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Economy of Malawi vs Mongolia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $23.8B for Mongolia, ranking 151/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $10.5B (44.1% of GDP) in Mongolia.

Malawi vs Mongolia GDP by year

Malawi
Mongolia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Mongolia
2024 $11,316,411,329 $23,794,540,025
2023 $13,363,669,673 $20,325,121,394
2022 $12,429,059,928 $17,146,471,714
2021 $12,378,119,199 $15,286,441,738
2020 $11,769,313,598 $13,312,981,429
2019 $11,051,852,713 $14,206,359,018
2018 $9,879,220,354 $13,178,094,720
2017 $8,943,543,794 $11,480,847,741
2016 $7,909,868,618 $11,181,350,649
2015 $9,219,474,379 $11,619,892,591
2014 $8,801,326,169 $12,226,514,668
2013 $8,031,571,928 $12,582,122,604
2012 $8,773,203,178 $12,292,770,632
2011 $11,648,142,958 $10,409,797,378
2010 $10,128,323,011 $7,189,481,999
2009 $9,009,887,947 $4,583,850,368
2008 $7,743,617,352 $5,623,216,608
2007 $6,451,210,219 $4,234,999,704
2006 $5,818,279,739 $3,414,055,662
2005 $5,320,409,651 $2,523,471,601
2004 $5,058,726,350 $1,992,066,808
2003 $4,669,789,300 $1,595,297,356
2002 $5,087,328,438 $1,396,555,720
2001 $2,498,008,665 $1,267,997,934
2000 $2,537,307,580 $1,136,896,124
1999 $2,584,478,924 $1,057,408,589
1998 $2,547,609,590 $1,124,440,205
1997 $3,875,785,863 $1,180,934,203
1996 $3,319,573,750 $1,345,719,472
1995 $2,033,701,498 $1,452,165,005
1994 $1,719,864,761 $925,817,092
1993 $3,013,392,658 $768,401,634
1992 $2,618,837,835 $1,317,611,864
1991 $3,206,783,830 $2,379,018,326
1990 $2,737,087,862 $2,560,785,660
1989 $2,314,205,130 $3,576,966,800
1988 $2,008,189,508 $3,204,461,567
1987 $1,721,711,808 $3,020,611,600
1986 $1,722,586,299 $2,896,178,867
1985 $1,646,442,273 $2,186,505,475
1984 $1,758,028,656 $2,098,734,600
1983 $1,780,148,049 $2,725,736,633
1982 $1,717,379,495 $2,552,401,933
1981 $1,801,193,910 $2,310,099,100
1980 $1,801,156,775 $2,101,394,100

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Mongolia by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mongolia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Mongolia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $6,751 $19,145
2023 $633 $1,830 $5,839 $18,005
2022 $604 $1,778 $4,994 $16,402
2021 $617 $1,688 $4,518 $14,792
2020 $603 $1,513 $4,001 $13,693
2019 $581 $1,450 $4,348 $13,605
2018 $533 $1,364 $4,108 $12,317
2017 $496 $1,380 $3,646 $11,096
2016 $451 $1,410 $3,620 $10,511
2015 $540 $1,403 $3,839 $10,458
2014 $530 $1,506 $4,126 $10,900
2013 $497 $1,558 $4,340 $10,442
2012 $558 $1,464 $4,329 $10,152
2011 $763 $1,516 $3,736 $8,862
2010 $683 $1,458 $2,625 $7,532
2009 $626 $1,388 $1,703 $7,119
2008 $554 $1,311 $2,127 $7,297
2007 $475 $1,231 $1,628 $6,678
2006 $441 $1,124 $1,330 $5,977
2005 $414 $1,071 $995 $5,406
2004 $405 $1,033 $794 $4,942
2003 $383 $979 $643 $4,399
2002 $428 $931 $570 $4,083
2001 $215.5 $924 $524 $3,889
2000 $224.2 $974 $476 $3,740
1999 $233.9 $961 $449 $3,664
1998 $236 $941 $484 $3,555
1997 $367 $915 $515 $3,449
1996 $321 $884 $596 $3,310
1995 $200.4 $825 $653 $3,229
1994 $169.2 $692 $423 $3,021
1993 $293 $746 $355 $2,929
1992 $258.4 $674 $608 $2,951
1991 $326 $732 $1,099 $3,183
1990 $286.7 $672 $1,220 $3,479
1989 $252.2 - $1,684 -
1988 $229.4 - $1,543 -
1987 $207.6 - $1,493 -
1986 $217.9 - $1,469 -
1985 $216.1 - $1,138 -
1984 $239.7 - $1,120 -
1983 $252.4 - $1,490 -
1982 $253.3 - $1,430 -
1981 $276.4 - $1,325 -
1980 $287.5 - $1,235 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $6,751 in Mongolia, ranking 105/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Mongolia ranks 98th at $19,145.

