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Economy of Ecuador vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ecuador has a GDP of $125B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 62/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ecuador has $67B in government debt (53.8% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Ecuador vs Malawi GDP by year

Ecuador
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ecuador Malawi
2024 $124,676,074,700 $11,316,411,329
2023 $121,147,057,000 $13,363,669,673
2022 $116,133,121,000 $12,429,059,928
2021 $107,179,074,000 $12,378,119,199
2020 $95,865,473,000 $11,769,313,598
2019 $107,595,830,000 $11,051,852,713
2018 $107,478,961,000 $9,879,220,354
2017 $104,467,486,000 $8,943,543,794
2016 $97,671,433,000 $7,909,868,618
2015 $97,209,558,000 $9,219,474,379
2014 $102,717,794,000 $8,801,326,169
2013 $96,570,334,000 $8,031,571,928
2012 $87,735,048,000 $8,773,203,178
2011 $78,986,648,000 $11,648,142,958
2010 $68,151,329,000 $10,128,323,011
2009 $60,094,978,000 $9,009,887,947
2008 $61,139,438,000 $7,743,617,352
2007 $49,848,725,000 $6,451,210,219
2006 $45,690,762,000 $5,818,279,739
2005 $40,278,849,000 $5,320,409,651
2004 $35,194,947,000 $5,058,726,350
2003 $30,965,208,000 $4,669,789,300
2002 $27,054,197,000 $5,087,328,438
2001 $23,127,055,000 $2,498,008,665
2000 $17,539,454,727 $2,537,307,580
1999 $19,645,272,636 $2,584,478,924
1998 $27,981,896,948 $2,547,609,590
1997 $28,162,053,027 $3,875,785,863
1996 $25,226,393,197 $3,319,573,750
1995 $24,432,884,442 $2,033,701,498
1994 $22,708,673,337 $1,719,864,761
1993 $18,938,717,359 $3,013,392,658
1992 $18,094,238,119 $2,618,837,835
1991 $16,988,535,268 $3,206,783,830
1990 $15,239,272,612 $2,737,087,862
1989 $13,890,823,705 $2,314,205,130
1988 $13,051,881,851 $2,008,189,508
1987 $13,945,426,859 $1,721,711,808
1986 $15,314,138,472 $1,722,586,299
1985 $17,149,088,413 $1,646,442,273
1984 $16,912,509,092 $1,758,028,656
1983 $17,152,477,037 $1,780,148,049
1982 $19,929,846,396 $1,717,379,495
1981 $21,810,759,354 $1,801,193,910
1980 $17,881,508,242 $1,801,156,775
1979 $14,175,160,902 -
1978 $11,922,497,876 -
1977 $11,026,342,618 -
1976 $9,091,921,030 -
1975 $7,731,674,472 -
1974 $6,599,257,044 -
1973 $3,891,754,150 -
1972 $3,185,986,087 -
1971 $2,754,219,271 -
1970 $2,862,503,139 -
1969 $3,112,165,727 -
1968 $2,582,179,864 -
1967 $2,553,595,172 -
1966 $2,429,308,639 -
1965 $2,387,047,396 -
1964 $2,244,146,103 -
1963 $1,824,343,871 -
1962 $1,518,207,703 -
1961 $1,753,850,955 -
1960 $2,069,464,937 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ecuador vs Malawi by year

Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ecuador Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,875 $15,840 $523 $1,858
2023 $6,738 $15,919 $633 $1,830
2022 $6,516 $15,198 $604 $1,778
2021 $6,061 $13,507 $617 $1,688
2020 $5,464 $11,527 $603 $1,513
2019 $6,205 $12,543 $581 $1,450
2018 $6,304 $12,187 $533 $1,364
2017 $6,233 $11,793 $496 $1,380
2016 $5,918 $10,881 $451 $1,410
2015 $5,976 $10,878 $540 $1,403
2014 $6,406 $11,836 $530 $1,506
2013 $6,109 $11,296 $497 $1,558
2012 $5,634 $10,245 $558 $1,464
2011 $5,154 $9,769 $763 $1,516
2010 $4,520 $8,969 $683 $1,458
2009 $4,053 $8,662 $626 $1,388
2008 $4,195 $8,663 $554 $1,311
2007 $3,479 $8,112 $475 $1,231
2006 $3,244 $7,885 $441 $1,124
2005 $2,909 $7,457 $414 $1,071
2004 $2,586 $6,980 $405 $1,033
2003 $2,316 $6,475 $383 $979
2002 $2,059 $6,282 $428 $931
2001 $1,791 $5,999 $215.5 $924
2000 $1,382 $5,728 $224.2 $974
1999 $1,575 $5,638 $233.9 $961
1998 $2,284 $5,940 $236 $941
1997 $2,341 $5,793 $367 $915
1996 $2,136 $5,560 $321 $884
1995 $2,108 $5,469 $200.4 $825
1994 $1,997 $5,339 $169.2 $692
1993 $1,698 $5,112 $293 $746
1992 $1,655 $4,998 $258.4 $674
1991 $1,587 $4,887 $326 $732
1990 $1,455 $4,632 $286.7 $672
1989 $1,356 - $252.2 -
1988 $1,304 - $229.4 -
1987 $1,426 - $207.6 -
1986 $1,604 - $217.9 -
1985 $1,842 - $216.1 -
1984 $1,864 - $239.7 -
1983 $1,940 - $252.4 -
1982 $2,314 - $253.3 -
1981 $2,601 - $276.4 -
1980 $2,190 - $287.5 -
1979 $1,783 - - -
1978 $1,541 - - -
1977 $1,465 - - -
1976 $1,242 - - -
1975 $1,086 - - -
1974 $954 - - -
1973 $579 - - -
1972 $488 - - -
1971 $434 - - -
1970 $465 - - -
1969 $521 - - -
1968 $445 - - -
1967 $454 - - -
1966 $445 - - -
1965 $450 - - -
1964 $436 - - -
1963 $365 - - -
1962 $312 - - -
1961 $371 - - -
1960 $451 - - -

