Malta Malta vs Sweden Sweden development indicators, 2024

Indicator
Malta
Malta, Value
Sweden
Sweden, Value
Malta
Malta, Rank
Sweden
Sweden, Rank
Malta Malta as % of
Sweden Sweden
Current account balance (% of GDP) 5.69 7.42 19 13 76.6 %
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 123 54.6 6 34 226 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) 175 4.37 1 22 3,996 %
GDP per capita (current US$) 42,347 57,723 27 14 73.4 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 67,364 71,030 24 23 94.8 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 106 50.2 6 56 211 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) 1.65 2.84 123 88 58.2 %
Net migration 6,323 50,115 52 24 12.6 %
Population, total 574,346 10,569,709 170 92 5.43 %

Demography and Health

In 2023, Malta recorded a crude birth rate of 8.1 per 1,000 people compared to Sweden's higher 9.5, ranking 59th globally against Sweden's 28th. Concerning mortality, Malta's crude death rate stood at 7.3, slightly lower than Sweden's 9, placing Malta 73rd and Sweden 66th in rank. Life expectancy at birth in Malta is slightly higher at 83.5 years compared to Sweden's 83.3 years, which highlights the strong health services present in both countries. However, Malta has a higher under-5 mortality rate of 5.5 per 1,000 live births, whereas Sweden's value is significantly lower at 2.5. Additionally, both nations display a low prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5%. Notably, Malta has a net migration figure of 6,323, indicating substantial inward migration compared to Sweden's 50,115.

Economy

In 2024, Malta's GDP per capita is reported at $42,347, which is lower than Sweden's at $57,723, reflecting a broader economic disparity. However, in terms of GDP per capita on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, Malta is quite competitive with $67,364 compared to Sweden's $71,030. Malta's economy is significantly export-oriented, with exports of goods and services making up a staggering 123% of its GDP, vastly surpassing Sweden's 54.6%, evidencing its reliance on international markets. Inflation rates also favor Malta, with consumer prices rising by just 1.7% compared to Sweden's 2.8%. Employment levels appear to be more favorable in Malta, with an unemployment rate of 3.1% compared to Sweden's 7.6%.

Trade and Investment

Malta's foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are impressively high at 175% of GDP, showcasing its attractiveness for international investments, especially compared to Sweden's 4.4%. This dynamic reflects Malta's strategy as a favorable business environment for investors. An assessment of their current account balances also reveals Mali's 5.7% and Sweden's 7.4%, indicating robust economic positions for both nations with favorable trade scenarios. Nevertheless, there is a significant lag in Malta's high-technology exports, totaling $1.2 billion, starkly contrasting Sweden’s $25.2 billion, demonstrating a need for Malta to evolve its technological sectors.

Governance and Institutions

Regarding governance, Sweden significantly outperforms Malta across various indices. In the Control of Corruption index, Sweden scores 2 compared to Malta's lackluster score of 0.1. Similarly, Government Effectiveness marks Sweden at 1.6 against Malta’s 0.4, indicating a more robust governmental structure and public administration in Sweden. Both countries exhibit differing levels of political stability and the absence of violence, with Malta scoring 0.9 and Sweden 0.8, suggesting a relative stability for both. However, regulatory quality favors Sweden at 1.7 compared to 0.7 in Malta, emphasizing a more effective legislative framework in Sweden.

Infrastructure and Technology

When examining infrastructure, Sweden maintains a higher Logistics Performance Index score of 4.2, surpassing Malta's 3.7, illustrating more effective trade and transport-related infrastructure. Internet usage is relatively high in both countries, with 92.1% in Malta compared to 95.7% in Sweden, indicative of a highly connected populace. Relevance in advancements is highlighted through patent applications, where Sweden leads with 1,771 applications versus Malta's 5, demonstrating stronger innovation and research capacities within the Swedish framework.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental sustainability indicators display stark differences between the two nations. Sweden excels significantly with renewable energy consumption at 57.9%, while Malta lags at just 8.6%. While Malta faces substantial water stress, utilizing 78.3% of its freshwater resources, Sweden operates at a far more sustainable 3.6%. Despite both countries having similar total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, with Malta at 3.7 tonnes and Sweden slightly higher at 4.7 tonnes, the focus on sustainability and environmental health is evidently stronger in Sweden, particularly when paired with its commitment to renewable energy initiatives. Thus, while both countries have their strengths, Sweden overall displays a more integrated approach to sustainability and environmental governance.