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Economy of Malawi vs Mexico compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $1.86T for Mexico, ranking 151/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $1.08T (58.3% of GDP) in Mexico.

Malawi vs Mexico GDP by year

Malawi
Mexico
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Mexico
2024 $11,316,411,329 $1,856,365,616,166
2023 $13,363,669,673 $1,798,317,581,487
2022 $12,429,059,928 $1,466,934,724,293
2021 $12,378,119,199 $1,316,569,466,686
2020 $11,769,313,598 $1,121,064,767,308
2019 $11,051,852,713 $1,304,106,203,902
2018 $9,879,220,354 $1,256,300,182,880
2017 $8,943,543,794 $1,190,721,475,906
2016 $7,909,868,618 $1,112,233,497,453
2015 $9,219,474,379 $1,213,294,467,717
2014 $8,801,326,169 $1,364,507,717,614
2013 $8,031,571,928 $1,327,436,290,283
2012 $8,773,203,178 $1,255,110,424,818
2011 $11,648,142,958 $1,229,013,703,417
2010 $10,128,323,011 $1,105,424,238,731
2009 $9,009,887,947 $943,437,415,025
2008 $7,743,617,352 $1,161,553,459,715
2007 $6,451,210,219 $1,102,355,554,972
2006 $5,818,279,739 $1,020,265,057,882
2005 $5,320,409,651 $917,571,853,529
2004 $5,058,726,350 $819,459,227,375
2003 $4,669,789,300 $765,549,967,703
2002 $5,087,328,438 $810,666,116,402
2001 $2,498,008,665 $796,064,590,549
2000 $2,537,307,580 $742,061,329,749
1999 $2,584,478,924 $631,249,359,702
1998 $2,547,609,590 $557,461,102,631
1997 $3,875,785,863 $523,449,530,464
1996 $3,319,573,750 $432,157,945,024
1995 $2,033,701,498 $380,157,469,867
1994 $1,719,864,761 $553,618,247,901
1993 $3,013,392,658 $530,160,763,663
1992 $2,618,837,835 $363,157,832,924
1991 $3,206,783,830 $313,139,656,146
1990 $2,737,087,862 $261,253,675,693
1989 $2,314,205,130 $221,403,098,267
1988 $2,008,189,508 $181,611,150,497
1987 $1,721,711,808 $147,542,558,209
1986 $1,722,586,299 $134,556,034,673
1985 $1,646,442,273 $195,241,069,482
1984 $1,758,028,656 $184,230,754,105
1983 $1,780,148,049 $156,167,000,433
1982 $1,717,379,495 $184,602,611,610
1981 $1,801,193,910 $263,797,827,860
1980 $1,801,156,775 $205,577,055,466
1979 - $134,531,900,899
1978 - $102,648,570,299
1977 - $81,912,018,784
1976 - $88,875,923,765
1975 - $88,000,000,000
1974 - $72,000,000,000
1973 - $55,280,000,000
1972 - $45,200,000,000
1971 - $39,200,000,000
1970 - $35,520,000,000
1969 - $32,480,000,000
1968 - $29,360,000,000
1967 - $26,560,000,000
1966 - $24,320,000,000
1965 - $21,840,000,000
1964 - $20,080,000,000
1963 - $16,960,000,000
1962 - $15,200,000,000
1961 - $14,160,000,000
1960 - $13,040,000,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Mexico by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mexico
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Mexico
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $14,186 $26,185
2023 $633 $1,830 $13,861 $25,243
2022 $604 $1,778 $11,406 $23,135
2021 $617 $1,688 $10,314 $20,783
2020 $603 $1,513 $8,841 $19,354
2019 $581 $1,450 $10,370 $20,964
2018 $533 $1,364 $10,085 $20,921
2017 $496 $1,380 $9,649 $20,489
2016 $451 $1,410 $9,098 $20,105
2015 $540 $1,403 $10,021 $19,071
2014 $530 $1,506 $11,391 $18,821
2013 $497 $1,558 $11,217 $18,170
2012 $558 $1,464 $10,744 $18,005
2011 $763 $1,516 $10,664 $17,267
2010 $683 $1,458 $9,729 $15,909
2009 $626 $1,388 $8,424 $15,191
2008 $554 $1,311 $10,524 $15,681
2007 $475 $1,231 $10,134 $15,032
2006 $441 $1,124 $9,513 $14,540
2005 $414 $1,071 $8,672 $13,260
2004 $405 $1,033 $7,850 $12,658
2003 $383 $979 $7,434 $12,066
2002 $428 $931 $7,983 $11,762
2001 $215.5 $924 $7,953 $11,739
2000 $224.2 $974 $7,524 $11,705
1999 $233.9 $961 $6,500 $11,031
1998 $236 $941 $5,833 $10,756
1997 $367 $915 $5,567 $10,182
1996 $321 $884 $4,674 $9,496
1995 $200.4 $825 $4,184 $8,933
1994 $169.2 $692 $6,202 $9,466
1993 $293 $746 $6,048 $9,041
1992 $258.4 $674 $4,221 $9,470
1991 $326 $732 $3,709 $9,079
1990 $286.7 $672 $3,154 $8,578
1989 $252.2 - $2,725 -
1988 $229.4 - $2,279 -
1987 $207.6 - $1,888 -
1986 $217.9 - $1,757 -
1985 $216.1 - $2,602 -
1984 $239.7 - $2,506 -
1983 $252.4 - $2,170 -
1982 $253.3 - $2,621 -
1981 $276.4 - $3,829 -
1980 $287.5 - $3,055 -
1979 - - $2,049 -
1978 - - $1,604 -
1977 - - $1,315 -
1976 - - $1,465 -
1975 - - $1,492 -
1974 - - $1,256 -
1973 - - $993 -
1972 - - $837 -
1971 - - $748 -
1970 - - $699 -
1969 - - $660 -
1968 - - $616 -
1967 - - $576 -
1966 - - $545 -
1965 - - $506 -
1964 - - $481 -
1963 - - $420 -
1962 - - $388 -
1961 - - $374 -
1960 - - $355 -

