Malawi ranked 151/197 by economy size with a GDP of $11.3B and 194/197 by GDP per capita at $523. Malawi has $9.91B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 87.6%.
In 2024, Malawi made up 0.01% of the world's economy, compared to 0.02% in 1980.
Malawi GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,316,411,329 | 1.67% |
| 2023 | $13,363,669,673 | 1.95% |
| 2022 | $12,429,059,928 | 0.92% |
| 2021 | $12,378,119,199 | 4.56% |
| 2020 | $11,769,313,598 | 0.79% |
| 2019 | $11,051,852,713 | 5.72% |
| 2018 | $9,879,220,354 | 4.35% |
| 2017 | $8,943,543,794 | 4% |
| 2016 | $7,909,868,618 | 2.5% |
| 2015 | $9,219,474,379 | 2.8% |
| 2014 | $8,801,326,169 | 5.63% |
| 2013 | $8,031,571,928 | 5.41% |
| 2012 | $8,773,203,178 | 1.9% |
| 2011 | $11,648,142,958 | 4.93% |
| 2010 | $10,128,323,011 | 6.87% |
| 2009 | $9,009,887,947 | 8.33% |
| 2008 | $7,743,617,352 | 7.64% |
| 2007 | $6,451,210,219 | 9.6% |
| 2006 | $5,818,279,739 | 4.7% |
| 2005 | $5,320,409,651 | 3.27% |
| 2004 | $5,058,726,350 | 5.42% |
| 2003 | $4,669,789,300 | 5.71% |
| 2002 | $5,087,328,438 | 1.7% |
| 2001 | $2,498,008,665 | -4.97% |
| 2000 | $2,537,307,580 | 1.58% |
| 1999 | $2,584,478,924 | 3.04% |
| 1998 | $2,547,609,590 | 3.9% |
| 1997 | $3,875,785,863 | 3.79% |
| 1996 | $3,319,573,750 | 7.32% |
| 1995 | $2,033,701,498 | 16.7% |
| 1994 | $1,719,864,761 | -10.2% |
| 1993 | $3,013,392,658 | 9.69% |
| 1992 | $2,618,837,835 | -7.33% |
| 1991 | $3,206,783,830 | 8.73% |
| 1990 | $2,737,087,862 | 5.69% |
| 1989 | $2,314,205,130 | 1.34% |
| 1988 | $2,008,189,508 | 3.18% |
| 1987 | $1,721,711,808 | 1.63% |
| 1986 | $1,722,586,299 | -0.21% |
| 1985 | $1,646,442,273 | 4.57% |
| 1984 | $1,758,028,656 | 5.36% |
| 1983 | $1,780,148,049 | 3.72% |
| 1982 | $1,717,379,495 | 2.5% |
| 1981 | $1,801,193,910 | -5.29% |
| 1980 | $1,801,156,775 | 0.41% |
| 1979 | - | 4.4% |
| 1978 | - | 9.75% |
| 1977 | - | 4.92% |
| 1976 | - | 5% |
| 1975 | - | 6.09% |
| 1974 | - | 7.18% |
| 1973 | - | 2.3% |
| 1972 | - | 6.23% |
| 1971 | - | 16.2% |
| 1970 | - | 0.48% |
| 1969 | - | 5.88% |
| 1968 | - | -1.92% |
| 1967 | - | 7.28% |
| 1966 | - | 13.2% |
| 1965 | - | 13.6% |
| 1964 | - | 2.66% |
| 1963 | - | -1.39% |
| 1962 | - | 0.67% |
| 1961 | - | 7.64% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi | CC BY 
Malawi GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $523 | $1,858 |
| 2023 | $633 | $1,830 |
| 2022 | $604 | $1,778 |
| 2021 | $617 | $1,688 |
| 2020 | $603 | $1,513 |
| 2019 | $581 | $1,450 |
| 2018 | $533 | $1,364 |
| 2017 | $496 | $1,380 |
| 2016 | $451 | $1,410 |
| 2015 | $540 | $1,403 |
| 2014 | $530 | $1,506 |
| 2013 | $497 | $1,558 |
| 2012 | $558 | $1,464 |
| 2011 | $763 | $1,516 |
| 2010 | $683 | $1,458 |
| 2009 | $626 | $1,388 |
| 2008 | $554 | $1,311 |
| 2007 | $475 | $1,231 |
| 2006 | $441 | $1,124 |
| 2005 | $414 | $1,071 |
| 2004 | $405 | $1,033 |
| 2003 | $383 | $979 |
| 2002 | $428 | $931 |
| 2001 | $215.5 | $924 |
| 2000 | $224.2 | $974 |
| 1999 | $233.9 | $961 |
| 1998 | $236 | $941 |
| 1997 | $367 | $915 |
| 1996 | $321 | $884 |
| 1995 | $200.4 | $825 |
| 1994 | $169.2 | $692 |
| 1993 | $293 | $746 |
| 1992 | $258.4 | $674 |
| 1991 | $326 | $732 |
| 1990 | $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 (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi | CC BY
Malawi has a GDP per capita of $523, ranking 194/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $1,858, ranking 189/197, and a median annual after tax income of $3,031, ranking 142/197.
