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Economy of Guinea vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea has a GDP of $25B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 118/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea has $12.2B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Guinea vs Malawi GDP by year

Guinea
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea Malawi
2024 $25,008,678,293 $11,316,411,329
2023 $22,407,615,556 $13,363,669,673
2022 $19,910,452,542 $12,429,059,928
2021 $17,069,115,738 $12,378,119,199
2020 $14,088,693,743 $11,769,313,598
2019 $13,442,861,496 $11,051,852,713
2018 $11,857,030,367 $9,879,220,354
2017 $10,324,668,271 $8,943,543,794
2016 $8,595,955,222 $7,909,868,618
2015 $8,794,201,743 $9,219,474,379
2014 $8,778,473,373 $8,801,326,169
2013 $8,376,613,539 $8,031,571,928
2012 $7,638,044,557 $8,773,203,178
2011 $6,785,137,203 $11,648,142,958
2010 $6,853,467,146 $10,128,323,011
2009 $6,716,905,340 $9,009,887,947
2008 $6,964,179,983 $7,743,617,352
2007 $6,281,918,226 $6,451,210,219
2006 $4,220,019,845 $5,818,279,739
2005 $4,282,468,637 $5,320,409,651
2004 $5,300,767,961 $5,058,726,350
2003 $5,025,167,975 $4,669,789,300
2002 $4,301,608,753 $5,087,328,438
2001 $4,125,527,603 $2,498,008,665
2000 $4,367,458,867 $2,537,307,580
1999 $5,046,806,783 $2,584,478,924
1998 $5,232,118,046 $2,547,609,590
1997 $5,516,916,163 $3,875,785,863
1996 $5,641,243,100 $3,319,573,750
1995 $5,385,704,166 $2,033,701,498
1994 $4,932,800,407 $1,719,864,761
1993 $4,781,166,117 $3,013,392,658
1992 $4,789,220,417 $2,618,837,835
1991 $4,396,178,694 $3,206,783,830
1990 $3,888,320,666 $2,737,087,862
1989 $3,546,079,263 $2,314,205,130
1988 $3,476,480,303 $2,008,189,508
1987 $2,976,714,019 $1,721,711,808
1986 $2,909,130,355 $1,722,586,299
1985 $22,787,644,566 $1,646,442,273
1984 $18,421,497,251 $1,758,028,656
1983 $15,129,893,722 $1,780,148,049
1982 $11,926,032,493 $1,717,379,495
1981 $9,646,440,667 $1,801,193,910
1980 $9,746,524,915 $1,801,156,775
1979 $8,877,094,497 -
1978 $8,087,305,999 -
1977 $6,914,381,291 -
1976 $6,762,781,871 -
1975 $6,102,769,605 -
1974 $5,691,417,541 -
1973 $5,152,080,388 -
1972 $4,203,069,035 -
1971 $3,594,302,908 -
1970 $3,220,224,608 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Guinea vs Malawi by year

Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,695 $4,565 $523 $1,858
2023 $1,555 $4,334 $633 $1,830
2022 $1,417 $4,062 $604 $1,778
2021 $1,245 $3,739 $617 $1,688
2020 $1,054 $3,332 $603 $1,513
2019 $1,031 $3,106 $581 $1,450
2018 $933 $2,844 $533 $1,364
2017 $834 $2,687 $496 $1,380
2016 $712 $2,255 $451 $1,410
2015 $747 $1,930 $540 $1,403
2014 $765 $1,873 $530 $1,506
2013 $748 $1,842 $497 $1,558
2012 $699 $1,790 $558 $1,464
2011 $637 $1,705 $763 $1,516
2010 $659 $1,622 $683 $1,458
2009 $662 $1,567 $626 $1,388
2008 $704 $1,614 $554 $1,311
2007 $650 $1,558 $475 $1,231
2006 $447 $1,453 $441 $1,124
2005 $463 $1,422 $414 $1,071
2004 $585 $1,366 $405 $1,033
2003 $566 $1,328 $383 $979
2002 $496 $1,315 $428 $931
2001 $483 $1,251 $215.5 $924
2000 $518 $1,196 $224.2 $974
1999 $611 $1,163 $233.9 $961
1998 $647 $1,130 $236 $941
1997 $696 $1,099 $367 $915
1996 $726 $1,048 $321 $884
1995 $713 $1,014 $200.4 $825
1994 $672 $976 $169.2 $692
1993 $671 $947 $293 $746
1992 $693 $908 $258.4 $674
1991 $656 $887 $326 $732
1990 $604 $871 $286.7 $672
1989 $570 - $252.2 -
1988 $574 - $229.4 -
1987 $505 - $207.6 -
1986 $506 - $217.9 -
1985 $4,062 - $216.1 -
1984 $3,362 - $239.7 -
1983 $2,823 - $252.4 -
1982 $2,273 - $253.3 -
1981 $1,876 - $276.4 -
1980 $1,931 - $287.5 -
1979 $1,790 - - -
1978 $1,658 - - -
1977 $1,440 - - -
1976 $1,431 - - -
1975 $1,311 - - -
1974 $1,243 - - -
1973 $1,143 - - -
1972 $948 - - -
1971 $825 - - -
1970 $753 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Guinea's GDP per capita is $1,695, ranking 160/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Guinea Malawi
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
118/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
5.35%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,695
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
160/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,565
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
161/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$12.2B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,020
2026
$3,031
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.1%
2018
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2018
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.7%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.02%
2019
15.4%
2024
Population
15546235
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 48.8% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 18.3% 40.4% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 15.7% 37.9% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 15.1% 40.6% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 17.1% 45.3% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 14.9% 37.3% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 15.9% 37.5% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 17.3% 39.9% 21% 40%
2016 16.1% 40.6% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 21.7% 41.5% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 20.1% 32.1% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 18.6% 30.5% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 19.6% 26.9% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 16% 53.8% 17% 20%
2010 20.5% 71.1% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 16.2% 61.3% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 10.1% 58.5% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 8.66% 60.8% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 13.2% 95.2% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 11% 97.9% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 13% 86.9% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 14.7% 81.6% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 14.4% 82.6% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 14.9% 90.4% - -
2000 12.6% 91.5% - -
1999 11.6% 92.3% - -
1998 10.3% 75.9% - -
1997 12.6% 67.9% - -
1996 12% 67.7% - -
1995 12.7% 66.5% - -
1994 12.6% 71.3% - -
1993 13.3% 68.9% - -
1992 13.8% 62% - -
1991 16.3% 70.9% - -
1990 18.7% 71.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guinea's government spending was $5.14B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Guinea and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 111/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea Malawi
2024 -4.99% -11%
2023 -3.86% -7.84%
2022 -1.88% -9.32%
2021 -1.7% -8.34%
2020 -3.08% -8.03%
2019 -0.17% -4.55%
2018 -0.97% -4.35%
2017 -1.98% -5.15%
2016 -0.08% -4.9%
2015 -6.53% -4.17%
2014 -3.01% -3.08%
2013 -3.86% -3.73%
2012 23.7% -1.45%
2011 -0.92% -2.85%
2010 -9.66% 0.63%
2009 -4.87% -2.97%
2008 0.38% -2.92%
2007 1.28% -2.56%
2006 -2.13% -0.05%
2005 -1.06% -1.63%
2004 -3.85% -2.61%
2003 -4.65% -2.6%
2002 -3.37% -4.47%
2001 -3.23% -
2000 -2.42% -
1999 -1.3% -
1998 2.46% -
1997 0.07% -
1996 -2.2% -
1995 -1.07% -
1994 -2.59% -
1993 -2.33% -
1992 -0.89% -
1991 -3.25% -
1990 -3.76% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.25B, equivalent to 4.99% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.62% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea Malawi
2024 4.7% 32.2%
2023 5.4% 28.8%
2022 10.5% 20.8%
2021 12.6% 9.3%
2020 10.6% 8.6%
2019 9.5% 9.4%
2018 9.8% 9.2%
2017 8.9% 11.5%
2016 8.2% 21.7%
2015 8.2% 21.9%
2014 9.7% 23.8%
2013 11.9% 28.3%
2012 15.2% 21.3%
2011 21.4% 7.6%
2010 15.5% 7.4%
2009 4.7% 8.4%
2008 18.4% 8.7%
2007 22.9% 7.9%
2006 34.7% 13.9%
2005 31.4% 15.5%
2004 17.5% 11.4%
2003 11% 9.6%
2002 3% 14.7%
2001 5.4% 22.7%
2000 6.8% 29.6%
1999 4.6% 44.8%
1998 5.1% 29.8%
1997 1.9% 9.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 4.7% in Guinea and 32.2% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Guinea
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K
Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $219K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Guinea Malawi
Current account balance
-$392M
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
104/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$7.08B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$11.6B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$3.15B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$71.2M
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
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.

Guinea Malawi
Economic freedom 53.1 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 141/197 159/197
Property rights 21.3 49.5
Government integrity 26.7 35
Judicial effectiveness 26 51.8
Tax burden 70.1 77
Government spending 90.1 77.8
Fiscal health 74.8 4.7
Business freedom 44.8 34.1
Labor freedom 56.4 55.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 55.1
Trade freedom 61.8 68.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea Malawi
2026 53.1 50.7
2025 54.6 50.9
2024 53.3 52.1
2023 53.2 52.8
2022 54.2 53
2021 56.5 53
2020 56.5 52.8
2019 55.7 51.4
2018 52.2 52
2017 47.6 52.2
2016 53.3 51.8
2015 52.1 54.8
2014 53.5 55.4
2013 51.2 55.3
2012 50.8 56.4
2011 51.7 55.8
2010 51.8 54.1
2009 51 53.7
2008 52.8 52.7
2007 54.5 52.9
2006 52.8 55.4
2005 57.4 53.6
2004 56.1 53.6
2003 54.6 53.2
2002 52.9 56.9
2001 58.4 56.2
2000 58.2 57.4
1999 59.4 54
1998 61 54.1
1997 52.9 53.4
1996 58.5 56.2
1995 59.4 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea is 53.1, ranking 141/197, 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

Guinea Malawi
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.1%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.3B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.89B
2023
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2023
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.4B
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.4B
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30K
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47%
2020
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.1%
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/guinea/malawi | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2016–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.