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Ireland vs Malta statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a population of 5.4M (ranked 120/197), compared with 569K in Malta (ranked 167/197). Ireland's land area is 26,599 sq mi versus 123.6 sq mi for Malta (ranked 119th vs. 187th).

By GDP, Ireland ranks 25/197 ($609B) and Malta ranks 119/197 ($25B). By GDP per capita, Ireland ranks 4/197 ($112,895), while Malta ranks 28/197 ($43,899).

Main facts and rankings

Ireland Malta
Population
5518360
581729
Population rank 121/197 167/197
GDP
$609B
2024
$25B
2024
GDP rank 25/197 119/197
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$43,899
2024
GDP per capita rank 4/197 28/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$69,864
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
46.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$20,269
2024
Government debt per person rank 11/185 31/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$23,692
2026
Land area 26,599 sq mi 123.6 sq mi
Population density
207 ppl/mi²
2026
4,704 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.5
2023
1.06
2023
Median age
39.7 years
2024
41.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
82.9 years
2026
83.8 years
2026

Ireland and Malta: Comparison Charts

Ireland and Malta economies compared

GDP
Ireland

Malta
1x
Year GDP
Ireland Malta
2024 $609,157,459,747 $24,971,574,502
2023 $567,372,737,459 $22,610,561,526
2022 $548,341,794,599 $18,928,276,162
2021 $530,394,123,830 $19,739,875,611
2020 $436,009,027,819 $16,404,663,226
2019 $407,211,793,801 $16,337,793,531
2018 $395,780,319,817 $16,153,779,511
2017 $348,355,212,569 $14,161,366,724
2016 $305,431,252,709 $12,025,782,834
2015 $302,101,388,556 $11,340,795,042
2014 $266,490,442,124 $11,888,032,874
2013 $242,924,245,719 $10,796,782,636
2012 $226,921,827,888 $9,609,532,089
2011 $240,975,871,047 $9,789,361,703
2010 $221,732,824,603 $9,097,044,159
2009 $236,443,115,854 $8,734,745,698
2008 $275,447,471,451 $9,135,419,465
2007 $270,079,279,420 $7,908,412,306
2006 $232,180,617,162 $6,749,838,806
2005 $211,876,989,656 $6,393,234,993
2004 $194,372,115,041 $6,104,141,520
2003 $164,670,771,260 $5,418,315,224
2002 $128,596,035,288 $4,455,127,414
2001 $109,346,669,230 $4,070,867,133
2000 $100,207,610,430 $4,036,809,815
1999 $98,893,958,263 $4,111,857,809
1998 $90,199,410,116 $4,010,111,688
1997 $82,856,648,758 $3,787,023,707
1996 $75,790,786,290 $3,822,547,197
1995 $69,139,823,232 $3,709,396,045
1994 $57,097,656,066 $2,998,505,428
1993 $52,417,477,614 $2,709,193,538
1992 $55,918,538,121 $3,021,942,759
1991 $49,787,501,584 $2,750,216,747
1990 $49,305,632,408 $2,547,328,748
1989 $39,238,392,678 $2,118,655,677
1988 $37,772,896,221 $2,019,503,068
1987 $33,920,518,493 $1,751,293,461
1986 $28,714,571,852 $1,435,038,441
1985 $21,270,013,326 $1,117,797,439
1984 $20,106,648,455 $1,101,807,023
1983 $20,766,047,764 $1,165,729,707
1982 $21,474,752,962 $1,234,474,404
1981 $20,670,190,138 $1,243,509,394
1980 $21,747,855,640 $1,250,198,601
1979 $18,319,334,300 $1,001,288,847
1978 $14,647,996,074 $793,673,402
1977 $11,248,340,431 $625,563,171
1976 $9,453,756,015 $527,936,989
1975 $9,483,808,362 $474,618,321
1974 $7,896,860,615 $376,081,124
1973 $7,481,173,066 $345,616,106
1972 $6,318,060,582 $295,106,628
1971 $5,098,250,287 $264,578,485
1970 $4,395,995,086 $250,728,796
1969 $3,902,721,632 -
1968 $3,378,701,147 -
1967 $3,445,739,915 -
1966 $3,198,820,904 -
1965 $3,035,655,794 -
1964 $2,851,091,646 -
1963 $2,505,073,358 -
1962 $2,329,372,972 -
1961 $2,151,772,980 -
1960 $1,998,550,222 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/malta | CC BY

