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Economy of Malawi vs Slovakia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $155B for Slovakia, ranking 148/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $95.3B (61.6% of GDP) in Slovakia.

Malawi vs Slovakia GDP by year

Malawi
Slovakia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Slovakia
2025 $14,918,276,698 $154,530,066,507
2024 $11,311,971,400 $140,934,076,532
2023 $13,363,669,673 $133,578,518,424
2022 $12,429,059,928 $115,792,972,358
2021 $12,378,119,199 $120,511,265,913
2020 $11,769,313,598 $107,732,602,896
2019 $11,051,852,713 $105,843,498,304
2018 $9,879,220,354 $106,611,673,365
2017 $8,943,543,794 $95,978,130,735
2016 $7,909,868,618 $90,347,173,229
2015 $9,219,474,379 $89,178,548,717
2014 $8,801,326,169 $101,713,075,599
2013 $8,031,571,928 $99,134,277,850
2012 $8,773,203,178 $94,724,394,278
2011 $11,648,142,958 $99,705,104,723
2010 $10,128,323,011 $91,112,160,801
2009 $9,009,887,947 $89,342,984,698
2008 $7,743,617,352 $96,685,492,864
2007 $6,451,210,219 $77,019,443,089
2006 $5,818,279,739 $57,111,148,619
2005 $5,320,409,651 $48,823,790,951
2004 $5,058,726,350 $42,960,730,480
2003 $4,669,789,300 $33,761,723,946
2002 $5,087,328,438 $24,768,142,566
2001 $2,498,008,665 $21,377,597,035
2000 $2,537,307,580 $20,626,538,612
1999 $2,584,478,924 $20,813,421,086
1998 $2,547,609,590 $22,911,708,405
1997 $3,875,785,863 $22,026,728,498
1996 $3,319,573,750 $21,864,845,214
1995 $2,033,701,498 $20,306,095,054
1994 $1,719,864,761 $16,187,735,322
1993 $3,013,392,658 $13,991,963,247
1992 $2,618,837,835 $12,932,972,789
1991 $3,206,783,830 $11,952,983,608
1990 $2,737,087,862 $17,068,924,602
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/slovakia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Slovakia by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Slovakia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Slovakia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $672 - $28,544 -
2024 $522 $1,858 $25,993 $48,132
2023 $633 $1,830 $24,615 $45,974
2022 $604 $1,778 $21,318 $41,562
2021 $617 $1,688 $22,123 $38,346
2020 $603 $1,513 $19,735 $35,328
2019 $581 $1,450 $19,406 $33,986
2018 $533 $1,364 $19,573 $31,510
2017 $496 $1,380 $17,646 $30,246
2016 $451 $1,410 $16,636 $29,868
2015 $540 $1,403 $16,442 $30,148
2014 $530 $1,506 $18,771 $29,108
2013 $497 $1,558 $18,313 $28,075
2012 $558 $1,464 $17,517 $27,023
2011 $763 $1,516 $18,469 $26,202
2010 $683 $1,458 $16,899 $25,382
2009 $626 $1,388 $16,587 $23,077
2008 $554 $1,311 $17,974 $23,714
2007 $475 $1,231 $14,330 $21,232
2006 $441 $1,124 $10,629 $18,906
2005 $414 $1,071 $9,087 $16,570
2004 $405 $1,033 $7,997 $15,166
2003 $383 $979 $6,283 $14,088
2002 $428 $931 $4,606 $13,292
2001 $215.5 $924 $3,974 $12,367
2000 $224.2 $974 $3,828 $11,370
1999 $233.9 $961 $3,857 $10,726
1998 $236 $941 $4,250 $10,666
1997 $367 $915 $4,092 $10,137
1996 $321 $884 $4,069 $9,500
1995 $200.4 $825 $3,787 $8,812
1994 $169.2 $692 $3,028 $8,178
1993 $293 $746 $2,627 $7,569
1992 $258.4 $674 $2,438 $7,270
1991 $326 $732 $2,254 $7,623
1990 $286.7 $672 $3,221 $8,638
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/slovakia | CC BY

Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $28,544 in Slovakia, ranking 46/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Slovakia ranks 49th at $48,132.

Economic indicators

Malawi Slovakia
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2025
$155B
2025
GDP rank
148/197
2025
60/197
2025
GDP growth
1.89%
2024-2025
0.81%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$672
2025
$28,544
2025
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$48,132
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
49/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2025
$95.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.4%
2025
61.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$526
2025
$17,597
2025
Government debt per person rank
166/185
2025
36/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,255
2026
$17,518
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.38B
2014
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
18.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.6%
2025
48.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2024-2025
4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
24%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
5.4%
2025
Population
23086106
5376239

