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Economy of Malta vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malta has a GDP of $27.8B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 118/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $13B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

Malta vs Serbia GDP by year

Malta
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Serbia
2025 $27,771,821,561 $99,953,324,473
2024 $25,042,712,191 $90,088,366,320
2023 $22,625,329,776 $81,343,999,280
2022 $18,938,869,147 $66,809,895,701
2021 $19,730,119,031 $66,159,884,073
2020 $16,404,655,808 $55,874,017,669
2019 $16,337,788,881 $53,864,693,665
2018 $16,153,785,817 $52,787,520,249
2017 $14,161,374,599 $45,972,834,714
2016 $12,025,777,078 $42,225,495,910
2015 $11,340,789,706 $41,297,410,635
2014 $11,888,029,752 $49,114,321,280
2013 $10,796,780,874 $50,455,529,604
2012 $9,609,530,619 $45,103,269,969
2011 $9,789,363,086 $51,251,098,408
2010 $9,097,044,301 $43,536,629,233
2009 $8,769,897,418 $46,955,984,410
2008 $9,172,399,573 $54,220,641,202
2007 $7,908,412,374 $44,888,028,946
2006 $6,749,838,862 $33,298,057,362
2005 $6,393,234,965 $28,334,256,181
2004 $6,104,141,501 $26,845,632,342
2003 $5,418,315,225 $23,593,044,418
2002 $4,455,127,398 $17,930,583,571
2001 $4,070,867,153 $13,599,378,662
2000 $4,036,809,767 $7,326,373,882
1999 $4,111,857,836 $20,878,694,851
1998 $4,010,111,652 $21,004,077,441
1997 $3,787,023,655 $27,153,408,995
1996 $3,822,547,151 $23,277,430,168
1995 $3,709,396,089 $17,921,892,655
1994 $2,998,505,428 -
1993 $2,709,193,538 -
1992 $3,021,942,759 -
1991 $2,750,216,747 -
1990 $2,547,328,748 -
1989 $2,118,655,677 -
1988 $2,019,503,068 -
1987 $1,751,293,461 -
1986 $1,435,038,441 -
1985 $1,117,797,439 -
1984 $1,101,807,023 -
1983 $1,165,729,707 -
1982 $1,234,474,404 -
1981 $1,243,509,394 -
1980 $1,250,198,601 -
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/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs Serbia by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $47,907 - $15,262 -
2024 $44,024 $69,864 $13,678 $32,832
2023 $40,933 $67,057 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $35,659 $60,589 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $38,078 $56,852 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $21,262 $26,782 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $22,406 $26,654 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $975 $6,416
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $8,000 $12,938 - -
1993 $7,296 $12,103 - -
1992 $8,220 $11,429 - -
1991 $7,559 $10,784 - -
1990 $7,192 $10,086 - -
1989 $6,041 - - -
1988 $5,814 - - -
1987 $5,084 - - -
1986 $4,195 - - -
1985 $3,322 - - -
1984 $3,333 - - -
1983 $3,527 - - -
1982 $3,788 - - -
1981 $3,898 - - -
1980 $3,948 - - -
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/serbia | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $47,907, ranking 28/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Malta Serbia
Gross domestic product
$27.8B
2025
$100B
2025
GDP rank
118/197
2025
76/197
2025
GDP growth
3.96%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$47,907
2025
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$13B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2025
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$22,407
2025
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2025
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,914
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$5.35B
2025
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2023
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37%
2025
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.1%
2025
7.3%
2025
Population
586345
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37% 46.8% 43.2% 42.4%
2024 37.4% 46% 42.2% 44.1%
2023 35.8% 46.8% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 38.4% 50.1% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 39.5% 49.6% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 46% 54.3%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 39% 51.1%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 40.3% 65%
2015 37.8% 55% 41% 67.1%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 43.3% 58%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 40% 46%
2010 40.1% 65% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 41.1% 66% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 41.2% 62% 40.6% 30%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 41.3% 37%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 42% 70.4% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 44.4% 70% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 28% 200.6%
1999 - 69.8% - -
1998 - 66.4% - -
1997 - 60.8% - -
1996 - 51.5% - -
1995 - 45.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malta's government spending was $10.3B, accounting for 37% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Malta and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 113/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Serbia
2025 -3.1% -2.21%
2024 -3.51% -1.73%
2023 -4.43% -1.21%
2022 -5.33% -0.14%
2021 -6.96% -3.16%
2020 -8.71% -6.91%
2019 0.72% -0.004%
2018 1.86% 0.78%
2017 3.4% 1.32%
2016 1.1% -1.08%
2015 -0.84% -3.25%
2014 -1.49% -5.61%
2013 -2.19% -4.79%
2012 -3.31% -6.11%
2011 -2.99% -3.75%
2010 -2.22% -3.35%
2009 -3.11% -3.3%
2008 -4.06% -4.25%
2007 -2.05% -0.8%
2006 -2.46% -0.9%
2005 -2.83% 1.02%
2004 -4.28% 0.06%
2003 -9.04% -2.39%
2002 -5.62% -2.33%
2001 -6.5% 0.32%
2000 -5.83% -0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $2.21B, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Serbia
2025 2.36% 3.89%
2024 1.65% 4.67%
2023 5.09% 12.4%
2022 6.15% 12%
2021 1.5% 4.09%
2020 0.64% 1.58%
2019 1.64% 1.85%
2018 1.16% 1.96%
2017 1.36% 3.13%
2016 0.64% 1.12%
2015 1.1% 1.39%
2014 0.31% 2.08%
2013 1.18% 7.69%
2012 2.38% 7.33%
2011 2.96% 11.1%
2010 1.52% 6.14%
2009 2.08% 8.12%
2008 4.26% 12.4%
2007 1.25% 6.39%
2006 2.77% 11.7%
2005 3.01% 16.1%
2004 2.79% 11%
2003 1.3% 9.88%
2002 2.19% 19.5%
2001 2.93% 95%
2000 2.37% 71.1%
1999 2.13% 42.5%
1998 2.39% 30.2%
1997 3.11% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 15.2% in Serbia. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Malta and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.81M
Machinery & equipment $381K
Textiles & consumer goods $134K
Wood & paper products $132K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22K
Animal & marine products $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Metals $5K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Serbia
Export category Export value
IT & IP services $21.6M
Transport & tourism services $18.4M
Business & finance services $8.66M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.89M
Machinery & equipment $1.7M
Chemicals & pharma $1.03M
Textiles & consumer goods $867K
Raw agricultural goods $582K
Metals $314K
Raw materials & minerals $95K

