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Economy of Malawi vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 151/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Malawi vs Tunisia GDP by year

Malawi
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Tunisia
2024 $11,316,411,329 $51,332,285,657
2023 $13,363,669,673 $48,205,328,303
2022 $12,429,059,928 $44,929,920,093
2021 $12,378,119,199 $47,073,234,359
2020 $11,769,313,598 $42,491,780,918
2019 $11,051,852,713 $41,905,642,419
2018 $9,879,220,354 $42,686,504,460
2017 $8,943,543,794 $42,163,530,591
2016 $7,909,868,618 $44,360,072,680
2015 $9,219,474,379 $45,779,494,042
2014 $8,801,326,169 $50,271,812,921
2013 $8,031,571,928 $48,685,446,414
2012 $8,773,203,178 $47,311,401,813
2011 $11,648,142,958 $48,123,325,825
2010 $10,128,323,011 $46,206,091,938
2009 $9,009,887,947 $43,455,740,497
2008 $7,743,617,352 $44,859,439,902
2007 $6,451,210,219 $38,915,353,867
2006 $5,818,279,739 $34,376,664,601
2005 $5,320,409,651 $32,272,186,695
2004 $5,058,726,350 $31,183,885,241
2003 $4,669,789,300 $27,453,902,261
2002 $5,087,328,438 $23,141,616,605
2001 $2,498,008,665 $22,065,832,449
2000 $2,537,307,580 $21,473,528,161
1999 $2,584,478,924 $22,943,202,175
1998 $2,547,609,590 $21,802,893,587
1997 $3,875,785,863 $20,746,210,354
1996 $3,319,573,750 $19,587,161,807
1995 $2,033,701,498 $18,030,876,599
1994 $1,719,864,761 $15,633,174,304
1993 $3,013,392,658 $14,608,335,608
1992 $2,618,837,835 $15,496,708,060
1991 $3,206,783,830 $13,074,782,609
1990 $2,737,087,862 $12,290,568,182
1989 $2,314,205,130 $10,101,851,745
1988 $2,008,189,508 $10,096,245,762
1987 $1,721,711,808 $9,696,715,911
1986 $1,722,586,299 $9,017,806,654
1985 $1,646,442,273 $8,410,226,053
1984 $1,758,028,656 $8,254,541,195
1983 $1,780,148,049 $8,350,582,748
1982 $1,717,379,495 $8,133,580,052
1981 $1,801,193,910 $8,428,445,294
1980 $1,801,156,775 $8,744,134,354
1979 - $7,188,863,904
1978 - $5,968,460,080
1977 - $5,109,324,009
1976 - $4,508,191,942
1975 - $4,328,965,588
1974 - $3,545,868,575
1973 - $2,730,813,385
1972 - $2,237,556,149
1971 - $1,685,162,272
1970 - $1,439,238,095
1969 - $1,289,904,762
1968 - $1,214,666,667
1967 - $1,085,714,286
1966 - $1,040,952,381
1965 - $991,047,619
1964 - $1,025,866,792
1963 - $1,026,737,600
1962 - $880,027,733
1961 - $866,155,429

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Tunisia by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $633 $1,830 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $604 $1,778 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $617 $1,688 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $603 $1,513 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $581 $1,450 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $533 $1,364 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $496 $1,380 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $451 $1,410 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $540 $1,403 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $530 $1,506 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $497 $1,558 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $558 $1,464 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $763 $1,516 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $683 $1,458 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $626 $1,388 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $554 $1,311 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $475 $1,231 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $441 $1,124 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $414 $1,071 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $405 $1,033 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $383 $979 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $428 $931 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $215.5 $924 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $224.2 $974 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $233.9 $961 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $236 $941 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $367 $915 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $321 $884 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $200.4 $825 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $169.2 $692 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $293 $746 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $258.4 $674 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $326 $732 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $286.7 $672 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $252.2 - $1,239 -
