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Economy of Brazil vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Brazil has a GDP of $2.19T compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 10/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Brazil has $1.91T in government debt (87.3% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Brazil vs Malawi GDP by year

Brazil
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Brazil Malawi
2024 $2,185,821,648,944 $11,316,411,329
2023 $2,191,131,869,706 $13,363,669,673
2022 $1,951,923,832,084 $12,429,059,928
2021 $1,670,647,464,063 $12,378,119,199
2020 $1,476,107,292,152 $11,769,313,598
2019 $1,873,288,158,839 $11,051,852,713
2018 $1,916,933,708,353 $9,879,220,354
2017 $2,063,514,688,806 $8,943,543,794
2016 $1,795,693,265,999 $7,909,868,618
2015 $1,802,211,999,456 $9,219,474,379
2014 $2,456,043,766,032 $8,801,326,169
2013 $2,472,819,362,044 $8,031,571,928
2012 $2,465,228,293,707 $8,773,203,178
2011 $2,616,156,606,579 $11,648,142,958
2010 $2,208,838,108,484 $10,128,323,011
2009 $1,666,996,294,252 $9,009,887,947
2008 $1,695,855,391,758 $7,743,617,352
2007 $1,397,114,247,189 $6,451,210,219
2006 $1,107,626,711,163 $5,818,279,739
2005 $891,633,826,625 $5,320,409,651
2004 $669,289,321,945 $5,058,726,350
2003 $558,233,724,165 $4,669,789,300
2002 $509,795,270,685 $5,087,328,438
2001 $559,983,704,094 $2,498,008,665
2000 $655,448,188,259 $2,537,307,580
1999 $599,642,075,004 $2,584,478,924
1998 $863,711,007,325 $2,547,609,590
1997 $883,206,452,795 $3,875,785,863
1996 $850,426,433,004 $3,319,573,750
1995 $769,333,330,412 $2,033,701,498
1994 $525,369,851,354 $1,719,864,761
1993 $368,295,778,245 $3,013,392,658
1992 $328,187,960,872 $2,618,837,835
1991 $342,609,231,343 $3,206,783,830
1990 $390,725,626,003 $2,737,087,862
1989 $412,990,820,287 $2,314,205,130
1988 $307,881,930,752 $2,008,189,508
1987 $283,056,836,894 $1,721,711,808
1986 $256,480,852,471 $1,722,586,299
1985 $210,879,844,639 $1,646,442,273
1984 $188,339,974,087 $1,758,028,656
1983 $189,656,506,321 $1,780,148,049
1982 $271,314,113,768 $1,717,379,495
1981 $258,015,174,749 $1,801,193,910
1980 $237,393,489,893 $1,801,156,775
1979 $221,338,204,480 -
1978 $200,278,646,124 -
1977 $176,344,101,402 -
1976 $153,168,949,208 -
1975 $129,203,555,239 -
1974 $109,794,519,728 -
1973 $83,592,275,863 -
1972 $58,434,858,375 -
1971 $48,869,830,902 -
1970 $42,327,664,794 -
1969 $37,171,640,819 -
1968 $33,930,457,425 -
1967 $31,086,389,195 -
1966 $28,283,323,733 -
1965 $22,465,522,884 -
1964 $20,963,733,695 -
1963 $23,287,712,878 -
1962 $19,231,747,852 -
1961 $17,275,940,449 -
1960 $17,030,465,539 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Brazil vs Malawi by year

