Skip to content

Economy of Malawi vs Uzbekistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $115B for Uzbekistan, ranking 151/197 and 66/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $37.5B (32.7% of GDP) in Uzbekistan.

Malawi vs Uzbekistan GDP by year

Malawi
Uzbekistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Uzbekistan
2024 $11,316,411,329 $114,965,293,467
2023 $13,363,669,673 $102,641,879,249
2022 $12,429,059,928 $90,095,926,567
2021 $12,378,119,199 $77,340,060,003
2020 $11,769,313,598 $66,443,265,418
2019 $11,051,852,713 $67,293,639,798
2018 $9,879,220,354 $58,695,899,092
2017 $8,943,543,794 $69,703,222,283
2016 $7,909,868,618 $86,138,288,644
2015 $9,219,474,379 $86,196,264,755
2014 $8,801,326,169 $80,845,385,809
2013 $8,031,571,928 $73,180,037,915
2012 $8,773,203,178 $67,517,349,212
2011 $11,648,142,958 $60,178,909,297
2010 $10,128,323,011 $49,765,676,402
2009 $9,009,887,947 $33,689,223,673
2008 $7,743,617,352 $29,549,438,884
2007 $6,451,210,219 $22,311,393,928
2006 $5,818,279,739 $17,330,833,853
2005 $5,320,409,651 $14,307,509,839
2004 $5,058,726,350 $12,030,023,548
2003 $4,669,789,300 $10,134,453,435
2002 $5,087,328,438 $9,687,788,513
2001 $2,498,008,665 $11,401,421,329
2000 $2,537,307,580 $13,760,513,969
1999 $2,584,478,924 $17,078,465,982
1998 $2,547,609,590 $14,988,971,211
1997 $3,875,785,863 $14,744,603,774
1996 $3,319,573,750 $13,948,892,216
1995 $2,033,701,498 $13,350,461,265
1994 $1,719,864,761 $12,899,074,922
1993 $3,013,392,658 $13,099,920,056
1992 $2,618,837,835 $12,953,801,760
1991 $3,206,783,830 $13,800,167,712
1990 $2,737,087,862 $13,362,340,338
1989 $2,314,205,130 $11,948,815,258
1988 $2,008,189,508 $10,722,799,639
1987 $1,721,711,808 $8,523,160,593
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 (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Uzbekistan by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uzbekistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Uzbekistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $3,162 $11,879
2023 $633 $1,830 $2,879 $11,107
2022 $604 $1,778 $2,579 $10,293
2021 $617 $1,688 $2,259 $9,248
2020 $603 $1,513 $1,978 $8,452
2019 $581 $1,450 $2,041 $8,544
2018 $533 $1,364 $1,813 $8,129
2017 $496 $1,380 $2,191 $7,818
2016 $451 $1,410 $2,753 $6,919
2015 $540 $1,403 $2,803 $6,800
2014 $530 $1,506 $2,675 $6,610
2013 $497 $1,558 $2,462 $6,413
2012 $558 $1,464 $2,307 $6,168
2011 $763 $1,516 $2,088 $5,949
2010 $683 $1,458 $1,753 $5,505
2009 $626 $1,388 $1,206 $5,135
2008 $554 $1,311 $1,075 $4,800
2007 $475 $1,231 $824 $4,386
2006 $441 $1,124 $649 $3,956
2005 $414 $1,071 $543 $3,618
2004 $405 $1,033 $462 $3,321
2003 $383 $979 $394 $3,047
2002 $428 $931 $381 $2,902
2001 $215.5 $924 $454 $2,782
2000 $224.2 $974 $555 $2,644
1999 $233.9 $961 $698 $2,522
1998 $236 $941 $621 $2,418
1997 $367 $915 $621 $2,329
1996 $321 $884 $597 $2,214
1995 $200.4 $825 $583 $2,178
1994 $169.2 $692 $574 $2,197
1993 $293 $746 $596 $2,318
1992 $258.4 $674 $603 $2,371
1991 $326 $732 $658 $2,676
1990 $286.7 $672 $653 $2,665
1989 $252.2 - $598 -
1988 $229.4 - $551 -
1987 $207.6 - $450 -
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 (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $3,162 in Uzbekistan, ranking 139/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Uzbekistan ranks 125th at $11,879.

