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Economy of Finland vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Finland has a GDP of $299B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 47/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Finland has $245B in government debt (82.1% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Finland vs Malawi GDP by year

Finland
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Finland Malawi
2024 $298,696,961,298 $11,316,411,329
2023 $295,021,982,463 $13,363,669,673
2022 $280,253,099,309 $12,429,059,928
2021 $294,223,210,496 $12,378,119,199
2020 $270,000,311,606 $11,769,313,598
2019 $267,014,821,129 $11,051,852,713
2018 $273,869,255,596 $9,879,220,354
2017 $253,846,138,440 $8,943,543,794
2016 $238,777,818,793 $7,909,868,618
2015 $233,210,733,506 $9,219,474,379
2014 $273,478,528,955 $8,801,326,169
2013 $270,268,036,626 $8,031,571,928
2012 $257,443,384,493 $8,773,203,178
2011 $275,126,915,516 $11,648,142,958
2010 $249,429,613,683 $10,128,323,011
2009 $253,480,783,439 $9,009,887,947
2008 $285,698,662,071 $7,743,617,352
2007 $256,360,251,538 $6,451,210,219
2006 $217,044,068,234 $5,818,279,739
2005 $204,859,368,791 $5,320,409,651
2004 $197,458,297,640 $5,058,726,350
2003 $171,612,867,736 $4,669,789,300
2002 $140,360,963,812 $5,087,328,438
2001 $129,519,672,869 $2,498,008,665
2000 $125,967,821,111 $2,537,307,580
1999 $135,234,241,918 $2,584,478,924
1998 $133,990,876,725 $2,547,609,590
1997 $126,862,902,302 $3,875,785,863
1996 $131,991,975,149 $3,319,573,750
1995 $134,060,457,516 $2,033,701,498
1994 $103,182,697,780 $1,719,864,761
1993 $89,112,105,756 $3,013,392,658
1992 $112,537,828,511 $2,618,837,835
1991 $127,794,441,994 $3,206,783,830
1990 $141,446,120,355 $2,737,087,862
1989 $118,991,270,611 $2,314,205,130
1988 $109,039,090,263 $2,008,189,508
1987 $91,564,993,913 $1,721,711,808
1986 $73,511,611,541 $1,722,586,299
1985 $55,856,676,899 $1,646,442,273
1984 $52,870,993,273 $1,758,028,656
1983 $50,956,447,481 $1,780,148,049
1982 $52,784,013,815 $1,717,379,495
1981 $52,440,066,134 $1,801,193,910
1980 $53,649,984,061 $1,801,156,775
1979 $44,469,218,440 -
1978 $36,259,392,058 -
1977 $33,502,784,418 -
1976 $31,852,352,670 -
1975 $29,475,251,333 -
1974 $24,851,036,710 -
1973 $19,474,098,335 -
1972 $14,744,499,570 -
1971 $12,528,522,307 -
1970 $11,358,529,162 -
1969 $10,177,524,839 -
1968 $8,916,565,041 -
1967 $9,468,272,357 -
1966 $9,306,142,172 -
1965 $8,680,393,839 -
1964 $7,848,987,793 -
1963 $6,958,916,548 -
1962 $6,407,796,043 -
1961 $5,984,433,774 -
1960 $5,279,481,824 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Finland vs Malawi by year

Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Finland Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $53,150 $65,378 $523 $1,858
2023 $52,834 $63,415 $633 $1,830
2022 $50,441 $62,133 $604 $1,778
2021 $53,099 $56,790 $617 $1,688
2020 $48,829 $53,297 $603 $1,513
2019 $48,358 $52,276 $581 $1,450
2018 $49,654 $49,249 $533 $1,364
2017 $46,085 $47,235 $496 $1,380
2016 $43,451 $44,562 $451 $1,410
2015 $42,560 $42,258 $540 $1,403
2014 $50,074 $41,547 $530 $1,506
2013 $49,691 $41,326 $497 $1,558
2012 $47,552 $40,739 $558 $1,464
2011 $51,060 $40,846 $763 $1,516
2010 $46,506 $38,946 $683 $1,458
2009 $47,478 $37,988 $626 $1,388
2008 $53,769 $40,081 $554 $1,311
2007 $48,473 $37,843 $475 $1,231
2006 $41,214 $34,440 $441 $1,124
2005 $39,050 $32,048 $414 $1,071
2004 $37,768 $31,195 $405 $1,033
2003 $32,920 $29,043 $383 $979
2002 $26,989 $28,596 $428 $931
2001 $24,965 $27,798 $215.5 $924
2000 $24,336 $26,783 $224.2 $974
1999 $26,180 $24,762 $233.9 $961
1998 $26,000 $23,570 $236 $941
1997 $24,682 $21,787 $367 $915
1996 $25,757 $20,067 $321 $884
1995 $26,246 $19,568 $200.4 $825
1994 $20,278 $18,458 $169.2 $692
1993 $17,589 $17,458 $293 $746
1992 $22,320 $17,271 $258.4 $674
1991 $25,489 $17,563 $326 $732
1990 $28,366 $18,149 $286.7 $672
1989 $23,969 - $252.2 -
1988 $22,044 - $229.4 -
1987 $18,565 - $207.6 -
1986 $14,947 - $217.9 -
1985 $11,394 - $216.1 -
1984 $10,830 - $239.7 -
1983 $10,494 - $252.4 -
1982 $10,935 - $253.3 -
1981 $10,925 - $276.4 -
1980 $11,225 - $287.5 -
1979 $9,333 - - -
1978 $7,629 - - -
1977 $7,070 - - -
1976 $6,740 - - -
1975 $6,256 - - -
1974 $5,298 - - -
1973 $4,174 - - -
1972 $3,178 - - -
1971 $2,716 - - -
1970 $2,466 - - -
1969 $2,201 - - -
1968 $1,927 - - -
1967 $2,056 - - -
1966 $2,032 - - -
1965 $1,902 - - -
1964 $1,726 - - -
1963 $1,538 - - -
1962 $1,427 - - -
1961 $1,341 - - -
1960 $1,192 - - -

