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Economy of Mali vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Mali has a GDP of $30.1B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 114/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mali has $12.6B in government debt (41.9% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Mali vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Mali
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mali Saudi Arabia
2025 $30,069,148,581 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $26,761,281,077 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $24,777,941,861 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $22,539,987,719 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $22,999,245,263 $982,661,066,667
2020 $20,698,560,939 $767,951,200,000
2019 $20,477,421,885 $888,890,133,333
2018 $20,368,015,381 $886,564,800,000
2017 $18,308,362,040 $741,266,133,333
2016 $16,743,796,800 $689,279,466,667
2015 $15,583,181,170 $693,414,400,000
2014 $17,081,681,993 $787,153,066,667
2013 $15,747,192,681 $769,755,733,333
2012 $14,795,114,603 $751,921,333,333
2011 $15,452,791,789 $680,660,800,000
2010 $12,710,739,160 $528,207,466,667
2009 $12,155,217,833 $429,097,866,667
2008 $11,462,490,840 $519,796,800,000
2007 $9,699,047,443 $415,964,509,673
2006 $8,212,007,554 $376,900,133,511
2005 $7,429,066,952 $328,459,608,764
2004 $6,485,774,930 $258,742,133,333
2003 $5,605,613,011 $215,807,733,333
2002 $4,647,238,257 $189,605,866,667
2001 $4,124,281,594 $184,137,600,000
2000 $3,521,570,876 $189,514,933,333
1999 $4,091,446,054 $161,717,066,667
1998 $3,894,433,432 $146,775,466,667
1997 $3,414,879,486 $165,963,684,913
1996 $3,743,103,420 $158,662,483,311
1995 $3,373,322,735 $143,343,124,166
1994 $2,655,768,636 $135,174,899,866
1993 $3,632,801,877 $132,967,957,276
1992 $3,680,775,037 $137,087,850,467
1991 $3,576,562,682 $132,223,230,975
1990 $3,248,417,791 $117,630,173,565
1989 $2,824,822,489 $95,344,459,279
1988 $2,712,207,901 $88,256,074,766
1987 $2,437,004,680 $85,695,861,148
1986 $2,132,938,007 $86,961,922,765
1985 $1,594,347,021 $103,897,846,494
1984 $1,387,809,615 $119,624,858,116
1983 $1,496,616,127 $129,171,635,311
1982 $1,680,304,773 $153,240,313,858
1981 $2,234,583,940 $184,291,360,139
1980 $2,704,362,789 $164,539,660,725
1979 $1,595,422,956 $111,858,444,786
1978 $1,222,702,573 $80,266,516,687
1977 $1,049,838,548 $74,188,986,586
1976 $939,228,017 $64,005,665,722
1975 $830,710,615 $46,773,208,643
1974 $538,747,340 $45,412,957,746
1973 $563,683,703 $14,947,435,499
1972 $486,617,280 $9,664,267,087
1971 $395,218,629 $7,184,806,909
1970 $359,772,315 $5,377,333,333
1969 $339,913,867 $4,485,777,644
1968 $343,771,973 $4,187,777,711
1967 $275,494,478 $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mali vs Saudi Arabia by year

Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mali Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,193 - $34,537 -
2024 $1,093 $3,315 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $1,042 $3,175 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $977 $3,014 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $1,027 $2,796 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $953 $2,724 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $972 $2,820 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $996 $2,684 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $924 $2,607 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $872 $2,532 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $838 $2,330 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $948 $2,185 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $902 $2,059 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $873 $1,990 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $938 $2,046 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $797 $2,012 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $787 $1,945 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $767 $1,893 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $671 $1,852 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $587 $1,832 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $549 $1,771 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $495 $1,730 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $442 $1,715 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $378 $1,581 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $346 $1,559 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $305 $1,357 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $364 $1,376 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $357 $1,332 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $321 $1,267 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $360 $1,224 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $331 $1,154 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $266.5 $1,147 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $372 $1,087 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $385 $1,039 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $382 $1,091 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $354 $956 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $314 - $9,414 -
1988 $307 - $9,165 -
1987 $280.7 - $9,386 -
1986 $250 - $10,078 -
1985 $190.4 - $12,745 -
1984 $169.1 - $15,541 -
1983 $186.3 - $17,810 -
1982 $213.8 - $22,454 -
1981 $290.5 - $28,703 -
1980 $359 - $27,206 -
1979 $216.3 - $19,612 -
1978 $169.1 - $14,914 -
1977 $148.1 - $14,595 -
1976 $134.9 - $13,313 -
1975 $121.5 - $10,266 -
1974 $80.2 - $10,503 -
1973 $85.4 - $3,640 -
1972 $75.1 - $2,474 -
1971 $62 - $1,929 -
1970 $57.3 - $1,509 -
1969 $55 - $1,313 -
1968 $56.5 - $1,276 -
1967 $46 - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Mali's GDP per capita is $1,193, ranking 174/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mali ranks 174th at $3,315, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Mali Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$30.1B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
114/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
5.6%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,193
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,315
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
174/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$12.6B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.9%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$500
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,949
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.3%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2024
3.24%
2025
Population
26322576
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mali
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mali Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.9% 41.9% 29% 31.7%
2024 21% 44% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 21.2% 44.3% 28.3% 23%
2022 20.8% 42.9% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 22.5% 43.2% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 22% 39.8% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 19.5% 34.3% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 17% 31.4% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 19.2% 30.1% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 18.6% 30.1% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 17.6% 25.8% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 16.8% 22.6% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 16.6% 22.2% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 13.1% 21.3% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 17.3% 20.1% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 17.4% 21.8% 33% 8.43%
2009 19.6% 18.8% 37.1% 14%
2008 16.2% 17.3% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 18.1% 15.6% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 18.9% 15.4% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 18.3% 39.5% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 18.5% 36.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 17.8% 37.7% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 16.8% 36% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 15.7% 66.3% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 16.5% 77% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 - - 30.3% 103%
1998 - - 34.5% 101.5%
1997 - - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 - - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 - - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 - - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 - - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 - - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Mali's government spending was $6.29B, accounting for 20.9% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.9% in Mali and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 125/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mali

