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Economy of France vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

France has a GDP of $3.16T compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 7/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

France has $3.58T in government debt (113.1% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

France vs Malawi GDP by year

France
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
France Malawi
2024 $3,160,442,622,465 $11,316,411,329
2023 $3,056,250,648,138 $13,363,669,673
2022 $2,794,788,137,067 $12,429,059,928
2021 $2,966,433,692,008 $12,378,119,199
2020 $2,647,926,055,110 $11,769,313,598
2019 $2,722,793,515,172 $11,051,852,713
2018 $2,781,576,320,884 $9,879,220,354
2017 $2,588,868,323,335 $8,943,543,794
2016 $2,470,407,619,777 $7,909,868,618
2015 $2,442,483,452,643 $9,219,474,379
2014 $2,861,236,112,552 $8,801,326,169
2013 $2,816,077,607,875 $8,031,571,928
2012 $2,683,007,095,787 $8,773,203,178
2011 $2,870,408,553,990 $11,648,142,958
2010 $2,646,230,027,988 $10,128,323,011
2009 $2,700,075,882,519 $9,009,887,947
2008 $2,926,802,941,586 $7,743,617,352
2007 $2,655,816,911,867 $6,451,210,219
2006 $2,317,861,544,691 $5,818,279,739
2005 $2,192,146,403,028 $5,320,409,651
2004 $2,109,792,297,237 $5,058,726,350
2003 $1,835,095,983,049 $4,669,789,300
2002 $1,492,427,756,382 $5,087,328,438
2001 $1,370,376,677,299 $2,498,008,665
2000 $1,360,959,069,477 $2,537,307,580
1999 $1,486,915,879,702 $2,584,478,924
1998 $1,496,906,382,032 $2,547,609,590
1997 $1,449,392,222,971 $3,875,785,863
1996 $1,598,889,216,566 $3,319,573,750
1995 $1,595,219,345,512 $2,033,701,498
1994 $1,385,822,778,828 $1,719,864,761
1993 $1,314,383,368,080 $3,013,392,658
1992 $1,389,663,073,110 $2,618,837,835
1991 $1,258,961,748,634 $3,206,783,830
1990 $1,257,649,439,827 $2,737,087,862
1989 $1,016,742,237,302 $2,314,205,130
1988 $1,010,827,662,152 $2,008,189,508
1987 $926,320,855,615 $1,721,711,808
1986 $764,946,585,851 $1,722,586,299
1985 $547,220,981,165 $1,646,442,273
1984 $525,033,325,828 $1,758,028,656
1983 $553,356,312,936 $1,780,148,049
1982 $578,152,310,610 $1,717,379,495
1981 $609,184,791,792 $1,801,193,910
1980 $694,529,183,483 $1,801,156,775
1979 $608,218,624,730 -
1978 $501,724,418,605 -
1977 $406,401,711,688 -
1976 $368,363,152,144 -
1975 $357,324,307,786 -
1974 $282,739,225,314 -
1973 $261,970,536,240 -
1972 $201,738,881,664 -
1971 $164,694,210,962 -
1970 $147,312,861,698 -
1969 $140,660,914,841 -
1968 $128,710,572,572 -
1967 $118,088,635,381 -
1966 $109,306,730,313 -
1965 $100,927,668,584 -
1964 $93,424,179,943 -
1963 $84,227,606,650 -
1962 $75,196,980,365 -
1961 $67,158,050,215 -
1960 $61,959,085,885 -

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

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

GDP per capita in France vs Malawi by year

France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
France Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $46,103 $62,557 $523 $1,858
2023 $44,700 $60,839 $633 $1,830
2022 $40,989 $57,043 $604 $1,778
2021 $43,725 $52,517 $617 $1,688
2020 $39,170 $49,482 $603 $1,513
2019 $40,408 $51,130 $581 $1,450
2018 $41,418 $46,381 $533 $1,364
2017 $38,687 $44,469 $496 $1,380
2016 $37,024 $42,880 $451 $1,410
2015 $36,702 $40,905 $540 $1,403
2014 $43,148 $40,218 $530 $1,506
2013 $42,669 $39,583 $497 $1,558
2012 $40,864 $37,671 $558 $1,464
2011 $43,930 $37,510 $763 $1,516
2010 $40,695 $35,908 $683 $1,458
2009 $41,728 $34,685 $626 $1,388
2008 $45,465 $35,053 $554 $1,311
2007 $41,486 $34,066 $475 $1,231
2006 $36,432 $32,424 $441 $1,124
2005 $34,696 $30,431 $414 $1,071
2004 $33,645 $28,921 $405 $1,033
2003 $29,480 $28,024 $383 $979
2002 $24,145 $28,350 $428 $931
2001 $22,332 $27,347 $215.5 $924
2000 $22,341 $26,007 $224.2 $974
1999 $24,576 $24,204 $233.9 $961
1998 $24,869 $23,263 $236 $941
1997 $24,169 $22,190 $367 $915
1996 $26,758 $21,268 $321 $884
1995 $26,792 $20,701 $200.4 $825
1994 $23,360 $19,892 $169.2 $692
1993 $22,239 $19,094 $293 $746
1992 $23,615 $18,801 $258.4 $674
1991 $21,501 $18,198 $326 $732
1990 $21,586 $17,475 $286.7 $672
1989 $17,547 - $252.2 -
1988 $17,550 - $229.4 -
1987 $16,176 - $207.6 -
1986 $13,430 - $217.9 -
1985 $9,657 - $216.1 -
1984 $9,312 - $239.7 -
1983 $9,862 - $252.4 -
1982 $10,360 - $253.3 -
1981 $10,956 - $276.4 -
1980 $12,565 - $287.5 -
1979 $11,063 - - -
1978 $9,167 - - -
1977 $7,459 - - -
1976 $6,792 - - -
1975 $6,617 - - -
1974 $5,261 - - -
1973 $4,907 - - -
1972 $3,809 - - -
1971 $3,137 - - -
1970 $2,833 - - -
1969 $2,729 - - -
1968 $2,518 - - -
1967 $2,328 - - -
1966 $2,173 - - -
1965 $2,024 - - -
1964 $1,891 - - -
1963 $1,723 - - -
1962 $1,554 - - -
1961 $1,402 - - -
1960 $1,307 - - -