Ireland and Malta economies compared

GDP per capita
Ireland

Malta
1x
Year GDP per capita
Ireland Malta
2024 $112,895 $43,899
2023 $106,819 $40,906
2022 $105,191 $35,639
2021 $103,783 $38,097
2020 $86,514 $31,823
2019 $81,828 $32,422
2018 $80,804 $33,382
2017 $72,161 $30,317
2016 $64,130 $26,459
2015 $64,250 $25,530
2014 $57,215 $27,425
2013 $52,538 $25,416
2012 $49,336 $22,878
2011 $52,614 $23,517
2010 $48,624 $21,947
2009 $52,133 $21,176
2008 $61,353 $22,315
2007 $61,396 $19,444
2006 $54,329 $16,654
2005 $50,933 $15,831
2004 $47,754 $15,212
2003 $41,204 $13,594
2002 $32,705 $11,251
2001 $28,282 $10,358
2000 $26,335 $10,348
1999 $26,338 $10,609
1998 $24,295 $10,408
1997 $22,551 $9,893
1996 $20,836 $10,062
1995 $19,158 $9,828
1994 $15,903 $8,000
1993 $14,657 $7,296
1992 $15,714 $8,220
1991 $14,087 $7,559
1990 $14,031 $7,192
1989 $11,176 $6,041
1988 $10,716 $5,814
1987 $9,582 $5,084
1986 $8,112 $4,195
1985 $6,012 $3,322
1984 $5,692 $3,333
1983 $5,915 $3,527
1982 $6,161 $3,788
1981 $5,986 $3,898
1980 $6,372 $3,948
1979 $5,430 $3,196
1978 $4,400 $2,559
1977 $3,427 $2,038
1976 $2,920 $1,727
1975 $2,973 $1,560
1974 $2,517 $1,245
1973 $2,424 $1,144
1972 $2,080 $976
1971 $1,704 $874
1970 $1,487 $828
1969 $1,331 -
1968 $1,159 -
1967 $1,187 -
1966 $1,107 -
1965 $1,055 -
1964 $995 -
1963 $878 -
1962 $821 -
1961 $762 -
1960 $707 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/malta | CC BY

Ireland vs. Malta life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Ireland

Malta
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Ireland Malta
2026 82.9 83.8
2025 82.7 83.6
2024 82.6 83.5
2023 82.4 83.3
2022 82.1 82.2
2021 81.9 82.3
2020 82.4 82.3
2019 82.4 82.8
2018 82.1 82.9
2017 82.1 83.1
2016 81.7 82.7
2015 81.5 82.6
2014 81.4 82.3
2013 81.1 81.8
2012 80.9 81.1
2011 80.7 80.8
2010 80.6 81.4
2009 80.1 80.4
2008 79.8 79.7
2007 79.6 79.7
2006 79.2 79.6
2005 78.9 79.5
2004 78.5 79.2
2003 78.1 78.7
2002 77.6 78.5
2001 77.1 78.9
2000 76.5 77.9
1999 76.1 77.8
1998 76.2 77.8
1997 76 77.3
1996 75.8 76.3
1995 75.5 77
1994 75.8 76.9
1993 75.3 76.8
1992 75.4 76.7
1991 75 76.5
1990 74.8 76.2
1989 74.5 76.2
1988 74.4 75.9
1987 74.4 75.3
1986 73.6 74.5
1985 73.6 73.9
1984 73.6 73.3
1983 73.2 73.1
1982 73.2 72.8
1981 72.9 72.4
1980 72.5 72.3
1979 72.2 72.5
1978 71.9 72.3
1977 71.9 72.3
1976 71.8 72.2
1975 71.7 72.1
1974 71.1 71.9
1973 71.2 71.3
1972 71 70.7
1971 71.6 70.1
1970 70.8 70.4
1969 70.8 70.1
1968 70.9 69.9
1967 71.2 69.8
1966 70.2 69.7
1965 70.6 69.5
1964 70.4 69.3
1963 70.2 69.2
1962 69.9 69.2
1961 69.6 68.4
1960 70.2 68.4
1959 69.4 68.4
1958 69.3 67.8
1957 69 67.5
1956 69 66.8
1955 68 66.3
1954 68 65.1
1953 67.9 64.3
1952 67.2 64.1
1951 64.8 63.9
1950 65.6 63.5

