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Economy of Malta vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 119/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Malta vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Malta
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Sri Lanka
2024 $24,971,574,502 $98,963,185,510
2023 $22,610,561,526 $83,716,142,582
2022 $18,928,276,162 $74,143,020,263
2021 $19,739,875,611 $88,556,698,938
2020 $16,404,663,226 $84,335,574,582
2019 $16,337,793,531 $88,998,706,297
2018 $16,153,779,511 $94,450,015,983
2017 $14,161,366,724 $94,369,350,286
2016 $12,025,782,834 $88,000,211,172
2015 $11,340,795,042 $85,090,301,052
2014 $11,888,032,874 $82,531,125,191
2013 $10,796,782,636 $76,976,203,829
2012 $9,609,532,089 $70,447,217,164
2011 $9,789,361,703 $67,753,285,897
2010 $9,097,044,159 $58,636,049,434
2009 $8,734,745,698 $42,066,224,093
2008 $9,135,419,465 $40,713,826,215
2007 $7,908,412,306 $32,350,238,760
2006 $6,749,838,806 $28,267,410,543
2005 $6,393,234,993 $24,405,791,045
2004 $6,104,141,520 $20,662,525,941
2003 $5,418,315,224 $18,881,765,437
2002 $4,455,127,414 $16,536,535,647
2001 $4,070,867,133 $15,749,753,805
2000 $4,036,809,815 $16,595,882,819
1999 $4,111,857,809 $15,711,933,513
1998 $4,010,111,688 $15,760,736,956
1997 $3,787,023,707 $15,091,913,884
1996 $3,822,547,197 $13,897,738,375
1995 $3,709,396,045 $13,029,697,561
1994 $2,998,505,428 $11,717,604,209
1993 $2,709,193,538 $10,338,679,636
1992 $3,021,942,759 $9,703,011,636
1991 $2,750,216,747 $9,000,362,582
1990 $2,547,328,748 $8,032,551,173
1989 $2,118,655,677 $6,987,267,684
1988 $2,019,503,068 $6,978,371,581
1987 $1,751,293,461 $6,682,167,120
1986 $1,435,038,441 $6,405,210,564
1985 $1,117,797,439 $5,978,460,972
1984 $1,101,807,023 $6,043,474,843
1983 $1,165,729,707 $5,167,913,302
1982 $1,234,474,404 $4,768,765,017
1981 $1,243,509,394 $4,415,844,156
1980 $1,250,198,601 $4,024,621,900
1979 $1,001,288,847 $3,364,611,432
1978 $793,673,402 $2,733,183,857
1977 $625,563,171 $4,104,509,583
1976 $527,936,989 $3,591,319,857
1975 $474,618,321 $3,791,298,146
1974 $376,081,124 $3,574,586,466
1973 $345,616,106 $2,875,625,000
1972 $295,106,628 $2,553,936,348
1971 $264,578,485 $2,369,308,600
1970 $250,728,796 $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs Sri Lanka by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $946 $4,850
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $835 $4,522
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $804 $4,328
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $860 $4,368
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $829 $4,103
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $848 $3,952
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $827 $3,804
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $776 $3,582
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $742 $3,454
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $678 $3,260
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $607 $3,067
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $580 $2,851
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $546 $2,713
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $491 $2,527
1989 $6,041 - $430 -
1988 $5,814 - $434 -
1987 $5,084 - $420 -
1986 $4,195 - $407 -
1985 $3,322 - $385 -
1984 $3,333 - $391 -
1983 $3,527 - $336 -
1982 $3,788 - $312 -
1981 $3,898 - $292.5 -
1980 $3,948 - $271.1 -
1979 $3,196 - $230.8 -
1978 $2,559 - $191 -
1977 $2,038 - $292.1 -
1976 $1,727 - $260.3 -
1975 $1,560 - $279.8 -
1974 $1,245 - $268.7 -
1973 $1,144 - $220.2 -
1972 $976 - $199.4 -
1971 $874 - $188.8 -
1970 $828 - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Malta Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
4.67%
2023
Population
581729
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 20% 102.7%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 18.2% 75%