Economic indicators

Malawi Uzbekistan
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$115B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
66/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
6.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$3,162
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$11,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
125/197
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$37.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$1,032
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
141/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$3,658
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.8B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
25.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
27.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
9.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
14%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
5.29%
2020
Population
22949294
37939105

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Uzbekistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Uzbekistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 27.6% 32.7%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 29.9% 32.2%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 31.3% 30.5%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 27.4% 31.7%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 26% 33.7%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 24.4% 25.4%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 22.2% 17.5%
2017 21% 40% 19.9% 17.3%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 23.3% 8.19%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 24.6% 6.72%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 24.9% 6.09%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 25.2% 6.23%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 23.9% 6.76%
2011 17% 20% 23.7% 6.33%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 26.4% 6.61%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 27.5% 7.3%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 26.5% 8.33%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 24.8% 9.56%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 24.7% 13.5%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 28.1% 21%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 29.4% 26.9%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 31.5% 31.4%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 34.6% 41.6%
2001 - - 30.6% 44.8%
2000 - - 32.9% 29.5%
1999 - - 33.6% 18.4%
1998 - - 35.1% 18%
1997 - - 31.8% 15.3%
1996 - - 35.1% -
1995 - - 29.4% -
1994 - - 27.1% -
1993 - - 39.6% -
1992 - - 18% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Uzbekistan spent $31.7B, or 27.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 32.7% in Uzbekistan, ranking 35/185 and 152/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Uzbekistan
2024 -11% -2.37%
2023 -7.84% -4.03%
2022 -9.32% -3.65%
2021 -8.34% -4.1%
2020 -8.03% -2.95%
2019 -4.55% -0.3%
2018 -4.35% 1.64%
2017 -5.15% 1.04%
2016 -4.9% 0.7%
2015 -4.17% -0.28%
2014 -3.08% 1.9%
2013 -3.73% 2.15%
2012 -1.45% 5.89%
2011 -2.85% 5.11%
2010 0.63% 2.56%
2009 -2.97% 1.82%
2008 -2.92% 5.97%
2007 -2.56% 3.55%
2006 -0.05% 2.72%
2005 -1.63% -3.52%
2004 -2.61% -3.74%
2003 -2.6% -4.87%
2002 -4.47% -6.31%
2001 - -3.28%
2000 - -3.66%
1999 - -2.91%
1998 - -3.04%
1997 - -2.05%
1996 - -1.57%
1995 - -1.77%
1994 - -4.47%
1993 - -12%
1992 - 7.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/uzbekistan | 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 Uzbekistan's deficit of $2.72B, or 2.37% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Uzbekistan ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.05% of GDP for Uzbekistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Uzbekistan
2024 32.2% 9.6%
2023 28.8% 10%
2022 20.8% 11.4%
2021 9.3% 10.8%
2020 8.6% 12.9%
2019 9.4% 14.5%
2018 9.2% 17.5%
2017 11.5% 13.9%
2016 21.7% 8.8%
2015 21.9% 8.5%
2014 23.8% 9.1%
2013 28.3% 11.7%
2012 21.3% 11.9%
2011 7.6% 12.4%
2010 7.4% 12.3%
2009 8.4% 12.3%
2008 8.7% 13.1%
2007 7.9% 11.2%
2006 13.9% 13.1%
2005 15.5% 10.7%
2004 11.4% 7.3%
2003 9.6% 12.5%
2002 14.7% 27.3%
2001 22.7% 27.3%
2000 29.6% 25%
1999 44.8% 29.1%
1998 29.8% 29%
1997 9.1% 70.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 16.6% in Uzbekistan. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 9.6% in Uzbekistan.

Top exports between countries

Malawi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $55K
Uzbekistan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Malawi Uzbekistan
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$5.71B
2024
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
169/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-4.97%
2024
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$33.2B
2024
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$19.6B
2024
Service imports
$895M
2024
$10.5B
2024
Service exports
$508M
2024
$6.55B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
38%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
22.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Uzbekistan
Economic freedom 50.7 60.3
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 94/197
Property rights 49.5 43.1
Government integrity 35 32
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 13.7
Tax burden 77 95
Government spending 77.8 73.7
Fiscal health 4.7 79.9
Business freedom 34.1 62.5
Labor freedom 55.2 48.4
Monetary freedom 55.1 65.1
Trade freedom 68.6 80.6
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Uzbekistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Uzbekistan
2026 50.7 60.3
2025 50.9 58
2024 52.1 55.9
2023 52.8 56.5
2022 53 55.7
2021 53 58.3
2020 52.8 57.2
2019 51.4 53.3
2018 52 51.5
2017 52.2 52.3
2016 51.8 46
2015 54.8 47
2014 55.4 46.5
2013 55.3 46
2012 56.4 45.8
2011 55.8 45.8
2010 54.1 47.5
2009 53.7 50.5
2008 52.7 51.9
2007 52.9 51.5
2006 55.4 48.7
2005 53.6 45.8
2004 53.6 39.1
2003 53.2 38.3
2002 56.9 38.5
2001 56.2 38.2
2000 57.4 38.1
1999 54 33.8
1998 54.1 31.5
1997 53.4 -
1996 56.2 -
1995 54.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 60.3 for Uzbekistan, ranking 94/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Uzbekistan
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
45.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
18.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$110B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$12,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$41.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
50/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$2.81B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$2.99B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$36.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
9.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
8.9%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
33.3%
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/uzbekistan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.