Skip to content

Economy of Kazakhstan vs Malawi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kazakhstan has a GDP of $306B compared to $14.9B for Malawi, ranking 49/197 and 148/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kazakhstan has $75.2B in government debt (24.6% of GDP), compared to $11.7B (78.4% of GDP) in Malawi.

Kazakhstan vs Malawi GDP by year

Kazakhstan
Malawi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kazakhstan Malawi
2025 $306,239,209,650 $14,918,276,698
2024 $291,480,274,649 $11,311,971,400
2023 $261,840,101,060 $13,363,669,673
2022 $225,496,328,925 $12,429,059,928
2021 $197,112,255,361 $12,378,119,199
2020 $171,082,365,861 $11,769,313,598
2019 $181,667,184,855 $11,051,852,713
2018 $179,339,977,690 $9,879,220,354
2017 $166,805,788,827 $8,943,543,794
2016 $137,278,320,084 $7,909,868,618
2015 $184,388,404,706 $9,219,474,379
2014 $221,415,613,595 $8,801,326,169
2013 $236,634,603,409 $8,031,571,928
2012 $207,998,568,866 $8,773,203,178
2011 $192,626,464,617 $11,648,142,958
2010 $148,047,348,241 $10,128,323,011
2009 $115,308,686,941 $9,009,887,947
2008 $133,441,648,852 $7,743,617,352
2007 $104,849,915,058 $6,451,210,219
2006 $81,003,864,630 $5,818,279,739
2005 $57,123,671,734 $5,320,409,651
2004 $43,151,647,003 $5,058,726,350
2003 $30,833,692,900 $4,669,789,300
2002 $24,636,598,527 $5,087,328,438
2001 $22,152,689,180 $2,498,008,665
2000 $18,291,990,662 $2,537,307,580
1999 $16,870,817,182 $2,584,478,924
1998 $22,135,245,507 $2,547,609,590
1997 $22,165,932,063 $3,875,785,863
1996 $21,035,357,937 $3,319,573,750
1995 $20,374,302,652 $2,033,701,498
1994 $21,250,792,886 $1,719,864,761
1993 $23,409,260,880 $3,013,392,658
1992 $24,917,355,372 $2,618,837,835
1991 $24,923,076,923 $3,206,783,830
1990 $26,932,016,270 $2,737,087,862
1989 - $2,314,205,130
1988 - $2,008,189,508
1987 - $1,721,711,808
1986 - $1,722,586,299
1985 - $1,646,442,273
1984 - $1,758,028,656
1983 - $1,780,148,049
1982 - $1,717,379,495
1981 - $1,801,193,910
1980 - $1,801,156,775

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kazakhstan vs Malawi by year

Kazakhstan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kazakhstan Malawi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,692 - $672 -
2024 $14,155 $40,891 $522 $1,858
2023 $12,879 $38,515 $633 $1,830
2022 $11,255 $35,895 $604 $1,778
2021 $9,984 $32,946 $617 $1,688
2020 $8,782 $29,040 $603 $1,513
2019 $9,457 $28,689 $581 $1,450
2018 $9,472 $25,096 $533 $1,364
2017 $8,943 $23,973 $496 $1,380
2016 $7,476 $23,023 $451 $1,410
2015 $10,196 $22,484 $540 $1,403
2014 $12,428 $23,958 $530 $1,506
2013 $13,478 $23,754 $497 $1,558
2012 $12,019 $21,367 $558 $1,464
2011 $11,287 $20,160 $763 $1,516
2010 $8,793 $18,642 $683 $1,458
2009 $6,938 $17,389 $626 $1,388
2008 $8,124 $17,278 $554 $1,311
2007 $6,449 $16,581 $475 $1,231
2006 $5,030 $14,966 $441 $1,124
2005 $3,577 $13,226 $414 $1,071
2004 $2,722 $11,777 $405 $1,033
2003 $1,958 $10,532 $383 $979
2002 $1,574 $9,504 $428 $931
2001 $1,422 $8,568 $215.5 $924
2000 $1,180 $7,418 $224.2 $974
1999 $1,092 $6,626 $233.9 $961
1998 $1,415 $6,284 $236 $941
1997 $1,382 $6,178 $367 $915
1996 $1,281 $5,836 $321 $884
1995 $1,218 $5,595 $200.4 $825
1994 $1,247 $5,860 $169.2 $692
1993 $1,355 $6,477 $293 $746
1992 $1,438 $6,945 $258.4 $674
1991 $1,442 $7,193 $326 $732
1990 $1,570 $7,874 $286.7 $672
1989 - - $252.2 -
1988 - - $229.4 -
1987 - - $207.6 -
1986 - - $217.9 -
1985 - - $216.1 -
1984 - - $239.7 -
1983 - - $252.4 -
1982 - - $253.3 -
1981 - - $276.4 -
1980 - - $287.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kazakhstan's GDP per capita is $14,692, ranking 73/197, compared to $672 in Malawi, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kazakhstan ranks 58th at $40,891, while Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858.