Economic indicators

Malawi Mongolia
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$23.8B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
121/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
5.12%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$6,751
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$19,145
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
98/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$10.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
44.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$2,974
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
101/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$5,311
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
24.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
37.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
6.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
12%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
5.81%
2024
Population
22949294
3620317

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Mongolia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Mongolia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 37.5% 44.1%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 31.9% 46.7%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 33.7% 64.6%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 35.9% 67.4%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 37.1% 83.4%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 30.8% 66.8%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 28.4% 76.5%
2017 21% 40% 32.2% 86.9%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 39.7% 78.7%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 31.2% 50.5%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 32.1% 44%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 32.2% 49.4%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 36.1% 43.7%
2011 17% 20% 37.9% 32.7%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 31.6% 31%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 35.5% 48.5%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 37.6% 31%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 35.3% 36.1%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 26.2% 40.9%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 25.1% 55.9%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 31.8% 75%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 33.7% 90%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 35.5% 72%
2001 - - 35.2% 69.2%
2000 - - 34.5% 79.3%
1999 - - 33.2% 103.7%
1998 - - 36.2% 77.5%
1997 - - 30.8% 61%
1996 - - 28.6% 49.7%
1995 - - 26.6% 40.2%
1994 - - 32.2% 57.6%
1993 - - 38.3% 57.8%
1992 - - 29.1% 29.3%
1991 - - 46% -
1990 - - 51.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Mongolia spent $8.92B, or 37.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 44.1% in Mongolia, ranking 35/185 and 122/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Mongolia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Mongolia
2024 -11% 1.39%
2023 -7.84% 2.73%
2022 -9.32% 0.67%
2021 -8.34% -3.05%
2020 -8.03% -9.24%
2019 -4.55% 1%
2018 -4.35% 2.85%
2017 -5.15% -3.72%
2016 -4.9% -15.3%
2015 -4.17% -5.04%
2014 -3.08% -3.73%
2013 -3.73% -0.93%
2012 -1.45% -6.24%
2011 -2.85% -4.01%
2010 0.63% 0.43%
2009 -2.97% -5.2%
2008 -2.92% -4.52%
2007 -2.56% 2.64%
2006 -0.05% 7.58%
2005 -1.63% 2.43%
2004 -2.61% -1.62%
2003 -2.6% -3.38%
2002 -4.47% -4.74%
2001 - -4.33%
2000 - -5.82%
1999 - -9.91%
1998 - -12.3%
1997 - -8.09%
1996 - -6.88%
1995 - -4.97%
1994 - -9.74%
1993 - -13.3%
1992 - -8.1%
1991 - -6.37%
1990 - -9.37%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/mongolia | 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 Mongolia's surplus of $332M, or 1.39% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Mongolia ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Mongolia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Mongolia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Mongolia
2024 32.2% 6.2%
2023 28.8% 10.4%
2022 20.8% 15.1%
2021 9.3% 7.4%
2020 8.6% 3.7%
2019 9.4% 7.3%
2018 9.2% 6.8%
2017 11.5% 4.3%
2016 21.7% 0.8%
2015 21.9% 6.8%
2014 23.8% 12.9%
2013 28.3% 10.6%
2012 21.3% 13.8%
2011 7.6% 8.8%
2010 7.4% 8.3%
2009 8.4% 7.6%
2008 8.7% 28%
2007 7.9% 9.6%
2006 13.9% 4.4%
2005 15.5% 12.6%
2004 11.4% 8.3%
2003 9.6% 5.2%
2002 14.7% 0.9%
2001 22.7% 6.4%
2000 29.6% 11.3%
1999 44.8% 7.6%
1998 29.8% 9.5%
1997 9.1% 30%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 9.45% in Mongolia. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 6.2% in Mongolia.

Balance of trade

Malawi Mongolia
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$2.49B
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
149/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-10.4%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$14.7B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$4.92B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$1.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
69.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
68.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Mongolia
Economic freedom 50.7 63.9
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 76/197
Property rights 49.5 49.2
Government integrity 35 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 54.9
Tax burden 77 83.7
Government spending 77.8 64.6
Fiscal health 4.7 96.1
Business freedom 34.1 68.4
Labor freedom 55.2 68.2
Monetary freedom 55.1 72.1
Trade freedom 68.6 74.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Mongolia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Mongolia
2026 50.7 63.9
2025 50.9 62.6
2024 52.1 60.6
2023 52.8 61.7
2022 53 63.9
2021 53 62.4
2020 52.8 55.9
2019 51.4 55.4
2018 52 55.7
2017 52.2 54.8
2016 51.8 59.4
2015 54.8 59.2
2014 55.4 58.9
2013 55.3 61.7
2012 56.4 61.5
2011 55.8 59.5
2010 54.1 60
2009 53.7 62.8
2008 52.7 63.6
2007 52.9 60.3
2006 55.4 62.4
2005 53.6 59.7
2004 53.6 56.5
2003 53.2 57.7
2002 56.9 56.7
2001 56.2 56
2000 57.4 58.5
1999 54 58.6
1998 54.1 57.3
1997 53.4 52.9
1996 56.2 47.4
1995 54.7 47.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 63.9 for Mongolia, ranking 76/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Mongolia
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
44.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
38.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$19B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$17,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$5.51B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
95/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$2.73B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$2.78B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$55.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
25.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
27.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
35.5%
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/mongolia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, 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 (1992–2005, 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.