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Economy of Malawi vs Montenegro compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $8.27B for Montenegro, ranking 151/197 and 155/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $5.02B (60.8% of GDP) in Montenegro.

Malawi vs Montenegro GDP by year

Malawi
Montenegro
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Montenegro
2024 $11,316,411,329 $8,270,016,671
2023 $13,363,669,673 $7,644,389,160
2022 $12,429,059,928 $6,251,215,144
2021 $12,378,119,199 $5,823,715,810
2020 $11,769,313,598 $4,723,571,498
2019 $11,051,852,713 $5,483,476,883
2018 $9,879,220,354 $5,433,467,175
2017 $8,943,543,794 $4,803,962,016
2016 $7,909,868,618 $4,357,469,330
2015 $9,219,474,379 $4,010,885,991
2014 $8,801,326,169 $4,579,636,602
2013 $8,031,571,928 $4,422,097,763
2012 $8,773,203,178 $4,071,829,462
2011 $11,648,142,958 $4,507,126,949
2010 $10,128,323,011 $4,136,936,189
2009 $9,009,887,947 $4,142,640,317
2008 $7,743,617,352 $4,540,861,726
2007 $6,451,210,219 $3,677,910,895
2006 $5,818,279,739 $2,717,702,923
2005 $5,320,409,651 $2,257,174,481
2004 $5,058,726,350 $2,073,234,418
2003 $4,669,789,300 $1,707,710,053
2002 $5,087,328,438 $1,284,685,051
2001 $2,498,008,665 $1,159,869,246
2000 $2,537,307,580 $984,293,044
1999 $2,584,478,924 $828,950,327
1998 $2,547,609,590 $854,261,161
1997 $3,875,785,863 $838,288,806
1996 $3,319,573,750 -
1995 $2,033,701,498 -
1994 $1,719,864,761 -
1993 $3,013,392,658 -
1992 $2,618,837,835 -
1991 $3,206,783,830 -
1990 $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 (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Montenegro by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Montenegro
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Montenegro
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $13,263 $34,063
2023 $633 $1,830 $12,260 $31,863
2022 $604 $1,778 $10,025 $28,050
2021 $617 $1,688 $9,317 $23,690
2020 $603 $1,513 $7,539 $20,625
2019 $581 $1,450 $8,749 $23,706
2018 $533 $1,364 $8,674 $21,084
2017 $496 $1,380 $7,674 $19,357
2016 $451 $1,410 $6,968 $18,030
2015 $540 $1,403 $6,421 $16,092
2014 $530 $1,506 $7,342 $15,276
2013 $497 $1,558 $7,103 $14,692
2012 $558 $1,464 $6,552 $13,793
2011 $763 $1,516 $7,266 $14,347
2010 $683 $1,458 $6,679 $13,612
2009 $626 $1,388 $6,700 $12,976
2008 $554 $1,311 $7,360 $13,802
2007 $475 $1,231 $5,972 $12,452
2006 $441 $1,124 $4,419 $10,440
2005 $414 $1,071 $3,675 $8,314
2004 $405 $1,033 $3,380 $7,841
2003 $383 $979 $2,789 $7,340
2002 $428 $931 $2,107 $7,100
2001 $215.5 $924 $1,910 $6,772
2000 $224.2 $974 $1,627 $6,004
1999 $233.9 $961 $1,368 $5,684
1998 $236 $941 $1,406 $6,170
1997 $367 $915 $1,375 $5,798
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/montenegro | CC BY

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $13,263 in Montenegro, ranking 77/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Montenegro ranks 65th at $34,063.

