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Economy of Jamaica vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $11.3B for Malawi, ranking 124/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $9.91B (87.6% of GDP) in Malawi.

Jamaica vs Malawi GDP by year

Jamaica
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Malawi
2024 $22,014,397,090 $11,316,411,329
2023 $21,418,804,320 $13,363,669,673
2022 $18,813,516,805 $12,429,059,928
2021 $15,963,885,376 $12,378,119,199
2020 $15,000,214,216 $11,769,313,598
2019 $17,026,269,263 $11,051,852,713
2018 $16,855,447,986 $9,879,220,354
2017 $15,783,583,237 $8,943,543,794
2016 $14,898,999,754 $7,909,868,618
2015 $14,963,589,916 $9,219,474,379
2014 $13,899,217,680 $8,801,326,169
2013 $14,264,205,153 $8,031,571,928
2012 $14,807,086,556 $8,773,203,178
2011 $14,444,661,522 $11,648,142,958
2010 $13,220,549,908 $10,128,323,011
2009 $12,120,458,115 $9,009,887,947
2008 $13,709,401,520 $7,743,617,352
2007 $12,799,600,047 $6,451,210,219
2006 $11,930,179,090 $5,818,279,739
2005 $11,243,865,778 $5,320,409,651
2004 $10,174,664,854 $5,058,726,350
2003 $9,430,234,811 $4,669,789,300
2002 $9,719,009,495 $5,087,328,438
2001 $9,194,727,831 $2,498,008,665
2000 $9,005,064,475 $2,537,307,580
1999 $8,887,057,997 $2,584,478,924
1998 $8,787,195,622 $2,547,609,590
1997 $8,400,041,724 $3,875,785,863
1996 $7,393,891,921 $3,319,573,750
1995 $6,577,520,643 $2,033,701,498
1994 $5,452,558,947 $1,719,864,761
1993 $5,440,075,676 $3,013,392,658
1992 $3,535,460,090 $2,618,837,835
1991 $4,106,207,649 $3,206,783,830
1990 $4,592,208,087 $2,737,087,862
1989 $4,404,937,853 $2,314,205,130
1988 $3,828,342,820 $2,008,189,508
1987 $3,287,007,322 $1,721,711,808
1986 $2,754,549,582 $1,722,586,299
1985 $2,100,239,019 $1,646,442,273
1984 $2,373,564,549 $1,758,028,656
1983 $3,619,262,277 $1,780,148,049
1982 $3,293,496,312 $1,717,379,495
1981 $2,979,027,966 $1,801,193,910
1980 $2,679,379,372 $1,801,156,775
1979 $2,425,064,229 -
1978 $2,644,527,822 -
1977 $3,249,733,140 -
1976 $2,966,042,856 -
1975 $2,860,442,750 -
1974 $2,375,122,375 -
1973 $1,905,917,553 -
1972 $1,875,146,587 -
1971 $1,539,861,816 -
1970 $1,404,720,442 -
1969 $1,191,239,047 -
1968 $1,083,839,133 -
1967 $1,148,014,311 -
1966 $1,096,759,561 -
1965 $972,159,611 -
1964 $897,949,001 -
1963 $826,706,669 -
1962 $777,727,689 -
1961 $748,043,501 -
1960 $699,064,380 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Malawi by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $523 $1,858
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $633 $1,830
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $604 $1,778
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $617 $1,688
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $603 $1,513
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $581 $1,450
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $533 $1,364
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $496 $1,380
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $451 $1,410
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $540 $1,403
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $530 $1,506
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $497 $1,558
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $558 $1,464
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $763 $1,516
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $683 $1,458
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $626 $1,388
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $554 $1,311
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $475 $1,231
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $441 $1,124
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $414 $1,071
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $405 $1,033
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $383 $979
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $428 $931
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $215.5 $924
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $224.2 $974
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $233.9 $961
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $236 $941
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $367 $915
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $321 $884
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $200.4 $825
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $169.2 $692
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $293 $746
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $258.4 $674
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $326 $732
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $286.7 $672
1989 $1,865 - $252.2 -
1988 $1,632 - $229.4 -
1987 $1,411 - $207.6 -
1986 $1,191 - $217.9 -
1985 $917 - $216.1 -
1984 $1,048 - $239.7 -
1983 $1,619 - $252.4 -
1982 $1,494 - $253.3 -
1981 $1,370 - $276.4 -
1980 $1,249 - $287.5 -
1979 $1,144 - - -
1978 $1,262 - - -
1977 $1,569 - - -
1976 $1,450 - - -
1975 $1,417 - - -
1974 $1,193 - - -
1973 $972 - - -
1972 $971 - - -
1971 $809 - - -
1970 $748 - - -
1969 $642 - - -
1968 $591 - - -
1967 $633 - - -
1966 $612 - - -
1965 $549 - - -
1964 $514 - - -
1963 $480 - - -
1962 $458 - - -
1961 $447 - - -
1960 $424 - - -