Brazil
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Brazil Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,311 $22,338 $523 $1,858
2023 $10,378 $21,176 $633 $1,830
2022 $9,281 $19,877 $604 $1,778
2021 $7,973 $18,076 $617 $1,688
2020 $7,074 $16,102 $603 $1,513
2019 $9,030 $16,070 $581 $1,450
2018 $9,301 $15,464 $533 $1,364
2017 $10,081 $14,559 $496 $1,380
2016 $8,836 $14,309 $451 $1,410
2015 $8,936 $14,821 $540 $1,403
2014 $12,275 $15,827 $530 $1,506
2013 $12,459 $15,722 $497 $1,558
2012 $12,522 $15,198 $558 $1,464
2011 $13,397 $15,212 $763 $1,516
2010 $11,403 $14,452 $683 $1,458
2009 $8,679 $13,391 $626 $1,388
2008 $8,908 $13,445 $554 $1,311
2007 $7,410 $12,673 $475 $1,231
2006 $5,934 $11,751 $441 $1,124
2005 $4,828 $11,081 $414 $1,071
2004 $3,664 $10,526 $405 $1,033
2003 $3,091 $9,802 $383 $979
2002 $2,856 $9,617 $428 $931
2001 $3,176 $9,304 $215.5 $924
2000 $3,767 $9,092 $224.2 $974
1999 $3,494 $8,635 $233.9 $961
1998 $5,106 $8,599 $236 $941
1997 $5,299 $8,602 $367 $915
1996 $5,179 $8,301 $321 $884
1995 $4,757 $8,097 $200.4 $825
1994 $3,299 $7,727 $169.2 $692
1993 $2,349 $7,260 $293 $746
1992 $2,127 $6,869 $258.4 $674
1991 $2,258 $6,867 $326 $732
1990 $2,620 $6,688 $286.7 $672
1989 $2,819 - $252.2 -
1988 $2,141 - $229.4 -
1987 $2,006 - $207.6 -
1986 $1,854 - $217.9 -
1985 $1,556 - $216.1 -
1984 $1,420 - $239.7 -
1983 $1,461 - $252.4 -
1982 $2,138 - $253.3 -
1981 $2,080 - $276.4 -
1980 $1,959 - $287.5 -
1979 $1,870 - - -
1978 $1,733 - - -
1977 $1,562 - - -
1976 $1,390 - - -
1975 $1,201 - - -
1974 $1,045 - - -
1973 $815 - - -
1972 $583 - - -
1971 $500 - - -
1970 $444 - - -
1969 $399 - - -
1968 $374 - - -
1967 $351 - - -
1966 $328 - - -
1965 $268 - - -
1964 $257.3 - - -
1963 $294.2 - - -
1962 $250.2 - - -
1961 $231.6 - - -
1960 $235.3 - - -

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

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

Brazil's GDP per capita is $10,311, ranking 85/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Brazil ranks 88th at $22,338, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Brazil Malawi
Gross domestic product
$2.19T
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
10/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
3.42%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,311
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
85/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,338
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
88/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$1.91T
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.3%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,999
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
60/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,263
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$659B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
433,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
56
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
40.8%
2023
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.3%
2023
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.7%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.4%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2025
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.8%
2024
15.4%
2024
Population
213824938
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Brazil
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Brazil Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 45.7% 87.3% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 45.3% 84% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 43.4% 83.9% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 40.4% 88.9% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 46.2% 96% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 43% 87.1% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 44.2% 84.8% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 44.3% 82.7% 21% 40%
2016 45.5% 77.4% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 46.2% 71.7% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 41.4% 61.6% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 39.8% 59.6% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 39.3% 61.6% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 39.4% 60.6% 17% 20%
2010 39.5% 62.4% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 40.5% 64.7% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 39.9% 61.4% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 40.4% 63% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 42.6% 64.6% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 41.9% 67% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 39.7% 68% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 41.3% 71.5% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 44.5% 76.1% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 39.8% 67.3% - -
2000 34.5% 62.2% - -
1999 39.6% 44.5% - -
1998 40.9% 38.9% - -
1997 38.6% 31.8% - -
1996 38.2% 30.7% - -
1995 - 28% - -
1994 - 30% - -
1993 - 32.6% - -
1992 - 37.1% - -
1991 - 38.1% - -
1990 - 40.6% - -
1989 - 40.2% - -
1988 - 46.9% - -
1987 - 50.3% - -
1986 11.7% 49.4% - -
1985 11.1% 52.6% - -
1984 10% 55.8% - -
1983 9.7% 51.5% - -
1982 8.1% 32.8% - -
1981 7.8% 34.6% - -
1980 6.8% 39.7% - -
1979 9% 36.6% - -
1978 10.2% 37% - -
1977 10.4% 31% - -
1976 10.6% 31.8% - -
1975 10.7% 27.7% - -
1974 10.5% 25.7% - -
1973 11% 22.4% - -
1972 12.6% 22.5% - -
1971 11.7% 17.9% - -
1970 11.4% 17% - -
1969 11.2% 16.5% - -
1968 14.4% 15.8% - -
1967 13.5% 13.8% - -
1966 14.6% 19.6% - -
1965 14% 17.6% - -
1964 25.4% 22.2% - -
1963 22.8% 20.4% - -
1962 23.1% 23.7% - -
1961 12% 25.7% - -
1960 13.7% 22.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brazil's government spending was $998B, accounting for 45.7% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.3% in Brazil and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 38/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Brazil

