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Economy of Malta vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malta has a GDP of $27.8B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 118/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $13B in government debt (46.8% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Malta vs Vietnam GDP by year

Malta
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Vietnam
2025 $27,771,821,561 $514,697,215,165
2024 $25,042,712,191 $476,324,572,784
2023 $22,625,329,776 $433,805,036,898
2022 $18,938,869,147 $413,445,230,669
2021 $19,730,119,031 $366,474,752,771
2020 $16,404,655,808 $346,615,738,538
2019 $16,337,788,881 $334,365,270,497
2018 $16,153,785,817 $310,106,478,395
2017 $14,161,374,599 $281,353,605,987
2016 $12,025,777,078 $257,096,001,178
2015 $11,340,789,706 $239,258,328,382
2014 $11,888,029,752 $233,451,469,643
2013 $10,796,780,874 $213,708,811,665
2012 $9,609,530,619 $195,590,661,129
2011 $9,789,363,086 $172,595,049,184
2010 $9,097,044,301 $147,201,173,197
2009 $8,769,897,418 $106,014,659,565
2008 $9,172,399,573 $99,130,304,099
2007 $7,908,412,374 $77,414,425,532
2006 $6,749,838,862 $66,371,664,817
2005 $6,393,234,965 $57,633,255,738
2004 $6,104,141,501 $45,427,854,693
2003 $5,418,315,225 $39,552,513,232
2002 $4,455,127,398 $35,064,105,501
2001 $4,070,867,153 $32,685,198,809
2000 $4,036,809,767 $31,172,518,403
1999 $4,111,857,836 $28,683,659,007
1998 $4,010,111,652 $27,209,602,050
1997 $3,787,023,655 $26,843,700,442
1996 $3,822,547,151 $24,657,470,575
1995 $3,709,396,089 $20,736,164,459
1994 $2,998,505,428 $16,286,433,533
1993 $2,709,193,538 $13,180,953,598
1992 $3,021,942,759 $9,866,990,236
1991 $2,750,216,747 $9,613,369,520
1990 $2,547,328,748 $6,471,740,806
1989 $2,118,655,677 $6,293,304,975
1988 $2,019,503,068 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,751,293,461 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,435,038,441 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,117,797,439 $14,094,687,821
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs Vietnam by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $47,907 - $5,066 -
2024 $44,024 $69,864 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $40,933 $67,057 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $35,659 $60,589 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $38,078 $56,852 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $21,262 $26,782 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $22,406 $26,654 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $926 $4,581
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $808 $4,237
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $711 $3,894
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $565 $3,543
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $497 $3,240
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $445 $3,002
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $419 $2,809
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $404 $2,614
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $376 $2,421
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $361 $2,308
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $362 $2,189
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $337 $2,019
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $6,041 - $98.1 -
1988 $5,814 - $405 -
1987 $5,084 - $595 -
1986 $4,195 - $436 -
1985 $3,322 - $238.6 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $47,907, ranking 28/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Malta Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$27.8B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
118/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
3.96%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$47,907
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$13B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.8%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$22,407
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,914
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$5.35B
2025
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2023
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.1%
2025
1.53%
2024
Population
586345
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37% 46.8% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 37.4% 46% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 35.8% 46.8% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 38.4% 50.1% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 39.5% 49.6% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 19.8% 41%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 37.8% 55% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 40.1% 65% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 41.1% 66% 25% 36.2%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 21.4% 31%
2007 41.2% 62% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 42% 70.4% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 45.6% 68.6% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 43.6% 65.1% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 44.4% 70% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 42.9% 64.4% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 - 69.8% 16.7% -
1998 - 66.4% 16% -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Malta's government spending was $10.3B, accounting for 37% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.8% in Malta and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 113/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Vietnam
2025 -3.1% -2.2%
2024 -3.51% -1.54%
2023 -4.43% -1.72%
2022 -5.33% 0.67%
2021 -6.96% -1.43%
2020 -8.71% -2.86%
2019 0.72% -0.4%
2018 1.86% -1.02%
2017 3.4% -1.96%
2016 1.1% -3.16%
2015 -0.84% -4.98%
2014 -1.49% -5.02%
2013 -2.19% -5.96%
2012 -3.31% -5.46%
2011 -2.99% -0.9%
2010 -2.22% -2.25%
2009 -3.11% -4.82%
2008 -4.06% -0.45%
2007 -2.05% -1.74%
2006 -2.46% 0.2%
2005 -2.83% -0.95%
2004 -4.28% -0.15%
2003 -9.04% -2.56%
2002 -5.62% -1.85%
2001 -6.5% -2.19%
2000 -5.83% -1.61%
1999 - -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 3.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.17% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Vietnam
2025 2.36% 3.3%
2024 1.65% 3.6%
2023 5.09% 3.3%
2022 6.15% 3.2%
2021 1.5% 1.8%
2020 0.64% 3.2%
2019 1.64% 2.8%
2018 1.16% 3.5%
2017 1.36% 3.5%
2016 0.64% 2.7%
2015 1.1% 0.6%
2014 0.31% 4.1%
2013 1.18% 6.6%
2012 2.38% 9.1%
2011 2.96% 18.7%
2010 1.52% 10.5%
2009 2.08% 6.7%
2008 4.26% 23.1%
2007 1.25% 8.3%
2006 2.77% 7.5%
2005 3.01% 8.4%
2004 2.79% 7.9%
2003 1.3% 3.3%
2002 2.19% 4.1%
2001 2.93% -0.3%
2000 2.37% -1.8%
1999 2.13% 4.1%
1998 2.39% 7.2%
1997 3.11% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.22%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Malta and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3.2M
Machinery & equipment $99K
Precious metals & jewellery $91K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $68K
Wood & paper products $68K
Raw agricultural goods $33K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Metals $9K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $12.8M
Machinery & equipment $7.05M
Raw materials & minerals $1.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $655K
Animal & marine products $389K
Chemicals & pharma $226K
Metals $181K
Raw agricultural goods $33K
Wood & paper products $32K
Miscellaneous $20K

Balance of trade

Malta Vietnam
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
45/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.1%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
119.1%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malta Vietnam
Economic freedom 68.2 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 73/197
Property rights 85.5 47.3
Government integrity 54.3 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 31.3
Tax burden 68.5 80.9
Government spending 58.4 89.5
Fiscal health 63.2 96.9
Business freedom 83.2 70
Labor freedom 62.6 54.7
Monetary freedom 73.1 73.2
Trade freedom 79.4 79.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Vietnam
2026 68.2 64.4
2025 66.8 65.2
2024 64.5 62.8
2023 67.5 61.8
2022 71.5 60.6
2021 70.2 61.7
2020 69.5 58.8
2019 68.6 55.3
2018 68.5 53.1
2017 67.7 52.4
2016 66.7 54
2015 66.5 51.7
2014 66.4 50.8
2013 67.5 51
2012 67 51.3
2011 65.7 51.6
2010 67.2 49.8
2009 66.1 51
2008 66 50.4
2007 66.1 49.8
2006 67.3 50.5
2005 68.9 48.1
2004 63.3 46.1
2003 61.1 46.2
2002 62.2 45.6
2001 62.9 44.3
2000 58.3 43.7
1999 59.3 42.7
1998 61.2 40.4
1997 57.9 38.6
1996 55.8 40.2
1995 56.3 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
81.3%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.1%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.47%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$24B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,900
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
30.8%
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/vietnam | 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 (2022–2025, 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.