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Economy of Malawi vs Mauritius compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $14.9B for Mauritius, ranking 151/197 and 143/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $13.6B (91.1% of GDP) in Mauritius.

Malawi vs Mauritius GDP by year

Malawi
Mauritius
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Mauritius
2024 $11,316,411,329 $14,937,861,786
2023 $13,363,669,673 $14,072,212,290
2022 $12,429,059,928 $12,936,444,123
2021 $12,378,119,199 $11,622,048,697
2020 $11,769,313,598 $11,566,111,138
2019 $11,051,852,713 $14,645,235,205
2018 $9,879,220,354 $14,957,535,716
2017 $8,943,543,794 $13,896,938,315
2016 $7,909,868,618 $12,757,680,847
2015 $9,219,474,379 $12,162,211,503
2014 $8,801,326,169 $13,230,490,082
2013 $8,031,571,928 $12,434,596,541
2012 $8,773,203,178 $11,832,323,837
2011 $11,648,142,958 $11,677,718,382
2010 $10,128,323,011 $10,144,716,155
2009 $9,009,887,947 $9,264,513,545
2008 $7,743,617,352 $10,127,777,060
2007 $6,451,210,219 $8,277,442,915
2006 $5,818,279,739 $7,137,710,413
2005 $5,320,409,651 $6,576,108,447
2004 $5,058,726,350 $6,667,418,752
2003 $4,669,789,300 $5,894,873,920
2002 $5,087,328,438 $4,906,494,249
2001 $2,498,008,665 $4,675,755,867
2000 $2,537,307,580 $4,726,108,622
1999 $2,584,478,924 $4,402,193,195
1998 $2,547,609,590 $4,225,813,976
1997 $3,875,785,863 $4,243,755,308
1996 $3,319,573,750 $4,481,489,762
1995 $2,033,701,498 $4,094,741,652
1994 $1,719,864,761 $3,606,050,873
1993 $3,013,392,658 $3,307,302,126
1992 $2,618,837,835 $3,267,677,814
1991 $3,206,783,830 $2,895,354,736
1990 $2,737,087,862 $2,689,212,760
1989 $2,314,205,130 $2,211,312,823
1988 $2,008,189,508 $2,163,252,449
1987 $1,721,711,808 $1,906,174,438
1986 $1,722,586,299 $1,482,601,552
1985 $1,646,442,273 $1,090,611,325
1984 $1,758,028,656 $1,054,564,759
1983 $1,780,148,049 $1,104,956,573
1982 $1,717,379,495 $1,092,923,636
1981 $1,801,193,910 $1,157,769,444
1980 $1,801,156,775 $1,147,027,924
1979 - $1,227,446,632
1978 - $1,029,040,323
1977 - $834,722,972
1976 - $713,510,052
1975 - $673,311,287
1974 - $669,894,030
1973 - $404,285,775
1972 - $318,664,900
1971 - $251,437,338
1970 - $224,125,805
1969 - $221,553,613
1968 - $206,576,631
1967 - $238,439,291
1966 - $227,534,083
1965 - $230,024,161
1964 - $218,914,569
1963 - $253,839,558
1962 - $197,738,208
1961 - $191,757,729
1960 - $162,089,564

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

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Mauritius by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritius
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Mauritius
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $11,991 $31,840
2023 $633 $1,830 $11,270 $29,561
2022 $604 $1,778 $10,247 $26,874
2021 $617 $1,688 $9,178 $23,010
2020 $603 $1,513 $9,136 $21,622
2019 $581 $1,450 $11,568 $24,375
2018 $533 $1,364 $11,819 $23,416
2017 $496 $1,380 $10,987 $22,898
2016 $451 $1,410 $10,095 $21,952
2015 $540 $1,403 $9,631 $20,270
2014 $530 $1,506 $10,490 $19,294
2013 $497 $1,558 $9,877 $18,435
2012 $558 $1,464 $9,422 $17,259
2011 $763 $1,516 $9,324 $16,884
2010 $683 $1,458 $8,113 $15,920
2009 $626 $1,388 $7,427 $15,105
2008 $554 $1,311 $8,141 $14,569
2007 $475 $1,231 $6,677 $13,612
2006 $441 $1,124 $5,784 $12,593
2005 $414 $1,071 $5,354 $11,703
2004 $405 $1,033 $5,461 $11,216
2003 $383 $979 $4,858 $10,535
2002 $428 $931 $4,073 $9,824
2001 $215.5 $924 $3,909 $9,586
2000 $224.2 $974 $3,982 $9,143
1999 $233.9 $961 $3,746 $8,344
1998 $236 $941 $3,642 $8,121
1997 $367 $915 $3,696 $7,651
1996 $321 $884 $3,952 $7,206
1995 $200.4 $825 $3,648 $6,771
1994 $169.2 $692 $3,240 $6,414
1993 $293 $746 $3,014 $6,116
1992 $258.4 $674 $3,013 $5,753
1991 $326 $732 $2,705 $5,351
1990 $286.7 $672 $2,540 $5,010
1989 $252.2 - $2,103 -
1988 $229.4 - $2,074 -
1987 $207.6 - $1,840 -
1986 $217.9 - $1,442 -
1985 $216.1 - $1,069 -
1984 $239.7 - $1,042 -
1983 $252.4 - $1,103 -
1982 $253.3 - $1,101 -
1981 $276.4 - $1,181 -
1980 $287.5 - $1,187 -
1979 - - $1,292 -
1978 - - $1,102 -
1977 - - $906 -
1976 - - $787 -
1975 - - $755 -
1974 - - $763 -
1973 - - $467 -
1972 - - $374 -
1971 - - $299.6 -
1970 - - $271.3 -
1969 - - $272.7 -
1968 - - $258.7 -
1967 - - $304 -
1966 - - $296 -
1965 - - $305 -
1964 - - $297.3 -
1963 - - $353 -
1962 - - $282.3 -
1961 - - $281.7 -
1960 - - $238.3 -

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

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $11,991 in Mauritius, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Mauritius ranks 71st at $31,840.

