Skip to content

Economy of Malawi vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a GDP of $11.3B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 151/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malawi has $9.91B in government debt (87.6% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Malawi vs Venezuela GDP by year

Malawi
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malawi Venezuela
2024 $11,316,411,329 $119,802,963,258
2023 $13,363,669,673 $102,376,526,556
2022 $12,429,059,928 $89,013,255,585
2021 $12,378,119,199 $56,614,976,855
2020 $11,769,313,598 $42,838,020,721
2019 $11,051,852,713 $73,014,084,091
2018 $9,879,220,354 $102,021,093,965
2017 $8,943,543,794 $115,883,275,163
2016 $7,909,868,618 $112,915,034,262
2015 $9,219,474,379 $125,449,241,571
2014 $8,801,326,169 $214,689,614,733
2013 $8,031,571,928 $258,930,655,486
2012 $8,773,203,178 $372,592,062,768
2011 $11,648,142,958 $316,482,190,800
2010 $10,128,323,011 $393,192,354,511
2009 $9,009,887,947 $329,787,628,928
2008 $7,743,617,352 $315,953,388,511
2007 $6,451,210,219 $230,364,012,576
2006 $5,818,279,739 $183,477,522,124
2005 $5,320,409,651 $145,513,489,652
2004 $5,058,726,350 $112,451,400,425
2003 $4,669,789,300 $83,620,628,582
2002 $5,087,328,438 $92,893,587,734
2001 $2,498,008,665 $122,911,036,747
2000 $2,537,307,580 $117,146,466,003
1999 $2,584,478,924 $97,972,842,462
1998 $2,547,609,590 $91,336,763,255
1997 $3,875,785,863 $85,837,678,560
1996 $3,319,573,750 $70,543,211,119
1995 $2,033,701,498 $77,389,487,770
1994 $1,719,864,761 $58,418,666,667
1993 $3,013,392,658 $60,037,460,783
1992 $2,618,837,835 $60,416,519,620
1991 $3,206,783,830 $53,453,444,787
1990 $2,737,087,862 $48,606,952,195
1989 $2,314,205,130 $43,536,709,104
1988 $2,008,189,508 $60,226,413,793
1987 $1,721,711,808 $48,029,034,483
1986 $1,722,586,299 $60,516,123,711
1985 $1,646,442,273 $61,965,466,667
1984 $1,758,028,656 $59,867,743,468
1983 $1,780,148,049 $67,556,279,070
1982 $1,717,379,495 $67,736,744,186
1981 $1,801,193,910 $66,327,441,860
1980 $1,801,156,775 $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Malawi vs Venezuela by year

Malawi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malawi Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $523 $1,858 $4,218 -
2023 $633 $1,830 $3,617 -
2022 $604 $1,778 $3,155 -
2021 $617 $1,688 $2,005 -
2020 $603 $1,513 $1,506 -
2019 $581 $1,450 $2,523 -
2018 $533 $1,364 $3,423 -
2017 $496 $1,380 $3,791 -
2016 $451 $1,410 $3,670 -
2015 $540 $1,403 $4,103 -
2014 $530 $1,506 $7,096 -
2013 $497 $1,558 $8,656 -
2012 $558 $1,464 $12,607 -
2011 $763 $1,516 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $683 $1,458 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $626 $1,388 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $554 $1,311 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $475 $1,231 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $441 $1,124 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $414 $1,071 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $405 $1,033 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $383 $979 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $428 $931 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $215.5 $924 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $224.2 $974 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $233.9 $961 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $236 $941 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $367 $915 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $321 $884 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $200.4 $825 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $169.2 $692 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $293 $746 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $258.4 $674 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $326 $732 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $286.7 $672 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $252.2 - $2,250 -
1988 $229.4 - $3,191 -
1987 $207.6 - $2,611 -
1986 $217.9 - $3,376 -
1985 $216.1 - $3,549 -
1984 $239.7 - $3,520 -
1983 $252.4 - $4,079 -
1982 $253.3 - $4,202 -
1981 $276.4 - $4,228 -
1980 $287.5 - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Malawi's GDP per capita is $523, ranking 194/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malawi ranks 189th at $1,858, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Malawi Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$11.3B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
151/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
1.67%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
194/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
189/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
168/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.2%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
26%
2024
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
22949294
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malawi
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malawi Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.5% 87.6% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 25.5% 86.7% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 26.7% 75.7% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 23.7% 66.5% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 22.7% 53.9% 11.2% 337%
2019 19.3% 41.2% 21% 206%
2018 19.4% 40.8% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 21% 40% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 19.7% 37.1% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 19.5% 35.5% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 18.3% 33.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 20.7% 35.3% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 18.8% 28.6% 38% 58.4%
2011 17% 20% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 19.6% 19.3% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 20.2% 23.5% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 20.6% 23.5% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 20.7% 18.9% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 17.8% 17.9% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 17.4% 70.9% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 17.2% 74.7% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 15.4% 84.7% 32.2% 56%
2002 13.8% 101.5% 31% 48.2%
2001 - - 31.9% 30.7%
2000 - - 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Malawi's government spending was $3.34B, accounting for 29.5% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 87.6% in Malawi and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 35/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malawi

