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Economy of Germany vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 3/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Germany vs Malawi GDP by year

Germany
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Malawi
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $11,316,411,329
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $13,363,669,673
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $12,429,059,928
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $12,378,119,199
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $11,769,313,598
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $11,051,852,713
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $9,879,220,354
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $8,943,543,794
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $7,909,868,618
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $9,219,474,379
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $8,801,326,169
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $8,031,571,928
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $8,773,203,178
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $11,648,142,958
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $10,128,323,011
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $9,009,887,947
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $7,743,617,352
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $6,451,210,219
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $5,818,279,739
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $5,320,409,651
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $5,058,726,350
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $4,669,789,300
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $5,087,328,438
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $2,498,008,665
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $2,537,307,580
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $2,584,478,924
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $2,547,609,590
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $3,875,785,863
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $3,319,573,750
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $2,033,701,498
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $1,719,864,761
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $3,013,392,658
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $2,618,837,835
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $3,206,783,830
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $2,737,087,862
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $2,314,205,130
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $2,008,189,508
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $1,721,711,808
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $1,722,586,299
1985 $735,218,723,093 $1,646,442,273
1984 $727,767,760,979 $1,758,028,656
1983 $773,507,930,295 $1,780,148,049
1982 $779,421,633,755 $1,717,379,495
1981 $803,404,797,058 $1,801,193,910
1980 $953,772,499,462 $1,801,156,775
1979 $884,574,218,333 -
1978 $743,182,891,918 -
1977 $602,698,323,086 -
1976 $521,658,712,133 -
1975 $492,434,094,920 -
1974 $446,934,971,657 -
1973 $399,833,571,167 -
1972 $300,899,944,795 -
1971 $250,900,942,397 -
1970 $216,629,229,947 -
1969 $177,733,486,326 -
1968 $156,527,292,653 -
1967 $145,100,667,773 -
1966 $143,304,275,684 -
1965 $134,774,688,191 -
1964 $123,330,404,665 -
1963 $112,232,503,744 -
1962 $105,895,435,234 -
1961 $96,558,204,043 -
1960 $84,619,845,881 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Malawi by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $523 $1,858
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $633 $1,830
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $604 $1,778
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $617 $1,688
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $603 $1,513
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $581 $1,450
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $533 $1,364
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $496 $1,380
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $451 $1,410
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $540 $1,403
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $530 $1,506
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $497 $1,558
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $558 $1,464
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $763 $1,516
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $683 $1,458
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $626 $1,388
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $554 $1,311
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $475 $1,231
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $441 $1,124
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $414 $1,071
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $405 $1,033
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $383 $979
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $428 $931
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $215.5 $924
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $224.2 $974
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $233.9 $961
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $236 $941
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $367 $915
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $321 $884
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $200.4 $825
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $169.2 $692
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $293 $746
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $258.4 $674
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $326 $732
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $286.7 $672
1989 $17,829 - $252.2 -
1988 $17,997 - $229.4 -
1987 $16,739 - $207.6 -
1986 $13,511 - $217.9 -
1985 $9,464 - $216.1 -
1984 $9,347 - $239.7 -
1983 $9,900 - $252.4 -
1982 $9,950 - $253.3 -
1981 $10,246 - $276.4 -
1980 $12,183 - $287.5 -
1979 $11,322 - - -
1978 $9,517 - - -
1977 $7,711 - - -
1976 $6,659 - - -
1975 $6,259 - - -
1974 $5,660 - - -
1973 $5,065 - - -
1972 $3,824 - - -
1971 $3,204 - - -
