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Economy of Cambodia vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cambodia has a GDP of $46.4B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 97/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cambodia has $12B in government debt (25.9% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Cambodia vs Malawi GDP by year

Cambodia
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cambodia Malawi
2024 $46,352,647,037 $11,316,411,329
2023 $42,335,646,896 $13,363,669,673
2022 $39,994,532,960 $12,429,059,928
2021 $36,790,163,687 $12,378,119,199
2020 $34,818,073,901 $11,769,313,598
2019 $36,685,356,408 $11,051,852,713
2018 $33,145,892,169 $9,879,220,354
2017 $29,355,665,910 $8,943,543,794
2016 $26,556,545,153 $7,909,868,618
2015 $24,174,170,369 $9,219,474,379
2014 $22,041,463,968 $8,801,326,169
2013 $19,807,135,253 $8,031,571,928
2012 $17,826,536,700 $8,773,203,178
2011 $16,032,622,024 $11,648,142,958
2010 $13,808,673,288 $10,128,323,011
2009 $12,502,901,170 $9,009,887,947
2008 $12,174,303,999 $7,743,617,352
2007 $10,127,916,460 $6,451,210,219
2006 $8,350,531,017 $5,818,279,739
2005 $7,066,296,463 $5,320,409,651
2004 $5,883,297,160 $5,058,726,350
2003 $5,046,693,484 $4,669,789,300
2002 $4,501,227,627 $5,087,328,438
2001 $4,145,665,970 $2,498,008,665
2000 $3,694,168,979 $2,537,307,580
1999 $3,517,242,477 $2,584,478,924
1998 $3,120,425,503 $2,547,609,590
1997 $3,443,413,389 $3,875,785,863
1996 $3,506,695,720 $3,319,573,750
1995 $3,441,205,693 $2,033,701,498
1994 $2,791,435,272 $1,719,864,761
1993 $2,533,727,592 $3,013,392,658
1992 $2,491,486,594 $2,618,837,835
1991 $2,054,974,089 $3,206,783,830
1990 $1,402,541,177 $2,737,087,862
1989 $1,353,137,648 $2,314,205,130
1988 $1,662,877,859 $2,008,189,508
1987 $1,036,974,910 $1,721,711,808
1986 $1,167,630,318 $1,722,586,299
1985 $1,102,669,184 $1,646,442,273
1984 $1,021,176,059 $1,758,028,656
1983 $939,291,262 $1,780,148,049
1982 $865,516,040 $1,717,379,495
1981 $815,153,652 $1,801,193,910
1980 $744,384,130 $1,801,156,775
1979 $723,738,503 -
1978 $766,642,356 -
1977 $716,261,764 -
1976 $790,357,255 -
1975 $749,129,748 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cambodia vs Malawi by year

Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cambodia Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,628 $7,967 $523 $1,858
2023 $2,430 $7,431 $633 $1,830
2022 $2,325 $6,919 $604 $1,778
2021 $2,167 $6,226 $617 $1,688
2020 $2,082 $5,942 $603 $1,513
2019 $2,226 $6,154 $581 $1,450
2018 $2,037 $5,617 $533 $1,364
2017 $1,826 $5,050 $496 $1,380
2016 $1,675 $4,748 $451 $1,410
2015 $1,547 $4,434 $540 $1,403
2014 $1,432 $4,118 $530 $1,506
2013 $1,306 $3,891 $497 $1,558
2012 $1,193 $3,583 $558 $1,464
2011 $1,089 $3,223 $763 $1,516
2010 $952 $2,989 $683 $1,458
2009 $876 $2,854 $626 $1,388
2008 $866 $2,769 $554 $1,311
2007 $732 $2,566 $475 $1,231
2006 $612 $2,297 $441 $1,124
2005 $526 $2,038 $414 $1,071
2004 $444 $1,770 $405 $1,033
2003 $387 $1,598 $383 $979
2002 $350 $1,442 $428 $931
2001 $328 $1,357 $215.5 $924
2000 $296.4 $1,256 $224.2 $974
1999 $286.8 $1,134 $233.9 $961
1998 $258.8 $1,009 $236 $941
1997 $297.6 $994 $367 $915
1996 $325 $1,006 $321 $884
1995 $343 $1,006 $200.4 $825
1994 $302 $972 $169.2 $692
1993 $294.1 $1,565 $293 $746
1992 $307 $1,560 $258.4 $674
1991 $267.3 $1,504 $326 $732
1990 $190.2 $1,410 $286.7 $672
1989 $191.3 - $252.2 -
1988 $244.1 - $229.4 -
1987 $158.1 - $207.6 -
1986 $185.8 - $217.9 -
1985 $182.4 - $216.1 -
1984 $174.7 - $239.7 -
1983 $166.7 - $252.4 -
1982 $159.2 - $253.3 -
1981 $154.3 - $276.4 -
1980 $143.2 - $287.5 -
1979 $142.2 - - -
1978 $147.1 - - -
1977 $126.4 - - -
1976 $128.8 - - -
1975 $113.8 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cambodia's GDP per capita is $2,628, ranking 145/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Cambodia Malawi
Gross domestic product
$46.4B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
97/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
5.98%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,628
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
145/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,967
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
142/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$12B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.9%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$681
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,258
2026
$3,031
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.9%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
0.26%
2023
15.4%
2024
Population
18113986
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cambodia
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cambodia Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.3% 25.9% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 19.1% 26.3% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 18.7% 25.5% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 21% 25.9% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 20.3% 25.2% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 17.6% 20.8% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 16.1% 21.1% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 16.2% 22.6% 21% 40%
2016 15.2% 21.8% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 14.5% 23.3% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 16.5% 24.2% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 16.4% 24.4% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 17.1% 24.9% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 16.5% 23.8% 17% 20%
2010 17% 23.4% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 17% 23.7% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 13.1% 23% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 12.3% 25.1% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 11.3% 26.7% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 11% 31.7% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 12.6% 38.7% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 14.5% 39.8% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 16.1% 37.8% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 14.5% 33.5% - -
2000 14.9% 34.9% - -
1999 13.8% 34.6% - -
1998 13.4% 37.2% - -
1997 12.4% 31.4% - -
1996 15.7% 30.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cambodia's government spending was $8B, accounting for 17.3% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.9% in Cambodia and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 164/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cambodia

