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Economy of Malta vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malta has a GDP of $27.8B compared to $291B for Nigeria, ranking 118/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $13B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $103B (35.5% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Malta vs Nigeria GDP by year

Malta
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Nigeria
2025 $27,771,821,561 $290,794,361,542
2024 $25,042,712,191 $252,261,880,140
2023 $22,625,329,776 $487,387,801,878
2022 $18,938,869,147 $646,950,257,575
2021 $19,730,119,031 $609,147,716,965
2020 $16,404,655,808 $598,586,817,817
2019 $16,337,788,881 $668,219,992,687
2018 $16,153,785,817 $421,739,251,509
2017 $14,161,374,599 $375,745,731,053
2016 $12,025,777,078 $404,649,125,252
2015 $11,340,789,706 $493,026,682,801
2014 $11,888,029,752 $574,183,763,412
2013 $10,796,780,874 $520,117,180,314
2012 $9,609,530,619 $463,971,018,239
2011 $9,789,363,086 $414,466,676,831
2010 $9,097,044,301 $366,990,417,129
2009 $8,769,897,418 $295,008,835,381
2008 $9,172,399,573 $339,476,276,258
2007 $7,908,412,374 $278,260,846,800
2006 $6,749,838,862 $238,454,997,161
2005 $6,393,234,965 $175,670,569,969
2004 $6,104,141,501 $135,764,731,646
2003 $5,418,315,225 $104,738,954,264
2002 $4,455,127,398 $95,054,059,303
2001 $4,070,867,153 $73,557,840,064
2000 $4,036,809,767 $69,171,451,627
1999 $4,111,857,836 $59,145,077,039
1998 $4,010,111,652 $218,416,200,673
1997 $3,787,023,655 $200,850,397,618
1996 $3,822,547,151 $185,730,236,700
1995 $3,709,396,089 $140,919,776,986
1994 $2,998,505,428 $80,399,613,064
1993 $2,709,193,538 $56,721,051,402
1992 $3,021,942,759 $52,058,181,854
1991 $2,750,216,747 $59,526,833,412
1990 $2,547,328,748 $54,035,795,388
1989 $2,118,655,677 $44,003,061,108
1988 $2,019,503,068 $49,648,470,440
1987 $1,751,293,461 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,435,038,441 $54,805,852,581
1985 $1,117,797,439 $73,745,821,158
1984 $1,101,807,023 $73,484,359,521
1983 $1,165,729,707 $97,094,911,792
1982 $1,234,474,404 $142,769,363,314
1981 $1,243,509,394 $164,475,209,516
1980 $1,250,198,601 $64,201,788,123
1979 $1,001,288,847 $47,259,911,894
1978 $793,673,402 $36,527,862,209
1977 $625,563,171 $36,035,407,725
1976 $527,936,989 $36,308,883,249
1975 $474,618,321 $27,778,934,625
1974 $376,081,124 $24,846,641,318
1973 $345,616,106 $15,162,871,287
1972 $295,106,628 $12,274,416,018
1971 $264,578,485 $9,181,769,912
1970 $250,728,796 $12,546,094,982
1969 - $6,634,317,346
1968 - $5,200,997,920
1967 - $5,203,237,919
1966 - $6,366,917,453
1965 - $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Malta vs Nigeria by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $47,907 - $1,224 -
2024 $44,024 $69,864 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $40,933 $67,057 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $35,659 $60,589 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $38,078 $56,852 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $21,262 $26,782 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $22,406 $26,654 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $962 $4,381
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $763 $4,015
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $712 $3,770
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $566 $3,309
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $547 $3,139
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $481 $3,002
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $745 $2,853
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $540 $2,921
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $509 $2,991
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $597 $2,870
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $556 $2,840
1989 $6,041 - $465 -
1988 $5,814 - $540 -
1987 $5,084 - $588 -
1986 $4,195 - $628 -
1985 $3,322 - $869 -
1984 $3,333 - $890 -
1983 $3,527 - $1,207 -
1982 $3,788 - $1,822 -
1981 $3,898 - $2,162 -
1980 $3,948 - $870 -
1979 $3,196 - $661 -
1978 $2,559 - $527 -
1977 $2,038 - $536 -
1976 $1,727 - $556 -
1975 $1,560 - $438 -
1974 $1,245 - $403 -
1973 $1,144 - $252.4 -
1972 $976 - $209.5 -
1971 $874 - $160.5 -
1970 $828 - $224.5 -
1969 - - $121.4 -
1968 - - $97.3 -
1967 - - $99.5 -
1966 - - $124.4 -
1965 - - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

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

Malta's GDP per capita is $47,907, ranking 28/197, compared to $1,224 in Nigeria, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Malta Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$27.8B
2025
$291B
2025
GDP rank
118/197
2025
50/197
2025
GDP growth
3.96%
2024-2025
4.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$47,907
2025
$1,224
2025
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$13B
2025
$103B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2025
35.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$22,407
2025
$434
2025
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2025
170/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,914
2026
$768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$5.35B
2025
$86.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2023
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37%
2025
11.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
23%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
26.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.1%
2025
3.45%
2024
Population
586345
245016045

