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Economy of Malta vs Slovakia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $24.3B compared to $142B for Slovakia, ranking 120/197 and 61/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.8B in government debt (49.3% of GDP), compared to $82.3B (60.1% of GDP) in Slovakia.

The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.

Malta
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Slovakia
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Year GDP
Malta Slovakia
Current $ Constant $ Current $ Constant $
1970 $250,728,796 $948,271,467 - -
1971 $264,578,485 $971,541,988 - -
1972 $295,106,628 $1,028,263,786 - -
1973 $345,616,106 $1,070,897,026 - -
1974 $376,081,124 $1,178,376,577 - -
1975 $474,618,321 $1,408,867,989 - -
1976 $527,936,989 $1,648,616,316 - -
1977 $625,563,171 $1,849,486,528 - -
1978 $793,673,402 $2,055,910,645 - -
1979 $1,001,288,847 $2,271,591,567 - -
1980 $1,250,198,601 $2,431,732,213 - -
1981 $1,243,509,394 $2,512,265,398 - -
1982 $1,234,474,404 $2,569,656,902 - -
1983 $1,165,729,707 $2,553,920,578 - -
1984 $1,101,807,023 $2,577,987,983 - -
1985 $1,117,797,439 $2,644,636,182 - -
1986 $1,435,038,441 $2,747,385,323 - -
1987 $1,751,293,461 $2,860,316,993 - -
1988 $2,019,503,068 $3,100,990,824 - -
1989 $2,118,655,677 $3,354,624,138 - -
1990 $2,547,328,748 $3,565,676,657 $12,915,046,978 $45,559,569,013
1991 $2,750,216,747 $3,788,762,970 $14,459,924,589 $38,919,807,326
1992 $3,021,942,759 $3,966,491,271 $15,699,327,209 $36,303,816,918
1993 $2,709,193,538 $4,144,219,794 $16,737,973,764 $36,994,071,827
1994 $2,998,505,428 $4,378,413,969 $20,428,139,756 $39,289,750,245
1995 $3,709,360,097 $4,656,114,550 $26,180,022,222 $41,585,644,561
1996 $3,822,489,746 $4,831,991,626 $28,197,790,875 $44,130,510,843
1997 $3,787,070,704 $5,086,008,503 $27,844,628,979 $46,551,440,141
1998 $4,010,092,091 $5,346,697,004 $29,976,207,629 $48,332,548,393
1999 $4,111,891,845 $5,599,059,817 $30,496,272,225 $48,103,809,190
2000 $4,036,809,865 $6,701,025,856 $29,215,726,005 $48,483,456,227
2001 $4,070,867,153 $6,650,321,027 $30,726,659,551 $49,901,675,269
2002 $4,455,127,398 $6,832,614,316 $35,243,658,399 $52,105,958,758
2003 $5,418,315,225 $7,085,028,943 $46,616,149,117 $54,636,588,084
2004 $6,104,141,501 $7,113,876,329 $57,215,475,076 $57,581,226,217
2005 $6,393,234,965 $7,318,803,721 $62,547,753,148 $61,315,329,711
2006 $6,749,838,862 $7,489,779,959 $70,751,813,443 $66,788,144,153
2007 $7,908,412,374 $7,867,015,006 $86,587,749,518 $74,013,706,024
2008 $9,135,419,490 $8,213,960,298 $100,830,060,553 $77,983,340,267
2009 $8,734,745,632 $8,099,347,414 $89,342,984,698 $73,690,093,872
2010 $9,097,044,182 $8,601,291,930 $91,112,160,801 $78,694,079,821
2011 $9,789,361,705 $8,686,613,622 $99,705,104,723 $80,710,556,385
2012 $9,609,532,106 $9,042,989,790 $94,724,394,278 $81,977,043,068
2013 $10,796,782,634 $9,611,949,002 $99,134,277,850 $82,553,606,913
2014 $11,888,032,862 $10,345,449,266 $101,713,075,599 $84,789,118,562
2015 $11,340,795,033 $11,340,795,033 $89,178,548,717 $89,178,548,717
2016 $12,025,782,885 $11,803,240,820 $90,347,173,229 $90,915,584,912
2017 $14,161,366,733 $13,334,371,306 $95,978,130,735 $93,529,165,483
2018 $16,153,779,511 $14,292,992,132 $106,611,673,365 $97,328,432,250
2019 $16,337,793,531 $14,876,818,843 $105,843,498,304 $99,543,529,164
2020 $16,409,900,599 $14,377,204,308 $107,732,602,896 $96,969,818,857
2021 $19,723,563,355 $16,289,342,191 $120,560,912,621 $102,496,703,509
2022 $19,239,187,084 $16,984,786,096 $115,884,262,198 $102,944,982,588
2023 $22,210,718,401 $18,139,125,340 $133,896,931,490 $105,176,983,317
2024 $24,322,006,608 $19,221,900,877 $141,775,733,420 $107,345,393,746

Economic indicators

Malta Slovakia
Gross domestic product
$24.3B
2024
$142B
2024
GDP rank
120/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP growth
9.51%
2023-2024
5.88%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$42,347
2024
$26,148
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$67,364
2024
$47,181
2024
Government debt
$11.8B
2024
$82.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.3%
2025
60.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$20,574
2024
$15,170
2024
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2024
40/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$21,451
2025
$17,365
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$5.38B
2014
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
18.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.3%
2025
48.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
2.76%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
5.34%
2024
Population
583596
5390674

GDP per capita in Malta vs Slovakia

Malta's GDP per capita is $42,347, ranking 28/197, compared to $26,148 in Slovakia, ranking 46/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $67,364, while Slovakia ranks 50th at $47,181.

