Skip to content

Economy of Malta vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 119/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Malta vs United States GDP by year

Malta
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta United States
2024 $24,971,574,502 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $22,610,561,526 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $18,928,276,162 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $19,739,875,611 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $16,404,663,226 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $16,337,793,531 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $16,153,779,511 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $14,161,366,724 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $12,025,782,834 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $11,340,795,042 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $11,888,032,874 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $10,796,782,636 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $9,609,532,089 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $9,789,361,703 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $9,097,044,159 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $8,734,745,698 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $9,135,419,465 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $7,908,412,306 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $6,749,838,806 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $6,393,234,993 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $6,104,141,520 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $5,418,315,224 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $4,455,127,414 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $4,070,867,133 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $4,036,809,815 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $4,111,857,809 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $4,010,111,688 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $3,787,023,707 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $3,822,547,197 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $3,709,396,045 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $2,998,505,428 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $2,709,193,538 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $3,021,942,759 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $2,750,216,747 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $2,547,328,748 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $2,118,655,677 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $2,019,503,068 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $1,751,293,461 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $1,435,038,441 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $1,117,797,439 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $1,101,807,023 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $1,165,729,707 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $1,234,474,404 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $1,243,509,394 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $1,250,198,601 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $1,001,288,847 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $793,673,402 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $625,563,171 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $527,936,989 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $474,618,321 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $376,081,124 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $345,616,106 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $295,106,628 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $264,578,485 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $250,728,796 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs United States by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $6,041 - $22,857 -
1988 $5,814 - $21,417 -
1987 $5,084 - $20,039 -
1986 $4,195 - $19,071 -
1985 $3,322 - $18,237 -
1984 $3,333 - $17,121 -
1983 $3,527 - $15,544 -
1982 $3,788 - $14,434 -
1981 $3,898 - $13,976 -
1980 $3,948 - $12,613 -
1979 $3,196 - $11,674 -
1978 $2,559 - $10,565 -
1977 $2,038 - $9,453 -
1976 $1,727 - $8,592 -
1975 $1,560 - $7,801 -
1974 $1,245 - $7,226 -
1973 $1,144 - $6,726 -
1972 $976 - $6,094 -
1971 $874 - $5,609 -
1970 $828 - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/united-states | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Malta United States
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
4.02%
2024
Population
581729
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 43.2% 125%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 37.8% 55% 35% 105.4%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 35.8% 105%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 38.8% 100%
2010 40.1% 65% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 41.1% 66% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 41.2% 62% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 42% 70.4% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 34% 59%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 44.4% 70% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 - 69.8% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - 66.4% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - 60.8% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - 51.5% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - 45.3% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 118/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta United States
2024 -3.58% -8.03%
2023 -4.65% -7.8%
2022 -5.31% -3.72%
2021 -6.95% -11.4%
2020 -8.72% -14.1%
2019 0.72% -5.81%
2018 1.86% -5.33%
2017 3.4% -4.79%
2016 1.1% -4.36%
2015 -0.84% -3.53%
2014 -1.49% -4.03%
2013 -2.19% -4.56%
2012 -3.31% -8.11%
2011 -2.99% -9.72%
2010 -2.22% -11%
2009 -3.11% -13.2%
2008 -4.06% -6.61%
2007 -2.05% -2.91%
2006 -2.46% -2.04%
2005 -2.83% -3.07%
2004 -4.28% -4.24%
2003 -9.04% -4.77%
2002 -5.62% -3.82%
2001 -6.5% -0.54%
2000 -5.83% 3.62%
1999 - 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.76% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta United States
2024 1.65% 2.95%
2023 5.09% 4.12%
2022 6.15% 8%
2021 1.5% 4.7%
2020 0.64% 1.23%
2019 1.64% 1.81%
2018 1.16% 2.44%
2017 1.36% 2.13%
2016 0.64% 1.26%
2015 1.1% 0.12%
2014 0.31% 1.62%
2013 1.18% 1.46%
2012 2.38% 2.07%
2011 2.96% 3.16%
2010 1.52% 1.64%
2009 2.08% -0.36%
2008 4.26% 3.84%
2007 1.25% 2.85%
2006 2.77% 3.23%
2005 3.01% 3.39%
2004 2.79% 2.68%
2003 1.3% 2.27%
2002 2.19% 1.59%
2001 2.93% 2.83%
2000 2.37% 3.38%
1999 2.13% 2.19%
1998 2.39% 1.55%
1997 3.11% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $371M
Machinery & equipment $258M
Business & finance services $218M
IT & IP services $55.6M
Chemicals & pharma $19.6M
Manufacturing & construction services $10.9M
Raw materials & minerals $5.75M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.24M
Government & miscellaneous services $3.67M
Wood & paper products $488K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $290M
IT & IP services $196M
Business & finance services $174M
Raw materials & minerals $34.6M
Transport & tourism services $30M
Chemicals & pharma $13.3M
Raw agricultural goods $7.29M
Miscellaneous $6.19M
Wood & paper products $5.55M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.91M

Balance of trade

Malta United States
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta United States
Economic freedom 68.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 27/197
Property rights 85.5 91.6
Government integrity 54.3 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 76.4
Tax burden 68.5 75.3
Government spending 58.4 57.9
Fiscal health 63.2 18.5
Business freedom 83.2 88.6
Labor freedom 62.6 76.3
Monetary freedom 73.1 84.2
Trade freedom 79.4 67.6
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta United States
2026 68.2 72.8
2025 66.8 70.2
2024 64.5 70.1
2023 67.5 70.6
2022 71.5 72.1
2021 70.2 74.8
2020 69.5 76.6
2019 68.6 76.8
2018 68.5 75.7
2017 67.7 75.1
2016 66.7 75.4
2015 66.5 76.2
2014 66.4 75.5
2013 67.5 76
2012 67 76.3
2011 65.7 77.8
2010 67.2 78
2009 66.1 80.7
2008 66 81
2007 66.1 81.2
2006 67.3 81.2
2005 68.9 79.9
2004 63.3 78.7
2003 61.1 78.2
2002 62.2 78.4
2001 62.9 79.1
2000 58.3 76.4
1999 59.3 75.5
1998 61.2 75.4
1997 57.9 75.6
1996 55.8 76.7
1995 56.3 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta United States
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.

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.