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Brazil Malawi
2024 -6.19% -11%
2023 -7.71% -7.84%
2022 -3.96% -9.32%
2021 -2.63% -8.34%
2020 -11.6% -8.03%
2019 -4.86% -4.55%
2018 -6.99% -4.35%
2017 -7.97% -5.15%
2016 -7.99% -4.9%
2015 -9.28% -4.17%
2014 -6.27% -3.08%
2013 -3.42% -3.73%
2012 -2.35% -1.45%
2011 -2.74% -2.85%
2010 -3.55% 0.63%
2009 -4.23% -2.97%
2008 -2.39% -2.92%
2007 -2.66% -2.56%
2006 -4.87% -0.05%
2005 -3.36% -1.63%
2004 -2.95% -2.61%
2003 -5.4% -2.6%
2002 -4.15% -4.47%
2001 -3.47% -
2000 -3.32% -
1999 -5.17% -
1998 -7.22% -
1997 -5.6% -
1996 -5.35% -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 -1.6% -
1985 -1.3% -
1984 -0.4% -
1983 0.1% -
1982 1.4% -
1981 1% -
1980 2.5% -
1979 0.4% -
1978 -0.1% -
1977 0.1% -
1976 0.1% -
1975 0% -
1974 0.6% -
1973 0.1% -
1972 -0.1% -
1971 -0.3% -
1970 -0.4% -
1969 -0.6% -
1968 -1.6% -
1967 -2.1% -
1966 -1.3% -
1965 -2% -
1964 -8.79% -
1963 -5.78% -
1962 -6.82% -
1961 -2.93% -
1960 -3.85% -
1959 -0.18% -
1958 -0.76% -
1957 -0.29% -
1956 -0.14% -
1955 -0.62% -
1954 -0.49% -
1953 -1.26% -
1952 0.64% -
1951 0.87% -
1950 -1.58% -
1949 -1.22% -
1948 0.002% -
1947 0.25% -
1946 -1.78% -
1945 -2.87% -
1944 -2.37% -
1943 -0.75% -
1942 -2.55% -
1941 -2.15% -
1940 -1.13% -
1939 -1.2% -
1938 -0.59% -
1937 -1.62% -
1936 -0.27% -
1935 -0.5% -
1934 -2.28% -
1933 -1.56% -
1932 -6.47% -
1931 -1.56% -
1930 -3.58% -
1929 -0.09% -
1928 0.57% -
1927 0.12% -
1926 -0.76% -
1925 -0.07% -
1924 -0.45% -
1923 -1.94% -
1922 -3.8% -
1921 -2.98% -
1920 -3.11% -
1919 -3.69% -
1918 -4.51% -
1917 -4.8% -
1916 -4.35% -
1915 -6.33% -
1914 -7.32% -
1913 -1.91% -
1912 -3.05% -
1911 -2.15% -
1910 -2.06% -
1909 -1.62% -
1908 -1.89% -
1907 0.38% -
1906 0.28% -
1905 0.96% -
1904 -0.62% -
1903 1.79% -
1902 1.59% -
1901 -2.46% -
1900 -5.57% -
1899 -2.13% -
1898 -14% -
1897 -2.38% -
1896 -0.79% -
1895 -1.33% -
1894 -4.11% -
1893 -1.77% -
1892 -2.6% -
1891 0.51% -
1890 -3.02% -
1889 -3.79% -
1888 0.63% -
1887 -0.76% -
1886 -3.8% -
1885 -5.71% -
1884 -3.89% -
1883 -3.33% -
1882 -1.58% -
1881 -1.9% -
1880 -4.84% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Brazil's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $135B, equivalent to 6.19% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Brazil recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Brazil posted an annual deficit equal to 5.11% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Brazil