Malawi GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | 145 | 180 | 173 |
| 2023 | 144 | 186 | 180 |
| 2022 | 145 | 186 | 180 |
| 2021 | 140 | 184 | 179 |
| 2020 | 138 | 183 | 180 |
| 2019 | 144 | 185 | 182 |
| 2018 | 145 | 187 | 182 |
| 2017 | 146 | 189 | 183 |
| 2016 | 146 | 191 | 183 |
| 2015 | 144 | 189 | 183 |
| 2014 | 146 | 190 | 180 |
| 2013 | 147 | 190 | 181 |
| 2012 | 144 | 188 | 179 |
| 2011 | 133 | 178 | 182 |
| 2010 | 132 | 180 | 182 |
| 2009 | 136 | 182 | 183 |
| 2008 | 138 | 181 | 184 |
| 2007 | 137 | 181 | 184 |
| 2006 | 137 | 180 | 183 |
| 2005 | 136 | 179 | 183 |
| 2004 | 134 | 177 | 182 |
| 2003 | 132 | 171 | 182 |
| 2002 | 120 | 161 | 183 |
| 2001 | 139 | 185 | 183 |
| 2000 | 140 | 184 | 180 |
| 1999 | 138 | 181 | 177 |
| 1998 | 138 | 182 | 173 |
| 1997 | 124 | 166 | 173 |
| 1996 | 127 | 172 | 171 |
| 1995 | 140 | 182 | 172 |
| 1994 | 136 | 179 | 172 |
| 1993 | 121 | 161 | 170 |
| 1992 | 124 | 167 | 172 |
| 1991 | 120 | 161 | 169 |
| 1990 | 125 | 165 | 168 |
| 1989 | 114 | 155 | - |
| 1988 | 119 | 160 | - |
| 1987 | 119 | 159 | - |
| 1986 | 109 | 149 | - |
| 1985 | 106 | 149 | - |
| 1984 | 104 | 142 | - |
| 1983 | 103 | 141 | - |
| 1982 | 104 | 140 | - |
| 1981 | 103 | 140 | - |
| 1980 | 102 | 138 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2024 Malawi is ranked 145th out of 182 by GDP (down from 140th), 180th by GDP per capita (up from 184th), and 173rd by GDP per capita PPP (up from 180th).
Economic indicators
Malawi
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$11.3B
2024 |
151/197 |
| GDP growth |
1.67%
2023-2024 |
142/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$523
2024 |
194/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,858
2024 |
189/197 |
| Government debt |
$9.91B
2024 |
126/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
87.6%
2024 |
35/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$458
2024 |
168/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$3,031
2026 |
142/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31%
2019 |
48/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.9%
2019 |
74/169 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
29.5%
2024 |
99/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
32.2%
2023-2024 |
12/195 |
| Central bank interest rate |
26%
2024 |
6/106 |
| Unemployment rate |
15.4%
2024 |
16/196 |
| Population |
22949294
|
62/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2024 | 29.5% | 87.6% | -11% |
| 2023 | 25.5% | 86.7% | -7.84% |
| 2022 | 26.7% | 75.7% | -9.32% |
| 2021 | 23.7% | 66.5% | -8.34% |
| 2020 | 22.7% | 53.9% | -8.03% |
| 2019 | 19.3% | 41.2% | -4.55% |
| 2018 | 19.4% | 40.8% | -4.35% |
| 2017 | 21% | 40% | -5.15% |
| 2016 | 19.7% | 37.1% | -4.9% |
| 2015 | 19.5% | 35.5% | -4.17% |
| 2014 | 18.3% | 33.5% | -3.08% |
| 2013 | 20.7% | 35.3% | -3.73% |
| 2012 | 18.8% | 28.6% | -1.45% |
| 2011 | 17% | 20% | -2.85% |
| 2010 | 19.6% | 19.3% | 0.63% |
| 2009 | 20.2% | 23.5% | -2.97% |
| 2008 | 20.6% | 23.5% | -2.92% |
| 2007 | 20.7% | 18.9% | -2.56% |
| 2006 | 17.8% | 17.9% | -0.05% |
| 2005 | 17.4% | 70.9% | -1.63% |
| 2004 | 17.2% | 74.7% | -2.61% |
| 2003 | 15.4% | 84.7% | -2.6% |
| 2002 | 13.8% | 101.5% | -4.47% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi | CC BY
This chart shows Malawi's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.
Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $3.34B (29.5% of GDP), with a deficit of 11%.
The national debt reached $9.91B, ranking 126th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 87.6%, ranking 35th.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 20.8% |
| 2021 | 9.3% |
| 2020 | 8.6% |
| 2019 | 9.4% |
| 2018 | 9.2% |
| 2017 | 11.5% |
| 2016 | 21.7% |
| 2015 | 21.9% |
| 2014 | 23.8% |
| 2013 | 28.3% |
| 2012 | 21.3% |
| 2011 | 7.6% |
| 2010 | 7.4% |
| 2009 | 8.4% |
| 2008 | 8.7% |
| 2007 | 7.9% |
| 2006 | 13.9% |
| 2005 | 15.5% |
| 2004 | 11.4% |
| 2003 | 9.6% |
| 2002 | 14.7% |
| 2001 | 22.7% |
| 2000 | 29.6% |
| 1999 | 44.8% |
| 1998 | 29.8% |
| 1997 | 9.1% |
| 1996 | 37.7% |
| 1995 | 83.1% |
| 1994 | 34.7% |
| 1993 | 22.8% |
| 1992 | 23.2% |
| 1991 | 8.2% |
| 1990 | 11.9% |
| 1989 | 12.5% |
| 1988 | 33.8% |
| 1987 | 25.1% |
| 1986 | 14.2% |
| 1985 | 10.6% |
| 1984 | 19.7% |
| 1983 | 13.8% |
| 1982 | 9.5% |
| 1981 | 12% |
| 1980 | 19.2% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, Malawi has had an average annual inflation rate of 15.8%. In 2024, inflation was 32.2%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
Malawi
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$2.13B
2024 |
145/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-18.8%
2024 |
178/190 |
| Goods imports |
$3.02B
2024 |
145/189 |
| Goods exports |
$1.02B
2024 |
148/189 |
| Service imports |
$895M
2024 |
151/189 |
| Service exports |
$508M
2024 |
145/189 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
31.2%
2023 |
126/181 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
11.2%
2023 |
173/193 |
Malawi top 10 trading partners
Malawi's biggest trading partner accounting for 13.1% of all exports and imports is South Africa, with a trade balance between the two of -$432M: Malawi exports $62.1M worth of goods and services to South Africa and imports $494M.
Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Malawi.
| Rank | Country | Trade value | Share of total trade | Export to | Import from | Top export to | Top import from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
South Africa
|
$556M | 13.1% | $62.1M | $494M | Raw agricultural goods | Machinery & equipment |
| 2 |
China
|
$556M | 13.1% | $20.4M | $535M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Machinery & equipment |
| 3 |
Tanzania
|
$398M | 9.37% | $57.1M | $341M | Raw agricultural goods | Raw materials & minerals |
| 4 |
India
|
$339M | 7.99% | $60.6M | $278M | Raw agricultural goods | Chemicals & pharma |
| 5 |
UAE
|
$307M | 7.24% | $25.5M | $281M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Raw materials & minerals |
| 6 |
Belgium
|
$215M | 5.06% | $179M | $35.8M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Chemicals & pharma |
| 7 |
Zambia
|
$133M | 3.14% | $19.4M | $114M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Processed food, beverages & tobacco |
| 8 |
United Kingdom
|
$124M | 2.93% | $36.2M | $88.2M | Raw agricultural goods | Wood & paper products |
| 9 |
United States
|
$108M | 2.54% | $33.5M | $74.3M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Machinery & equipment |
| 10 |
Mozambique
|
$103M | 2.42% | $18.5M | $84.1M | Machinery & equipment | Raw materials & minerals |
Top 10 exports
|
Malawi
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $623M | 95/192 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $226M | 105/193 |
| IT & IP services | $153M | 95/183 |
| Manufacturing & construction services | $127M | 78/164 |
| Transport & tourism services | $92.7M | 158/188 |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $72.2M | 84/180 |
| Machinery & equipment | $31.7M | 148/193 |
| Wood & paper products | $28.6M | 121/192 |
| Business & finance services | $16.9M | 162/188 |
| Animal & marine products | $16.5M | 145/192 |
Top 10 imports
|
