Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 148/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.
Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.
Malawi vs Qatar GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
| 2025 | $14,918,276,698 | $215,559,615,385 |
| 2024 | $11,311,971,400 | $216,294,505,495 |
| 2023 | $13,363,669,673 | $213,002,809,341 |
| 2022 | $12,429,059,928 | $235,709,325,714 |
| 2021 | $12,378,119,199 | $179,732,009,560 |
| 2020 | $11,769,313,598 | $144,411,363,352 |
| 2019 | $11,051,852,713 | $176,371,267,692 |
| 2018 | $9,879,220,354 | $183,334,953,819 |
| 2017 | $8,943,543,794 | $161,099,122,225 |
| 2016 | $7,909,868,618 | $151,732,181,868 |
| 2015 | $9,219,474,379 | $161,739,955,577 |
| 2014 | $8,801,326,169 | $206,224,598,571 |
| 2013 | $8,031,571,928 | $198,727,642,967 |
| 2012 | $8,773,203,178 | $186,833,502,363 |
| 2011 | $11,648,142,958 | $167,775,274,725 |
| 2010 | $10,128,323,011 | $125,122,252,747 |
| 2009 | $9,009,887,947 | $97,798,351,648 |
| 2008 | $7,743,617,352 | $115,269,780,220 |
| 2007 | $6,451,210,219 | $79,711,813,187 |
| 2006 | $5,818,279,739 | $60,882,142,857 |
| 2005 | $5,320,409,651 | $44,530,494,505 |
| 2004 | $5,058,726,350 | $31,734,065,934 |
| 2003 | $4,669,789,300 | $23,533,791,209 |
| 2002 | $5,087,328,438 | $19,363,736,264 |
| 2001 | $2,498,008,665 | $17,538,461,538 |
| 2000 | $2,537,307,580 | $17,759,890,110 |
| 1999 | $2,584,478,924 | $12,393,131,868 |
| 1998 | $2,547,609,590 | $10,255,494,505 |
| 1997 | $3,875,785,863 | $11,297,802,198 |
| 1996 | $3,319,573,750 | $9,059,340,659 |
| 1995 | $2,033,701,498 | $8,137,912,088 |
| 1994 | $1,719,864,761 | $7,374,450,549 |
| 1993 | $3,013,392,658 | $7,156,593,407 |
| 1992 | $2,618,837,835 | $7,646,153,846 |
| 1991 | $3,206,783,830 | $6,883,516,484 |
| 1990 | $2,737,087,862 | $7,360,439,560 |
| 1989 | $2,314,205,130 | $6,487,912,088 |
| 1988 | $2,008,189,508 | $6,038,186,813 |
| 1987 | $1,721,711,808 | $5,446,428,571 |
| 1986 | $1,722,586,299 | $5,053,021,978 |
| 1985 | $1,646,442,273 | $6,153,296,703 |
| 1984 | $1,758,028,656 | $6,870,329,670 |
| 1983 | $1,780,148,049 | $6,484,890,110 |
| 1982 | $1,717,379,495 | $7,611,263,736 |
| 1981 | $1,801,193,910 | $8,672,527,473 |
| 1980 | $1,801,156,775 | $7,837,915,956 |
| 1979 | - | $5,632,962,997 |
| 1978 | - | $4,052,000,413 |
| 1977 | - | $3,617,564,638 |
| 1976 | - | $3,284,273,987 |
| 1975 | - | $2,512,773,166 |
| 1974 | - | $2,401,403,227 |
| 1973 | - | $793,885,560 |
| 1972 | - | $510,262,500 |
| 1971 | - | $387,703,106 |
| 1970 | - | $301,791,302 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/qatar | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Malawi vs Qatar by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $672 | - | $72,525 | - |
| 2024 | $522 | $1,858 | $75,685 | $126,046 |
| 2023 | $633 | $1,830 | $80,196 | $129,368 |
| 2022 | $604 | $1,778 | $88,701 | $122,921 |
| 2021 | $617 | $1,688 | $71,752 | $116,833 |
| 2020 | $603 | $1,513 | $51,684 | $82,149 |
| 2019 | $581 | $1,450 | $66,841 | $107,503 |