Economic indicators

Malawi Mauritius
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$14.9B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
143/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
4.93%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$11,991
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$31,840
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
71/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$13.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
91.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$10,929
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
54/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$7,203
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$9.12B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
29.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.9%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
33.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
4.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
5.21%
2024
Population
22949294
1240121

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Mauritius
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Mauritius
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 33.7% 91.1%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 29.9% 85.6%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 29.4% 86.9%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 30.8% 93.8%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 32.6% 93.4%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 27.8% 74.6%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 24.3% 64.1%
2017 21% 40% 24.3% 63%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 24% 64.3%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 24.5% 65%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 23% 60.6%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 24.1% 58.2%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 22.5% 55.9%
2011 17% 20% 23.7% 56.5%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 24% 56.4%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 25.2% 58.4%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 22.7% 49.4%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 21.5% 51.6%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 22.2% 59.3%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 23% 61.7%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 22.6% 61.1%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 23.4% 70.8%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 23.3% 66.7%
2001 - - 22.4% 60.5%
2000 - - 22.2% 59.7%
1999 - - 27.5% -
1998 - - 26.6% -
1997 - - 27.5% -
1996 - - 27.4% -
1995 - - 27.3% -
1994 - - 27.5% -
1993 - - 24.5% -
1992 - - 26.8% -
1991 - - 27.2% -
1990 - - 30.2% -

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

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Mauritius spent $5.03B, or 33.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 91.1% in Mauritius, ranking 35/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Mauritius
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Mauritius
2024 -11% -7.47%
2023 -7.84% -4.7%
2022 -9.32% -3.34%
2021 -8.34% -4.45%
2020 -8.03% -10.6%
2019 -4.55% -7.53%
2018 -4.35% -2.19%
2017 -5.15% -1.66%
2016 -4.9% -2.81%
2015 -4.17% -3.59%
2014 -3.08% -3.13%
2013 -3.73% -3.4%
2012 -1.45% -1.78%
2011 -2.85% -3.09%
2010 0.63% -3.07%
2009 -2.97% -3.41%
2008 -2.92% -2.66%
2007 -2.56% -3.09%
2006 -0.05% -4.14%
2005 -1.63% -4.44%
2004 -2.61% -4.34%
2003 -2.6% -4.82%
2002 -4.47% -5.18%
2001 - -5.53%
2000 - -4.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.24B, equivalent to 11% of GDP. This compares to Mauritius' deficit of $1.12B, or 7.47% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Mauritius ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.13% of GDP for Mauritius.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Mauritius
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Mauritius
2024 32.2% 3.6%
2023 28.8% 7.05%
2022 20.8% 10.8%
2021 9.3% 4.03%
2020 8.6% 2.58%
2019 9.4% 0.41%
2018 9.2% 3.22%
2017 11.5% 3.67%
2016 21.7% 0.98%
2015 21.9% 1.29%
2014 23.8% 3.22%
2013 28.3% 3.54%
2012 21.3% 3.85%
2011 7.6% 6.52%
2010 7.4% 2.93%
2009 8.4% 2.52%
2008 8.7% 9.73%
2007 7.9% 8.83%
2006 13.9% 8.91%
2005 15.5% 4.94%
2004 11.4% 4.71%
2003 9.6% 3.92%
2002 14.7% 6.42%
2001 22.7% 5.39%
2000 29.6% 4.2%
1999 44.8% 6.91%
1998 29.8% 6.81%
1997 9.1% 6.83%

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/malawi/mauritius | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 4.92% in Mauritius. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 3.6% in Mauritius.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $609K
Machinery & equipment $115K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $80K
Raw agricultural goods $68K
Metals $11K
Wood & paper products $2K
Mauritius
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $194K
Textiles & consumer goods $117K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $89K
Wood & paper products $24K
Chemicals & pharma $8K

Balance of trade

Malawi Mauritius
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$1.05B
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
126/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-7.03%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$6.35B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$2.37B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$2.28B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$4.19B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
67.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Mauritius
Economic freedom 50.7 73
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 26/197
Property rights 49.5 83.9
Government integrity 35 53.4
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 80.7
Tax burden 77 89.6
Government spending 77.8 73.8
Fiscal health 4.7 45.5
Business freedom 34.1 81.5
Labor freedom 55.2 69.6
Monetary freedom 55.1 70.7
Trade freedom 68.6 87
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Mauritius
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Mauritius
2026 50.7 73
2025 50.9 75
2024 52.1 71.5
2023 52.8 70.6
2022 53 70.9
2021 53 77
2020 52.8 74.9
2019 51.4 73
2018 52 75.1
2017 52.2 74.7
2016 51.8 74.7
2015 54.8 76.4
2014 55.4 76.5
2013 55.3 76.9
2012 56.4 77
2011 55.8 76.2
2010 54.1 76.3
2009 53.7 74.3
2008 52.7 72.6
2007 52.9 69.4
2006 55.4 67.4
2005 53.6 67.2
2004 53.6 64.3
2003 53.2 64.4
2002 56.9 67.7
2001 56.2 66.4
2000 57.4 67.2
1999 54 68.5
1998 54.1 -
1997 53.4 -
1996 56.2 -
1995 54.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 73 for Mauritius, ranking 26/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Mauritius
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
64.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
17.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
4.23%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$16.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$35,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$8.51B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
83/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
$963M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$681M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$38.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
10.1%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
8.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
21.2%
2024

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/malawi/mauritius | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.