2015 37.8% 55% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 40.1% 65% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 41.1% 66% 21% 72.8%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 41.2% 62% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 42% 70.4% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 44.4% 70% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 - 69.8% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 - 66.4% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 - 60.8% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 - 51.5% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 - 45.3% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 - - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 - - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 - - 23% 77.9%
1991 - - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 - - 25.4% 78.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 118/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Sri Lanka
2024 -3.58% -5.64%
2023 -4.65% -8.32%
2022 -5.31% -10.2%
2021 -6.95% -11.7%
2020 -8.72% -13.4%
2019 0.72% -7.52%
2018 1.86% -4.96%
2017 3.4% -5.1%
2016 1.1% -5%
2015 -0.84% -6.64%
2014 -1.49% -5.99%
2013 -2.19% -5%
2012 -3.31% -5.44%
2011 -2.99% -6.01%
2010 -2.22% -6.73%
2009 -3.11% -8.33%
2008 -4.06% -5.93%
2007 -2.05% -5.81%
2006 -2.46% -5.91%
2005 -2.83% -5.93%
2004 -4.28% -6.32%
2003 -9.04% -6.15%
2002 -5.62% -6.9%
2001 -6.5% -8.48%
2000 -5.83% -7.78%
1999 - -5.58%
1998 - -6.79%
1997 - -5.71%
1996 - -6.89%
1995 - -7.11%
1994 - -7.41%
1993 - -5.77%
1992 - -4.95%
1991 - -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $893M, equivalent to 3.58% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.01% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Sri Lanka
2024 1.65% -0.43%
2023 5.09% 16.5%
2022 6.15% 49.7%
2021 1.5% 7.01%
2020 0.64% 6.15%
2019 1.64% 3.53%
2018 1.16% 2.14%
2017 1.36% 7.7%
2016 0.64% 3.96%
2015 1.1% 3.77%
2014 0.31% 3.18%
2013 1.18% 6.91%
2012 2.38% 7.54%
2011 2.96% 6.72%
2010 1.52% 6.22%
2009 2.08% 3.46%
2008 4.26% 22.6%
2007 1.25% 15.8%
2006 2.77% 10%
2005 3.01% 11.6%
2004 2.79% 7.58%
2003 1.3% 6.31%
2002 2.19% 9.55%
2001 2.93% 14.2%
2000 2.37% 6.18%
1999 2.13% 4.69%
1998 2.39% 9.36%
1997 3.11% 9.57%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $320K
Raw materials & minerals $98K
Chemicals & pharma $65K
Wood & paper products $13K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $375K
Raw materials & minerals $144K
Raw agricultural goods $108K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $106K
Miscellaneous $30K
Animal & marine products $23K
Precious metals & jewellery $23K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Wood & paper products $12K
Machinery & equipment $6K

Balance of trade

Malta Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 68.2 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 162/197
Property rights 85.5 47.3
Government integrity 54.3 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 47.2
Tax burden 68.5 77
Government spending 58.4 89
Fiscal health 63.2 0
Business freedom 83.2 60.1
Labor freedom 62.6 54.3
Monetary freedom 73.1 65.9
Trade freedom 79.4 65.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Sri Lanka
2026 68.2 50.3
2025 66.8 49.4
2024 64.5 49.2
2023 67.5 52.2
2022 71.5 53.3
2021 70.2 55.7
2020 69.5 57.4
2019 68.6 56.4
2018 68.5 57.8
2017 67.7 57.4
2016 66.7 59.9
2015 66.5 58.6
2014 66.4 60
2013 67.5 60.7
2012 67 58.3
2011 65.7 57.1
2010 67.2 54.6
2009 66.1 56
2008 66 58.4
2007 66.1 59.4
2006 67.3 58.7
2005 68.9 61
2004 63.3 61.6
2003 61.1 62.5
2002 62.2 64
2001 62.9 66
2000 58.3 63.2
1999 59.3 64
1998 61.2 64.6
1997 57.9 65.5
1996 55.8 62.5
1995 56.3 60.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2024
27%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/sri-lanka | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.