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Economy of Malawi vs Mozambique compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $22.3B for Mozambique, ranking 148/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $22.9B (102.5% of GDP) in Mozambique.

Malawi vs Mozambique GDP by year

Malawi
Mozambique
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Mozambique
2025 $14,918,276,698 $22,337,997,046
2024 $11,311,971,400 $22,752,244,245
2023 $13,363,669,673 $20,927,498,317
2022 $12,429,059,928 $18,884,232,599
2021 $12,378,119,199 $16,168,055,475
2020 $11,769,313,598 $14,235,420,174
2019 $11,051,852,713 $15,512,759,047
2018 $9,879,220,354 $15,017,358,953
2017 $8,943,543,794 $13,264,640,646
2016 $7,909,868,618 $12,069,051,237
2015 $9,219,474,379 $16,208,985,770
2014 $8,801,326,169 $17,978,246,586
2013 $8,031,571,928 $17,198,073,057
2012 $8,773,203,178 $16,688,114,144
2011 $11,648,142,958 $14,619,279,989
2010 $10,128,323,011 $11,411,894,724
2009 $9,009,887,947 $12,263,894,790
2008 $7,743,617,352 $12,920,340,965
2007 $6,451,210,219 $10,811,456,006
2006 $5,818,279,739 $9,509,835,537
2005 $5,320,409,651 $8,868,504,900
2004 $5,058,726,350 $7,937,255,565
2003 $4,669,789,300 $6,583,526,861
2002 $5,087,328,438 $5,950,769,427
2001 $2,498,008,665 $5,650,154,067
2000 $2,537,307,580 $5,930,685,215
1999 $2,584,478,924 $6,285,219,691
1998 $2,547,609,590 $5,551,118,149
1997 $3,875,785,863 $4,873,663,775
1996 $3,319,573,750 $4,030,146,135
1995 $2,033,701,498 $3,061,646,174
1994 $1,719,864,761 $2,958,108,170
1993 $3,013,392,658 $2,883,161,897
1992 $2,618,837,835 $2,798,696,511
1991 $3,206,783,830 $3,854,856,435
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 (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Mozambique by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mozambique
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Mozambique
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $672 - $627 -
2024 $522 $1,858 $657 $1,705
2023 $633 $1,830 $622 $1,678
2022 $604 $1,778 $578 $1,582
2021 $617 $1,688 $510 $1,457
2020 $603 $1,513 $462 $1,412
2019 $581 $1,450 $519 $1,389
2018 $533 $1,364 $518 $1,326
2017 $496 $1,380 $471 $1,283
2016 $451 $1,410 $441 $1,379
2015 $540 $1,403 $611 $1,318
2014 $530 $1,506 $697 $1,166
2013 $497 $1,558 $687 $1,114
2012 $558 $1,464 $686 $1,076
2011 $763 $1,516 $618 $1,064
2010 $683 $1,458 $496 $1,000
2009 $626 $1,388 $548 $951
2008 $554 $1,311 $592 $916
2007 $475 $1,231 $508 $862
2006 $441 $1,124 $457 $798
2005 $414 $1,071 $437 $721
2004 $405 $1,033 $400 $673
2003 $383 $979 $339 $620
2002 $428 $931 $314 $580
2001 $215.5 $924 $305 $533
2000 $224.2 $974 $327 $472
1999 $233.9 $961 $354 $468
1998 $236 $941 $320 $422
1997 $367 $915 $287.5 $387
1996 $321 $884 $244.4 $350
1995 $200.4 $825 $191.8 $321
1994 $169.2 $692 $196.8 $326
1993 $293 $746 $205.2 $321
1992 $258.4 $674 $205.6 $292
1991 $326 $732 $288.7 $315
1990 $286.7 $672 - $296
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 (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $627 in Mozambique, ranking 193/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Mozambique ranks 192nd at $1,705.