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37% 46.8% 11.7% 35.5%
2024 37.4% 46% 12% 39.3%
2023 35.8% 46.8% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 38.4% 50.1% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 39.5% 49.6% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 8.51% 18%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 37.8% 55% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 9.49% 15.8%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 10% 13%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 40.1% 65% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 41.1% 66% 11% 6.12%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 41.2% 62% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 42% 70.4% 13% 25.2%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 44.4% 70% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 - 69.8% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 - 66.4% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 - 60.8% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 - 51.5% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 - 45.3% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 - - 12.1% 39.7%
1993 - - 20% 50.4%
1992 - - 15.9% 49.8%
1991 - - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 - - 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2025, Malta's government spending was $10.3B, accounting for 37% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $34.1B, or 11.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Malta and 35.5% in Nigeria, ranking 113/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Nigeria
2025 -3.1% -1.76%
2024 -3.51% -1.27%
2023 -4.43% -3.12%
2022 -5.33% -4%
2021 -6.96% -3.97%
2020 -8.71% -4.03%
2019 0.72% -3.31%
2018 1.86% -3.06%
2017 3.4% -3.85%
2016 1.1% -3.3%
2015 -0.84% -2.7%
2014 -1.49% -1.72%
2013 -2.19% -1.89%
2012 -3.31% -0.09%
2011 -2.99% 0.31%
2010 -2.22% -2.96%
2009 -3.11% -3.78%
2008 -4.06% 4.05%
2007 -2.05% -0.79%
2006 -2.46% 6.22%
2005 -2.83% 3.49%
2004 -4.28% 3.9%
2003 -9.04% -1.56%
2002 -5.62% 0.95%
2001 -6.5% -2.29%
2000 -5.83% 2.89%
1999 - -1.39%
1998 - -3.47%
1997 - 1.14%
1996 - 3.37%
1995 - 2.52%
1994 - -2.96%
1993 - -6.07%
1992 - 0.94%
1991 - -1.18%
1990 - -0.48%

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

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

In 2025, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $861M, equivalent to 3.1% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $5.12B, or 1.76% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Nigeria
2025 2.36% 23%
2024 1.65% 33.2%
2023 5.09% 24.7%
2022 6.15% 18.8%
2021 1.5% 17%
2020 0.64% 13.2%
2019 1.64% 11.4%
2018 1.16% 12.1%
2017 1.36% 16.5%
2016 0.64% 15.7%
2015 1.1% 9.01%
2014 0.31% 8.05%
2013 1.18% 8.5%
2012 2.38% 12.2%
2011 2.96% 10.8%
2010 1.52% 13.7%
2009 2.08% 12.5%
2008 4.26% 11.6%
2007 1.25% 5.39%
2006 2.77% 8.23%
2005 3.01% 17.9%
2004 2.79% 15%
2003 1.3% 14%
2002 2.19% 12.9%
2001 2.93% 18.9%
2000 2.37% 6.93%
1999 2.13% 6.62%
1998 2.39% 10%
1997 3.11% 8.53%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 13.7% in Nigeria. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Malta and 23% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.2M
Wood & paper products $12.1M
Transport & tourism services $2.32M
Machinery & equipment $1.68M
Chemicals & pharma $1.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $573K
Business & finance services $566K
IT & IP services $237K
Metals $30K
Raw agricultural goods $18K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $31K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K

Balance of trade

Malta Nigeria
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
$14B
2025
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
21/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.1%
2024
+4.83%
2025
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$43B
2025
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$57.5B
2025
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$19.6B
2025
Service exports
$25B
2024
$5.06B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
119.1%
2025
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Nigeria
Economic freedom 68.2 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 132/197
Property rights 85.5 29.7
Government integrity 54.3 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 34.4
Tax burden 68.5 84.6
Government spending 58.4 96.3
Fiscal health 63.2 83.5
Business freedom 83.2 50.3
Labor freedom 62.6 75.4
Monetary freedom 73.1 56.1
Trade freedom 79.4 64.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Nigeria
2026 68.2 54.8
2025 66.8 53.4
2024 64.5 53.1
2023 67.5 53.9
2022 71.5 54.4
2021 70.2 58.7
2020 69.5 57.2
2019 68.6 57.3
2018 68.5 58.5
2017 67.7 57.1
2016 66.7 57.5
2015 66.5 55.6
2014 66.4 54.3
2013 67.5 55.1
2012 67 56.3
2011 65.7 56.7
2010 67.2 56.8
2009 66.1 55.1
2008 66 55.1
2007 66.1 55.6
2006 67.3 48.7
2005 68.9 48.4
2004 63.3 49.2
2003 61.1 49.5
2002 62.2 50.9
2001 62.9 49.6
2000 58.3 53.1
1999 59.3 55.7
1998 61.2 52.3
1997 57.9 52.8
1996 55.8 47.4
1995 56.3 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
81.3%
2025
58.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
16.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.47%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$24B
2025
$324B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,900
2025
$9,230
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2025
$46B
2025
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2025
52/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$2.82B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$1.61B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.46%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
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/malta/nigeria | 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 (2021–2025, 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.