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/malta | CC BY

Ireland and Malta population clocks and comparison

Population
Ireland

Malta
1x
Year Population
Ireland Malta
2024 5,395,790 568,847
2023 5,311,538 552,747
2022 5,212,836 531,113
2021 5,110,585 518,150
2020 5,039,747 515,490
2019 4,976,456 503,912
2018 4,898,022 483,903
2017 4,827,445 467,106
2016 4,762,722 454,505
2015 4,701,957 444,220
2014 4,657,740 433,481
2013 4,623,816 424,810
2012 4,599,533 420,028
2011 4,580,084 416,268
2010 4,560,155 414,508
2009 4,535,375 412,477
2008 4,489,544 409,379
2007 4,398,942 406,724
2006 4,273,591 405,308
2005 4,159,914 403,834
2004 4,070,262 401,268
2003 3,996,521 398,582
2002 3,931,947 395,969
2001 3,866,243 393,028
2000 3,805,174 390,087
1999 3,754,786 387,578
1998 3,712,696 385,287
1997 3,674,171 382,791
1996 3,637,510 379,905
1995 3,608,841 377,419
1994 3,590,386 374,797
1993 3,576,261 371,308
1992 3,558,430 367,618
1991 3,534,235 363,845
1990 3,513,974 354,170
1989 3,511,009 350,722
1988 3,524,949 347,325
1987 3,540,057 344,485
1986 3,539,690 342,121
1985 3,538,082 336,452
1984 3,532,423 330,593
1983 3,510,600 330,524
1982 3,485,800 325,898
1981 3,453,000 318,982
1980 3,412,800 316,645
1979 3,373,750 313,342
1978 3,329,100 310,182
1977 3,282,200 306,970
1976 3,238,050 305,774
1975 3,189,550 304,222
1974 3,137,500 301,996
1973 3,085,950 302,200
1972 3,036,850 302,450
1971 2,992,050 302,700
1970 2,957,250 302,650
1969 2,932,650 304,300
1968 2,915,550 307,900
1967 2,902,450 311,550
1966 2,888,800 315,200
1965 2,877,300 318,800
1964 2,866,550 321,250
1963 2,852,650 322,550
1962 2,836,050 323,900
1961 2,824,400 325,250
1960 2,828,600 326,550

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

GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/malta | CC BY

Fertility rates in Ireland and Malta

Fertility rate
Ireland

Malta
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ireland Malta
2023 1.5 1.06
2022 1.54 1.08
2021 1.78 1.13
2020 1.63 1.13
2019 1.71 1.14
2018 1.75 1.23
2017 1.77 1.26
2016 1.81 1.37
2015 1.85 1.37
2014 1.89 1.38
2013 1.93 1.36
2012 1.98 1.42
2011 2.03 1.45
2010 2.05 1.36
2009 2.06 1.42
2008 2.06 1.43
2007 2.01 1.35
2006 1.91 1.36
2005 1.86 1.38
2004 1.93 1.4
2003 1.96 1.48
2002 1.97 1.45
2001 1.94 1.48
2000 1.89 1.68
1999 1.9 1.73
1998 1.94 1.84
1997 1.93 1.93
1996 1.88 1.99
1995 1.84 1.77
1994 1.85 1.84
1993 1.9 1.96
1992 1.99 2.07
1991 2.08 1.99
1990 2.11 2.02
1989 2.08 2.1
1988 2.17 2.06
1987 2.32 1.97
1986 2.44 1.93
1985 2.48 1.95
1984 2.58 1.95
1983 2.74 1.92
1982 2.94 1.9
1981 3.05 1.87
1980 3.21 1.99
1979 3.21 2.1
1978 3.21 2.05
1977 3.24 2.14
1976 3.29 2.21
1975 3.37 2.27
1974 3.59 1.64
1973 3.71 1.65
1972 3.84 2.01
1971 3.93 2.06
1970 3.85 2.03
1969 3.83 2.02
1968 3.77 2.12
1967 3.84 2.24
1966 3.94 2.33
1965 4.04 2.52
1964 4.07 2.79
1963 4.01 2.9
1962 3.92 3.24
1961 3.78 3.27
1960 3.78 3.62