1988 $229.4 - $1,266 -
1987 $207.6 - $1,245 -
1986 $217.9 - $1,187 -
1985 $216.1 - $1,135 -
1984 $239.7 - $1,143 -
1983 $252.4 - $1,184 -
1982 $253.3 - $1,177 -
1981 $276.4 - $1,247 -
1980 $287.5 - $1,324 -
1979 - - $1,113 -
1978 - - $946 -
1977 - - $830 -
1976 - - $752 -
1975 - - $741 -
1974 - - $624 -
1973 - - $493 -
1972 - - $415 -
1971 - - $320 -
1970 - - $280.5 -
1969 - - $257.7 -
1968 - - $248.9 -
1967 - - $228 -
1966 - - $223.8 -
1965 - - $217.3 -
1964 - - $228.5 -
1963 - - $231.9 -
1962 - - $201.4 -
1961 - - $200.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Malawi Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
15.1%
2023
Population
22949294
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 35.7% 84%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 36.5% 83%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 21% 40% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 28.3% 49%
2011 17% 20% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 24% 38.8%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 23% 50%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 23% 51.6%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 - - 24% 52.2%
2000 - - 24% 62.9%
1999 - - 24% 61.9%
1998 - - 24.2% 58.2%
1997 - - 24.5% 66.6%
1996 - - 26.7% 66.8%
1995 - - 26.6% 65.6%
1994 - - 25.9% 63.9%
1993 - - 26.7% 63.8%
1992 - - 25.7% 62.1%
1991 - - 27.6% 63.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 35/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Tunisia
2024 -11% -5.92%
2023 -7.84% -7.03%
2022 -9.32% -6.91%
2021 -8.34% -7.6%
2020 -8.03% -9.06%
2019 -4.55% -3.6%
2018 -4.35% -4.27%
2017 -5.15% -5.61%
2016 -4.9% -5.87%
2015 -4.17% -4.95%
2014 -3.08% -3.11%
2013 -3.73% -7.05%
2012 -1.45% -4.9%
2011 -2.85% -3.19%
2010 0.63% -0.46%
2009 -2.97% -2.59%
2008 -2.92% -0.62%
2007 -2.56% -2.47%
2006 -0.05% -2.33%
2005 -1.63% -2.59%
2004 -2.61% -2.1%
2003 -2.6% -2.64%
2002 -4.47% -2.55%
2001 - -2.87%
2000 - -3.22%
1999 - -3.05%
1998 - -2.84%
1997 - -3.7%
1996 - -5.18%
1995 - -4.53%
1994 - -2.87%
1993 - -3.22%
1992 - -3.45%
1991 - -5.25%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.23% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Tunisia
2024 32.2% 7%
2023 28.8% 9.3%
2022 20.8% 8.3%
2021 9.3% 5.7%
2020 8.6% 5.6%
2019 9.4% 6.7%
2018 9.2% 7.3%
2017 11.5% 5.3%
2016 21.7% 3.6%
2015 21.9% 4.4%
2014 23.8% 4.6%
2013 28.3% 5.3%
2012 21.3% 4.6%
2011 7.6% 3.2%
2010 7.4% 4.4%
2009 8.4% 3.5%
2008 8.7% 4.9%
2007 7.9% 3.4%
2006 13.9% 4.1%
2005 15.5% 2%
2004 11.4% 3.7%
2003 9.6% 2.7%
2002 14.7% 2.7%
2001 22.7% 1.9%
2000 29.6% 2.8%
1999 44.8% 2.8%
1998 29.8% 3.1%
1997 9.1% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $792K
Raw agricultural goods $53K
Machinery & equipment $18K
Metals $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Tunisia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Malawi Tunisia
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Tunisia
Economic freedom 50.7 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 172/197
Property rights 49.5 55.7
Government integrity 35 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 39.7
Tax burden 77 68.5
Government spending 77.8 62.5
Fiscal health 4.7 16
Business freedom 34.1 59.4
Labor freedom 55.2 55.8
Monetary freedom 55.1 72.4
Trade freedom 68.6 54.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Tunisia
2026 50.7 48.1
2025 50.9 49.1
2024 52.1 48.8
2023 52.8 52.9
2022 53 54.2
2021 53 56.6
2020 52.8 55.8
2019 51.4 55.4
2018 52 58.9
2017 52.2 55.7
2016 51.8 57.6
2015 54.8 57.7
2014 55.4 57.3
2013 55.3 57
2012 56.4 58.6
2011 55.8 58.5
2010 54.1 58.9
2009 53.7 58
2008 52.7 60.1
2007 52.9 60.3
2006 55.4 57.5
2005 53.6 55.4
2004 53.6 58.4
2003 53.2 58.1
2002 56.9 60.2
2001 56.2 60.8
2000 57.4 61.3
1999 54 61.1
1998 54.1 63.9
1997 53.4 63.8
1996 56.2 63.9
1995 54.7 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
7.86%
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/tunisia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.