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

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

Finland's GDP per capita is $53,150, ranking 23/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Finland ranks 27th at $65,378, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Finland Malawi
Gross domestic product
$299B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
47/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
0.42%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$53,150
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
23/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$65,378
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
27/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$245B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.1%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,662
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
12/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,394
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.3B
2004
n/a
Number of billionaires
7
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.5%
2023
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.7%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.57%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.34%
2024
15.4%
2024
Population
5631965
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Finland
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Finland Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.7% 82.1% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 55.9% 77.5% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 52.6% 74% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 55.2% 73.2% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 56.5% 75.3% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 52.6% 65.3% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 52.7% 65.3% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 52.8% 66.6% 21% 40%
2016 55.1% 68.6% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 55.7% 68.8% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 57.6% 64.8% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 57.1% 60.8% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 55.7% 57.9% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 53.8% 52% 17% 20%
2010 54% 50.1% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 54.1% 41.5% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 47.9% 32.6% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 46.7% 33.9% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 48.3% 38% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 49.2% 39.9% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 48.2% 42.6% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 48.3% 42.7% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 47.5% 40.1% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 46.2% 40.9% - -
2000 46.9% 42.4% - -
1999 49.9% 44% - -
1998 51.3% 46.8% - -
1997 54.9% 52.2% - -
1996 58.5% 55.4% - -
1995 60% 55.2% - -
1994 62.2% 56.2% - -
1993 63.7% 54.2% - -
1992 60.8% 39.3% - -
1991 55.8% 21.9% - -
1990 47.1% 13.9% - -
1989 44.4% 14.3% - -
1988 46.4% 16.5% - -
1987 47.8% 17.6% - -
1986 46.9% 16.4% - -
1985 46.3% 15.8% - -
1984 44.4% 15.2% - -
1983 44.4% 15.4% - -
1982 42.7% 13.9% - -
1981 41% 11.5% - -
1980 40.1% 10.9% - -
1979 40.3% 11% - -
1978 41.3% 10.7% - -
1977 41.7% 8.22% - -
1976 39.8% 7.09% - -
1975 38.6% 6.76% - -
1974 22.9% 2.97% - -
1973 21.8% 4.42% - -
1972 20.4% 6.46% - -
1971 22.8% 7.94% - -
1970 21.9% 9.19% - -
1969 22.2% 10.8% - -
1968 25.5% 13.9% - -
1967 23.5% 14.2% - -
1966 23.3% 13.7% - -
1965 23.2% 13% - -
1964 22.8% 12.5% - -
1963 21.6% 12.2% - -
1962 23.9% 10.3% - -
1961 22.7% 9.12% - -
1960 22.5% 9.96% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Finland's government spending was $172B, accounting for 57.7% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.1% in Finland and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 42/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Finland