| 2018 | $533 | $1,364 | $71,040 | $110,033 |
| 2017 | $496 | $1,380 | $63,280 | $99,358 |
| 2016 | $451 | $1,410 | $61,254 | $89,935 |
| 2015 | $540 | $1,403 | $68,985 | $102,546 |
| 2014 | $530 | $1,506 | $95,841 | $148,389 |
| 2013 | $497 | $1,558 | $103,697 | $169,203 |
| 2012 | $558 | $1,464 | $108,470 | $180,939 |
| 2011 | $763 | $1,516 | $103,262 | $174,620 |
| 2010 | $683 | $1,458 | $77,387 | $151,646 |
| 2009 | $626 | $1,388 | $60,786 | $125,898 |
| 2008 | $554 | $1,311 | $80,781 | $126,015 |
| 2007 | $475 | $1,231 | $65,954 | $124,056 |
| 2006 | $441 | $1,124 | $62,582 | $127,181 |
| 2005 | $414 | $1,071 | $53,950 | $115,250 |
| 2004 | $405 | $1,033 | $41,036 | $110,958 |
| 2003 | $383 | $979 | $31,602 | $94,120 |
| 2002 | $428 | $931 | $27,227 | $93,177 |
| 2001 | $215.5 | $924 | $25,871 | $89,805 |
| 2000 | $224.2 | $974 | $27,535 | $88,849 |
| 1999 | $233.9 | $961 | $20,234 | $84,690 |
| 1998 | $236 | $941 | $17,665 | $84,486 |
| 1997 | $367 | $915 | $20,523 | $79,219 |
| 1996 | $321 | $884 | $17,125 | $62,331 |
| 1995 | $200.4 | $825 | $15,823 | $60,321 |
| 1994 | $169.2 | $692 | $14,765 | $59,415 |
| 1993 | $293 | $746 | $14,770 | $59,125 |
| 1992 | $258.4 | $674 | $16,280 | $60,387 |
| 1991 | $326 | $732 | $15,133 | $54,759 |
| 1990 | $286.7 | $672 | $16,722 | $55,659 |
| 1989 | $252.2 | - | $15,243 | - |
| 1988 | $229.4 | - | $14,682 | - |
| 1987 | $207.6 | - | $13,719 | - |
| 1986 | $217.9 | - | $13,213 | - |
| 1985 | $216.1 | - | $16,815 | - |
| 1984 | $239.7 | - | $19,749 | - |
| 1983 | $252.4 | - | $19,669 | - |
| 1982 | $253.3 | - | $24,431 | - |
| 1981 | $276.4 | - | $29,543 | - |
| 1980 | $287.5 | - | $28,407 | - |
| 1979 | - | - | $21,777 | - |
| 1978 | - | - | $16,757 | - |
| 1977 | - | - | $16,058 | - |
| 1976 | - | - | $15,710 | - |
| 1975 | - | - | $13,014 | - |
| 1974 | - | - | $13,540 | - |
| 1973 | - | - | $4,905 | - |
| 1972 | - | - | $3,483 | - |
| 1971 | - | - | $2,952 | - |
| 1970 | - | - | $2,594 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/qatar | CC BY
Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.
Economic indicators
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$14.9B
2025 |
$216B
2025 |
| GDP rank |
148/197
2025 |
56/197
2025 |
| GDP growth |
1.89%
2024-2025 |
2.9%
2024-2025 |
| GDP per capita |
$672
2025 |
$72,525
2025 |
| GDP per capita rank |
190/197
2025 |
13/197
2025 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,858
2024 |
$126,046
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
189/197
2024 |
5/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$11.7B
2025 |
$89.2B
2025 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
78.4%
2025 |
41.4%
2025 |
| Government debt per person |
$526
2025 |
$30,009
2025 |
| Government debt per person rank |
166/185
2025 |
24/185
2025 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,255
2026 |
$37,042
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$177B
2025 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
30,000
