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Economy of Malta vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malta has a GDP of $27.8B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 118/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $13B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Malta vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Malta
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Saint Lucia
2025 $27,771,821,561 $2,656,444,444
2024 $25,042,712,191 $2,605,148,148
2023 $22,625,329,776 $2,441,259,259
2022 $18,938,869,147 $2,319,888,889
2021 $19,730,119,031 $1,871,111,111
2020 $16,404,655,808 $1,521,740,741
2019 $16,337,788,881 $2,090,074,074
2018 $16,153,785,817 $2,060,955,556
2017 $14,161,374,599 $1,998,503,704
2016 $12,025,777,078 $1,868,544,444
2015 $11,340,789,706 $1,807,640,741
2014 $11,888,029,752 $1,749,185,185
2013 $10,796,780,874 $1,660,392,593
2012 $9,609,530,619 $1,598,207,407
2011 $9,789,363,086 $1,568,370,370
2010 $9,097,044,301 $1,482,385,185
2009 $8,769,897,418 $1,401,507,889
2008 $9,172,399,573 $1,437,731,111
2007 $7,908,412,374 $1,336,088,815
2006 $6,749,838,862 $1,268,319,185
2005 $6,393,234,965 $1,135,555,556
2004 $6,104,141,501 $1,066,666,667
2003 $5,418,315,225 $987,407,407
2002 $4,455,127,398 $900,000,000
2001 $4,070,867,153 $892,592,593
2000 $4,036,809,767 $932,592,593
1999 $4,111,857,836 $921,851,852
1998 $4,010,111,652 $877,407,407
1997 $3,787,023,655 $805,925,926
1996 $3,822,547,151 $788,888,889
1995 $3,709,396,089 $762,962,963
1994 $2,998,505,428 $713,703,704
1993 $2,709,193,538 $684,814,815
1992 $3,021,942,759 $674,074,074
1991 $2,750,216,747 $613,703,704
1990 $2,547,328,748 $579,629,630
1989 $2,118,655,677 $486,666,667
1988 $2,019,503,068 $429,629,630
1987 $1,751,293,461 $375,555,556
1986 $1,435,038,441 $340,000,000
1985 $1,117,797,439 $284,444,444
1984 $1,101,807,023 $251,481,481
1983 $1,165,729,707 $197,037,037
1982 $1,234,474,404 $183,333,333
1981 $1,243,509,394 $194,444,444
1980 $1,250,198,601 $170,370,370
1979 $1,001,288,847 -
1978 $793,673,402 -
1977 $625,563,171 -
1976 $527,936,989 -
1975 $474,618,321 -
1974 $376,081,124 -
1973 $345,616,106 -
1972 $295,106,628 -
1971 $264,578,485 -
1970 $250,728,796 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Malta vs Saint Lucia by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $47,907 - $14,746 -
2024 $44,024 $69,864 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $40,933 $67,057 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $35,659 $60,589 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $38,078 $56,852 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $21,262 $26,782 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $22,406 $26,654 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $6,041 - $3,565 -
1988 $5,814 - $3,182 -
1987 $5,084 - $2,819 -
1986 $4,195 - $2,591 -
1985 $3,322 - $2,202 -
1984 $3,333 - $1,979 -
1983 $3,527 - $1,576 -
1982 $3,788 - $1,489 -
1981 $3,898 - $1,605 -
1980 $3,948 - $1,428 -
1979 $3,196 - - -
1978 $2,559 - - -
1977 $2,038 - - -
1976 $1,727 - - -
1975 $1,560 - - -
1974 $1,245 - - -
1973 $1,144 - - -
1972 $976 - - -
1971 $874 - - -
1970 $828 - - -

