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Economy of Malawi vs Oman compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $110B for Oman, ranking 148/197 and 70/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $39.2B (35.8% of GDP) in Oman.

Malawi vs Oman GDP by year

Malawi
Oman
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Oman
2025 $14,918,276,698 $109,604,780,696
2024 $11,311,971,400 $107,137,198,700
2023 $13,363,669,673 $106,174,707,932
2022 $12,429,059,928 $109,852,795,839
2021 $12,378,119,199 $87,323,797,139
2020 $11,769,313,598 $75,909,492,848
2019 $11,051,852,713 $88,060,858,257
2018 $9,879,220,354 $91,505,851,756
2017 $8,943,543,794 $80,856,697,009
2016 $7,909,868,618 $75,128,738,622
2015 $9,219,474,379 $78,710,793,238
2014 $8,801,326,169 $92,699,089,727
2013 $8,031,571,928 $89,936,020,806
2012 $8,773,203,178 $87,408,842,653
2011 $11,648,142,958 $77,497,529,259
2010 $10,128,323,011 $64,993,498,049
2009 $9,009,887,947 $55,454,096,229
2008 $7,743,617,352 $69,804,681,404
2007 $6,451,210,219 $48,300,390,117
2006 $5,818,279,739 $42,577,633,290
2005 $5,320,409,651 $35,506,892,068
2004 $5,058,726,350 $28,378,933,680
2003 $4,669,789,300 $24,733,680,104
2002 $5,087,328,438 $23,065,539,662
2001 $2,498,008,665 $22,205,721,717
2000 $2,537,307,580 $22,259,557,867
1999 $2,584,478,924 $17,832,769,831
1998 $2,547,609,590 $16,044,213,264
1997 $3,875,785,863 $18,039,791,938
1996 $3,319,573,750 $17,402,080,624
1995 $2,033,701,498 $15,722,236,671
1994 $1,719,864,761 $14,715,214,564
1993 $3,013,392,658 $14,230,429,129
1992 $2,618,837,835 $14,183,615,085
1991 $3,206,783,830 $12,918,335,501
1990 $2,737,087,862 $13,310,273,082
1989 $2,314,205,130 $9,372,171,651
1988 $2,008,189,508 $8,386,215,865
1987 $1,721,711,808 $7,811,183,095
1986 $1,722,586,299 $7,324,167,369
1985 $1,646,442,273 $10,005,645,420
1984 $1,758,028,656 $8,821,443,151
1983 $1,780,148,049 $7,932,541,691
1982 $1,717,379,495 $7,554,719,456
1981 $1,801,193,910 $7,259,120,151
1980 $1,801,156,775 $5,981,760,278
1979 - $3,733,352,635
1978 - $2,740,301,390
1977 - $2,741,169,948
1976 - $2,560,220,035
1975 - $2,096,699,189
1974 - $1,645,917,776
1973 - $483,066,991
1972 - $366,883,548
1971 - $301,010,587
1970 - $256,319,795
1969 - $239,999,808
1968 - $188,879,849
1967 - $107,151,832
1966 - $67,759,973
1965 - $63,279,975
1964 - $61,872,526
1963 - $59,912,763
1962 - $56,273,202
1961 - $45,634,487
1960 - $44,234,656