1970 $2,771 - - -
1969 $2,281 - - -
1968 $2,025 - - -
1967 $1,886 - - -
1966 $1,871 - - -
1965 $1,774 - - -
1964 $1,637 - - -
1963 $1,502 - - -
1962 $1,431 - - -
1961 $1,316 - - -
1960 $1,162 - - -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Germany Malawi
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
15.4%
2024
Population
82575542
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 50.7% 68% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 51.1% 68% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 44.5% 64% 21% 40%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 17% 20%
2010 48.1% 81% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 47% 65% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 47.7% 58.1% - -
2000 48.1% 59.2% - -
1999 48.5% 60.3% - -
1998 48.3% 59.4% - -
1997 48.8% 58.8% - -
1996 49.6% 57.7% - -
1995 55.2% 54.9% - -
1994 48.3% 47.5% - -
1993 48.3% 45.1% - -
1992 47.4% 41.4% - -
1991 46.5% 39% - -
1990 44.7% 40.7% - -
1989 44.3% 39.2% - -
1988 45.6% 40.5% - -
1987 46% 40.1% - -
1986 45.7% 39.1% - -
1985 46.6% 39.2% - -
1984 47.2% 38.7% - -
1983 47.9% 38% - -
1982 49.1% 36.4% - -
1981 49% 33.6% - -
1980 48.2% 30.1% - -
1979 47.4% 28.2% - -
1978 47.7% 27.4% - -
1977 49% 26% - -
1976 49.4% 25.1% - -
1975 50.3% 23.7% - -
1974 46% 18.5% - -
1973 42.4% 17.3% - -
1972 41.8% 18% - -
1971 40.9% 17.7% - -
1970 39.5% 17.7% - -
1969 29.7% 20.3% - -
1968 28.5% 22.5% - -
1967 28.8% 22.5% - -
1966 28.3% 19.8% - -
1965 28.4% 18.7% - -
1964 29% 18.2% - -
1963 29.1% 18.1% - -
1962 29.2% 17.6% - -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 72/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Malawi
2024 -2.66% -11%
2023 -2.49% -7.84%
2022 -1.91% -9.32%
2021 -3.17% -8.34%
2020 -4.38% -8.03%
2019 1.33% -4.55%
2018 1.88% -4.35%
2017 1.34% -5.15%
2016 1.13% -4.9%
2015 0.91% -4.17%
2014 0.73% -3.08%
2013 0.12% -3.73%
2012 -0.05% -1.45%
2011 -0.84% -2.85%
2010 -4.42% 0.63%
2009 -3.18% -2.97%
2008 -0.26% -2.92%
2007 0.15% -2.56%
2006 -1.76% -0.05%
2005 -3.37% -1.63%
2004 -3.42% -2.61%
2003 -3.83% -2.6%
2002 -4.09% -4.47%
2001 -3.12% -
2000 -1.71% -
1999 -1.87% -
1998 -2.65% -
1997 -3.03% -
1996 -3.64% -
1995 -9.44% -
1994 -2.54% -
1993 -3.11% -
1992 -2.63% -
1991 -3.21% -
1990 -1.94% -
1989 0.08% -
1988 -2.02% -
1987 -1.85% -
1986 -1.18% -
1985 -1.18% -
1984 -2.04% -
1983 -2.95% -
1982 -3.56% -
1981 -4.03% -
1980 -3.02% -
1979 -2.71% -
1978 -2.62% -
1977 -2.56% -
1976 -3.5% -
1975 -5.78% -
1974 -1.69% -
1973 1.14% -
1972 -0.37% -
1971 0.16% -
1970 0.53% -
1969 -0.43% -
1968 1.39% -
1967 2.73% -
1966 1.76% -
1965 2.26% -
1964 1.49% -
1963 1.43% -
1962 0.49% -
1961 -0.12% -
1960 -0.34% -
1959 0.77% -
1958 1.77% -
1957 1.99% -
1956 0.59% -
1955 -1.41% -
1954 -0.37% -
1953 -0.13% -
1952 0% -
1951 1.15% -
1950 1.81% -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% -
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -
1925 0.34% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.007% -
1912 -0.26% -
1911 0.06% -
1910 -0.21% -
1909 0.11% -
1908 -0.11% -
1907 -0.14% -
1906 0.76% -
1905 1.21% -
1904 0.41% -
1903 0.88% -
1902 0.08% -
1901 0.91% -
1900 0.27% -
1899 0.6% -
1898 0.47% -
1897 0.39% -
1896 0.63% -
1895 0.47% -
1894 0.44% -
1893 0.42% -
1892 -0.24% -
1891 1.18% -
1890 0.12% -
1889 1.16% -
1888 0.62% -
1887 0.88% -
1886 0.23% -
1885 0.21% -
1884 0.23% -
1883 0.55% -
1882 0.41% -
1881 0.12% -
1880 -0.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $125B, equivalent to 2.66% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Malawi
2024 2.26% 32.2%
2023 5.95% 28.8%
2022 6.87% 20.8%
2021 3.07% 9.3%
2020 0.14% 8.6%
2019 1.45% 9.4%
2018 1.73% 9.2%
2017 1.51% 11.5%
2016 0.49% 21.7%
2015 0.51% 21.9%
2014 0.91% 23.8%
2013 1.5% 28.3%
2012 2.01% 21.3%
2011 2.08% 7.6%
2010 1.1% 7.4%
2009 0.31% 8.4%
2008 2.63% 8.7%
2007 2.3% 7.9%
2006 1.58% 13.9%
2005 1.55% 15.5%
2004 1.67% 11.4%
2003 1.03% 9.6%
2002 1.42% 14.7%
2001 1.98% 22.7%
2000 1.44% 29.6%
1999 0.59% 44.8%
1998 0.91% 29.8%
1997 1.94% 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/germany/malawi | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $15M
Miscellaneous $7.91M
Machinery & equipment $7.32M
Raw agricultural goods $1.55M
Metals $862K
Raw materials & minerals $679K
Textiles & consumer goods $670K
Wood & paper products $665K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $47K
Animal & marine products $3K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.9M
Raw agricultural goods $2.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $215K
Machinery & equipment $126K
Metals $105K
Chemicals & pharma $29K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Animal & marine products $14K
Wood & paper products $7K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Germany Malawi
Current account balance
$270B
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Germany Malawi
Economic freedom 71.7 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 159/197
Property rights 95.5 49.5
Government integrity 84.5 35
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 51.8
Tax burden 60.5 77
Government spending 28.8 77.8
Fiscal health 83.1 4.7
Business freedom 79.8 34.1
Labor freedom 52.2 55.2
Monetary freedom 72.5 55.1
Trade freedom 79.4 68.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 70 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Malawi
2026 71.7 50.7
2025 71.6 50.9
2024 72.1 52.1
2023 73.7 52.8
2022 76.1 53
2021 72.5 53
2020 73.5 52.8
2019 73.5 51.4
2018 74.2 52
2017 73.8 52.2
2016 74.4 51.8
2015 73.8 54.8
2014 73.4 55.4
2013 72.8 55.3
2012 71 56.4
2011 71.8 55.8
2010 71.1 54.1
2009 70.5 53.7
2008 70.6 52.7
2007 70.8 52.9
2006 70.8 55.4
2005 68.1 53.6
2004 69.5 53.6
2003 69.7 53.2
2002 70.4 56.9
2001 69.5 56.2
2000 65.7 57.4
1999 65.6 54
1998 64.3 54.1
1997 67.5 53.4
1996 69.1 56.2
1995 69.8 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, 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

Germany Malawi
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
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/germany/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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, 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)

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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.