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Economy of Malawi vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $4.52B for Suriname, ranking 148/197 and 165/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $4.79B (105.8% of GDP) in Suriname.

Malawi vs Suriname GDP by year

Malawi
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Suriname
2025 $14,918,276,698 $4,523,657,797
2024 $11,311,971,400 $4,416,775,113
2023 $13,363,669,673 $3,472,693,412
2022 $12,429,059,928 $3,791,603,200
2021 $12,378,119,199 $3,107,923,198
2020 $11,769,313,598 $2,911,807,496
2019 $11,051,852,713 $4,016,040,575
2018 $9,879,220,354 $3,996,198,867
2017 $8,943,543,794 $3,591,679,431
2016 $7,909,868,618 $3,317,421,648
2015 $9,219,474,379 $5,126,237,646
2014 $8,801,326,169 $5,240,606,061
2013 $8,031,571,928 $5,145,757,576
2012 $8,773,203,178 $4,980,000,000
2011 $11,648,142,958 $4,422,276,622
2010 $10,128,323,011 $4,368,370,998
2009 $9,009,887,947 $3,875,409,836
2008 $7,743,617,352 $3,532,969,035
2007 $6,451,210,219 $2,936,612,022
2006 $5,818,279,739 $2,626,380,435
2005 $5,320,409,651 $1,793,410,397
2004 $5,058,726,350 $1,484,092,538
2003 $4,669,789,300 $1,274,190,311
2002 $5,087,328,438 $1,093,574,468
2001 $2,498,008,665 $834,279,358
2000 $2,537,307,580 $947,671,970
1999 $2,584,478,924 $886,290,698
1998 $2,547,609,590 $1,110,850,000
1997 $3,875,785,863 $926,422,500
1996 $3,319,573,750 $861,372,806
1995 $2,033,701,498 $691,590,498
1994 $1,719,864,761 $605,492,537
1993 $3,013,392,658 $428,764,706
1992 $2,618,837,835 $404,600,000
1991 $3,206,783,830 $448,100,000
1990 $2,737,087,862 $388,400,000
1989 $2,314,205,130 $542,600,000
1988 $2,008,189,508 $1,161,000,000
1987 $1,721,711,808 $980,000,000
1986 $1,722,586,299 $891,000,000
1985 $1,646,442,273 $873,000,000
1984 $1,758,028,656 $864,000,000
1983 $1,780,148,049 $883,500,000
1982 $1,717,379,495 $915,000,000
1981 $1,801,193,910 $889,000,000
1980 $1,801,156,775 $795,000,000
1979 - $782,500,000
1978 - $735,500,000
1977 - $641,500,000
1976 - $505,500,000
1975 - $465,500,000
1974 - $409,850,000
1973 - $339,450,000
1972 - $311,950,000
1971 - $301,000,000
1970 - $274,900,000
1969 - $259,650,000
1968 - $241,350,000
1967 - $220,700,000
1966 - $190,350,000
1965 - $154,150,000
1964 - $134,400,000
1963 - $125,950,000
1962 - $116,150,000
1961 - $107,700,000
1960 - $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Suriname by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $672 - $7,070 -
2024 $522 $1,858 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $633 $1,830 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $604 $1,778 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $617 $1,688 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $603 $1,513 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $581 $1,450 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $533 $1,364 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $496 $1,380 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $451 $1,410 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $540 $1,403 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $530 $1,506 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $497 $1,558 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $558 $1,464 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $763 $1,516 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $683 $1,458 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $626 $1,388 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $554 $1,311 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $475 $1,231 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $441 $1,124 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $414 $1,071 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $405 $1,033 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $383 $979 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $428 $931 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $215.5 $924 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $224.2 $974 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $233.9 $961 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $236 $941 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $367 $915 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $321 $884 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $200.4 $825 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $169.2 $692 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $293 $746 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $258.4 $674 $969 $6,992
1991 $326 $732 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $286.7 $672 $942 $6,493
1989 $252.2 - $1,329 -
1988 $229.4 - $2,886 -
1987 $207.6 - $2,469 -
1986 $217.9 - $2,271 -
1985 $216.1 - $2,256 -
1984 $239.7 - $2,261 -
1983 $252.4 - $2,333 -
1982 $253.3 - $2,430 -
1981 $276.4 - $2,368 -
1980 $287.5 - $2,118 -
1979 - - $2,072 -
1978 - - $1,928 -
1977 - - $1,666 -
1976 - - $1,302 -
1975 - - $1,190 -
1974 - - $1,041 -
1973 - - $858 -
1972 - - $785 -
1971 - - $768 -
1970 - - $724 -
1969 - - $708 -
1968 - - $681 -
1967 - - $644 -
1966 - - $575 -
1965 - - $482 -
1964 - - $435 -
1963 - - $424 -
1962 - - $409 -
1961 - - $395 -
1960 - - $378 -