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

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Oman by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Oman
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Oman
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $672 - $19,947 -
2024 $522 $1,858 $20,285 $41,740
2023 $633 $1,830 $21,028 $41,945
2022 $604 $1,778 $23,224 $42,616
2021 $617 $1,688 $19,403 $38,719
2020 $603 $1,513 $16,785 $35,163
2019 $581 $1,450 $19,180 $37,251
2018 $533 $1,364 $19,902 $37,780
2017 $496 $1,380 $17,820 $33,619
2016 $451 $1,410 $17,110 $33,334
2015 $540 $1,403 $18,808 $36,058
2014 $530 $1,506 $23,161 $44,236
2013 $497 $1,558 $23,458 $47,013
2012 $558 $1,464 $24,642 $49,989
2011 $763 $1,516 $25,188 $52,393
2010 $683 $1,458 $23,570 $55,667
2009 $626 $1,388 $20,656 $55,127
2008 $554 $1,311 $26,577 $52,841
2007 $475 $1,231 $18,793 $48,627
2006 $441 $1,124 $16,931 $46,091
2005 $414 $1,071 $14,435 $43,673
2004 $405 $1,033 $11,801 $42,142
2003 $383 $979 $10,464 $40,935
2002 $428 $931 $9,869 $41,511
2001 $215.5 $924 $9,612 $41,679
2000 $224.2 $974 $9,754 $39,443
1999 $233.9 $961 $7,915 $36,792
1998 $236 $941 $7,219 $36,666
1997 $367 $915 $8,235 $36,809
1996 $321 $884 $8,068 $34,661
1995 $200.4 $825 $7,414 $33,598
1994 $169.2 $692 $7,068 $31,925
1993 $293 $746 $7,039 $30,987
1992 $258.4 $674 $7,318 $29,773
1991 $326 $732 $6,977 $28,109
1990 $286.7 $672 $7,546 $26,904
1989 $252.2 - $5,591 -
1988 $229.4 - $5,279 -
1987 $207.6 - $5,204 -
1986 $217.9 - $5,182 -
1985 $216.1 - $7,549 -
1984 $239.7 - $7,070 -
1983 $252.4 - $6,714 -
1982 $253.3 - $6,759 -
1981 $276.4 - $6,866 -
1980 $287.5 - $5,974 -
1979 - - $3,934 -
1978 - - $3,044 -
1977 - - $3,205 -
1976 - - $3,143 -
1975 - - $2,692 -
1974 - - $2,203 -
1973 - - $670 -
1972 - - $524 -
1971 - - $442 -
1970 - - $387 -
1969 - - $372 -
1968 - - $300 -
1967 - - $174.7 -
1966 - - $113.2 -
1965 - - $108.1 -
1964 - - $108.1 -
1963 - - $106.8 -
1962 - - $102.3 -
1961 - - $84.5 -
1960 - - $83.4 -

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

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $19,947 in Oman, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Oman ranks 55th at $41,740.