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Slovakia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Slovakia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.6% 78.4% 48.7% 61.6%
2024 29.5% 87.6% 47.5% 59.7%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 48.2% 55.8%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 43.1% 57.8%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 44.8% 60.2%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 44.5% 58.4%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 40.6% 48%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 39.7% 49.3%
2017 21% 40% 39.8% 51.4%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 40.9% 52.1%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 44.1% 51.6%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 42% 53.4%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 41.1% 54.6%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 40% 51.7%
2011 17% 20% 40.8% 43.3%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 41% 40.7%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 43.2% 36.4%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 36.5% 28.6%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 35.9% 30.4%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 38.2% 31.5%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 39.1% 35%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 38.4% 42%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 40% 43.6%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 46% 45.6%
2001 - - 46.2% 51.4%
2000 - - 53.2% 50.6%
1999 - - 48.4% 47.1%
1998 - - 46.2% 33.9%
1997 - - 48.6% 32.8%
1996 - - 52.8% 30.3%
1995 - - 47.8% 21.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Slovakia spent $75.3B, or 48.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 61.6% in Slovakia, ranking 47/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Slovakia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Slovakia
2025 -11.5% -5.02%
2024 -11% -5.5%
2023 -7.84% -5.3%
2022 -9.32% -1.56%
2021 -8.34% -5.09%
2020 -8.03% -5.3%
2019 -4.55% -1.21%
2018 -4.35% -1.01%
2017 -5.15% -0.98%
2016 -4.9% -2.59%
2015 -4.17% -2.78%
2014 -3.08% -3.25%
2013 -3.73% -2.86%
2012 -1.45% -4.37%
2011 -2.85% -4.36%
2010 0.63% -7.44%
2009 -2.97% -8.18%
2008 -2.92% -2.54%
2007 -2.56% -2.26%
2006 -0.05% -3.57%
2005 -1.63% -2.86%
2004 -2.61% -2.36%
2003 -2.6% -2.28%
2002 -4.47% -8.35%
2001 - -7.74%
2000 - -12.7%
1999 - -7.25%
1998 - -5.37%
1997 - -6.24%
1996 - -9.72%
1995 - -3.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/slovakia | 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 Slovakia's deficit of $7.75B, or 5.02% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Slovakia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.79% of GDP for Slovakia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Slovakia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Slovakia
2025 28.4% 4%
2024 32.2% 2.76%
2023 28.8% 10.5%
2022 20.8% 12.8%
2021 9.3% 3.15%
2020 8.6% 1.94%
2019 9.4% 2.66%
2018 9.2% 2.51%
2017 11.5% 1.31%
2016 21.7% -0.52%
2015 21.9% -0.33%
2014 23.8% -0.08%
2013 28.3% 1.4%
2012 21.3% 3.61%
2011 7.6% 3.92%
2010 7.4% 0.96%
2009 8.4% 1.62%
2008 8.7% 4.6%
2007 7.9% 2.76%
2006 13.9% 4.48%
2005 15.5% 2.71%
2004 11.4% 7.55%
2003 9.6% 8.55%
2002 14.7% 3.13%
2001 22.7% 7.33%
2000 29.6% 12%
1999 44.8% 10.6%
1998 29.8% 6.67%
1997 9.1% 6.14%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 4.44% in Slovakia. In 2025, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 4% in Slovakia.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $63K
Slovakia
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $12.5M
Machinery & equipment $455K
Textiles & consumer goods $422K
Metals $83K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Raw materials & minerals $11K

Balance of trade

Malawi Slovakia
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
165/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$117B
2025
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$117B
2025
Service imports
$895M
2024
$14.3B
2025
Service exports
$508M
2024
$14.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
85.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
85.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Slovakia
Economic freedom 50.7 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 54/197
Property rights 49.5 82.6
Government integrity 35 57.2
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 70.5
Tax burden 77 75.4
Government spending 77.8 36.4
Fiscal health 4.7 69.6
Business freedom 34.1 71.1
Labor freedom 55.2 55.1
Monetary freedom 55.1 69.7
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 75
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Slovakia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Slovakia
2026 50.7 67.7
2025 50.9 68.4
2024 52.1 68.1
2023 52.8 69
2022 53 69.7
2021 53 66.3
2020 52.8 66.8
2019 51.4 65
2018 52 65.3
2017 52.2 65.7
2016 51.8 66.6
2015 54.8 67.2
2014 55.4 66.4
2013 55.3 68.7
2012 56.4 67
2011 55.8 69.5
2010 54.1 69.7
2009 53.7 69.4
2008 52.7 70
2007 52.9 69.6
2006 55.4 69.8
2005 53.6 66.8
2004 53.6 64.6
2003 53.2 59
2002 56.9 59.8
2001 56.2 58.5
2000 57.4 53.8
1999 54 54.2
1998 54.1 57.5
1997 53.4 55.5
1996 56.2 57.6
1995 54.7 60.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 67.7 for Slovakia, ranking 54/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Slovakia
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2025
59.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
28.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
30%
2025
1.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$143B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,880
2025
$47,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$18.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
69/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$198M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$258M
2024
$5.01B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$2.24B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
13.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
20.1%
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/slovakia | 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 (1995–2025, 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 (2022–2025, 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.