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Brazil Malawi
2024 4.4% 32.2%
2023 4.6% 28.8%
2022 9.3% 20.8%
2021 8.3% 9.3%
2020 3.2% 8.6%
2019 3.7% 9.4%
2018 3.7% 9.2%
2017 3.4% 11.5%
2016 8.7% 21.7%
2015 9% 21.9%
2014 6.3% 23.8%
2013 6.2% 28.3%
2012 5.4% 21.3%
2011 6.6% 7.6%
2010 5% 7.4%
2009 4.9% 8.4%
2008 5.7% 8.7%
2007 3.6% 7.9%
2006 4.2% 13.9%
2005 6.9% 15.5%
2004 6.6% 11.4%
2003 14.7% 9.6%
2002 8.4% 14.7%
2001 6.8% 22.7%
2000 7% 29.6%
1999 4.9% 44.8%
1998 3.2% 29.8%
1997 6.9% 9.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Brazil has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.13%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 4.4% in Brazil and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Brazil
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.32M
Textiles & consumer goods $558K
Machinery & equipment $435K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $423K
Raw agricultural goods $91K
Metals $66K
Chemicals & pharma $36K
Wood & paper products $35K
Weapons & explosives $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Brazil Malawi
Current account balance
-$66.2B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
188/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.03%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$274B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$340B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$103B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$48.1B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.9%
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.

Brazil Malawi
Economic freedom 52.4 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 148/197 159/197
Property rights 49.2 49.5
Government integrity 37.2 35
Judicial effectiveness 55.6 51.8
Tax burden 70.6 77
Government spending 39.8 77.8
Fiscal health 28 4.7
Business freedom 65.7 34.1
Labor freedom 57 55.2
Monetary freedom 76 55.1
Trade freedom 69 68.6
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Brazil
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Brazil Malawi
2026 52.4 50.7
2025 55.1 50.9
2024 53.2 52.1
2023 53.5 52.8
2022 53.3 53
2021 53.4 53
2020 53.7 52.8
2019 51.9 51.4
2018 51.4 52
2017 52.9 52.2
2016 56.5 51.8
2015 56.6 54.8
2014 56.9 55.4
2013 57.7 55.3
2012 57.9 56.4
2011 56.3 55.8
2010 55.6 54.1
2009 56.7 53.7
2008 56.2 52.7
2007 56.2 52.9
2006 60.9 55.4
2005 61.7 53.6
2004 62 53.6
2003 63.4 53.2
2002 61.5 56.9
2001 61.9 56.2
2000 61.1 57.4
1999 61.3 54
1998 52.3 54.1
1997 52.6 53.4
1996 48.1 56.2
1995 51.4 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Brazil is 52.4, ranking 148/197, 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

Brazil Malawi
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.75%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.11T
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,590
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$330B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
11/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$47.8B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$74.1B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$26.3B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.4%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
4.2%
2020
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
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/brazil/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.