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Slovakia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Year Current $
Malta Slovakia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
1970 $828 - - -
1971 $874 - - -
1972 $976 - - -
1973 $1,144 - - -
1974 $1,245 - - -
1975 $1,560 - - -
1976 $1,727 - - -
1977 $2,038 - - -
1978 $2,559 - - -
1979 $3,196 - - -
1980 $3,948 - - -
1981 $3,898 - - -
1982 $3,788 - - -
1983 $3,527 - - -
1984 $3,333 - - -
1985 $3,322 - - -
1986 $4,195 - - -
1987 $5,084 - - -
1988 $5,814 - - -
1989 $6,041 - - -
1990 $7,192 $10,079 $2,437 $8,633
1991 $7,559 $10,777 $2,727 $7,618
1992 $8,220 $11,421 $2,959 $7,266
1993 $7,296 $12,095 $3,143 $7,564
1994 $8,000 $12,929 $3,821 $8,173
1995 $9,828 $13,940 $4,883 $8,806
1996 $10,062 $14,655 $5,248 $9,496
1997 $9,893 $15,462 $5,172 $10,135
1998 $10,408 $16,218 $5,561 $10,666
1999 $10,609 $16,899 $5,652 $10,726
2000 $10,348 $18,211 $5,422 $11,368
2001 $10,358 $18,437 $5,712 $12,369
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $6,555 $13,292
2003 $13,594 $20,815 $8,675 $14,090
2004 $15,212 $21,569 $10,650 $15,168
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $11,642 $16,570
2006 $16,654 $23,224 $13,168 $18,910
2007 $19,444 $25,013 $16,110 $21,233
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $18,744 $23,714
2009 $21,176 $26,768 $16,587 $23,065
2010 $21,947 $28,912 $16,899 $25,384
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $18,469 $26,202
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $17,517 $27,023
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $18,313 $28,075
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $18,771 $29,108
2015 $25,530 $38,379 $16,442 $30,156
2016 $26,459 $40,999 $16,636 $29,868
2017 $30,317 $45,763 $17,646 $30,246
2018 $33,382 $48,177 $19,573 $31,510
2019 $32,422 $51,392 $19,406 $33,986
2020 $31,834 $49,988 $19,735 $35,328
2021 $38,065 $56,805 $22,132 $38,346
2022 $36,224 $60,489 $21,335 $41,096
2023 $40,182 $63,085 $24,674 $43,950
2024 $42,347 $67,364 $26,148 $47,181

Spending and national debt comparison

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.04B, accounting for 36.3% of its GDP, while Slovakia's spent $66.6B, or 48.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.3% in Malta and 60.1% in Slovakia, ranking 112/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Malta
Government spending

Government debt
Slovakia
Government spending

Government debt
Year % of GDP
Malta Slovakia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
1995 - 45.3% 47.7% 21.3%
1996 - 51.5% 52.8% 30.3%
1997 - 60.8% 48.5% 32.8%
1998 - 66.4% 45.7% 33.8%
1999 - 69.8% 47.9% 47%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 52.8% 50.5%
2001 44.4% 70% 45.4% 51.2%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 45.5% 45.4%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 40.6% 43.5%
2004 42% 70.4% 38.1% 41.9%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 39.9% 34.9%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 38.8% 31.4%
2007 41.2% 62% 36.4% 30.3%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 37% 28.6%
2009 41.1% 66% 44.4% 36.4%
2010 40.1% 65% 42.2% 40.6%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 41.4% 43.3%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 41.1% 51.7%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 42.4% 54.6%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 43.1% 53.3%
2015 37.8% 55% 45.4% 51.5%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 42.4% 52%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 39.4% 51.3%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 39.5% 49.2%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 40.5% 47.9%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 44.3% 58.3%
2021 39.5% 49.6% 44.6% 60.1%
2022 37.7% 49.3% 42.2% 57.6%
2023 36.5% 47.7% 47.9% 56%
2024 37.2% 48.6% 47% 58%
2025 36.3% 49.3% 48.6% 60.1%

Government deficit by year

In 2024, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$922M, equivalent to -3.79% of GDP. This compares to Slovakia's deficit of -$8.27B, or -5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Slovakia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to -3.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of -4.25% of GDP for Slovakia.