Economic indicators

Malawi Mozambique
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2025
$22.3B
2025
GDP rank
148/197
2025
127/197
2025
GDP growth
1.89%
2024-2025
-0.52%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$672
2025
$627
2025
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2025
193/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$1,705
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
192/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2025
$22.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.4%
2025
102.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$526
2025
$643
2025
Government debt per person rank
166/185
2025
158/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,255
2026
$1,324
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
40.8%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
1.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.6%
2025
30.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2024-2025
4.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
24%
2026
9.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
6.79%
2022
Population
23086106
37173146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Mozambique
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Mozambique
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.6% 78.4% 30.3% 102.5%
2024 29.5% 87.6% 33.3% 91.4%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 33.3% 90.8%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 32.9% 100.4%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 32.1% 104.3%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 33.9% 120%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 28% 98.3%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 31.2% 105.5%
2017 21% 40% 28.6% 103.8%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 28.7% 124.8%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 32.2% 86%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 39.7% 63.4%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 31.7% 49.5%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 28.1% 36.7%
2011 17% 20% 28.9% 34.2%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 26.6% 38.6%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 25.7% 39.3%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 21.3% 32.8%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 20.9% 31.2%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 20.1% 40%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 17% 60.1%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 17.8% 50.8%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 18.6% 63.2%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 18.6% 63.4%
2001 - - 20.8% 99.8%
2000 - - 17.2% 95.8%
1999 - - 15.6% 94.7%
1998 - - 14.9% -
1997 - - 16.5% -
1996 - - 14.9% -
1995 - - 18.8% -
1994 - - 22.9% -
1993 - - 20.7% -
1992 - - 21.1% -
1991 - - 17.3% -
1990 - - 21% -
1989 - - 27% -
1988 - - 27% -
1987 - - 22.9% -
1986 - - 24.2% -
1985 - - 21% -
1984 - - 30.9% -
1983 - - 35.3% -
1982 - - 27% -
1981 - - 23.8% -
1980 - - 14.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Mozambique spent $6.76B, or 30.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 102.5% in Mozambique, ranking 47/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Mozambique
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Mozambique
2025 -11.5% -3.97%
2024 -11% -6.23%
2023 -7.84% -4.26%
2022 -9.32% -5.22%
2021 -8.34% -5.23%
2020 -8.03% -6.19%
2019 -4.55% 1.7%
2018 -4.35% -5.7%
2017 -5.15% -1.99%
2016 -4.9% -5.06%
2015 -4.17% -6.55%
2014 -3.08% -9.75%
2013 -3.73% -2.46%
2012 -1.45% -3.45%
2011 -2.85% -4.34%
2010 0.63% -3.4%
2009 -2.97% -4.35%
2008 -2.92% -1.9%
2007 -2.56% -2.19%
2006 -0.05% -3.03%
2005 -1.63% -2.06%
2004 -2.61% -3.17%
2003 -2.6% -2.64%
2002 -4.47% -3.36%
2001 - -4.43%
2000 - -1.26%
1999 - -0.31%
1998 - -1.08%
1997 - -1.81%
1996 - -2.07%
1995 - -2.46%
1994 - -4%
1993 - -2.53%
1992 - -1.85%
1991 - -2.01%
1990 - -4.42%
1989 - -4.23%
1988 - -6.47%
1987 - -7.24%
1986 - -12.1%
1985 - -9.69%
1984 - -13.4%
1983 - -15.8%
1982 - -3.61%
1981 - -7.41%
1980 - -1.47%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malawi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.71B, equivalent to 11.5% of GDP. This compares to Mozambique's deficit of $886M, or 3.97% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Mozambique ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.95% of GDP for Mozambique.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Mozambique
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Mozambique
2025 28.4% 4.4%
2024 32.2% 3.2%
2023 28.8% 7%
2022 20.8% 10.4%
2021 9.3% 6.6%
2020 8.6% 0.9%
2019 9.4% 5.7%
2018 9.2% 3.2%
2017 11.5% 15.8%
2016 21.7% 18.4%
2015 21.9% 3.6%
2014 23.8% 2.6%
2013 28.3% 4.3%
2012 21.3% 2.6%
2011 7.6% 11.2%
2010 7.4% 12.4%
2009 8.4% 3.8%
2008 8.7% 14.5%
2007 7.9% 10.4%
2006 13.9% 13.2%
2005 15.5% 6.4%
2004 11.4% 12.6%
2003 9.6% 13.5%
2002 14.7% 16.8%
2001 22.7% 9.1%
2000 29.6% 12.7%
1999 44.8% 2.9%
1998 29.8% 1.5%
1997 9.1% 7.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 8.18% in Mozambique. In 2025, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 4.4% in Mozambique.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $4.14M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.83M
Raw agricultural goods $3.03M
Chemicals & pharma $2.07M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.43M
Raw materials & minerals $688K
Machinery & equipment $644K
Metals $595K
Wood & paper products $43K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Mozambique
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $12.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.1M
Metals $6.54M
Machinery & equipment $6.34M
Chemicals & pharma $3.16M
Raw agricultural goods $1.93M
Weapons & explosives $742K
Animal & marine products $703K
Miscellaneous $412K
Textiles & consumer goods $242K

Balance of trade

Malawi Mozambique
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$2.49B
2024
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
148/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-11%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$8.38B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$8.21B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$2.11B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$1.15B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
55.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
41.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Mozambique
Economic freedom 50.7 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 164/197
Property rights 49.5 29.7
Government integrity 35 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 43.4
Tax burden 77 75.8
Government spending 77.8 67
Fiscal health 4.7 39.1
Business freedom 34.1 40.2
Labor freedom 55.2 47.7
Monetary freedom 55.1 76.2
Trade freedom 68.6 71.2
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Mozambique
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Mozambique
2026 50.7 49.6
2025 50.9 50.7
2024 52.1 50.7
2023 52.8 52.5
2022 53 51.3
2021 53 51.6
2020 52.8 50.5
2019 51.4 48.6
2018 52 46.3
2017 52.2 49.9
2016 51.8 53.2
2015 54.8 54.8
2014 55.4 55
2013 55.3 55
2012 56.4 57.1
2011 55.8 56.8
2010 54.1 56
2009 53.7 55.7
2008 52.7 55.4
2007 52.9 54.7
2006 55.4 51.9
2005 53.6 54.6
2004 53.6 57.2
2003 53.2 58.6
2002 56.9 57.7
2001 56.2 59.2
2000 57.4 52.2
1999 54 48.9
1998 54.1 43
1997 53.4 44
1996 56.2 48.4
1995 54.7 45.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 49.6 for Mozambique, ranking 164/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Mozambique
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2025
42%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
22.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
30%
2025
25.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$20.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,880
2025
$1,540
2025
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$3.84B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
112/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$3.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$258M
2024
$3.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
-$44.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
22.4%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
65%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
24.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.