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Economy of Malawi vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 151/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Malawi vs Poland GDP by year

Malawi
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Poland
2024 $11,316,411,329 $917,767,106,147
2023 $13,363,669,673 $812,451,193,396
2022 $12,429,059,928 $695,607,470,875
2021 $12,378,119,199 $689,170,230,665
2020 $11,769,313,598 $605,914,237,904
2019 $11,051,852,713 $602,683,770,145
2018 $9,879,220,354 $594,616,687,350
2017 $8,943,543,794 $528,356,676,667
2016 $7,909,868,618 $473,259,583,970
2015 $9,219,474,379 $480,054,118,583
2014 $8,801,326,169 $542,134,167,179
2013 $8,031,571,928 $518,179,836,405
2012 $8,773,203,178 $498,148,649,703
2011 $11,648,142,958 $527,848,543,023
2010 $10,128,323,011 $478,111,630,684
2009 $9,009,887,947 $440,891,472,247
2008 $7,743,617,352 $535,612,030,672
2007 $6,451,210,219 $429,715,132,138
2006 $5,818,279,739 $345,897,630,736
2005 $5,320,409,651 $306,999,913,151
2004 $5,058,726,350 $256,268,656,145
2003 $4,669,789,300 $218,561,225,998
2002 $5,087,328,438 $199,694,463,256
2001 $2,498,008,665 $191,823,200,371
2000 $2,537,307,580 $172,953,527,033
1999 $2,584,478,924 $170,704,452,715
1998 $2,547,609,590 $175,282,269,667
1997 $3,875,785,863 $159,893,964,917
1996 $3,319,573,750 $160,813,026,223
1995 $2,033,701,498 $142,838,527,115
1994 $1,719,864,761 $110,803,635,288
1993 $3,013,392,658 $96,043,157,273
1992 $2,618,837,835 $94,337,050,693
1991 $3,206,783,830 $85,500,935,935
1990 $2,737,087,862 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Poland by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $633 $1,830 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $604 $1,778 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $617 $1,688 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $603 $1,513 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $581 $1,450 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $533 $1,364 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $496 $1,380 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $451 $1,410 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $540 $1,403 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $530 $1,506 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $497 $1,558 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $558 $1,464 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $763 $1,516 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $683 $1,458 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $626 $1,388 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $554 $1,311 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $475 $1,231 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $441 $1,124 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $414 $1,071 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $405 $1,033 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $383 $979 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $428 $931 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $215.5 $924 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $224.2 $974 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $233.9 $961 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $236 $941 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $367 $915 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $321 $884 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $200.4 $825 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $169.2 $692 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $293 $746 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $258.4 $674 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $326 $732 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $286.7 $672 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Malawi Poland
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
22949294
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 43.6% 53%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 41% 48.2%
2017 21% 40% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 17% 20% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 46% 53.7%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 44% 46.6%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 - - 44.7% 37.2%
2000 - - 43.1% 36.4%
1999 - - 42.5% 39.4%
1998 - - 44% 38.7%
1997 - - 46.1% 42.7%
1996 - - 50.7% 43.2%
1995 - - 47.5% 48.7%
1994 - - - 64.3%
1993 - - - 83.9%
1992 - - - 81.9%
1991 - - - 76.9%
1990 - - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 35/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Poland
2024 -11% -6.59%
2023 -7.84% -5.27%
2022 -9.32% -3.44%
2021 -8.34% -1.75%
2020 -8.03% -6.85%
2019 -4.55% -0.73%
2018 -4.35% -0.24%
2017 -5.15% -1.49%
2016 -4.9% -2.38%
2015 -4.17% -2.59%
2014 -3.08% -3.66%
2013 -3.73% -4.25%
2012 -1.45% -3.8%
2011 -2.85% -4.97%
2010 0.63% -7.43%
2009 -2.97% -7.24%
2008 -2.92% -3.6%
2007 -2.56% -1.88%
2006 -0.05% -3.53%
2005 -1.63% -3.93%
2004 -2.61% -4.99%
2003 -2.6% -6.02%
2002 -4.47% -4.8%
2001 - -4.73%
2000 - -4%
1999 - -2.3%
1998 - -4.25%
1997 - -4.61%
1996 - -4.84%
1995 - -4.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.97% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Poland
2024 32.2% 3.78%
2023 28.8% 11.5%
2022 20.8% 14.4%
2021 9.3% 5.06%
2020 8.6% 3.37%
2019 9.4% 2.23%
2018 9.2% 1.81%
2017 11.5% 2.08%
2016 21.7% -0.66%
2015 21.9% -0.87%
2014 23.8% 0.05%
2013 28.3% 0.99%
2012 21.3% 3.56%
2011 7.6% 4.24%
2010 7.4% 2.58%
2009 8.4% 3.8%
2008 8.7% 4.16%
2007 7.9% 2.46%
2006 13.9% 1.28%
2005 15.5% 2.18%
2004 11.4% 3.38%
2003 9.6% 0.68%
2002 14.7% 1.91%
2001 22.7% 5.41%
2000 29.6% 9.9%
1999 44.8% 7.15%
1998 29.8% 11.6%
1997 9.1% 14.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29M
Machinery & equipment $407K
Raw agricultural goods $313K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Wood & paper products $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Metals $1K
Poland
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $8.74M
Textiles & consumer goods $967K
Machinery & equipment $262K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $231K
Wood & paper products $22K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Metals $10K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

Malawi Poland
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Poland
Economic freedom 50.7 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 46/197
Property rights 49.5 71.8
Government integrity 35 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 62.5
Tax burden 77 72.7
Government spending 77.8 35.1
Fiscal health 4.7 74.8
Business freedom 34.1 77.5
Labor freedom 55.2 53.7
Monetary freedom 55.1 73.8
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Poland
2026 50.7 68.5
2025 50.9 67.1
2024 52.1 66
2023 52.8 67.7
2022 53 68.7
2021 53 69.7
2020 52.8 69.1
2019 51.4 67.8
2018 52 68.5
2017 52.2 68.3
2016 51.8 69.3
2015 54.8 68.6
2014 55.4 67
2013 55.3 66
2012 56.4 64.2
2011 55.8 64.1
2010 54.1 63.2
2009 53.7 60.3
2008 52.7 60.3
2007 52.9 58.1
2006 55.4 59.3
2005 53.6 59.6
2004 53.6 58.7
2003 53.2 61.8
2002 56.9 65
2001 56.2 61.8
2000 57.4 60
1999 54 59.6
1998 54.1 59.2
1997 53.4 56.8
1996 56.2 57.8
1995 54.7 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Poland
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
17.8%
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/poland | 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 (1995–2024, 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.