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Slovakia
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Slovakia
1995 - -3.43%
1996 - -9.72%
1997 - -6.24%
1998 - -5.28%
1999 - -7.17%
2000 -5.83% -12.6%
2001 -6.5% -7.23%
2002 -5.62% -8.23%
2003 -9.04% -3.14%
2004 -4.28% -2.32%
2005 -2.83% -2.89%
2006 -2.46% -3.58%
2007 -2.05% -2.05%
2008 -4.06% -2.52%
2009 -3.11% -8.15%
2010 -2.22% -7.48%
2011 -2.99% -4.31%
2012 -3.31% -4.35%
2013 -2.19% -2.87%
2014 -1.49% -3.1%
2015 -0.84% -2.66%
2016 1.1% -2.56%
2017 3.4% -0.98%
2018 1.86% -1.01%
2019 0.72% -1.21%
2020 -8.72% -5.3%
2021 -6.96% -5.09%
2022 -5.22% -1.63%
2023 -4.58% -5.16%
2024 -3.79% -5.84%
2025 -3.35% -5.24%

Inflation comparison by year

Over the past 29 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.2%, compared with 4.5% in Slovakia. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 2.76% in Slovakia.

Inflation
Malta

Slovakia
Year Inflation
Malta Slovakia Malta Slovakia
1996 2.05% 5.78%
1997 3.11% 6.14%
1998 2.39% 6.67%
1999 2.13% 10.6%
2000 2.37% 12%
2001 2.93% 7.33%
2002 2.19% 3.13%
2003 1.3% 8.55%
2004 2.79% 7.55%
2005 3.01% 2.71%
2006 2.77% 4.48%
2007 1.25% 2.76%
2008 4.26% 4.6%
2009 2.08% 1.62%
2010 1.52% 0.96%
2011 2.96% 3.92%
2012 2.38% 3.61%
2013 1.18% 1.4%
2014 0.31% -0.08%
2015 1.1% -0.33%
2016 0.64% -0.52%
2017 1.36% 1.31%
2018 1.16% 2.51%
2019 1.64% 2.66%
2020 0.64% 1.94%
2021 1.5% 3.15%
2022 6.15% 12.8%
2023 5.09% 10.5%
2024 1.65% 2.76%

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $6.03M
Chemicals & pharma $4.47M
Business & finance services $3.43M
Machinery & equipment $1.1M
IT & IP services $946K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $183K
Manufacturing & construction services $118K
Government & miscellaneous services $118K
Precious metals & jewellery $85K
Textiles & consumer goods $68K
Slovakia
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $26.2M
Machinery & equipment $17.7M
Manufacturing & construction services $7.2M
IT & IP services $2.53M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.72M
Business & finance services $1.37M
Chemicals & pharma $753K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $518K
Raw materials & minerals $356K
Wood & paper products $285K

Balance of trade

Malta Slovakia
Current account balance
$1.38B
2024
-$3.89B
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/189
2024
159/189
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.69%
2024
-2.75%
2024
Goods imports
$7.31B
2024
$107B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$107B
2024
Service imports
$17.2B
2024
$13.1B
2024
Service exports
$24.7B
2024
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.1%
2024
85%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
123.5%
2024
85.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Slovakia
Economic freedom 66.8 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 54/197 48/197
Property rights 86.2 84.3
Government integrity 55 57.2
Judicial effectiveness 81.5 69.9
Tax burden 70 76.7
Government spending 57.5 38.7
Fiscal health 44.8 69.8
Business freedom 80.7 77
Labor freedom 65.2 58
Monetary freedom 70.5 64.5
Trade freedom 79.6 79.6
Investment freedom 60 75
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom by year comparison

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 66.8, ranking 54/197, compared to 68.4 for Slovakia, ranking 48/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Malta
Slovakia
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Slovakia
1995 56.3 60.4
1996 55.8 57.6
1997 57.9 55.5
1998 61.2 57.5
1999 59.3 54.2
2000 58.3 53.8
2001 62.9 58.5
2002 62.2 59.8
2003 61.1 59
2004 63.3 64.6
2005 68.9 66.8
2006 67.3 69.8
2007 66.1 69.6
2008 66 70
2009 66.1 69.4
2010 67.2 69.7
2011 65.7 69.5
2012 67 67
2013 67.5 68.7
2014 66.4 66.4
2015 66.5 67.2
2016 66.7 66.6
2017 67.7 65.7
2018 68.5 65.3
2019 68.6 65
2020 69.5 66.8
2021 70.2 66.3
2022 71.5 69.7
2023 67.5 69
2024 64.5 68.1
2025 66.8 68.4

More economic indicators

Malta Slovakia
Services, % of GDP
80.8%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.4%
2024
28.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.21%
2024
2.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.9B
2024
$130B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$57,860
2024
$46,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$14.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
68/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.6B
2024
-$1.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.5B
2024
$3.58B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.9B
2024
$2.31B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
13.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
20.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

GDP per capita

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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.

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.