Skip to content

Economy of Malawi vs Myanmar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $81.7B for Myanmar, ranking 148/197 and 85/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (51.9% of GDP) in Myanmar.

Malawi vs Myanmar GDP by year

Malawi
Myanmar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Myanmar
2025 $14,918,276,698 $81,665,773,810
2024 $11,311,971,400 $74,068,349,524
2023 $13,363,669,673 $66,757,619,000
2022 $12,429,059,928 $62,253,049,892
2021 $12,378,119,199 $66,345,291,160
2020 $11,769,313,598 $79,006,113,643
2019 $11,051,852,713 $75,065,106,228
2018 $9,879,220,354 $67,860,515,990
2017 $8,943,543,794 $66,053,040,483
2016 $7,909,868,618 $63,298,361,996
2015 $9,219,474,379 $59,607,290,408
2014 $8,801,326,169 $65,531,374,200
2013 $8,031,571,928 $60,269,732,855
2012 $8,773,203,178 $59,937,796,648
2011 $11,648,142,958 $59,977,326,086
2010 $10,128,323,011 $49,540,813,342
2009 $9,009,887,947 $36,906,181,381
2008 $7,743,617,352 $31,862,554,102
2007 $6,451,210,219 $20,182,477,481
2006 $5,818,279,739 $14,502,553,710
2005 $5,320,409,651 $11,986,972,419
2004 $5,058,726,350 $10,567,354,056
2003 $4,669,789,300 $10,467,109,978
2002 $5,087,328,438 $6,777,632,512
2001 $2,498,008,665 $6,477,790,688
2000 $2,537,307,580 $8,905,066,164
1999 $2,584,478,924 $8,486,832,801
1998 $2,547,609,590 $6,459,461,639
1997 $3,875,785,863 $4,722,288,496
1996 $3,319,573,750 $6,123,556,717
1995 $2,033,701,498 $5,289,174,943
1994 $1,719,864,761 $4,432,257,174
1993 $3,013,392,658 $3,163,020,035
1992 $2,618,837,835 $2,411,552,289
1991 $3,206,783,830 $2,069,832,687
1990 $2,737,087,862 $2,115,193,513
1989 $2,314,205,130 $2,013,448,229
1988 $2,008,189,508 $1,541,088,312
1987 $1,721,711,808 $1,562,448,077
1986 $1,722,586,299 $1,582,873,750
1985 $1,646,442,273 $1,478,908,173
1984 $1,758,028,656 $1,304,063,253
1983 $1,780,148,049 $1,381,573,615
1982 $1,717,379,495 $1,481,165,468
1981 $1,801,193,910 $1,111,000,765
1980 $1,801,156,775 $1,038,225,167
1979 - $952,265,043
1978 - $935,408,775
1977 - $873,579,932
1976 - $1,204,699,849
1975 - $1,061,107,354
1974 - $1,225,589,878
1973 - $719,754,655
1972 - $662,213,083
1971 - $587,448,405
1970 - $563,555,631
1969 - $571,854,215
1968 - $559,956,130
1967 - $420,359,036
1966 - $293,103,479
1965 - $367,053,117
1964 - $411,419,906
1963 - $598,998,419
1962 - $634,528,872
1961 - $605,581,577
1960 - $545,098,448

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Myanmar by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Myanmar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $672 - $1,489 -
2024 $522 $1,858 $1,359 $5,997
2023 $633 $1,830 $1,233 $5,953
2022 $604 $1,778 $1,158 $5,732
2021 $617 $1,688 $1,243 $5,178
2020 $603 $1,513 $1,490 $5,741
2019 $581 $1,450 $1,426 $6,101
2018 $533 $1,364 $1,298 $5,581
2017 $496 $1,380 $1,273 $4,706
2016 $451 $1,410 $1,229 $4,460
2015 $540 $1,403 $1,167 $4,459
2014 $530 $1,506 $1,293 $4,376
2013 $497 $1,558 $1,199 $4,144
2012 $558 $1,464 $1,203 $3,845
2011 $763 $1,516 $1,214 $3,579
2010 $683 $1,458 $1,011 $3,348
2009 $626 $1,388 $758 $3,040
2008 $554 $1,311 $658 $2,748
2007 $475 $1,231 $419 $2,459
2006 $441 $1,124 $303 $2,153
2005 $414 $1,071 $252.7 $1,860
2004 $405 $1,033 $224.5 $1,601
2003 $383 $979 $224.3 $1,385
2002 $428 $931 $146.6 $1,204
2001 $215.5 $924 $141.5 $1,069
2000 $224.2 $974 $196.6 $949
1999 $233.9 $961 $189.5 $825
1998 $236 $941 $146 $742
1997 $367 $915 $108 $702
1996 $321 $884 $141.9 $661
1995 $200.4 $825 $124.1 $618
1994 $169.2 $692 $105.4 $573
1993 $293 $746 $76.2 $529
1992 $258.4 $674 $58.9 $494
1991 $326 $732 $51.2 $447
1990 $286.7 $672 $53.1 $441
1989 $252.2 - $51.3 -
1988 $229.4 - $39.9 -
1987 $207.6 - $41.1 -
1986 $217.9 - $42.4 -
1985 $216.1 - $40.4 -
1984 $239.7 - $36.3 -
1983 $252.4 - $39.3 -
1982 $253.3 - $43 -
1981 $276.4 - $32.8 -
1980 $287.5 - $31.2 -
1979 - - $29.2 -
1978 - - $29.3 -
1977 - - $27.9 -
1976 - - $39.2 -
1975 - - $35.2 -
1974 - - $41.4 -
1973 - - $24.8 -
1972 - - $23.3 -
1971 - - $21.1 -
1970 - - $20.7 -
1969 - - $21.5 -
1968 - - $21.5 -
1967 - - $16.5 -
1966 - - $11.8 -
1965 - - $15.1 -
1964 - - $17.3 -
1963 - - $25.8 -
1962 - - $27.9 -
1961 - - $27.3 -
1960 - - $25.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $1,489 in Myanmar, ranking 166/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997.

