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Economy of Australia vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Australia has a GDP of $1.8T compared to $14.9B for Malawi, ranking 15/197 and 148/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $918B in government debt (51% of GDP), compared to $11.7B (78.4% of GDP) in Malawi.

Australia vs Malawi GDP by year

Australia
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Malawi
2025 $1,798,518,933,689 $14,918,276,698
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $11,311,971,400
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $13,363,669,673
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $12,429,059,928
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $12,378,119,199
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $11,769,313,598
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $11,051,852,713
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $9,879,220,354
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $8,943,543,794
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $7,909,868,618
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $9,219,474,379
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $8,801,326,169
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $8,031,571,928
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $8,773,203,178
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $11,648,142,958
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $10,128,323,011
2009 $931,761,689,771 $9,009,887,947
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $7,743,617,352
2007 $856,603,595,823 $6,451,210,219
2006 $749,708,370,333 $5,818,279,739
2005 $696,811,489,613 $5,320,409,651
2004 $615,643,050,221 $5,058,726,350
2003 $468,517,181,130 $4,669,789,300
2002 $396,436,967,263 $5,087,328,438
2001 $380,360,222,861 $2,498,008,665
2000 $416,901,962,163 $2,537,307,580
1999 $390,347,787,943 $2,584,478,924
1998 $400,361,527,505 $2,547,609,590
1997 $436,321,902,767 $3,875,785,863
1996 $401,962,517,479 $3,319,573,750
1995 $368,725,126,225 $2,033,701,498
1994 $323,269,456,935 $1,719,864,761
1993 $312,568,858,910 $3,013,392,658
1992 $325,982,966,981 $2,618,837,835
1991 $326,416,407,861 $3,206,783,830
1990 $311,840,666,465 $2,737,087,862
1989 $300,264,309,002 $2,314,205,130
1988 $236,461,079,970 $2,008,189,508
1987 $189,726,707,253 $1,721,711,808
1986 $182,707,050,923 $1,722,586,299
1985 $180,861,108,959 $1,646,442,273
1984 $193,749,932,078 $1,758,028,656
1983 $177,523,719,680 $1,780,148,049
1982 $194,323,071,831 $1,717,379,495
1981 $177,151,979,566 $1,801,193,910
1980 $150,200,557,103 $1,801,156,775
1979 $135,093,718,051 -
1978 $118,660,813,780 -
1977 $110,504,702,914 -
1976 $105,209,354,856 -
1975 $97,440,939,506 -
1974 $89,086,219,602 -
1973 $63,923,126,201 -
1972 $52,117,990,654 -
1971 $45,283,847,245 -
1970 $41,395,206,623 -
1969 $36,738,245,878 -
1968 $32,763,365,242 -
1967 $30,487,524,878 -
1966 $27,349,284,376 -
1965 $26,014,244,162 -
1964 $23,835,843,814 -
1963 $21,573,443,452 -
1962 $19,953,923,193 -
1961 $19,713,123,154 -
1960 $18,635,682,982 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malawi | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Malawi by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $65,130 - $672 -
2024 $64,610 $72,111 $522 $1,858
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $633 $1,830
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $604 $1,778
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $617 $1,688
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $603 $1,513
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $581 $1,450
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $533 $1,364
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $496 $1,380
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $451 $1,410
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $540 $1,403
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $530 $1,506
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $497 $1,558
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $558 $1,464
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $763 $1,516
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $683 $1,458
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $626 $1,388
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $554 $1,311
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $475 $1,231
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $441 $1,124
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $414 $1,071
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $405 $1,033
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $383 $979
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $428 $931
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $215.5 $924
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $224.2 $974
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $233.9 $961
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $236 $941
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $367 $915
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $321 $884
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $200.4 $825
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $169.2 $692
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $293 $746
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $258.4 $674
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $326 $732
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $286.7 $672
1989 $17,858 - $252.2 -
1988 $14,303 - $229.4 -
1987 $11,666 - $207.6 -
1986 $11,406 - $217.9 -
1985 $11,455 - $216.1 -
1984 $12,436 - $239.7 -
1983 $11,532 - $252.4 -
1982 $12,798 - $253.3 -
1981 $11,871 - $276.4 -
1980 $10,223 - $287.5 -
1979 $9,308 - - -
1978 $8,264 - - -
1977 $7,786 - - -
1976 $7,497 - - -
1975 $7,014 - - -
1974 $6,492 - - -
1973 $4,778 - - -
1972 $3,955 - - -
1971 $3,500 - - -
1970 $3,310 - - -
1969 $2,996 - - -
1968 $2,728 - - -
1967 $2,584 - - -
1966 $2,347 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,134 - - -
1963 $1,970 - - -
1962 $1,858 - - -
1961 $1,880 - - -
1960 $1,813 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malawi | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $65,130, ranking 14/197, compared to $672 in Malawi, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Australia Malawi
Gross domestic product
$1.8T
2025
$14.9B
2025
GDP rank
15/197
2025
148/197
2025
GDP growth
1.35%
2024-2025
1.89%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$65,130
2025
$672
2025
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2025
190/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$918B
2025
$11.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51%
2025
78.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$33,239
2025
$526
2025
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2025
166/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$50,637
2026
$1,255
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.05T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,634,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.9%
2020
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.5%
2025
30.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2024-2025
28.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.35%
2026
24%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.2%
2025
15.4%
2024
Population
28010980
23086106