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mali Saudi Arabia
2025 -1.59% -5.77%
2024 -2.16% -2.46%
2023 -3.05% -1.77%
2022 -4.05% 2.24%
2021 -4.12% -1.99%
2020 -4.56% -10.2%
2019 -1.42% -3.96%
2018 -3.97% -5.21%
2017 -2.4% -8.57%
2016 -3.3% -13.2%
2015 -1.53% -14.9%
2014 -2.43% -3.4%
2013 -1.99% 5.47%
2012 -0.8% 11.7%
2011 -2.87% 11.4%
2010 -2.21% 4.39%
2009 -3.19% -5.38%
2008 -1.69% 29.8%
2007 -2.35% 11.8%
2006 23.7% 20.8%
2005 -2.34% 18%
2004 -2.01% 9.72%
2003 -1.01% 1.2%
2002 -2.61% -5.91%
2001 -2.39% -3.91%
2000 -2.25% 3.18%
1999 - -5.99%
1998 - -8.88%
1997 - -2.51%
1996 - -3.25%
1995 - -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Mali's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $478M, equivalent to 1.59% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Mali recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Mali posted an annual deficit equal to 1.48% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.65% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mali

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mali Saudi Arabia
2025 2.3% 2.08%
2024 3.2% 1.69%
2023 2.1% 2.33%
2022 9.7% 2.47%
2021 3.8% 3.06%
2020 0.5% 3.37%
2019 -3% -1.19%
2018 1.9% 2.47%
2017 2.4% -0.83%
2016 -1.8% 2.05%
2015 1.4% 1.22%
2014 0.9% 2.24%
2013 -0.6% 3.51%
2012 5.3% 2.87%
2011 3% 5.83%
2010 1.2% 5.34%
2009 2.4% 5.06%
2008 9.2% 9.87%
2007 1.4% 4.17%
2006 1.6% 2.21%
2005 6.4% 0.48%
2004 -3.1% 0.52%
2003 -1.3% 0.61%
2002 5% 0.25%
2001 5.2% -1.12%
2000 -0.8% -1.12%
1999 -1.2% -1.33%
1998 4.1% -0.37%
1997 -0.7% 0.06%

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/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Mali has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.09%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Mali and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Mali
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $9.19M
Precious metals & jewellery $81K
Chemicals & pharma $59K
Metals $13K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Animal & marine products $1K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.12M
Animal & marine products $1.02M
Raw materials & minerals $505K
Machinery & equipment $476K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $268K
Textiles & consumer goods $191K
Metals $182K
Raw agricultural goods $41K
Wood & paper products $22K
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

Mali Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$1.16B
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.33%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$5.49B
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$5.48B
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$1.8B
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$516M
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.7%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.1%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Mali Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 52.1 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 150/197 65/197
Property rights 13.8 51.4
Government integrity 23.2 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 23.3 38.2
Tax burden 67.9 99.2
Government spending 81.8 77
Fiscal health 73.6 97.9
Business freedom 40.8 71.2
Labor freedom 54.1 41.8
Monetary freedom 78.2 81.2
Trade freedom 64 73.8
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mali
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mali Saudi Arabia
2026 52.1 65.4
2025 52.6 64.4
2024 52.5 61.9
2023 54.5 58.3
2022 55.9 55.5
2021 55.6 66
2020 55.9 62.4
2019 58.1 60.7
2018 57.6 59.6
2017 58.6 64.4
2016 56.5 62.1
2015 56.4 62.1
2014 55.5 62.2
2013 56.4 60.6
2012 55.8 62.5
2011 56.3 66.2
2010 55.6 64.1
2009 55.6 64.3
2008 55.6 62.5
2007 54.7 60.9
2006 54.1 63
2005 57.3 63
2004 56.6 60.4
2003 58.6 63.2
2002 61.1 65.3
2001 60.1 62.2
2000 60.3 66.5
1999 58.4 65.5
1998 57.3 69.3
1997 56.4 68.7
1996 57 68.3
1995 52.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Mali is 52.1, ranking 150/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Mali Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.4%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
33%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$28.3B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,400
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$843M
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$921M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$78.1M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.3%
2024
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2025
31.6%
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/mali/saudi-arabia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.