4% 155.7% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 32.9% 77.2% 19.8% 41%
2018 31.9% 70.7% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 30.4% 63.8% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 37.3% 61.9% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 33.8% 54.8% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 29.1% 55.1% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 27% 55.9% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 29.8% 57.1% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 31.3% 51.9% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 33.2% 52.7% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 37% 48.4% 25% 36.2%
2008 35.6% 39% 21.4% 31%
2007 34.8% 35.8% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 35% 36.8% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 38.8% 43.2% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 24.1% 34.7% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 26.4% 37.6% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 29.6% 44.3% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 29.6% 41.8% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 29% 39% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 28% 38.9% 16.7% -
1998 25.9% 39.3% 16% -
1997 25.2% 38.1% - -
1996 27.3% 46.9% - -
1995 31.3% 52.2% - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Maldives' government spending was $2.83B, accounting for 36.5% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 125.4% in Maldives and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 11/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Maldives

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Maldives Vietnam
2025 -2.94% -2.2%
2024 -11.6% -1.54%
2023 -13.2% -1.72%
2022 -11.2% 0.67%
2021 -14.2% -1.43%
2020 -23.7% -2.86%
2019 -6.54% -0.4%
2018 -5.17% -1.02%
2017 -3.02% -1.96%
2016 -9.93% -3.16%
2015 -6.52% -4.98%
2014 -2.42% -5.02%
2013 -3.49% -5.96%
2012 -6.91% -5.46%
2011 -8.13% -0.9%
2010 -13.6% -2.25%
2009 -17.9% -4.82%
2008 -9.92% -0.45%
2007 -3.16% -1.74%
2006 -4.52% 0.2%
2005 -7.81% -0.95%
2004 -2.26% -0.15%
2003 -3.45% -2.56%
2002 -3.97% -1.85%
2001 -3.97% -2.19%
2000 -3.89% -1.61%
1999 -3.03% -1.25%
1998 -2.25% -0.1%
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Maldives' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $228M, equivalent to 2.94% of GDP. This compares to Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Maldives recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Maldives posted an annual deficit equal to 7.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Maldives

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Maldives Vietnam
2025 3.5% 3.3%
2024 1.4% 3.6%
2023 2.6% 3.3%
2022 2.6% 3.2%
2021 0.2% 1.8%
2020 -1.6% 3.2%
2019 1.3% 2.8%
2018 1.4% 3.5%
2017 2.3% 3.5%
2016 0.8% 2.7%
2015 1.4% 0.6%
2014 2.4% 4.1%
2013 4% 6.6%
2012 10.9% 9.1%
2011 11.3% 18.7%
2010 6.1% 10.5%
2009 4.5% 6.7%
2008 12% 23.1%
2007 6.8% 8.3%
2006 3.5% 7.5%
2005 2.5% 8.4%
2004 6.3% 7.9%
2003 -2.8% 3.3%
2002 0.9% 4.1%
2001 0.7% -0.3%
2000 -1.2% -1.8%
1999 3% 4.1%
1998 -1.4% 7.2%
1997 7.6% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Maldives has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.21%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Maldives and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Maldives
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $5.43M
Metals $8K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Maldives Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.32B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
126/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.7%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$3.46B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$383M
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$1.89B
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$5.03B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.3%
2024
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.2%
2024
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Maldives Vietnam
Economic freedom 47.6 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 174/197 73/197
Property rights 52.2 47.3
Government integrity 41.9 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 39.3 31.3
Tax burden 89.9 80.9
Government spending 39.5 89.5
Fiscal health 0 96.9
Business freedom 49.7 70
Labor freedom 54.1 54.7
Monetary freedom 76.4 73.2
Trade freedom 62.8 79.8
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Maldives
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Maldives Vietnam
2026 47.6 64.4
2025 48.3 65.2
2024 47.8 62.8
2023 46.6 61.8
2022 47.3 60.6
2021 55.2 61.7
2020 56.5 58.8
2019 53.2 55.3
2018 51.1 53.1
2017 50.3 52.4
2016 53.9 54
2015 53.4 51.7
2014 51 50.8
2013 49 51
2012 49.2 51.3
2011 48.3 51.6
2010 49 49.8
2009 51.3 51
2008 - 50.4
2007 - 49.8
2006 - 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 43.7
1999 - 42.7
1998 - 40.4
1997 - 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Maldives is 47.6, ranking 174/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Maldives Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
69.9%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.33%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.59%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$6.86B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,600
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$985M
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$806M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$806M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.02%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2020
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
30.8%
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/vietnam | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (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.