Economic indicators

Malawi Oman
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2025
$110B
2025
GDP rank
148/197
2025
70/197
2025
GDP growth
1.89%
2024-2025
2.4%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$672
2025
$19,947
2025
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2025
60/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$41,740
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
55/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2025
$39.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.4%
2025
35.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$526
2025
$7,132
2025
Government debt per person rank
166/185
2025
70/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,255
2026
$19,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$41.3B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.6%
2025
28.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2024-2025
1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
24%
2026
4.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
3.3%
2024
Population
23086106
5775345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Oman
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Oman
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.6% 78.4% 28.9% 35.8%
2024 29.5% 87.6% 28.7% 35.5%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 27.5% 37.4%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 31.1% 41.7%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 36.5% 61.9%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 44.5% 67.9%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 38.8% 52.5%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 38.3% 44.7%
2017 21% 40% 39.4% 40.1%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 44.6% 29.3%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 44.5% 13.9%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 41.4% 4.04%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 39.3% 4.66%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 38.6% 4.59%
2011 17% 20% 34.5% 4.44%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 30.6% 5.46%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 33.4% 5.8%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 25.6% 3.2%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 30.7% 4.44%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 30.1% 7.56%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 30.6% 8.39%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 34.1% 14.5%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 34% 13%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 34.1% 15.9%
2001 - - 33.3% 22.5%
2000 - - 31.2% 21.7%
1999 - - 34.2% 28.9%
1998 - - 36.1% 30.9%
1997 - - 32.1% 20.8%
1996 - - 33.5% 21.2%
1995 - - 38.2% 21.9%
1994 - - 39.7% 23.6%
1993 - - 40.1% 22.2%
1992 - - 40.1% 23.1%
1991 - - 37.4% 22.6%
1990 - - 36.5% 17.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Oman spent $31.7B, or 28.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 35.8% in Oman, ranking 47/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Oman
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Oman
2025 -11.5% 1.04%
2024 -11% 3.22%
2023 -7.84% 6.72%
2022 -9.32% 10.3%
2021 -8.34% -3.17%
2020 -8.03% -15.7%
2019 -4.55% -4.83%
2018 -4.35% -6.72%
2017 -5.15% -10.5%
2016 -4.9% -19.6%
2015 -4.17% -13.5%
2014 -3.08% -1.58%
2013 -3.73% 2.78%
2012 -1.45% 4.07%
2011 -2.85% 8.24%
2010 0.63% 4.95%
2009 -2.97% -0.27%
2008 -2.92% 14.7%
2007 -2.56% 10.5%
2006 -0.05% 12.2%
2005 -1.63% 11.2%
2004 -2.61% 5.43%
2003 -2.6% 5.92%
2002 -4.47% 5.31%
2001 - 7.55%
2000 - 12.2%
1999 - 0.3%
1998 - -4.37%
1997 - 4.77%
1996 - 2.22%
1995 - -3.9%
1994 - -7.47%
1993 - -6.84%
1992 - -4.85%
1991 - 0.12%
1990 - 4.78%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/oman | 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 Oman's surplus of $1.14B, or 1.04% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Oman ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.28% of GDP for Oman.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Oman
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Oman
2025 28.4% 1%
2024 32.2% 0.6%
2023 28.8% 1%
2022 20.8% 2.5%
2021 9.3% 1.7%
2020 8.6% -0.4%
2019 9.4% 0.5%
2018 9.2% 0.7%
2017 11.5% 1.5%
2016 21.7% 0.9%
2015 21.9% 0.1%
2014 23.8% 1.2%
2013 28.3% 1.3%
2012 21.3% 2.9%
2011 7.6% 4.1%
2010 7.4% 3.3%
2009 8.4% 3.5%
2008 8.7% 12.6%
2007 7.9% 5.9%
2006 13.9% 3.2%
2005 15.5% 1.9%
2004 11.4% 0.8%
2003 9.6% 0.2%
2002 14.7% -0.3%
2001 22.7% -0.8%
2000 29.6% -1.2%
1999 44.8% 0.5%
1998 29.8% 0.4%
1997 9.1% -0.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 1.7% in Oman. In 2025, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 1% in Oman.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $130K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Oman
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $147K
Animal & marine products $92K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Malawi Oman
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
$3.07B
2024
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
37/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$39.5B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$65.2B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$5.64B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
48.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
66.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Oman
Economic freedom 50.7 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 45/197
Property rights 49.5 71.8
Government integrity 35 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 28
Tax burden 77 97.6
Government spending 77.8 74.7
Fiscal health 4.7 97.5
Business freedom 34.1 67.8
Labor freedom 55.2 47.7
Monetary freedom 55.1 79.2
Trade freedom 68.6 78.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Oman
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Oman
2026 50.7 68.5
2025 50.9 65.4
2024 52.1 62.9
2023 52.8 58.5
2022 53 56.6
2021 53 64.6
2020 52.8 63.6
2019 51.4 61
2018 52 61
2017 52.2 62.1
2016 51.8 67.1
2015 54.8 66.7
2014 55.4 67.4
2013 55.3 68.1
2012 56.4 67.9
2011 55.8 69.8
2010 54.1 67.7
2009 53.7 67
2008 52.7 67.3
2007 52.9 65.8
2006 55.4 63.7
2005 53.6 66.5
2004 53.6 66.9
2003 53.2 64.6
2002 56.9 64
2001 56.2 67.7
2000 57.4 64.1
1999 54 64.9
1998 54.1 64.9
1997 53.4 64.5
1996 56.2 65.4
1995 54.7 70.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 68.5 for Oman, ranking 45/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Oman
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2025
47.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
52.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
30%
2025
2.81%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$103B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,880
2025
$39,390
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$18.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
68/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$12.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$258M
2024
$12.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
-$143M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
24.8%
2024

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/oman | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.