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cambodia Malawi
2024 -2.67% -11%
2023 -2.83% -7.84%
2022 -0.29% -9.32%
2021 -5.18% -8.34%
2020 -2.53% -8.03%
2019 2.19% -4.55%
2018 0.28% -4.35%
2017 -0.76% -5.15%
2016 -0.29% -4.9%
2015 -0.65% -4.17%
2014 -1.24% -3.08%
2013 -2.01% -3.73%
2012 -3.57% -1.45%
2011 -3.76% -2.85%
2010 -3.09% 0.63%
2009 -3.98% -2.97%
2008 0.43% -2.92%
2007 0.62% -2.56%
2006 -0.15% -0.05%
2005 -0.34% -1.63%
2004 -3.23% -2.61%
2003 -5.69% -2.6%
2002 -6.07% -4.47%
2001 -4.95% -
2000 -4.76% -
1999 -3.79% -
1998 -5.35% -
1997 -3.7% -
1996 -7.53% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cambodia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.24B, equivalent to 2.67% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Cambodia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Cambodia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cambodia

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cambodia Malawi
2024 0.9% 32.2%
2023 2.1% 28.8%
2022 5.3% 20.8%
2021 2.9% 9.3%
2020 2.9% 8.6%
2019 2% 9.4%
2018 2.4% 9.2%
2017 2.9% 11.5%
2016 3% 21.7%
2015 1.2% 21.9%
2014 3.9% 23.8%
2013 2.9% 28.3%
2012 2.9% 21.3%
2011 5.5% 7.6%
2010 4% 7.4%
2009 -0.7% 8.4%
2008 25% 8.7%
2007 7.7% 7.9%
2006 6.1% 13.9%
2005 6.3% 15.5%
2004 3.9% 11.4%
2003 1% 9.6%
2002 0% 14.7%
2001 -0.1% 22.7%
2000 -0.8% 29.6%
1999 2% 44.8%
1998 12.9% 29.8%
1997 10.5% 9.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cambodia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.24%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 0.9% in Cambodia and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Cambodia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $143K
Miscellaneous $10K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.04M
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Metals $2K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Cambodia Malawi
Current account balance
$228M
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.49%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$31.2B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$26.8B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$3.08B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$4.97B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.1%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.4%
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.

Cambodia Malawi
Economic freedom 58.7 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 108/197 159/197
Property rights 38.1 49.5
Government integrity 18.9 35
Judicial effectiveness 21.2 51.8
Tax burden 90.3 77
Government spending 89.9 77.8
Fiscal health 92.7 4.7
Business freedom 60.8 34.1
Labor freedom 48.3 55.2
Monetary freedom 77 55.1
Trade freedom 67.8 68.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cambodia
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cambodia Malawi
2026 58.7 50.7
2025 58.2 50.9
2024 55.6 52.1
2023 56.5 52.8
2022 57.1 53
2021 57.3 53
2020 57.3 52.8
2019 57.8 51.4
2018 58.7 52
2017 59.5 52.2
2016 57.9 51.8
2015 57.5 54.8
2014 57.4 55.4
2013 58.5 55.3
2012 57.6 56.4
2011 57.9 55.8
2010 56.6 54.1
2009 56.6 53.7
2008 55.9 52.7
2007 55.9 52.9
2006 56.7 55.4
2005 60 53.6
2004 61.1 53.6
2003 63.7 53.2
2002 60.7 56.9
2001 59.6 56.2
2000 59.3 57.4
1999 59.9 54
1998 59.8 54.1
1997 52.8 53.4
1996 - 56.2
1995 - 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cambodia is 58.7, ranking 108/197, 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

Cambodia Malawi
Services, % of GDP
35.6%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
41.8%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.9B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,910
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.5B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.22B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.39B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172M
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.41%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.7%
2012
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.2%
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/cambodia/malawi | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.