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Economy of Malawi vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Malawi has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $1.6T for Turkey, ranking 148/197 and 16/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $11.7B in government debt (78.4% of GDP), compared to $375B (23.5% of GDP) in Turkey.

Malawi vs Turkey GDP by year

Malawi
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Turkey
2025 $14,918,276,698 $1,597,293,229,287
2024 $11,311,971,400 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $13,363,669,673 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $12,429,059,928 $926,097,476,914
2021 $12,378,119,199 $839,938,668,172
2020 $11,769,313,598 $733,628,247,119
2019 $11,051,852,713 $775,853,144,223
2018 $9,879,220,354 $788,356,985,774
2017 $8,943,543,794 $863,874,522,365
2016 $7,909,868,618 $870,818,016,910
2015 $9,219,474,379 $865,460,050,684
2014 $8,801,326,169 $942,343,431,929
2013 $8,031,571,928 $962,167,643,589
2012 $8,773,203,178 $885,327,622,479
2011 $11,648,142,958 $844,192,507,381
2010 $10,128,323,011 $782,545,664,268
2009 $9,009,887,947 $653,894,449,921
2008 $7,743,617,352 $775,415,944,333
2007 $6,451,210,219 $685,228,481,017
2006 $5,818,279,739 $559,668,118,237
2005 $5,320,409,651 $508,314,210,213
2004 $5,058,726,350 $410,156,784,496
2003 $4,669,789,300 $315,392,899,922
2002 $5,087,328,438 $240,778,008,474
2001 $2,498,008,665 $202,195,080,239
2000 $2,537,307,580 $274,748,463,179
1999 $2,584,478,924 $256,673,939,248
1998 $2,547,609,590 $276,035,372,655
1997 $3,875,785,863 $263,817,553,748
1996 $3,319,573,750 $250,366,965,174
1995 $2,033,701,498 $234,699,627,004
1994 $1,719,864,761 $130,650,447,499
1993 $3,013,392,658 $180,415,757,852
1992 $2,618,837,835 $159,104,772,992
1991 $3,206,783,830 $151,034,731,544
1990 $2,737,087,862 $150,655,500,192
1989 $2,314,205,130 $107,127,191,329
1988 $2,008,189,508 $90,875,175,809
1987 $1,721,711,808 $87,190,081,680
1986 $1,722,586,299 $75,673,037,037
1985 $1,646,442,273 $67,232,758,621
1984 $1,758,028,656 $59,937,602,180
1983 $1,780,148,049 $61,803,555,556
1982 $1,717,379,495 $64,369,325,153
1981 $1,801,193,910 $71,180,180,180
1980 $1,801,156,775 $68,823,684,211
1979 - $89,616,129,032
1978 - $65,912,500,000
1977 - $58,683,333,333
1976 - $51,450,000,000
1975 - $46,042,857,143
1974 - $35,414,285,714
1973 - $26,000,000,000
1972 - $20,650,000,000
1971 - $16,166,666,667
1970 - $17,863,636,364
1969 - $19,466,666,667
1968 - $17,500,000,000
1967 - $15,644,444,444
1966 - $14,100,000,000
1965 - $11,966,666,667
1964 - $11,177,777,778
1963 - $10,355,555,556
1962 - $8,922,222,222
1961 - $7,988,888,889
1960 - $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Turkey by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $672 - $18,599 -
2024 $522 $1,858 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $633 $1,830 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $604 $1,778 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $617 $1,688 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $603 $1,513 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $581 $1,450 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $533 $1,364 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $496 $1,380 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $451 $1,410 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $540 $1,403 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $530 $1,506 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $497 $1,558 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $558 $1,464 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $763 $1,516 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $683 $1,458 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $626 $1,388 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $554 $1,311 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $475 $1,231 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $441 $1,124 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $414 $1,071 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $405 $1,033 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $383 $979 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $428 $931 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $215.5 $924 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $224.2 $974 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $233.9 $961 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $236 $941 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $367 $915 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $321 $884 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $200.4 $825 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $169.2 $692 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $293 $746 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $258.4 $674 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $326 $732 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $286.7 $672 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $252.2 - $1,949 -
1988 $229.4 - $1,686 -
1987 $207.6 - $1,650 -
1986 $217.9 - $1,461 -
1985 $216.1 - $1,326 -
1984 $239.7 - $1,209 -
1983 $252.4 - $1,276 -
1982 $253.3 - $1,360 -
1981 $276.4 - $1,537 -
1980 $287.5 - $1,516 -
1979 - - $2,013 -
1978 - - $1,510 -
1977 - - $1,372 -
1976 - - $1,228 -
1975 - - $1,122 -
1974 - - $881 -
1973 - - $661 -
1972 - - $537 -
1971 - - $431 -
1970 - - $488 -
1969 - - $544 -
1968 - - $501 -
1967 - - $459 -
1966 - - $425 -
1965 - - $370 -
1964 - - $354 -
1963 - - $337 -
1962 - - $298.2 -
1961 - - $274.4 -
1960 - - $267.1 -

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

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $672, ranking 190/197, compared to $18,599 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Malawi Turkey
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2025
$1.6T
2025
GDP rank
148/197
2025
16/197
2025
GDP growth
1.89%
2024-2025
3.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$672
2025
$18,599
2025
GDP per capita rank
190/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2025
$375B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.4%
2025
23.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$526
2025
$4,367
2025
Government debt per person rank
166/185
2025
92/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,255
2026
$12,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$404B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
93,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
34.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.6%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2024-2025
34.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
24%
2026
37%
2026
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
8.4%
2025
Population
23086106
86225430