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/malta | CC BY

Ireland and Malta demographics compared

Median age
Ireland

Malta
1x
Year Median age, years
Ireland Malta
2024 39.7 41.8
2023 39.4 41.4
2022 38.9 40.8
2021 38.6 40.2
2020 38.2 39.9
2019 37.8 39.9
2018 37.4 40.2
2017 37.1 40.5
2016 36.8 40.6
2015 36.4 40.6
2014 36 40.6
2013 35.6 40.4
2012 35.2 40.2
2011 34.8 39.9
2010 34.3 39.6
2009 33.9 39.3
2008 33.5 39
2007 33.4 38.7
2006 33.4 38.4
2005 33.4 38.1
2004 33.4 37.7
2003 33.2 37.4
2002 33 37
2001 32.7 36.7
2000 32.5 36.4
1999 32.2 36.1
1998 31.9 35.8
1997 31.6 35.5
1996 31.3 35.1
1995 30.9 34.7
1994 30.6 34.3
1993 30.2 34
1992 29.9 33.7
1991 29.6 33.3
1990 29.2 33
1989 28.8 32.7
1988 28.4 32.4
1987 27.9 32
1986 27.6 31.7
1985 27.3 31.4
1984 27.1 31.2
1983 26.9 30.9
1982 26.7 30.6
1981 26.6 30.3
1980 26.5 30
1979 26.5 29.6
1978 26.5 29.2
1977 26.5 28.7
1976 26.4 28.4
1975 26.5 28
1974 26.5 27.6
1973 26.7 27.2
1972 26.9 26.8
1971 27.1 26.3
1970 27.4 25.9
1969 27.6 25.5
1968 27.8 25
1967 28 24.8
1966 28.2 24.6
1965 28.6 24.5
1964 28.9 24.4
1963 29.2 24.2
1962 29.5 24
1961 29.8 23.8
1960 30.1 23.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/malta | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Ireland Malta
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$20.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
37.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.9%
2021
4.72%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.24%
2024
0.45%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+4.09%
2024
-3.58%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
3.12%
2024
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
81.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
10.7%
2024
Economic freedom index
83.3
2026
68.2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
27.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.7%
2022
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.0003%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
43
2018
34
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
$4.29B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Personal remittances received
$656M
2024
$15.7M
2024
International tourist arrivals
10,951,000
2019
718,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
0.68%
2020
11.5%
2007
Banked people share
98.3%
2024
96.6%
2024

Energy

Ireland Malta
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,468 kg
2023
1,398 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$52.6
2023
$48
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
32.6 megatons
2024
1.81 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
6.04 tons
2024
3.18 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
82.4%
2023
87.2%
2022
Renewable energy use share
12.7%
2021
8.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
8.94%
2023
3.81%
2023
Net energy imports use share
85.8%
2023
404%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
6,145 kWh
2023
5,042 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
37.2%
2021
11.9%
2021
Hydroelectric share
3.88%
2023
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Ireland Malta
% of world population
0.07%
2024
0.007%
2024
Annual migration change
+35,417
2025
+5,161
2025
Urban population
64.3%
2024
95.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.5:50.5
2024
51.9:48.1
2024
Average male height
5.87 ft
2025
5.72 ft
2025
Average female height
5.4 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
94.9
2026
81.9
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
76
2025
49
2025
Higher education index
88
2026
74
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.65
2023
0.56
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
3.1
2019
4.1
2019
Visa free countries
172
2025
171
2025
Adult literacy rate
99%
2003
94.9%
2021
English speaking
98.4%
2023
88.3%
2023
People using the Internet
96.5%
2023
92.1%
2023

Health

Ireland Malta
Government health expenditure per capita
$7,395
2024
$3,623
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$784
2024
$1,121
2023
Life expectancy
82.9 years
2026
83.8 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
3.88
2023
4.51
2022
Age at first childbirth
31.6 years
2023
29.8 years
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
4
2023
8
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
3.8
2023
5.5
2023
Obesity rate
29.3%
2022
32.8%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
3.6%
2024
10%
2024
Air quality index
87
2026
66
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
19.3%
2022
24.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
10.8 liters
2020
7.11 liters
2020

Territory

Ireland Malta
% of world land
0.05%
2026
0.0002%
2026
Land area per capita
4,930 sq mi
2024
217.2 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
16,174 sq mi
2026
32 sq mi
2026
Forest area
3,066 sq mi
2026
1.78 sq mi
2026
Roads length
62,031 mi
2018
1,401 mi
2001

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  10. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  11. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  12. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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