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

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

Malta's GDP per capita is $47,907, ranking 28/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Malta Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$27.8B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
118/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
3.96%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$47,907
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$13B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$22,407
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,914
2026
$12,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$5.35B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2023
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.1%
2025
7.66%
2025
Population
586345
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37% 46.8% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 37.4% 46% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 35.8% 46.8% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 38.4% 50.1% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 39.5% 49.6% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 23% 59.9%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 37.8% 55% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 40.1% 65% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 41.1% 66% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 41.2% 62% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 24.4% 48%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 42% 70.4% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 23% 47.7%
2001 44.4% 70% 22% 38%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 - 69.8% 20.9% 28.8%
1998 - 66.4% 18.6% 29.1%
1997 - 60.8% 19% 26.6%
1996 - 51.5% 18.8% 23.9%
1995 - 45.3% 19% 22.7%
1994 - - 18.7% 23.4%
1993 - - 21.6% 22.7%
1992 - - 18.3% 22.1%
1991 - - 18% 19.3%
1990 - - 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malta's government spending was $10.3B, accounting for 37% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Malta and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 113/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Saint Lucia
2025 -3.1% -2.88%
2024 -3.51% -1.81%
2023 -4.43% -3.18%
2022 -5.33% -2.48%
2021 -6.96% -5.35%
2020 -8.71% -11.5%
2019 0.72% -2.95%
2018 1.86% -1.22%
2017 3.4% -2.09%
2016 1.1% -1.53%
2015 -0.84% -1.18%
2014 -1.49% -2.29%
2013 -2.19% -3.98%
2012 -3.31% -6.93%
2011 -2.99% -5.35%
2010 -2.22% -4.11%
2009 -3.11% -2.63%
2008 -4.06% -0.72%
2007 -2.05% -1.59%
2006 -2.46% -5.01%
2005 -2.83% -6%
2004 -4.28% -2.58%
2003 -9.04% -3.17%
2002 -5.62% -3.03%
2001 -6.5% -3.07%
2000 -5.83% -1.17%
1999 - 1.61%
1998 - 2.22%
1997 - -1.1%
1996 - -0.57%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.25%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.42%
1990 - 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/malta/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.38% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Saint Lucia
2025 2.36% 2.03%
2024 1.65% -0.67%
2023 5.09% 3.82%
2022 6.15% 9.65%
2021 1.5% 2.41%
2020 0.64% -1.76%
2019 1.64% 0.54%
2018 1.16% 1.94%
2017 1.36% 0.1%
2016 0.64% -3.08%
2015 1.1% -0.98%
2014 0.31% 3.52%
2013 1.18% 1.47%
2012 2.38% 4.18%
2011 2.96% 2.77%
2010 1.52% 3.25%
2009 2.08% -0.16%
2008 4.26% 5.55%
2007 1.25% 2.82%
2006 2.77% 2.4%
2005 3.01% 3.9%
2004 2.79% 1.46%
2003 1.3% 1.03%
2002 2.19% -0.26%
2001 2.93% 5.31%
2000 2.37% 3.71%
1999 2.13% 3.5%
1998 2.39% 3.2%
1997 3.11% -0.006%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Lucia. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Malta and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Malta Saint Lucia
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.1%
2024
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$144M
2025
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$672M
2025
Service exports
$25B
2024
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
119.1%
2025
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 68.2 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 57/197
Property rights 85.5 64.3
Government integrity 54.3 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 77.3
Tax burden 68.5 77.7
Government spending 58.4 82.6
Fiscal health 63.2 80
Business freedom 83.2 71.9
Labor freedom 62.6 65.2
Monetary freedom 73.1 81
Trade freedom 79.4 60
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Saint Lucia
2026 68.2 67.5
2025 66.8 67
2024 64.5 62.2
2023 67.5 60.7
2022 71.5 64.3
2021 70.2 67.5
2020 69.5 68.2
2019 68.6 68.7
2018 68.5 67.6
2017 67.7 65
2016 66.7 70
2015 66.5 70.2
2014 66.4 70.7
2013 67.5 70.4
2012 67 71.3
2011 65.7 70.8
2010 67.2 70.5
2009 66.1 68.8
2008 66 -
2007 66.1 -
2006 67.3 -
2005 68.9 -
2004 63.3 -
2003 61.1 -
2002 62.2 -
2001 62.9 -
2000 58.3 -
1999 59.3 -
1998 61.2 -
1997 57.9 -
1996 55.8 -
1995 56.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, 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

Malta Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
81.3%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.47%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$24B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,900
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2025
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2025
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
25%
2016
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/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 (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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2025, 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.