France vs Malta development indicators, 2024

Demography and Health

France and Malta exhibit contrasting demographic and health profiles. In 2023, France's crude birth rate stands at 9.9 per 1,000 people, higher than Malta's 8.1, which ranks significantly lower at 59th compared to France's 19th. However, the death rate is also a factor; France's at 9.2 differs from Malta’s lower rate of 7.3, indicating overall better mortality rates in Malta. Life expectancy at birth aligns closely, with France at 82.9 years, slightly behind Malta’s 83.5 years. Child health indicators reveal that France has a lower under-5 mortality rate (4.3 per 1,000 live births) than Malta (5.5). Furthermore, the suicide mortality rate in France is notably higher at 16.6 per 100,000, while Malta’s rate is only 6.5, suggesting more mental health challenges in France. Notably, physicians per 1,000 people also indicate a healthier access in Malta (4.3) compared to France (3.3).

Economy

France's economy showcases a robust GDP per capita of $46,150 compared to Malta's $42,347. However, when considering GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), Malta excels at $67,364 against France's $61,322, indicating a higher living standard. Despite France's GDP per capita ranking at 37th and Malta at 40th, the economic diversification seems more dynamic in Malta, with net inflows of foreign direct investment at an extraordinary 175% of GDP, a striking contrast to France's modest 1.8%. Additionally, inflation rates show France at 2% versus Malta's lower rate of 1.7%, signaling a more stable economic environment in Malta.

Trade and Investment

In terms of trade, France's exports contribute 33.2% to its GDP, showing significant global integration. However, Malta’s exports, a staggering 123% of GDP, indicate a highly export-driven economy that capitalizes on its small size and strategic location. Conversely, Malta's imports also dominate its economic structure at 106% of GDP, overshadowing France's 34%, highlighting Malta's heavy dependency on foreign goods. High-technology exports, however, tell a different story, with France exporting $115.3 billion, signaling a stronger position in high-tech industries.

Governance and Institutions

The governance landscape reflects disparities, with France scoring 1.2 in control of corruption, significantly better than Malta's 0.1. Similarly, France excels in government effectiveness (1.1) compared to Malta (0.4). Political stability and absence of violence index show a concerningly low score for France at 0.3, whereas Malta rates higher at 0.9, indicating a more stable socio-political environment. Regulatory quality also appears critical, with France’s score of 1.2 exceeding Malta's 0.7, suggesting better regulatory frameworks in France. However, measures of rule of law reflect a similar scenario, with both countries showing weaknesses but France still performing better at 1.2 against Malta’s 0.7.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure development measures, such as logistics performance, show France leading with 3.8 out of 5, while Malta achieves a workable 3.7, reflecting efficient but slightly less optimized trade and transport-related infrastructure. Internet usage in the population also skews in favor of Malta with 92.1% compared to France's 86.8%, highlighting Malta's superior technological integration into daily life.

Environment and Sustainability

In terms of environmental sustainability, France shows a commitment with 16.2% of total final energy consumption coming from renewable sources, compared to Malta’s lower figure of 8.6%. The water stress situation reflects significant disparities, with France using only 21.6% of its freshwater resources, compared to Malta’s alarming 78.3%, indicating a critical need for improved water resource management. Greenhouse gas emissions per capita are also a point of contention, where France emits 5.6 t CO2e per capita, higher than Malta's 3.7 t CO2e per capita, suggesting better environmental impact management in Malta despite its challenges.