Economic indicators

Malawi Montenegro
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$8.27B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
3.16%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$13,263
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
77/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$34,063
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
65/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$5.02B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
60.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$8,058
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
64/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$11,119
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.79B
2012
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
24.7%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
43.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
13.1%
2023
Population
22949294
612312

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Montenegro
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Montenegro
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 43.5% 60.8%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 39.7% 59.6%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 42.2% 70.3%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 45.1% 86.2%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 54.9% 108.4%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 44.4% 79.6%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 47.8% 72.9%
2017 21% 40% 47.6% 66.9%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 47.7% 66.7%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 46.9% 69.5%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 44.3% 63.6%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 46.3% 59.2%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 45.9% 57.1%
2011 17% 20% 45.7% 49%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 46.7% 45.1%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 51.5% 43.9%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 51.2% 34.2%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 43.9% 31.8%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 42.6% 36.7%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 38.2% 38.6%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 40% 45.4%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 43.3% 48.6%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 37.5% 85.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Montenegro spent $3.6B, or 43.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 60.8% in Montenegro, ranking 35/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Montenegro
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Montenegro
2024 -11% -2.81%
2023 -7.84% 0.85%
2022 -9.32% -4.07%
2021 -8.34% -1.72%
2020 -8.03% -11%
2019 -4.55% -1.74%
2018 -4.35% -6.3%
2017 -5.15% -6.89%
2016 -4.9% -6.21%
2015 -4.17% -6.03%
2014 -3.08% -0.7%
2013 -3.73% -4.54%
2012 -1.45% -5.87%
2011 -2.85% -6.79%
2010 0.63% -4.88%
2009 -2.97% -6.74%
2008 -2.92% -2.3%
2007 -2.56% 8.44%
2006 -0.05% 4.34%
2005 -1.63% -1.42%
2004 -2.61% -2.45%
2003 -2.6% -4.06%
2002 -4.47% -1.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/montenegro | 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 Montenegro's deficit of $232M, or 2.81% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Montenegro ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.23% of GDP for Montenegro.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Montenegro
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Montenegro
2024 32.2% 3.3%
2023 28.8% 8.6%
2022 20.8% 13%
2021 9.3% 2.4%
2020 8.6% -0.3%
2019 9.4% 0.4%
2018 9.2% 2.6%
2017 11.5% 2.4%
2016 21.7% -0.3%
2015 21.9% 1.5%
2014 23.8% -0.7%
2013 28.3% 2.2%
2012 21.3% 4.1%
2011 7.6% 3.5%
2010 7.4% 0.4%
2009 8.4% 3.6%
2008 8.7% 9%
2007 7.9% 3.4%
2006 13.9% 2.1%
2005 15.5% 3.4%
2004 11.4% 3.1%
2003 9.6% 7.5%
2002 14.7% 19.7%
2001 22.7% 23.7%
2000 29.6% 29.9%
1999 44.8% -
1998 29.8% -
1997 9.1% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 16.2%, compared with 5.94% in Montenegro. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 3.3% in Montenegro.

Balance of trade

Malawi Montenegro
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$1.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
131/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-17%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$4.29B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$714M
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$1.19B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
66.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
43.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Montenegro
Economic freedom 50.7 63.8
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 78/197
Property rights 49.5 60.9
Government integrity 35 49.9
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 51.5
Tax burden 77 88.7
Government spending 77.8 47.6
Fiscal health 4.7 86.2
Business freedom 34.1 68.4
Labor freedom 55.2 59.4
Monetary freedom 55.1 75.2
Trade freedom 68.6 78.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Montenegro
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Montenegro
2026 50.7 63.8
2025 50.9 63.8
2024 52.1 59.7
2023 52.8 60.9
2022 53 57.8
2021 53 63.4
2020 52.8 61.5
2019 51.4 60.5
2018 52 64.3
2017 52.2 62
2016 51.8 64.9
2015 54.8 64.7
2014 55.4 63.6
2013 55.3 62.6
2012 56.4 62.5
2011 55.8 62.5
2010 54.1 63.6
2009 53.7 58.2
2008 52.7 -
2007 52.9 -
2006 55.4 -
2005 53.6 -
2004 53.6 -
2003 53.2 43.5
2002 56.9 46.6
2001 56.2 -
2000 57.4 -
1999 54 -
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/montenegro | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 63.8 for Montenegro, ranking 78/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Montenegro
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
63.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
12.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
3.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$7.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$33,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$1.74B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
130/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$532M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$599M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$67.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
20%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
25.9%
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/montenegro | 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 (2002–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.