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

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

France's GDP per capita is $46,103, ranking 27/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), France ranks 30th at $62,557, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

France Malawi
Gross domestic product
$3.16T
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
7/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
1.19%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$46,103
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
27/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,557
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
30/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$3.58T
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
113.1%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$52,165
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
8/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,669
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.37T
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,897,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
52
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2023
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2023
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.44%
2024
15.4%
2024
Population
68788006
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

France
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
France Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.2% 113.1% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 56.8% 109.6% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 58.4% 111.4% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 59.5% 112.8% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 61.7% 114.9% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 55.3% 98.1% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 56.4% 98.5% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 57.7% 98.7% 21% 40%
2016 57.4% 98.1% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 57.6% 96.9% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 58.4% 96.1% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 58.6% 94.5% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 57.9% 91.7% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 57% 88.7% 17% 20%
2010 57.7% 86.3% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 58% 84.1% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 54.3% 69.8% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 53.6% 65.5% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 53.7% 65.4% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 54.3% 68.2% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 54% 66.9% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 54.4% 65.4% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 53.9% 61.3% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 52.8% 59.3% - -
2000 52.6% 59.7% - -
1999 53.7% 61.4% - -
1998 54% 62.1% - -
1997 55.6% 62% - -
1996 56% 60.6% - -
1995 56% 57.8% - -
1994 55.9% 51.6% - -
1993 56.5% 48.2% - -
1992 54% 41.7% - -
1991 52.7% 37.8% - -
1990 51.6% 36.8% - -
1989 48.9% 34% - -
1988 50.1% 33.3% - -
1987 50.7% 33.4% - -
1986 51.3% 31.1% - -
1985 51.9% 30.6% - -
1984 51.2% 29% - -
1983 50.2% 26.6% - -
1982 49.9% 25.3% - -
1981 48.5% 22% - -
1980 46% 20.7% - -
1979 44.9% 21.1% - -
1978 44.7% 21.2% - -
1977 21.4% 15% - -
1976 21.7% 15.1% - -
1975 22% 16.1% - -
1974 19.9% 15.4% - -
1973 19.7% 15.8% - -
1972 19.8% 17.7% - -
1971 20% 20.1% - -
1970 20.5% 21% - -
1969 21.5% 14.4% - -
1968 22.7% 15.8% - -
1967 21.4% 16.1% - -
1966 21.4% 15.3% - -
1965 21.1% 17.6% - -
1964 21% 19.6% - -
1963 22.6% 22.2% - -
1962 21.7% 23.6% - -
1961 21.9% 26.3% - -
1960 22.2% 28.5% - -

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/france/malawi | CC BY

In 2024, France's government spending was $1.81T, accounting for 57.2% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 113.1% in France and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 14/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
France

