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Economy of Bangladesh vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bangladesh has a GDP of $450B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 36/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $184B in government debt (41% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Bangladesh vs Malawi GDP by year

Bangladesh
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Malawi
2024 $450,119,432,069 $11,316,411,329
2023 $437,415,333,018 $13,363,669,673
2022 $460,131,689,083 $12,429,059,928
2021 $416,271,647,911 $12,378,119,199
2020 $373,979,442,362 $11,769,313,598
2019 $351,231,654,604 $11,051,852,713
2018 $321,362,752,442 $9,879,220,354
2017 $293,732,446,625 $8,943,543,794
2016 $265,224,515,675 $7,909,868,618
2015 $195,146,608,978 $9,219,474,379
2014 $172,886,611,654 $8,801,326,169
2013 $149,998,957,434 $8,031,571,928
2012 $133,310,747,603 $8,773,203,178
2011 $128,607,482,310 $11,648,142,958
2010 $115,275,540,051 $10,128,323,011
2009 $102,475,158,191 $9,009,887,947
2008 $91,636,997,371 $7,743,617,352
2007 $79,611,644,975 $6,451,210,219
2006 $71,795,736,172 $5,818,279,739
2005 $69,476,001,239 $5,320,409,651
2004 $65,108,544,250 $5,058,726,350
2003 $60,158,929,188 $4,669,789,300
2002 $54,724,081,491 $5,087,328,438
2001 $53,991,289,844 $2,498,008,665
2000 $53,369,787,319 $2,537,307,580
1999 $51,270,569,884 $2,584,478,924
1998 $49,984,559,471 $2,547,609,590
1997 $48,244,309,133 $3,875,785,863
1996 $46,438,484,108 $3,319,573,750
1995 $37,939,748,769 $2,033,701,498
1994 $33,768,660,883 $1,719,864,761
1993 $33,166,519,418 $3,013,392,658
1992 $31,708,874,594 $2,618,837,835
1991 $30,957,483,950 $3,206,783,830
1990 $31,598,340,778 $2,737,087,862
1989 $28,781,715,189 $2,314,205,130
1988 $26,579,005,558 $2,008,189,508
1987 $24,298,032,258 $1,721,711,808
1986 $21,774,033,333 $1,722,586,299
1985 $22,278,423,077 $1,646,442,273
1984 $18,920,840,000 $1,758,028,656
1983 $17,609,048,822 $1,780,148,049
1982 $18,525,399,202 $1,717,379,495
1981 $20,249,694,002 $1,801,193,910
1980 $18,138,049,096 $1,801,156,775
1979 $15,565,480,322 -
1978 $13,281,767,143 -
1977 $9,651,149,302 -
1976 $10,117,113,333 -
1975 $19,448,348,073 -
1974 $12,512,460,520 -
1973 $8,086,725,729 -
1972 $6,288,245,867 -
1971 $8,751,843,188 -
1970 $8,992,722,167 -
1969 $8,471,006,438 -
1968 $7,483,685,771 -
1967 $7,253,575,688 -
1966 $6,439,687,854 -
1965 $5,906,636,792 -
1964 $5,386,054,833 -
1963 $5,319,458,563 -
1962 $5,081,413,542 -
1961 $4,817,580,375 -
1960 $4,274,894,083 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Malawi by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $523 $1,858
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $633 $1,830
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $604 $1,778
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $617 $1,688
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $603 $1,513
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $581 $1,450
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $533 $1,364
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $496 $1,380
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $451 $1,410
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $540 $1,403
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $530 $1,506
2013 $958 $3,691 $497 $1,558
2012 $860 $3,434 $558 $1,464
2011 $837 $3,051 $763 $1,516
2010 $757 $2,834 $683 $1,458
2009 $679 $2,675 $626 $1,388
2008 $613 $2,555 $554 $1,311
2007 $538 $2,388 $475 $1,231
2006 $490 $2,195 $441 $1,124
2005 $480 $2,020 $414 $1,071
2004 $456 $1,862 $405 $1,033
2003 $427 $1,746 $383 $979
2002 $394 $1,659 $428 $931
2001 $395 $1,598 $215.5 $924
2000 $397 $1,512 $224.2 $974
1999 $388 $1,430 $233.9 $961
1998 $386 $1,373 $236 $941
1997 $379 $1,315 $367 $915
1996 $372 $1,261 $321 $884
1995 $309 $1,206 $200.4 $825
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $169.2 $692
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $293 $746
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $258.4 $674
1991 $272.1 $987 $326 $732
1990 $283.1 $941 $286.7 $672
1989 $263 - $252.2 -
1988 $247.9 - $229.4 -
1987 $231.5 - $207.6 -
1986 $212.1 - $217.9 -
1985 $222.2 - $216.1 -
1984 $193.4 - $239.7 -
1983 $184.7 - $252.4 -
1982 $199.6 - $253.3 -
1981 $224.2 - $276.4 -
1980 $206.1 - $287.5 -
1979 $181.1 - - -
1978 $158.3 - - -
1977 $117.9 - - -
1976 $126.7 - - -
1975 $249.8 - - -
1974 $165 - - -
1973 $109.7 - - -
1972 $87.8 - - -
1971 $124.5 - - -
1970 $130.2 - - -
1969 $125.9 - - -
1968 $114.4 - - -
1967 $114.2 - - -
1966 $104.4 - - -
1965 $98.6 - - -
1964 $92.6 - - -
1963 $94.1 - - -
1962 $92.6 - - -
1961 $90.4 - - -
1960 $82.5 - - -