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

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $523 in Malawi, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Malawi
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
1.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
194/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
168/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$3,031
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
29.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
32.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
26%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
15.4%
2024
Population
2834980
22949294

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.5% 63.4% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 28% 67.3% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 29% 90.9% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 21% 40%
2016 27% 109.1% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 29.6% 143% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 17% 20%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 31.2% 118% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 13.8% 101.5%
2001 28.5% 107.9% - -
2000 26.2% 91.3% - -
1999 28.9% 83.5% - -
1998 28.3% 75.6% - -
1997 28.3% 74.4% - -
1996 27.7% 70.2% - -
1995 23.1% 85.2% - -
1994 21.5% 90.4% - -
1993 21.5% 106.2% - -
1992 20% 100.4% - -
1991 24.5% 175.1% - -
1990 25.7% 128.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $3.34B, or 29.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 87.6% in Malawi, ranking 73/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Malawi
2024 0.22% -11%
2023 0.04% -7.84%
2022 0.27% -9.32%
2021 0.89% -8.34%
2020 -2.83% -8.03%
2019 0.85% -4.55%
2018 1.12% -4.35%
2017 0.43% -5.15%
2016 -0.19% -4.9%
2015 -0.28% -4.17%
2014 -0.49% -3.08%
2013 0.12% -3.73%
2012 -4.05% -1.45%
2011 -6.34% -2.85%
2010 -6.27% 0.63%
2009 -11.1% -2.97%
2008 -7.43% -2.92%
2007 -3.82% -2.56%
2006 -4.9% -0.05%
2005 -3.3% -1.63%
2004 -4.68% -2.61%
2003 -5.67% -2.6%
2002 -6.77% -4.47%
2001 -4.89% -
2000 -0.8% -
1999 -3.53% -
1998 -5.82% -
1997 -6.54% -
1996 -5.32% -
1995 1.6% -
1994 2.59% -
1993 2.6% -
1992 3.11% -
1991 3.87% -
1990 2.34% -

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

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

In 2024, Jamaica's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.1M, equivalent to 0.22% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.24B, or 11% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.26% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Malawi
2024 5.41% 32.2%
2023 6.47% 28.8%
2022 10.3% 20.8%
2021 5.86% 9.3%
2020 5.23% 8.6%
2019 3.91% 9.4%
2018 3.74% 9.2%
2017 4.38% 11.5%
2016 2.35% 21.7%
2015 3.69% 21.9%
2014 8.27% 23.8%
2013 9.34% 28.3%
2012 6.87% 21.3%
2011 7.56% 7.6%
2010 12.6% 7.4%
2009 9.59% 8.4%
2008 22% 8.7%
2007 9.24% 7.9%
2006 8.56% 13.9%
2005 15.1% 15.5%
2004 13.6% 11.4%
2003 10.1% 9.6%
2002 7.08% 14.7%
2001 6.8% 22.7%
2000 8.17% 29.6%
1999 5.95% 44.8%
1998 8.63% 29.8%
1997 9.66% 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/jamaica/malawi | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 17.4% in Malawi. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 32.2% in Malawi.

Balance of trade

Jamaica Malawi
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
145/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$895M
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
31.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
11.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Jamaica Malawi
Economic freedom 68.2 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 159/197
Property rights 66.8 49.5
Government integrity 49.4 35
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 51.8
Tax burden 76.3 77
Government spending 76 77.8
Fiscal health 92.2 4.7
Business freedom 68.5 34.1
Labor freedom 59.2 55.2
Monetary freedom 74.2 55.1
Trade freedom 70.4 68.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Malawi
2026 68.2 50.7
2025 68.7 50.9
2024 68.1 52.1
2023 68.1 52.8
2022 67.4 53
2021 69 53
2020 68.5 52.8
2019 68.6 51.4
2018 69.1 52
2017 69.5 52.2
2016 67.5 51.8
2015 67.7 54.8
2014 66.7 55.4
2013 66.8 55.3
2012 65.1 56.4
2011 65.7 55.8
2010 65.5 54.1
2009 65.2 53.7
2008 65.7 52.7
2007 65.5 52.9
2006 66.4 55.4
2005 67 53.6
2004 66.7 53.6
2003 67 53.2
2002 61.7 56.9
2001 63.7 56.2
2000 65.5 57.4
1999 64.7 54
1998 67.1 54.1
1997 67.7 53.4
1996 66.7 56.2
1995 64.4 54.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, 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

Jamaica Malawi
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
31.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$12.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
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/jamaica/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 (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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.