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
France Malawi
2024 -5.77% -11%
2023 -5.44% -7.84%
2022 -4.74% -9.32%
2021 -6.58% -8.34%
2020 -8.93% -8.03%
2019 -2.39% -4.55%
2018 -2.32% -4.35%
2017 -3.36% -5.15%
2016 -3.76% -4.9%
2015 -3.89% -4.17%
2014 -4.57% -3.08%
2013 -4.94% -3.73%
2012 -5.17% -1.45%
2011 -5.3% -2.85%
2010 -7.16% 0.63%
2009 -7.38% -2.97%
2008 -3.5% -2.92%
2007 -2.99% -2.56%
2006 -2.66% -0.05%
2005 -3.5% -1.63%
2004 -3.55% -2.61%
2003 -4.09% -2.6%
2002 -3.18% -4.47%
2001 -1.42% -
2000 -1.32% -
1999 -1.55% -
1998 -2.39% -
1997 -3.71% -
1996 -3.89% -
1995 -5.11% -
1994 -5.46% -
1993 -6.4% -
1992 -4.64% -
1991 -2.89% -
1990 -2.45% -
1989 -1.9% -
1988 -2.7% -
1987 -2.13% -
1986 -3.3% -
1985 -3.08% -
1984 -2.8% -
1983 -2.58% -
1982 -2.91% -
1981 -2.39% -
1980 -0.27% -
1979 -0.36% -
1978 -1.73% -
1977 0.9% -
1976 1.01% -
1975 -0.28% -
1974 3.05% -
1973 1.97% -
1972 1.94% -
1971 -0.13% -
1970 0.02% -
1969 -0.49% -
1968 -2.54% -
1967 -0.8% -
1966 -0.57% -
1965 -0.07% -
1964 -0.25% -
1963 -2.24% -
1962 -1.53% -
1961 -1.36% -
1960 -1.95% -
1959 0.56% -
1958 0.08% -
1957 -1.99% -
1956 -2.62% -
1955 -1.04% -
1954 -0.78% -
1953 -4.79% -
1952 -6.82% -
1951 -4.42% -
1950 -5.56% -
1949 -7.31% -
1948 -9.11% -
1947 -7.6% -
1946 -8.1% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -6.89% -
1936 -4.76% -
1935 -4.22% -
1934 -4.31% -
1933 -4.96% -
1932 -1.86% -
1931 -2.06% -
1930 -1.65% -
1929 1.48% -
1928 1.13% -
1927 -0.04% -
1926 -0.02% -
1925 -0.87% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.05% -
1912 0.23% -
1911 0.31% -
1910 -0.12% -
1909 -0.11% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.23% -
1906 -0.04% -
1905 0.18% -
1904 0.3% -
1903 0.21% -
1902 -0.37% -
1901 -0.39% -
1900 0.21% -
1899 0.21% -
1898 0.29% -
1897 0.01% -
1896 -0.03% -
1895 -0.07% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 -0.3% -
1892 -0.03% -
1891 0.36% -
1890 0.31% -
1889 0.09% -
1888 0.18% -
1887 -0.07% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 -0.59% -
1884 -0.35% -
1883 -0.23% -
1882 -0.15% -
1881 0.64% -
1880 0.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, France's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $182B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, France recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, France posted an annual deficit equal to 4.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
France

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
France Malawi
2024 2% 32.2%
2023 4.88% 28.8%
2022 5.22% 20.8%
2021 1.64% 9.3%
2020 0.48% 8.6%
2019 1.11% 9.4%
2018 1.85% 9.2%
2017 1.03% 11.5%
2016 0.18% 21.7%
2015 0.04% 21.9%
2014 0.51% 23.8%
2013 0.86% 28.3%
2012 1.95% 21.3%
2011 2.11% 7.6%
2010 1.53% 7.4%
2009 0.09% 8.4%
2008 2.81% 8.7%
2007 1.49% 7.9%
2006 1.68% 13.9%
2005 1.75% 15.5%
2004 2.14% 11.4%
2003 2.1% 9.6%
2002 1.92% 14.7%
2001 1.63% 22.7%
2000 1.68% 29.6%
1999 0.54% 44.8%
1998 0.65% 29.8%
1997 1.2% 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/france/malawi | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, France has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.61%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 2% in France and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

France
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.21M
Machinery & equipment $1.01M
Raw agricultural goods $467K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $463K
Textiles & consumer goods $172K
Metals $124K
Miscellaneous $100K
Animal & marine products $93K
Wood & paper products $55K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $163K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $96K
Textiles & consumer goods $89K
Raw agricultural goods $59K
Animal & marine products $10K
Wood & paper products $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

France Malawi
Current account balance
$2.69B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$733B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$668B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$341B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$403B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.2%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
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.

France Malawi
Economic freedom 64.6 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 72/197 159/197
Property rights 91.2 49.5
Government integrity 73.4 35
Judicial effectiveness 84.7 51.8
Tax burden 54.6 77
Government spending 0.9 77.8
Fiscal health 34.8 4.7
Business freedom 78.4 34.1
Labor freedom 59.1 55.2
Monetary freedom 73.2 55.1
Trade freedom 79.4 68.6
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

France
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
France Malawi
2026 64.6 50.7
2025 64.4 50.9
2024 62.5 52.1
2023 63.6 52.8
2022 65.9 53
2021 65.7 53
2020 66 52.8
2019 63.8 51.4
2018 63.9 52
2017 63.3 52.2
2016 62.3 51.8
2015 62.5 54.8
2014 63.5 55.4
2013 64.1 55.3
2012 63.2 56.4
2011 64.6 55.8
2010 64.2 54.1
2009 63.3 53.7
2008 64.7 52.7
2007 62.1 52.9
2006 61.1 55.4
2005 60.5 53.6
2004 60.9 53.6
2003 59.2 53.2
2002 58 56.9
2001 58 56.2
2000 57.4 57.4
1999 59.1 54
1998 58.9 54.1
1997 59.1 53.4
1996 63.7 56.2
1995 64.4 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for France is 64.6, ranking 72/197, 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

France Malawi
Services, % of GDP
70.9%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.3%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1T
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,880
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$283B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
13/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.3B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$52.1B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$41.7B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.6%
2021
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/france/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 (1880–1989, 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.