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

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $14,186 in Mexico, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185.

Economic indicators

Malawi Mexico
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$1.86T
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
1.43%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$14,186
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
69/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$26,185
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
80/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$1.08T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
58.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$8,272
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
63/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$10,231
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$418B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
399,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
22
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
34.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
30.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
7%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
2.62%
2024
Population
22949294
133323134

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Mexico
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Mexico
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 30.3% 58.3%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 28.5% 52.6%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 28.5% 53.8%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 26.7% 56.7%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 27.8% 58.5%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 25.3% 51.9%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 25% 52.2%
2017 21% 40% 25% 52.5%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 26.5% 55%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 26.6% 51%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 26.9% 47.1%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 26.7% 44.1%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 27% 40.8%
2011 17% 20% 26.6% 41.2%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 26.5% 40.2%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 26.5% 41.7%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 26.5% 40.6%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 22.5% 35.5%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 21.6% 35.8%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 21.2% 36.8%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 20.5% 38.9%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 21.5% 42.1%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 19.8% 39.9%
2001 - - 19.5% 37.3%
2000 - - 19.4% 38.5%
1999 - - 20.1% 41.7%
1998 - - 19.5% 39.7%
1997 - - 20.7% 39.1%
1996 - - 20.8% 42.5%
1995 - - 18.9% 30.7%
1994 - - 18.9% 26.8%
1993 - - 18.2% 19.2%
1992 - - 19% 21.5%
1991 - - 20.1% 29.2%
1990 - - 22.9% 35.7%
1989 - - 19.2% 36%
1988 - - 23.6% 36.5%
1987 - - 26.7% 52.7%
1986 - - 25.1% 47.8%
1985 - - 21.4% 30.4%
1984 - - 19.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 21.6% 25.3%
1982 - - 24.7% 29.8%
1981 - - 20.1% 41.7%
1980 - - 17.5% 31.4%
1979 - - 16.5% 35.8%
1978 - - 15.7% 39%
1977 - - 15.5% 41.5%
1976 - - 15.5% 31.3%
1975 - - 14.7% 24.4%
1974 - - 13.8% 21.7%
1973 - - 12.7% 20%
1972 - - 11.9% 17.9%
1971 - - 10.6% 17%
1970 - - 10.9% 17.1%
1969 - - 11.8% 10.7%
1968 - - 10.9% 7.85%
1967 - - 10.4% 8.22%
1966 - - 11.6% 5.14%
1965 - - 10.7% 9.99%
1964 - - 9.21% 6.22%
1963 - - 8.51% 4.13%
1962 - - 8.26% 4.2%
1961 - - 8.01% 4.38%
1960 - - 9.5% 4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Mexico spent $563B, or 30.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 58.3% in Mexico, ranking 35/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Mexico
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Mexico
2024 -11% -5.73%
2023 -7.84% -4.29%
2022 -9.32% -4.32%
2021 -8.34% -3.75%
2020 -8.03% -4.29%
2019 -4.55% -2.27%
2018 -4.35% -2.14%
2017 -5.15% -1.03%
2016 -4.9% -2.68%
2015 -4.17% -3.86%
2014 -3.08% -4.37%
2013 -3.73% -3.56%
2012 -1.45% -3.57%
2011 -2.85% -3.2%
2010 0.63% -3.8%
2009 -2.97% -3.94%
2008 -2.92% -0.68%
2007 -2.56% -1.46%
2006 -0.05% -1.23%
2005 -1.63% -1.43%
2004 -2.61% -1.35%
2003 -2.6% -2.24%
2002 -4.47% -2.18%
2001 - -2.57%
2000 - -2.69%
1999 - -4.49%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - -3.48%
1996 - -3.66%
1995 - -2.28%
1994 - -2.25%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - 2.26%
1991 - 1.49%
1990 - -3.11%
1989 - -4.75%
1988 - -8.76%
1987 - -11.6%
1986 - -11.2%
1985 - -7.2%
1984 - -5.79%
1983 - -6.03%
1982 - -11.4%
1981 - -4.9%
1980 - -1.75%
1979 - -2.15%
1978 - -1.88%
1977 - -2.43%
1976 - -3.14%
1975 - -2.64%
1974 - -3.33%
1973 - -2.75%
1972 - -2.3%
1971 - -1.43%
1970 - -1.71%
1969 - -2.74%
1968 - -2.06%
1967 - -2.12%
1966 - -3.2%
1965 - -2.51%
1964 - -1.44%
1963 - -0.92%
1962 - -0.79%
1961 - -0.88%
1960 - -1.36%
1959 - -0.73%
1958 - 0.24%
1957 - -0.03%
1956 - 0.52%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - -0.94%
1953 - -0.58%
1952 - 0.42%
1951 - -0.26%
1950 - -0.2%
1949 - 0.44%
1948 - -1.55%
1947 - -0.93%
1946 - 0.66%
1945 - -1.11%
1944 - -1.12%
1943 - 0.05%
1942 - -0.93%
1941 - -0.26%
1940 - -0.4%
1939 - -0.06%
1938 - -0.91%
1937 - -0.41%
1936 - -0.39%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.72%
1933 - -0.58%
1932 - 0%
1931 - 0.71%
1930 - 0.21%
1929 - 0.95%
1928 - 0.24%
1927 - -0.3%
1926 - -0.29%
1925 - 0.46%
1924 - 1.34%
1923 - 1.02%
1922 - 1.13%
1921 - 0.64%
1920 - 0.91%
1919 - 0.41%
1918 - -0.19%
1917 - 0.63%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.28%
1912 - -0.79%
1911 - -0.31%
1910 - 0.1%
1909 - 0.15%
1908 - -0.08%
1907 - 0.43%
1906 - 0.72%
1905 - 0.35%
1904 - 1.09%
1903 - 3.82%
1902 - 0.42%
1901 - 0.62%
1900 - 0.76%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/mexico | 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 Mexico's deficit of $106B, or 5.73% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Mexico ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.93% of GDP for Mexico.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Mexico
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Mexico
2024 32.2% 4.72%
2023 28.8% 5.53%
2022 20.8% 7.9%
2021 9.3% 5.69%
2020 8.6% 3.4%
2019 9.4% 3.64%
2018 9.2% 4.9%
2017 11.5% 6.04%
2016 21.7% 2.82%
2015 21.9% 2.72%
2014 23.8% 4.02%
2013 28.3% 3.81%
2012 21.3% 4.11%
2011 7.6% 3.41%
2010 7.4% 4.16%
2009 8.4% 5.3%
2008 8.7% 5.12%
2007 7.9% 3.97%
2006 13.9% 3.63%
2005 15.5% 3.99%
2004 11.4% 4.69%
2003 9.6% 4.55%
2002 14.7% 5.03%
2001 22.7% 6.37%
2000 29.6% 9.49%
1999 44.8% 16.6%
1998 29.8% 15.9%
1997 9.1% 20.6%