Malawi
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $932M | 138/193 |
| Machinery & equipment | $738M | 149/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $590M | 127/193 |
| IT & IP services | $274M | 84/182 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $257M | 144/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $242M | 159/188 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $230M | 151/193 |
| Wood & paper products | $193M | 122/193 |
| Metals | $178M | 147/193 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $144M | 156/193 |
Economic freedom indices
|
Malawi
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 50.7 | 159/197 |
| Property rights | 49.5 | 88/182 |
| Government integrity | 35 | 117/182 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 51.8 | 77/182 |
| Tax burden | 77 | 104/182 |
| Government spending | 77.8 | 74/180 |
| Fiscal health | 4.7 | 170/181 |
| Business freedom | 34.1 | 167/182 |
| Labor freedom | 55.2 | 101/182 |
| Monetary freedom | 55.1 | 165/180 |
| Trade freedom | 68.6 | 108/181 |
| Investment freedom | 50 | 116/181 |
| Financial freedom | 50 | 89/181 |
Economic freedom by year
| Year | Index | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | Judicial effectiveness | Tax burden | Government spending | Fiscal health | |
| 2026 | 50.7 | 51.8 | 77 | 77.8 | 4.7 |
| 2025 | 50.9 | 52.3 | 77.1 | 79.4 | 3.3 |
| 2024 | 52.1 | 52.8 | 77.6 | 82.2 | 8.7 |
| 2023 | 52.8 | 36.6 | 71.6 | 85.2 | 11.8 |
| 2022 | 53 | 53 | 78.7 | 87.4 | 11 |
| 2021 | 53 | 42.1 | 79 | 72.3 | 25.4 |
| 2020 | 52.8 | 42.1 | 79 | 71.7 | 23.6 |
| 2019 | 51.4 | 40.1 | 79.8 | 70.3 | 19.1 |
| 2018 | 52 | 47.1 | 76.9 | 70.7 | 28.1 |
| 2017 | 52.2 | 44.2 | 79.1 | 69.8 | 33.5 |
| 2016 | 51.8 | - | 79 | 27.1 | - |
| 2015 | 54.8 | - | 78.5 | 49 | - |
| 2014 | 55.4 | - | 78 | 63 | - |
| 2013 | 55.3 | - | 78.4 | 60 | - |
| 2012 | 56.4 | - | 79.3 | 62.2 | - |
| 2011 | 55.8 | - | 79.3 | 56.7 | - |
| 2010 | 54.1 | - | 78.9 | 45.8 | - |
| 2009 | 53.7 | - | 70.7 | 48.6 | - |
| 2008 | 52.7 | - | 70.2 | 44.3 | - |
| 2007 | 52.9 | - | 71 | 45.3 | - |
| 2006 | 55.4 | - | 70.4 | 60 | - |
| 2005 | 53.6 | - | 68.6 | 68.5 | - |
| 2004 | 53.6 | - | 69.4 | 67.1 | - |
| 2003 | 53.2 | - | 72.6 | 70 | - |
| 2002 | 56.9 | - | 73 | 74.8 | - |
| 2001 | 56.2 | - | 70.9 | 73 | - |
| 2000 | 57.4 | - | 67.7 | 82.7 | - |
| 1999 | 54 | - | 69 | 84.3 | - |
| 1998 | 54.1 | - | 70.9 | 80.2 | - |
| 1997 | 53.4 | - | 71.2 | 85.9 | - |
| 1996 | 56.2 | - | 73.4 | 78.8 | - |
| 1995 | 54.7 | - | 69.3 | 64.1 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi | CC BY
Malawi is ranked 141/174 for economic freedom with a score of 50.7, compared to 108/162 and a score of 55.4 in 2006.
Other economic metrics
|
Malawi
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
44.2%
2024 |
161/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
17.1%
2024 |
151/194 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
31.8%
2024 |
12/193 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$12.3B
2024 |
147/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$1,830
2024 |
183/191 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$594M
2020 |
154/177 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$202M
2024 |
82/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$681M
2024 |
107/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$56.4M
2024 |
99/193 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
1.47%
2024 |
103/121 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
50.7%
2019 |
22/176 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
14.5%
2023 |
158/178 |
Compare Malawi vs other countries
GDP per capita map
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/malawi | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- 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.