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malawi Venezuela
2024 -11% -3.6%
2023 -7.84% -1.25%
2022 -9.32% -5.29%
2021 -8.34% -5.85%
2020 -8.03% -6.63%
2019 -4.55% -10.9%
2018 -4.35% -31%
2017 -5.15% -13.3%
2016 -4.9% -8.46%
2015 -4.17% -8.06%
2014 -3.08% -9.81%
2013 -3.73% -10.4%
2012 -1.45% -9.86%
2011 -2.85% -8.24%
2010 0.63% -4.74%
2009 -2.97% -8.69%
2008 -2.92% -3.46%
2007 -2.56% -2.82%
2006 -0.05% -1.6%
2005 -1.63% 4.09%
2004 -2.61% 2.47%
2003 -2.6% 0.17%
2002 -4.47% -1.48%
2001 - -4.59%
2000 - 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malawi/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Malawi recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Malawi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.46% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malawi

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malawi Venezuela
2024 32.2% 49%
2023 28.8% 338%
2022 20.8% 186.5%
2021 9.3% 1,589%
2020 8.6% 2,355%
2019 9.4% 19,906%
2018 9.2% 65,374%
2017 11.5% 438%
2016 21.7% 254.9%
2015 21.9% 121.7%
2014 23.8% 62.2%
2013 28.3% 40.6%
2012 21.3% 21.1%
2011 7.6% 26.1%
2010 7.4% 28.2%
2009 8.4% 26%
2008 8.7% 31.4%
2007 7.9% 18.7%
2006 13.9% 13.7%
2005 15.5% 16%
2004 11.4% 21.7%
2003 9.6% 31.1%
2002 14.7% 22.4%
2001 22.7% 12.5%
2000 29.6% 16.2%
1999 44.8% 23.6%
1998 29.8% 35.8%
1997 9.1% 50%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Malawi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 32.2% in Malawi and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Malawi Venezuela
Current account balance
-$2.13B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
145/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-18.8%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$3.02B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$1.02B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$895M
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$508M
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.2%
2023
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.2%
2023
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Malawi Venezuela
Economic freedom 50.7 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 159/197 194/197
Property rights 49.5 0
Government integrity 35 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 51.8 5.1
Tax burden 77 73.4
Government spending 77.8 93
Fiscal health 4.7 29.1
Business freedom 34.1 31.1
Labor freedom 55.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 55.1 0
Trade freedom 68.6 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malawi
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malawi Venezuela
2026 50.7 27.3
2025 50.9 27.6
2024 52.1 28.1
2023 52.8 25.8
2022 53 24.8
2021 53 24.7
2020 52.8 25.2
2019 51.4 25.9
2018 52 25.2
2017 52.2 27
2016 51.8 33.7
2015 54.8 34.3
2014 55.4 36.3
2013 55.3 36.1
2012 56.4 38.1
2011 55.8 37.6
2010 54.1 37.1
2009 53.7 39.9
2008 52.7 44.7
2007 52.9 47.9
2006 55.4 44.6
2005 53.6 45.2
2004 53.6 46.7
2003 53.2 54.8
2002 56.9 54.7
2001 56.2 54.6
2000 57.4 57.4
1999 54 56.1
1998 54.1 54
1997 53.4 52.8
1996 56.2 54.5
1995 54.7 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Malawi is 50.7, ranking 159/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malawi Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
154/177
2020
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.4M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.47%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2019
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.5%
2023
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, 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.