Economic indicators

Malawi Myanmar
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2025
$81.7B
2025
GDP rank
148/197
2025
85/197
2025
GDP growth
1.89%
2024-2025
-2.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$672
2025
$1,489
2025
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2025
166/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$5,997
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
153/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2025
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.4%
2025
51.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$526
2025
$773
2025
Government debt per person rank
166/185
2025
152/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,255
2026
$2,165
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
25.5%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.8%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.6%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2024-2025
8.83%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
24%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
1.48%
2020
Population
23086106
55361818

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Myanmar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Myanmar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.6% 78.4% 25.2% 51.9%
2024 29.5% 87.6% 25.8% 50.6%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 21.4% 53.2%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 21.3% 56%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 20.9% 63.4%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 21.3% 49.1%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 20.5% 37.6%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 18.7% 39.9%
2017 21% 40% 19.7% 41.9%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 21.3% 35.7%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 23.7% 36.6%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 24.7% 34.5%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 23.9% 44.8%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 20% 48%
2011 17% 20% 15.6% 49.9%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 15.8% 54.4%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 14.4% 56.4%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 14.4% 59.8%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 15.7% 77.4%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 15.6% 103.1%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 14.6% 119%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 14.6% 126.6%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 14.3% 146%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 15.3% 190.6%
2001 - - 19.1% 262%
2000 - - 21.4% 164.5%
1999 - - 22.8% 150.7%
1998 - - 25.2% 208.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Myanmar spent $20.6B, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 51.9% in Myanmar, ranking 47/185 and 101/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Myanmar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Myanmar
2025 -11.5% -4.94%
2024 -11% -4.11%
2023 -7.84% -2.76%
2022 -9.32% -2.75%
2021 -8.34% -2.22%
2020 -8.03% -6.5%
2019 -4.55% -4.7%
2018 -4.35% -2.77%
2017 -5.15% -3.42%
2016 -4.9% -2.53%
2015 -4.17% -4.33%
2014 -3.08% -1.06%
2013 -3.73% -1.53%
2012 -1.45% -2.7%
2011 -2.85% -4.82%
2010 0.63% -5.4%
2009 -2.97% -3.55%
2008 -2.92% -2.73%
2007 -2.56% -3.52%
2006 -0.05% -3.42%
2005 -1.63% -3.49%
2004 -2.61% -4.62%
2003 -2.6% -4.24%
2002 -4.47% -4.01%
2001 - -6.34%
2000 - -6.03%
1999 - -4.46%
1998 - -4.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/myanmar | 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 Myanmar's deficit of $4.04B, or 4.94% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Myanmar ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.59% of GDP for Myanmar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Myanmar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Myanmar
2025 28.4% -
2024 32.2% -
2023 28.8% -
2022 20.8% -
2021 9.3% -
2020 8.6% -
2019 9.4% 8.83%
2018 9.2% 6.87%
2017 11.5% 4.57%
2016 21.7% 6.93%
2015 21.9% 9.45%
2014 23.8% 4.95%
2013 28.3% 5.64%
2012 21.3% 1.47%
2011 7.6% 5.02%
2010 7.4% 7.72%
2009 8.4% 1.47%
2008 8.7% 26.8%
2007 7.9% 35%
2006 13.9% 20%
2005 15.5% 9.37%
2004 11.4% 4.53%
2003 9.6% 36.6%
2002 14.7% 57.1%
2001 22.7% 21.1%
2000 29.6% -0.11%
1999 44.8% 18.4%
1998 29.8% 51.5%
1997 9.1% 29.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 16.9%, compared with 16.2% in Myanmar. In 2019, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 8.83% in Myanmar.

Balance of trade

Malawi Myanmar
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
$67.7M
2019
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
66/190
2019
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
+0.09%
2019
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$13.7B
2019
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$10.8B
2019
Service imports
$895M
2024
$3.66B
2019
Service exports
$508M
2024
$6.68B
2019
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
24.3%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Myanmar
Economic freedom 50.7 44.5
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 180/197
Property rights 49.5 5.7
Government integrity 35 18.1
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 3.9
Tax burden 77 88.6
Government spending 77.8 86.6
Fiscal health 4.7 62.7
Business freedom 34.1 37.9
Labor freedom 55.2 53.2
Monetary freedom 55.1 57.5
Trade freedom 68.6 69.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Myanmar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Myanmar
2026 50.7 44.5
2025 50.9 43.7
2024 52.1 42.2
2023 52.8 46.5
2022 53 49.6
2021 53 55.2
2020 52.8 54
2019 51.4 53.6
2018 52 53.9
2017 52.2 52.5
2016 51.8 48.7
2015 54.8 46.9
2014 55.4 46.5
2013 55.3 39.2
2012 56.4 38.7
2011 55.8 37.8
2010 54.1 36.7
2009 53.7 37.7
2008 52.7 39.5
2007 52.9 41
2006 55.4 40
2005 53.6 40.5
2004 53.6 43.6
2003 53.2 44.9
2002 56.9 45.5
2001 56.2 46.1
2000 57.4 47.9
1999 54 46.4
1998 54.1 45.7
1997 53.4 45.4
1996 56.2 45.1
1995 54.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 44.5 for Myanmar, ranking 180/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Myanmar
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2025
38.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
36.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
30%
2025
25.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$72.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,880
2025
$5,890
2025
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$9.34B
2023
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
85/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$1.74B
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$258M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
1.31%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
24.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
n/a

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/myanmar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.