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

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

Ecuador's GDP per capita is $6,875, ranking 103/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Ecuador Malawi
Gross domestic product
$125B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
62/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
-2%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,875
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
103/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,840
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
110/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$67B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.8%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,695
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,894
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$747M
2000
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2024
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.5%
2024
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.1%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.39%
2024
15.4%
2024
Population
18487749
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ecuador
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ecuador Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.1% 53.8% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 39.5% 54.3% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 38.9% 57.2% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 37.5% 61.8% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 40.2% 63.6% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 39.8% 52.1% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 40.9% 49.5% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 40.5% 47.4% 21% 40%
2016 44.1% 46.1% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 44.1% 36.4% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 45.9% 28.2% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 46.7% 23.4% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 43.2% 19.3% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 39.6% 18.6% 17% 20%
2010 35.4% 18.4% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 34.3% 19.7% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 35.6% 24.9% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 24.7% 29.6% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 21.7% 33.1% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 22% 35.8% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 21.3% 40.2% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 21.3% 47.2% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 22.8% 55% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 21.4% 63.8% - -
2000 24.3% 92.2% - -
1999 24.1% 105.2% - -
1998 21.5% 70.3% - -
1997 22% 61.5% - -
1996 22.7% 69.3% - -
1995 22% 70.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ecuador's government spending was $47.5B, accounting for 38.1% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.8% in Ecuador and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 98/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ecuador

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ecuador Malawi
2024 -1.28% -11%
2023 -3.48% -7.84%
2022 0.04% -9.32%
2021 -1.59% -8.34%
2020 -7.38% -8.03%
2019 -3.47% -4.55%
2018 -2.8% -4.35%
2017 -5.77% -5.15%
2016 -10.3% -4.9%
2015 -6.87% -4.17%
2014 -8.11% -3.08%
2013 -8.17% -3.73%
2012 -2.83% -1.45%
2011 -0.13% -2.85%
2010 -1.39% 0.63%
2009 -3.71% -2.97%
2008 0.57% -2.92%
2007 2.66% -2.56%
2006 2.92% -0.05%
2005 0.66% -1.63%
2004 1.94% -2.61%
2003 1.05% -2.6%
2002 0.74% -4.47%
2001 0.03% -
2000 -0.32% -
1999 -4.82% -
1998 -5.1% -
1997 -2.83% -
1996 -3.44% -
1995 -2.02% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ecuador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.59B, equivalent to 1.28% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Ecuador recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Ecuador posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ecuador

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ecuador Malawi
2024 1.55% 32.2%
2023 2.22% 28.8%
2022 3.47% 20.8%
2021 0.13% 9.3%
2020 -0.34% 8.6%
2019 0.27% 9.4%
2018 -0.22% 9.2%
2017 0.42% 11.5%
2016 1.73% 21.7%
2015 3.97% 21.9%
2014 3.59% 23.8%
2013 2.72% 28.3%
2012 5.1% 21.3%
2011 4.47% 7.6%
2010 3.55% 7.4%
2009 5.16% 8.4%
2008 8.4% 8.7%
2007 2.28% 7.9%
2006 3.3% 13.9%
2005 2.17% 15.5%
2004 2.74% 11.4%
2003 7.93% 9.6%
2002 12.5% 14.7%
2001 37.7% 22.7%
2000 96.1% 29.6%
1999 52.2% 44.8%
1998 36.1% 29.8%
1997 30.7% 9.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ecuador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 1.55% in Ecuador and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Ecuador
Export category Export value
Malawi
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Ecuador Malawi
Current account balance
$7.06B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.66%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$27.9B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$34.7B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$6.18B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$3.86B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.9%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
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.

Ecuador Malawi
Economic freedom 55.6 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 127/197 159/197
Property rights 33.2 49.5
Government integrity 33 35
Judicial effectiveness 48.1 51.8
Tax burden 74.2 77
Government spending 54.9 77.8
Fiscal health 90.3 4.7
Business freedom 64.3 34.1
Labor freedom 56.9 55.2
Monetary freedom 76.3 55.1
Trade freedom 66.4 68.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ecuador
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ecuador Malawi
2026 55.6 50.7
2025 55.8 50.9
2024 55 52.1
2023 55 52.8
2022 54.3 53
2021 52.4 53
2020 51.3 52.8
2019 46.9 51.4
2018 48.5 52
2017 49.3 52.2
2016 48.6 51.8
2015 49.2 54.8
2014 48 55.4
2013 46.9 55.3
2012 48.3 56.4
2011 47.1 55.8
2010 49.3 54.1
2009 52.5 53.7
2008 55.2 52.7
2007 55.3 52.9
2006 54.6 55.4
2005 52.9 53.6
2004 54.4 53.6
2003 54.1 53.2
2002 53.1 56.9
2001 55.1 56.2
2000 59.8 57.4
1999 62.9 54
1998 62.8 54.1
1997 61 53.4
1996 60.1 56.2
1995 57.7 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ecuador is 55.6, ranking 127/197, 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

Ecuador Malawi
Services, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.48%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,410
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.91B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$438M
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$443M
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
28%
2024
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.5%
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/ecuador/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 (1995–2024, 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 (1995–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021, 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.