Economic indicators

Kazakhstan Malawi
Gross domestic product
$306B
2025
$14.9B
2025
GDP rank
49/197
2025
148/197
2025
GDP growth
6.5%
2024-2025
1.89%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,692
2025
$672
2025
GDP per capita rank
73/197
2025
190/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$40,891
2024
$1,858
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
58/197
2024
189/197
2024
Government debt
$75.2B
2025
$11.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.6%
2025
78.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,609
2025
$526
2025
Government debt per person rank
96/185
2025
166/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,395
2026
$1,255
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$158B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
44,307
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
4.3%
2021
2.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
30.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
11.4%
2024-2025
28.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
17%
2026
24%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.9%
2022
15.4%
2024
Population
21211812
23086106

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kazakhstan
Spending

Debt
Malawi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kazakhstan Malawi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.8% 24.6% 30.6% 78.4%
2024 22.7% 24.4% 29.5% 87.6%
2023 23.4% 23% 25.5% 86.7%
2022 21.7% 23.5% 26.7% 75.7%
2021 22.1% 25.1% 23.7% 66.5%
2020 24.5% 26.4% 22.7% 53.9%
2019 20.2% 19.9% 19.3% 41.2%
2018 18.8% 20.3% 19.4% 40.8%
2017 24.1% 19.9% 21% 40%
2016 21.5% 19.7% 19.7% 37.1%
2015 22.9% 21.9% 19.5% 35.5%
2014 21.3% 14.5% 18.3% 33.5%
2013 19.8% 12.6% 20.7% 35.3%
2012 21.9% 12.1% 18.8% 28.6%
2011 21.2% 10.2% 17% 20%
2010 22.5% 10.7% 19.6% 19.3%
2009 23.5% 10.2% 20.2% 23.5%
2008 27.1% 6.77% 20.6% 23.5%
2007 23.7% 4.09% 20.7% 18.9%
2006 19.8% 6.68% 17.8% 17.9%
2005 22% 8.1% 17.4% 70.9%
2004 21.3% 11.4% 17.2% 74.7%
2003 21.4% 15% 15.4% 84.7%
2002 20.5% 17.6% 13.8% 101.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kazakhstan's government spending was $66.9B, accounting for 21.8% of its GDP, while Malawi spent $4.56B, or 30.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.6% in Kazakhstan and 78.4% in Malawi, ranking 167/185 and 47/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kazakhstan

Malawi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kazakhstan Malawi
2025 -3.11% -11.5%
2024 -3.43% -11%
2023 -1.41% -7.84%
2022 0.11% -9.32%
2021 -4.97% -8.34%
2020 -7.04% -8.03%
2019 -0.57% -4.55%
2018 2.58% -4.35%
2017 -4.27% -5.15%
2016 -4.5% -4.9%
2015 -6.26% -4.17%
2014 2.48% -3.08%
2013 4.95% -3.73%
2012 4.43% -1.45%
2011 5.81% -2.85%
2010 1.47% 0.63%
2009 -1.33% -2.97%
2008 1.23% -2.92%
2007 5.13% -2.56%
2006 7.65% -0.05%
2005 6.08% -1.63%
2004 3.29% -2.61%
2003 4% -2.6%
2002 1.92% -4.47%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kazakhstan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.54B, equivalent to 3.11% of GDP. This compares to Malawi's deficit of $1.71B, or 11.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Kazakhstan recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Malawi ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Kazakhstan posted an annual surplus equal to 0.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.56% of GDP for Malawi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kazakhstan