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.5% 51% 30.6% 78.4%
2024 38.7% 50.6% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 37.4% 49.4% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 37.4% 50% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 41.7% 55.4% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 44.3% 56.9% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 38.8% 46.5% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 36.7% 41.6% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 36.6% 41% 21% 40%
2016 37.1% 40.5% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 37.1% 37.6% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 36.6% 33.9% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 36.2% 30.3% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 36.4% 27.4% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 36.2% 24% 17% 20%
2010 36.8% 20.3% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 37.6% 16.6% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 35% 11.7% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 34.2% 9.65% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 34.5% 9.92% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 34.5% 10.8% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 34.9% 15% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 35.6% 17.1% - -
2000 35.1% 19.5% - -
1999 36.2% 22.5% - -
1998 34.6% 23.7% - -
1997 32.8% 25.9% - -
1996 33.5% 29.3% - -
1995 33.6% 31.1% - -
1994 33.7% 31.7% - -
1993 34.1% 30.6% - -
1992 34% 27.6% - -
1991 33% 21.6% - -
1990 30.4% 16.4% - -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malawi | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government spending was $710B, accounting for 39.5% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $4.56B, or 30.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51% in Australia and 78.4% in Malawi, ranking 104/185 and 47/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Malawi
2025 -2.78% -11.5%
2024 -2.25% -11%
2023 -1.26% -7.84%
2022 -2.21% -9.32%
2021 -6.35% -8.34%
2020 -8.7% -8.03%
2019 -4.39% -4.55%
2018 -1.25% -4.35%
2017 -1.71% -5.15%
2016 -2.41% -4.9%
2015 -2.78% -4.17%
2014 -2.91% -3.08%
2013 -2.8% -3.73%
2012 -3.5% -1.45%
2011 -4.51% -2.85%
2010 -5.1% 0.63%
2009 -4.55% -2.97%
2008 -1.1% -2.92%
2007 1.47% -2.56%
2006 1.77% -0.05%
2005 1.7% -1.63%
2004 1.32% -2.61%
2003 1.05% -2.6%
2002 0.19% -4.47%
2001 -0.03% -
2000 1.25% -
1999 0.66% -
1998 -0.25% -
1997 -0.49% -
1996 -1.45% -
1995 -2.6% -
1994 -3.79% -
1993 -4.72% -
1992 -4.74% -
1991 -2.78% -
1990 -0.23% -
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malawi | CC BY

In 2025, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $50B, equivalent to 2.78% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.71B, or 11.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.56% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Malawi
2025 2.87% 28.4%
2024 3.17% 32.2%
2023 5.6% 28.8%
2022 6.59% 20.8%
2021 2.86% 9.3%
2020 0.85% 8.6%
2019 1.61% 9.4%
2018 1.91% 9.2%
2017 1.95% 11.5%
2016 1.28% 21.7%
2015 1.51% 21.9%
2014 2.49% 23.8%
2013 2.45% 28.3%
2012 1.76% 21.3%
2011 3.3% 7.6%
2010 2.92% 7.4%
2009 1.77% 8.4%
2008 4.35% 8.7%
2007 2.33% 7.9%
2006 3.56% 13.9%
2005 2.69% 15.5%
2004 2.34% 11.4%
2003 2.73% 9.6%
2002 2.98% 14.7%
2001 4.41% 22.7%
2000 4.46% 29.6%
1999 1.48% 44.8%
1998 0.86% 29.8%
1997 0.22% 9.1%

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/australia/malawi | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.67%, compared with 17.8% in Malawi. In 2025, inflation was 2.87% in Australia and 28.4% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $35.2M
Machinery & equipment $552K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $156K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Metals $19K
Chemicals & pharma $13K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Miscellaneous $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $291K
Machinery & equipment $27K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Australia Malawi
Current account balance
-$48.2B
2025
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2025
143/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.68%
2025
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$309B
2025
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$337B
2025
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$116B
2025
$895M
2024
Service exports
$91.6B
2025
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.7%
2025
28.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
10.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Malawi
Economic freedom 80.1 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 159/197
Property rights 88.2 49.5
Government integrity 88.1 35
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 51.8
Tax burden 61.8 77
Government spending 56.6 77.8
Fiscal health 89 4.7
Business freedom 92.3 34.1
Labor freedom 61.5 55.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 55.1
Trade freedom 89.8 68.6
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Malawi
2026 80.1 50.7
2025 79.3 50.9
2024 76.2 52.1
2023 74.8 52.8
2022 77.7 53
2021 82.4 53
2020 82.6 52.8
2019 80.9 51.4
2018 80.9 52
2017 81 52.2
2016 80.3 51.8
2015 81.4 54.8
2014 82 55.4
2013 82.6 55.3
2012 83.1 56.4
2011 82.5 55.8
2010 82.6 54.1
2009 82.6 53.7
2008 82.2 52.7
2007 81.1 52.9
2006 79.9 55.4
2005 79 53.6
2004 77.9 53.6
2003 77.4 53.2
2002 77.3 56.9
2001 77.4 56.2
2000 77.1 57.4
1999 76.4 54
1998 75.6 54.1
1997 75.5 53.4
1996 74 56.2
1995 74.1 54.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/malawi | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 50.7 for Malawi, ranking 159/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Malawi
Services, % of GDP
67.5%
2025
48.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
30%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.77T
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,930
2025
$1,880
2025
Total reserves including gold
$72.6B
2025
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
37/177
2025
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$41.1B
2025
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.7B
2024
$258M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
15.7%
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/australia/malawi | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.