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.6% 78.4% 32.4% 23.5%
2024 29.5% 87.6% 32.9% 23.6%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 32.7% 28.2%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 26.8% 29.4%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 30.5% 38.9%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 34% 38.3%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 34.8% 31.2%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 33.9% 28.8%
2017 21% 40% 32.4% 26.9%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 33.8% 27%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 32.4% 26.5%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 32.5% 27.4%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 33.5% 29.5%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 34% 30.8%
2011 17% 20% 32.6% 34.8%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 35.2% 38.6%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 37% 42.4%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 33.5% 37%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 32.7% 37.1%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 33.4% 44.2%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 32% 50.2%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 34.5% 57%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 38.3% 63.6%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 40.9% 71.2%
2001 - - 43.9% 75.6%
2000 - - 39.4% 51.2%
1999 - - 32.7% 52.1%
1998 - - 27.9% 36.5%
1997 - - 26.4% 32.5%
1996 - - 24.5% 35.5%
1995 - - 19.4% 34.6%
1994 - - 20.5% 39.2%
1993 - - 22% 29.1%
1992 - - 18.6% 29.2%
1991 - - 18.2% 28.4%
1990 - - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Malawi's government spending was $4.56B, accounting for 30.6% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $517B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.4% in Malawi and 23.5% in Turkey, ranking 47/185 and 169/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Turkey
2025 -11.5% -2.78%
2024 -11% -4.51%
2023 -7.84% -5.19%
2022 -9.32% -1.1%
2021 -8.34% -2.98%
2020 -8.03% -4.64%
2019 -4.55% -4.69%
2018 -4.35% -3.1%
2017 -5.15% -1.87%
2016 -4.9% -1.68%
2015 -4.17% -0.51%
2014 -3.08% -0.96%
2013 -3.73% -1.21%
2012 -1.45% -1.78%
2011 -2.85% -0.35%
2010 0.63% -2.99%
2009 -2.97% -5.14%
2008 -2.92% -2.13%
2007 -2.56% -1.37%
2006 -0.05% -0.22%
2005 -1.63% -0.75%
2004 -2.61% -4.11%
2003 -2.6% -7.55%
2002 -4.47% -11.3%
2001 - -11.6%
2000 - -8.36%
1999 - -13.8%
1998 - -9.84%
1997 - -10.1%
1996 - -10.7%
1995 - -5.95%
1994 - -6.04%
1993 - -8.84%
1992 - -6.73%
1991 - -6.86%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $44.4B, or 2.78% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.04% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Turkey
2025 28.4% 34.9%
2024 32.2% 58.5%
2023 28.8% 53.9%
2022 20.8% 72.3%
2021 9.3% 19.6%
2020 8.6% 12.3%
2019 9.4% 15.2%
2018 9.2% 16.3%
2017 11.5% 11.1%
2016 21.7% 7.78%
2015 21.9% 7.67%
2014 23.8% 8.85%
2013 28.3% 7.49%
2012 21.3% 8.89%
2011 7.6% 6.47%
2010 7.4% 8.57%
2009 8.4% 6.25%
2008 8.7% 10.4%
2007 7.9% 8.76%
2006 13.9% 9.6%
2005 15.5% 8.18%
2004 11.4% 8.6%
2003 9.6% 21.6%
2002 14.7% 45%
2001 22.7% 54.4%
2000 29.6% 54.9%
1999 44.8% 64.9%
1998 29.8% 84.6%
1997 9.1% 85.7%

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/turkey | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 28% in Turkey. In 2025, inflation was 28.4% in Malawi and 34.9% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $31.2M
Raw agricultural goods $1.34M
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Machinery & equipment $28K
Metals $20K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3.5M
Metals $3.44M
Weapons & explosives $1.08M
Machinery & equipment $853K
Raw materials & minerals $317K
Miscellaneous $231K
Wood & paper products $195K
Chemicals & pharma $184K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $158K
Animal & marine products $9K

Balance of trade

Malawi Turkey
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$10.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
175/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-0.77%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$313B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$257B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$55.8B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$117B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
25.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2025
24.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Turkey
Economic freedom 50.7 55
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 129/197
Property rights 49.5 36.4
Government integrity 35 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 23.5
Tax burden 77 72
Government spending 77.8 71.8
Fiscal health 4.7 77.8
Business freedom 34.1 61.6
Labor freedom 55.2 44.3
Monetary freedom 55.1 36.5
Trade freedom 68.6 71
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Turkey
2026 50.7 55
2025 50.9 56.1
2024 52.1 56.2
2023 52.8 56.9
2022 53 56.9
2021 53 64
2020 52.8 64.4
2019 51.4 64.6
2018 52 65.4
2017 52.2 65.2
2016 51.8 62.1
2015 54.8 63.2
2014 55.4 64.9
2013 55.3 62.9
2012 56.4 62.5
2011 55.8 64.2
2010 54.1 63.8
2009 53.7 61.6
2008 52.7 59.9
2007 52.9 57.4
2006 55.4 57
2005 53.6 50.6
2004 53.6 52.8
2003 53.2 51.9
2002 56.9 54.2
2001 56.2 60.6
2000 57.4 63.4
1999 54 59.2
1998 54.1 60.9
1997 53.4 60.8
1996 56.2 56.7
1995 54.7 58.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Turkey
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2025
59.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
24%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
30%
2025
5.21%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$1.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,880
2025
$44,630
2025
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$186B
2025
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
20/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$5.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$258M
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
6.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
13%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.7%
2025
31.7%
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/turkey | 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 (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.