2026 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
2
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31%
2019 |
25.8%
2017 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.9%
2019 |
2.6%
2017 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
30.6%
2025 |
27.1%
2025 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
28.4%
2024-2025 |
0.6%
2024-2025 |
| Central bank interest rate |
24%
2026 |
4.1%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
15.4%
2024 |
0.1%
2024 |
| Population |
23086106
|
3058826
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2025 | 30.6% | 78.4% | 27.1% | 41.4% |
| 2024 | 29.5% | 87.6% | 26% | 41.3% |
| 2023 | 25.5% | 86.7% | 26.7% | 42.8% |
| 2022 | 26.7% | 75.7% | 24.3% | 42.6% |
| 2021 | 23.7% | 66.5% | 29.4% | 58.4% |
| 2020 | 22.7% | 53.9% | 34.7% | 72.6% |
| 2019 | 19.3% | 41.2% | 32.5% | 62.1% |
| 2018 | 19.4% | 40.8% | 28.9% | 52.2% |
| 2017 | 21% | 40% | 34.7% | 51.6% |
| 2016 | 19.7% | 37.1% | 40.1% | 46.7% |
| 2015 | 19.5% | 35.5% | 38.6% | 35.5% |
| 2014 | 18.3% | 33.5% | 32.3% | 24.9% |
| 2013 | 20.7% | 35.3% | 28.3% | 30.9% |
| 2012 | 18.8% | 28.6% | 31% | 32.1% |
| 2011 | 17% | 20% | 28.5% | 33.5% |
| 2010 | 19.6% | 19.3% | 32% | 30.4% |
| 2009 | 20.2% | 23.5% | 36.4% | 36% |
| 2008 | 20.6% | 23.5% | 23.5% | 11.4% |
| 2007 | 20.7% | 18.9% | 29.5% | 9.37% |
| 2006 | 17.8% | 17.9% | 29.5% | 13.9% |
| 2005 | 17.4% | 70.9% | 29% | 19.1% |
| 2004 | 17.2% | 74.7% | 29.9% | 30.1% |
| 2003 | 15.4% | 84.7% | 28.5% | 38.8% |
| 2002 | 13.8% | 101.5% | 31.6% | 47.7% |
| 2001 | - | - | 32.1% | 59.2% |
| 2000 | - | - | 29.8% | 51.6% |
| 1999 | - | - | 42.4% | 81.8% |
| 1998 | - | - | 55.1% | 76.6% |
| 1997 | - | - | 47.6% | 54.4% |
| 1996 | - | - | 55.2% | 57.8% |
| 1995 | - | - | 52.2% | 50.2% |
| 1994 | - | - | 59.8% | 54.8% |
| 1993 | - | - | 62.8% | 46.3% |
| 1992 | - | - | 54.2% | 19.9% |
| 1991 | - | - | 57.5% | 21.8% |
| 1990 | - | - | 50% | 12.6% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/qatar | CC BY
In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 47/185 and 127/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
| 2025 | -11.5% | -1% |
| 2024 | -11% | 0.71% |
| 2023 | -7.84% | 5.51% |
| 2022 | -9.32% | 10.4% |
| 2021 | -8.34% | 0.24% |
| 2020 | -8.03% | -2.13% |
| 2019 | -4.55% | 1% |
| 2018 | -4.35% | 2.26% |
| 2017 | -5.15% | -6.82% |
| 2016 | -4.9% | -9.2% |
| 2015 | -4.17% | 18.4% |
| 2014 | -3.08% | 13.4% |
| 2013 | -3.73% | 19.3% |
| 2012 | -1.45% | 8.55% |
| 2011 | -2.85% | 5.24% |
| 2010 | 0.63% | 4.6% |
| 2009 | -2.97% | 14.1% |
| 2008 | -2.92% | 9.49% |
| 2007 | -2.56% | 10.3% |
| 2006 | -0.05% | 8.39% |
| 2005 | -1.63% | 9.8% |
| 2004 | -2.61% | 17.7% |
| 2003 | -2.6% | 6.71% |
| 2002 | -4.47% | 7.89% |
| 2001 | - | 4.48% |
| 2000 | - | 4.62% |
| 1999 | - | -4.35% |
| 1998 | - | -7% |
| 1997 | - | -9.4% |
| 1996 | - | -8.73% |
| 1995 | - | -5.78% |
| 1994 | - | -11.8% |
| 1993 | - | -9.53% |
| 1992 | - | -2.74% |
| 1991 | - | -2.57% |
| 1990 | - | 3.23% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.
Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to surplus of 6.45% of GDP for Qatar.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
| 2025 | 28.4% | 0.6% |
| 2024 | 32.2% | 1.2% |
| 2023 | 28.8% | 3.1% |
| 2022 | 20.8% | 5% |
| 2021 | 9.3% | 2.3% |
| 2020 | 8.6% | -2.5% |
| 2019 | 9.4% | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 9.2% | 0.1% |
| 2017 | 11.5% | 0.6% |
| 2016 | 21.7% | 2.7% |
| 2015 | 21.9% | 0.9% |
| 2014 | 23.8% | 4.2% |
| 2013 | 28.3% | 3.1% |
| 2012 | 21.3% | 1.8% |
| 2011 | 7.6% | 2% |
| 2010 | 7.4% | -2.4% |
| 2009 | 8.4% | -4.9% |
| 2008 | 8.7% | 15.1% |
| 2007 | 7.9% | 13.7% |
| 2006 | 13.9% | 11.7% |
| 2005 | 15.5% | 9% |
| 2004 | 11.4% | 6.8% |
| 2003 | 9.6% | 2.3% |
| 2002 | 14.7% | 0.2% |
| 2001 | 22.7% | 1.7% |
| 2000 | 29.6% | 1.6% |
| 1999 | 44.8% | 2.2% |
| 1998 | 29.8% | 2.9% |
| 1997 | 9.1% | 2.7% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/qatar | CC BY
Over the past 29 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 0.6% in Qatar.
Top exports between countries
Balance of trade
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$2.13B
2024 |
$31.9B
2025 |
| Current account balance ranking |
143/190
2024 |
17/190
2025 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-18.8%
2024 |
+14.8%
2025 |
| Goods imports |
$3.02B
2024 |
$34.3B
2025 |
| Goods exports |
$1.02B
2024 |
$90B
2025 |
| Service imports |
$895M
2024 |
$31.3B
2025 |
| Service exports |
$508M
2024 |
$24.4B
2025 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
28.8%
2025 |
31.6%
2022 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
10.6%
2025 |
68.6%
2022 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 50.7 | 70.2 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 159/197 | 37/197 |
| Property rights | 49.5 | 66.2 |
| Government integrity | 35 | 53.5 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 51.8 | 41.5 |
| Tax burden | 77 | 99.9 |
| Government spending | 77.8 | 79.9 |
| Fiscal health | 4.7 | 96.6 |
| Business freedom | 34.1 | 68 |
| Labor freedom | 55.2 | 58.5 |
| Monetary freedom | 55.1 | 76 |
| Trade freedom | 68.6 | 81.8 |
| Investment freedom | 50 | 60 |
| Financial freedom | 50 | 60 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
| 2026 | 50.7 | 70.2 |
| 2025 | 50.9 | 70.2 |
| 2024 | 52.1 | 68.8 |
| 2023 | 52.8 | 68.6 |
| 2022 | 53 | 67.7 |
| 2021 | 53 | 72 |
| 2020 | 52.8 | 72.3 |
| 2019 | 51.4 | 72.6 |
| 2018 | 52 | 72.6 |
| 2017 | 52.2 | 73.1 |
| 2016 | 51.8 | 70.7 |
| 2015 | 54.8 | 70.8 |
| 2014 | 55.4 | 71.2 |
| 2013 | 55.3 | 71.3 |
| 2012 | 56.4 | 71.3 |
| 2011 | 55.8 | 70.5 |
| 2010 | 54.1 | 69 |
| 2009 | 53.7 | 65.8 |
| 2008 | 52.7 | 62.2 |
| 2007 | 52.9 | 62.9 |
| 2006 | 55.4 | 62.4 |
| 2005 | 53.6 | 63.5 |
| 2004 | 53.6 | 66.5 |
| 2003 | 53.2 | 65.9 |
| 2002 | 56.9 | 61.9 |
| 2001 | 56.2 | 60 |
| 2000 | 57.4 | 62 |
| 1999 | 54 | 62 |
| 1998 | 54.1 | - |
| 1997 | 53.4 | - |
| 1996 | 56.2 | - |
| 1995 | 54.7 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/qatar | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
Malawi
|
Qatar
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
48.7%
2025 |
47%
2025 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
14.3%
2025 |
57%
2025 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
30%
2025 |
0.31%
2025 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$13.4B
2025 |
$221B
2025 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$1,880
2025 |
$126,290
2025 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$594M
2020 |
$55.8B
2025 |
| Total reserves ranking |
154/177
2020 |
45/177
2025 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$202M
2024 |
$311M
2025 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$258M
2024 |
$460M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$56.4M
2024 |
$1.56B
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 |
30.6%
2022 |
GDP per capita map
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/qatar | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- 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.