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

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $7,070 in Suriname, ranking 104/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Malawi Suriname
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2025
$4.52B
2025
GDP rank
148/197
2025
165/197
2025
GDP growth
1.89%
2024-2025
1.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$672
2025
$7,070
2025
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2025
104/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2025
$4.79B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.4%
2025
105.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$526
2025
$7,483
2025
Government debt per person rank
166/185
2025
69/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,255
2026
$3,363
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.6%
2025
37.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2024-2025
9.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
24%
2026
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
7.92%
2016
Population
23086106
648096

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.6% 78.4% 37.3% 105.8%
2024 29.5% 87.6% 29.3% 88%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 28.9% 97.7%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 28.2% 111.7%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 32% 115.8%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 40.5% 84%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 21% 40% 28.7% 73%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 17% 20% 21% 18.7%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 21% 17.3%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 24% 14.6%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 - - 21.8% 37.2%
2000 - - 24.4% 48.4%
1999 - - 19.6% 32.3%
1998 - - 30.3% 21.6%
1997 - - 21.1% 16.8%
1996 - - 21.4% 11.8%
1995 - - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 - - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 - - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 - - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 - - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 - - 22.7% 72.9%

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

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

In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.69B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 105.8% in Suriname, ranking 47/185 and 18/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Suriname
2025 -11.5% -9.61%
2024 -11% -3.36%
2023 -7.84% -1.67%
2022 -9.32% -2.57%
2021 -8.34% -5.66%
2020 -8.03% -12%
2019 -4.55% -20.2%
2018 -4.35% -8.56%
2017 -5.15% -8.62%
2016 -4.9% -10.2%
2015 -4.17% -8.29%
2014 -3.08% -2.65%
2013 -3.73% -2.64%
2012 -1.45% -0.38%
2011 -2.85% 2.32%
2010 0.63% -0.15%
2009 -2.97% 2.03%
2008 -2.92% 2.39%
2007 -2.56% 5.01%
2006 -0.05% 0.59%
2005 -1.63% -3.39%
2004 -2.61% -1.2%
2003 -2.6% -0.11%
2002 -4.47% -3.3%
2001 - 3.49%
2000 - -7.76%
1999 - -4.92%
1998 - -6.39%
1997 - -0.32%
1996 - 3.42%
1995 - 1.17%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -4.68%
1992 - -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $435M, or 9.61% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.84% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Suriname
2025 28.4% 9.21%
2024 32.2% 16.2%
2023 28.8% 51.6%
2022 20.8% 52.4%
2021 9.3% 59.1%
2020 8.6% 34.9%
2019 9.4% -
2018 9.2% -
2017 11.5% 22%
2016 21.7% 55.4%
2015 21.9% 6.89%
2014 23.8% 3.38%
2013 28.3% 1.92%
2012 21.3% 5.01%
2011 7.6% 17.7%
2010 7.4% 6.94%
2009 8.4% -0.13%
2008 8.7% 14.7%
2007 7.9% 6.43%
2006 13.9% 11.3%
2005 15.5% 9.9%
2004 11.4% 9.99%
2003 9.6% 23%
2002 14.7% 15.5%
2001 22.7% 38.6%
2000 29.6% 59.4%
1999 44.8% 98.8%
1998 29.8% 19%
1997 9.1% 7.15%

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/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 24.3% in Suriname. In 2025, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 9.21% in Suriname.

Balance of trade

Malawi Suriname
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$2.48B
2025
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
146/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-54.9%
2025
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$1.91B
2025
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$2.97B
2025
Service imports
$895M
2024
$3.59B
2025
Service exports
$508M
2024
$218M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Suriname
Economic freedom 50.7 53
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 143/197
Property rights 49.5 40.5
Government integrity 35 41
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 46.5
Tax burden 77 69.1
Government spending 77.8 74.3
Fiscal health 4.7 76.6
Business freedom 34.1 56.9
Labor freedom 55.2 69
Monetary freedom 55.1 56.4
Trade freedom 68.6 65.2
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Suriname
2026 50.7 53
2025 50.9 50.9
2024 52.1 46.7
2023 52.8 46.1
2022 53 48.1
2021 53 46.4
2020 52.8 49.5
2019 51.4 48.1
2018 52 48.1
2017 52.2 48
2016 51.8 53.8
2015 54.8 54.2
2014 55.4 54.2
2013 55.3 52
2012 56.4 52.6
2011 55.8 53.1
2010 54.1 52.5
2009 53.7 54.1
2008 52.7 54.3
2007 52.9 54.8
2006 55.4 55.1
2005 53.6 51.9
2004 53.6 47.9
2003 53.2 46.9
2002 56.9 48
2001 56.2 44.3
2000 57.4 45.8
1999 54 40.1
1998 54.1 39.9
1997 53.4 35.9
1996 56.2 36.7
1995 54.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Suriname
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2025
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
30%
2025
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$3.93B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,880
2025
$21,000
2025
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$1.62B
2025
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
132/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$2.04B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$258M
2024
$666M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
-$9.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.