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/mexico | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 6.15% in Mexico. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 4.72% in Mexico.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $552K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $474K
Raw agricultural goods $119K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Wood & paper products $1K
Mexico
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Malawi Mexico
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$16.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
181/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-0.9%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$637B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$618B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$72B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$63B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
37.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
36.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Mexico
Economic freedom 50.7 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 102/197
Property rights 49.5 37.6
Government integrity 35 28.8
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 40.4
Tax burden 77 75.4
Government spending 77.8 74.6
Fiscal health 4.7 56.7
Business freedom 34.1 67
Labor freedom 55.2 57.3
Monetary freedom 55.1 70.6
Trade freedom 68.6 74.2
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Mexico
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Mexico
2026 50.7 59.8
2025 50.9 61.3
2024 52.1 62
2023 52.8 63.2
2022 53 63.7
2021 53 65.5
2020 52.8 66
2019 51.4 64.7
2018 52 64.8
2017 52.2 63.6
2016 51.8 65.2
2015 54.8 66.4
2014 55.4 66.8
2013 55.3 67
2012 56.4 65.3
2011 55.8 67.8
2010 54.1 68.3
2009 53.7 65.8
2008 52.7 66.2
2007 52.9 66
2006 55.4 64.7
2005 53.6 65.2
2004 53.6 66
2003 53.2 65.3
2002 56.9 63
2001 56.2 60.6
2000 57.4 59.3
1999 54 58.5
1998 54.1 57.9
1997 53.4 57.1
1996 56.2 61.2
1995 54.7 63.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 59.8 for Mexico, ranking 102/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Mexico
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
3.72%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$1.68T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$25,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$232B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
16/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$32.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$45.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
3.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
29.6%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
24.1%
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/mexico | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.