Malawi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kazakhstan Malawi
2025 11.4% 28.4%
2024 8.7% 32.2%
2023 14.5% 28.8%
2022 15% 20.8%
2021 8% 9.3%
2020 6.8% 8.6%
2019 5.3% 9.4%
2018 6% 9.2%
2017 7.5% 11.5%
2016 14.6% 21.7%
2015 6.8% 21.9%
2014 6.6% 23.8%
2013 5.8% 28.3%
2012 5.1% 21.3%
2011 8.4% 7.6%
2010 7.1% 7.4%
2009 7.3% 8.4%
2008 17.2% 8.7%
2007 10.8% 7.9%
2006 8.6% 13.9%
2005 7.4% 15.5%
2004 7% 11.4%
2003 6.4% 9.6%
2002 6% 14.7%
2001 8.4% 22.7%
2000 13.2% 29.6%
1999 8.3% 44.8%
1998 7.1% 29.8%
1997 17.4% 9.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kazakhstan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.06%, compared with 17.8% in Malawi. In 2025, inflation was 11.4% in Kazakhstan and 28.4% in Malawi.

Top exports between countries

Kazakhstan
Export category Export value
Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $898K

Balance of trade

Kazakhstan Malawi
Current account balance
-$12.5B
2025
-$2.13B
2024
Current account balance ranking
177/190
2025
143/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.07%
2025
-18.8%
2024
Goods imports
$66.3B
2025
$3.02B
2024
Goods exports
$77.3B
2025
$1.02B
2024
Service imports
$14B
2025
$895M
2024
Service exports
$12.8B
2025
$508M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
28.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2024
10.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kazakhstan Malawi
Economic freedom 64.2 50.7
Economic freedom ranking 75/197 159/197
Property rights 54.9 49.5
Government integrity 40.7 35
Judicial effectiveness 33.8 51.8
Tax burden 91.2 77
Government spending 85.6 77.8
Fiscal health 97.2 4.7
Business freedom 64.9 34.1
Labor freedom 63.5 55.2
Monetary freedom 64.3 55.1
Trade freedom 74.4 68.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kazakhstan
Malawi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kazakhstan Malawi
2026 64.2 50.7
2025 63.8 50.9
2024 62 52.1
2023 62.1 52.8
2022 64.4 53
2021 71.1 53
2020 69.6 52.8
2019 65.4 51.4
2018 69.1 52
2017 69 52.2
2016 63.6 51.8
2015 63.3 54.8
2014 63.7 55.4
2013 63 55.3
2012 63.6 56.4
2011 62.1 55.8
2010 61 54.1
2009 60.1 53.7
2008 61.1 52.7
2007 59.6 52.9
2006 60.2 55.4
2005 53.9 53.6
2004 49.7 53.6
2003 52.3 53.2
2002 52.4 56.9
2001 51.8 56.2
2000 50.4 57.4
1999 47.3 54
1998 41.7 54.1
1997 - 53.4
1996 - 56.2
1995 - 54.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kazakhstan is 64.2, ranking 75/197, 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

Kazakhstan Malawi
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
48.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
32.3%
2025
14.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.74%
2025
30%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$286B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,090
2025
$1,880
2025
Total reserves including gold
$66.1B
2025
$594M
2020
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2025
154/177
2020
Net foreign direct investment
$1.38B
2025
-$202M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$258M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.9B
2024
$56.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
17.3%
2024
1.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5%
2024
50.7%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
15.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.