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

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

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,593, ranking 146/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Malawi
Gross domestic product
$450B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
36/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
4.22%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,593
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
146/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$184B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,063
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
139/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,222
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$87.9B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.7%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
15.4%
2024
Population
178415186
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12% 41% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 13% 37.9% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 13.6% 32% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 13% 29.6% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 21% 40%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 17% 20%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 10.6% 33% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 9.63% 35% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 10.2% 37% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 10.7% 37.1% - -
2000 9.76% 31.2% - -
1999 8.66% 32.7% - -
1998 9.82% 31.1% - -
1997 9.89% 29.1% - -
1996 9.79% 31% - -
1995 10.5% 32.9% - -
1994 10% 35.5% - -
1993 9.74% 34.1% - -
1992 8.8% 33.1% - -
1991 8.86% 31.8% - -
1990 9.14% 31.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bangladesh's government spending was $54.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41% in Bangladesh and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 131/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Malawi
2024 -3.69% -11%
2023 -4.39% -7.84%
2022 -4.53% -9.32%
2021 -3.56% -8.34%
2020 -4.84% -8.03%
2019 -5.41% -4.55%
2018 -4.07% -4.35%
2017 -4.17% -5.15%
2016 -3.16% -4.9%
2015 -3.29% -4.17%
2014 -2.62% -3.08%
2013 -2.86% -3.73%
2012 -2.56% -1.45%
2011 -2.96% -2.85%
2010 -2.23% 0.63%
2009 -2.68% -2.97%
2008 -3.36% -2.92%
2007 -1.86% -2.56%
2006 -2.15% -0.05%
2005 -2.4% -1.63%
2004 -2.21% -2.61%
2003 -1.96% -2.6%
2002 -2.3% -4.47%
2001 -3.44% -
2000 -2.5% -
1999 -1.35% -
1998 -2.2% -
1997 -1.94% -
1996 -2.01% -
1995 -0.38% -
1994 0.03% -
1993 0.43% -
1992 0.36% -
1991 0.44% -
1990 -0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.6B, equivalent to 3.69% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Malawi
2024 9.7% 32.2%
2023 9% 28.8%
2022 6.1% 20.8%
2021 5.6% 9.3%
2020 5.6% 8.6%
2019 5.5% 9.4%
2018 5.8% 9.2%
2017 5.4% 11.5%
2016 5.9% 21.7%
2015 6.4% 21.9%
2014 7.3% 23.8%
2013 6.8% 28.3%
2012 8.9% 21.3%
2011 8.8% 7.6%
2010 7.3% 7.4%
2009 6.7% 8.4%
2008 9.9% 8.7%
2007 7.2% 7.9%
2006 7.2% 13.9%
2005 6.5% 15.5%
2004 8.1% 11.4%
2003 3.9% 9.6%
2002 2.4% 14.7%
2001 1.8% 22.7%
2000 3.6% 29.6%
1999 8.9% 44.8%
1998 6.7% 29.8%
1997 2.7% 9.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 9.7% in Bangladesh and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $68K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $617K
Wood & paper products $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Malawi
Current account balance
$1.43B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.32%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$63.8B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$12.3B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$7.47B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.3%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.5%
2024
11.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Bangladesh Malawi
Economic freedom 54.8 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 159/197
Property rights 32.1 49.5
Government integrity 22.7 35
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 51.8
Tax burden 79.9 77
Government spending 95.3 77.8
Fiscal health 68.4 4.7
Business freedom 52.7 34.1
Labor freedom 50.5 55.2
Monetary freedom 65.8 55.1
Trade freedom 63 68.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Malawi
2026 54.8 50.7
2025 54.7 50.9
2024 54.4 52.1
2023 54.4 52.8
2022 52.7 53
2021 56.5 53
2020 56.4 52.8
2019 55.6 51.4
2018 55.1 52
2017 55 52.2
2016 53.3 51.8
2015 53.9 54.8
2014 54.1 55.4
2013 52.6 55.3
2012 53.2 56.4
2011 53 55.8
2010 51.1 54.1
2009 47.5 53.7
2008 44.2 52.7
2007 46.7 52.9
2006 52.9 55.4
2005 47.5 53.6
2004 50 53.6
2003 49.3 53.2
2002 51.9 56.9
2001 51.2 56.2
2000 48.9 57.4
1999 50 54
1998 52 54.1
1997 49.9 53.4
1996 51.1 56.2
1995 40.9 54.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, 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

Bangladesh Malawi
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.1%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.2%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$490B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,060
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$21.4B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
61/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.49B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.31B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
14.5%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2015–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.