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Finland Malawi
2024 -4.41% -11%
2023 -2.98% -7.84%
2022 -0.18% -9.32%
2021 -2.69% -8.34%
2020 -5.53% -8.03%
2019 -0.93% -4.55%
2018 -0.87% -4.35%
2017 -0.63% -5.15%
2016 -1.7% -4.9%
2015 -2.43% -4.17%
2014 -2.99% -3.08%
2013 -2.52% -3.73%
2012 -2.15% -1.45%
2011 -1.01% -2.85%
2010 -2.57% 0.63%
2009 -2.48% -2.97%
2008 4.18% -2.92%
2007 5.12% -2.56%
2006 3.93% -0.05%
2005 2.59% -1.63%
2004 2.16% -2.61%
2003 2.34% -2.6%
2002 3.97% -4.47%
2001 4.89% -
2000 6.73% -
1999 1.6% -
1998 1.54% -
1997 -1.33% -
1996 -3.37% -
1995 -5.98% -
1994 -6.41% -
1993 -8.09% -
1992 -4.88% -
1991 0.3% -
1990 6.63% -
1989 6.73% -
1988 5.09% -
1987 1.63% -
1986 3.83% -
1985 3.33% -
1984 3.23% -
1983 1.52% -
1982 3.06% -
1981 5.11% -
1980 3.7% -
1979 3.41% -
1978 3.83% -
1977 6.27% -
1976 7.65% -
1975 4.96% -
1974 -0.03% -
1973 1.48% -
1972 -0.18% -
1971 0.15% -
1970 1.06% -
1969 0.94% -
1968 -1.69% -
1967 -0.26% -
1966 -1.08% -
1965 -1.67% -
1964 -1.35% -
1963 -2.5% -
1962 -2.37% -
1961 -3.03% -
1960 -0.52% -
1959 -0.12% -
1958 -1.73% -
1957 0.08% -
1956 -1.14% -
1955 -1% -
1954 -0.17% -
1953 0.02% -
1952 -1.24% -
1951 1.1% -
1950 -0.26% -
1949 -2.77% -
1948 1.88% -
1947 -5.99% -
1946 -15.3% -
1945 -6.35% -
1944 -21.5% -
1943 -14.2% -
1942 -16.4% -
1941 -35.8% -
1940 -36.9% -
1939 -9.76% -
1938 -1.48% -
1937 -4.44% -
1936 -3.75% -
1935 -3.81% -
1934 -2.81% -
1933 -1.63% -
1932 -2.61% -
1931 -2.32% -
1930 -1.94% -
1929 -0.78% -
1928 -2.07% -
1927 -0.32% -
1926 -2.9% -
1925 -2.92% -
1924 0.04% -
1923 -2.3% -
1922 0.62% -
1921 -2.59% -
1920 -2.6% -
1919 -7.49% -
1918 -11.4% -
1917 -1.27% -
1916 1.48% -
1915 -0.29% -
1914 -1.15% -
1913 -0.25% -
1912 0.33% -
1911 -0.14% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -2.64% -
1908 -1.92% -
1907 0.24% -
1906 0.86% -
1905 -1.28% -
1904 -1.63% -
1903 -0.3% -
1902 -1.74% -
1901 -2.13% -
1900 -0.52% -
1899 -1% -
1898 -4.55% -
1897 -0.37% -
1896 -0.56% -
1895 -1.21% -
1894 -0.62% -
1893 0% -
1892 0.82% -
1891 0.16% -
1890 0.17% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 -0.59% -
1887 -1.46% -
1886 0% -
1885 -1.2% -
1884 -0.2% -
1883 0% -
1882 0.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Finland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.2B, equivalent to 4.41% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Finland recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Finland posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Finland

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Finland Malawi
2024 1.57% 32.2%
2023 6.25% 28.8%
2022 7.12% 20.8%
2021 2.19% 9.3%
2020 0.29% 8.6%
2019 1.02% 9.4%
2018 1.08% 9.2%
2017 0.75% 11.5%
2016 0.36% 21.7%
2015 -0.21% 21.9%
2014 1.04% 23.8%
2013 1.48% 28.3%
2012 2.81% 21.3%
2011 3.42% 7.6%
2010 1.18% 7.4%
2009 -0% 8.4%
2008 4.07% 8.7%
2007 2.51% 7.9%
2006 1.57% 13.9%
2005 0.62% 15.5%
2004 0.19% 11.4%
2003 0.88% 9.6%
2002 1.57% 14.7%
2001 2.58% 22.7%
2000 3.04% 29.6%
1999 1.16% 44.8%
1998 1.4% 29.8%
1997 1.19% 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/finland/malawi | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Finland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.83%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 1.57% in Finland and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Finland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.97M
Wood & paper products $332K
Textiles & consumer goods $89K
Machinery & equipment $76K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Metals $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.5M
Raw agricultural goods $163K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Finland Malawi
Current account balance
-$1.99B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$76.6B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$83.1B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$47.4B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$42B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
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.

Finland Malawi
Economic freedom 76.6 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 15/197 159/197
Property rights 99.9 49.5
Government integrity 95.4 35
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 51.8
Tax burden 68.4 77
Government spending 7.9 77.8
Fiscal health 76.3 4.7
Business freedom 85.3 34.1
Labor freedom 65.4 55.2
Monetary freedom 80.3 55.1
Trade freedom 79.4 68.6
Investment freedom 85 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Finland
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Finland Malawi
2026 76.6 50.7
2025 77 50.9
2024 76.3 52.1
2023 77.1 52.8
2022 78.3 53
2021 76.1 53
2020 75.7 52.8
2019 74.9 51.4
2018 74.1 52
2017 74 52.2
2016 72.6 51.8
2015 73.4 54.8
2014 73.4 55.4
2013 74 55.3
2012 72.3 56.4
2011 74 55.8
2010 73.8 54.1
2009 74.5 53.7
2008 74.6 52.7
2007 74 52.9
2006 72.9 55.4
2005 71 53.6
2004 73.4 53.6
2003 73.7 53.2
2002 73.6 56.9
2001 69.7 56.2
2000 64.3 57.4
1999 63.9 54
1998 63.5 54.1
1997 65.2 53.4
1996 63.7 56.2
1995 - 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Finland is 76.6, ranking 15/197, 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

Finland Malawi
Services, % of GDP
62.2%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$290B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$65,640
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
65/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
$3.28B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.74B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2022
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.3%
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/finland/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 (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2020–2024, 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.