Balance of trade

Malta Serbia
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.1%
2024
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$25B
2024
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
119.1%
2025
54.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Serbia
Economic freedom 68.2 65
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 68/197
Property rights 85.5 57.2
Government integrity 54.3 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 50.1
Tax burden 68.5 88
Government spending 58.4 48.2
Fiscal health 63.2 94.3
Business freedom 83.2 73.6
Labor freedom 62.6 61.8
Monetary freedom 73.1 73
Trade freedom 79.4 76.6
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Serbia
2026 68.2 65
2025 66.8 64.4
2024 64.5 62.7
2023 67.5 63.5
2022 71.5 65.2
2021 70.2 67.2
2020 69.5 66
2019 68.6 63.9
2018 68.5 62.5
2017 67.7 58.9
2016 66.7 62.1
2015 66.5 60
2014 66.4 59.4
2013 67.5 58.6
2012 67 58
2011 65.7 58
2010 67.2 56.9
2009 66.1 56.6
2008 66 -
2007 66.1 -
2006 67.3 -
2005 68.9 -
2004 63.3 -
2003 61.1 43.5
2002 62.2 46.6
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/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Serbia
Services, % of GDP
81.3%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.47%
2025
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$24B
2025
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,900
2025
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2025
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2025
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
23.4%
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/malta/serbia | 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 (1995–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.