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Botswana vs Malawi statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 21.7M in Malawi (ranked 62/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 36,402 sq mi for Malawi (ranked 47th vs. 107th).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Malawi
Population
2615162
22949294
Population rank 142/197 61/197
GDP
$19.4B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank 133/197 151/197
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank 97/197 194/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$1,858
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank 114/185 168/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$3,031
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 36,402 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
626 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.73
2023
3.65
2023
Median age
24.2 years
2024
18.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
67.9 years
2026

Botswana and Malawi: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Malawi economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Malawi
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Malawi
2024 $19,402,063,513 $11,316,411,329
2023 $19,411,266,967 $13,363,669,673
2022 $20,321,150,599 $12,429,059,928
2021 $18,750,182,236 $12,378,119,199
2020 $14,960,251,608 $11,769,313,598
2019 $16,725,908,149 $11,051,852,713
2018 $17,031,943,186 $9,879,220,354
2017 $16,105,155,857 $8,943,543,794
2016 $15,082,637,184 $7,909,868,618
2015 $13,530,748,845 $9,219,474,379
2014 $15,470,088,501 $8,801,326,169
2013 $14,271,738,933 $8,031,571,928
2012 $13,907,464,500 $8,773,203,178
2011 $15,110,643,612 $11,648,142,958
2010 $12,637,273,429 $10,128,323,011
2009 $10,118,459,242 $9,009,887,947
2008 $10,730,829,116 $7,743,617,352
2007 $10,567,270,656 $6,451,210,219
2006 $9,919,158,482 $5,818,279,739
2005 $9,918,907,108 $5,320,409,651
2004 $8,957,467,707 $5,058,726,350
2003 $7,511,582,173 $4,669,789,300
2002 $5,438,863,983 $5,087,328,438
2001 $5,489,608,300 $2,498,008,665
2000 $5,788,329,609 $2,537,307,580
1999 $5,484,263,347 $2,584,478,924
1998 $4,790,481,509 $2,547,609,590
1997 $5,020,265,627 $3,875,785,863
1996 $4,847,757,218 $3,319,573,750
1995 $4,730,599,122 $2,033,701,498
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,719,864,761
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,013,392,658
1992 $4,146,464,587 $2,618,837,835
1991 $3,942,876,703 $3,206,783,830
1990 $3,790,636,324 $2,737,087,862
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,314,205,130
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,008,189,508
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,721,711,808
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,722,586,299
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,646,442,273
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,758,028,656
1983 $1,172,230,397 $1,780,148,049
1982 $1,014,945,696 $1,717,379,495
1981 $1,073,812,830 $1,801,193,910
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,801,156,775
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
1969 $77,361,547 -
1968 $66,248,441 -
1967 $58,642,354 -
1966 $51,465,655 -
1965 $45,788,696 -
1964 $41,616,348 -
1963 $38,091,843 -
1962 $35,644,957 -
1961 $32,902,613 -
1960 $30,411,414 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/malawi | CC BY

Botswana and Malawi economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Malawi
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Malawi
2024 $7,696 $523
2023 $7,826 $633
2022 $8,329 $604
2021 $7,808 $617
2020 $6,323 $603
2019 $7,172 $581
2018 $7,408 $533
2017 $7,105 $496
2016 $6,749 $451
2015 $6,141 $540
2014 $7,122 $530
2013 $6,667 $497
2012 $6,596 $558
2011 $7,287 $763
2010 $6,216 $683
2009 $5,083 $626
2008 $5,503 $554
2007 $5,529 $475
2006 $5,292 $441
2005 $5,391 $414
2004 $4,957 $405
2003 $4,230 $383
2002 $3,117 $428
2001 $3,206 $215.5
2000 $3,451 $224.2
1999 $3,340 $233.9
1998 $2,981 $236
1997 $3,194 $367
1996 $3,156 $321
1995 $3,156 $200.4
1994 $2,917 $169.2
1993 $2,929 $293
1992 $3,005 $258.4
1991 $2,939 $326
1990 $2,903 $286.7
1989 $2,428 $252.2
1988 $2,141 $229.4
1987 $1,639 $207.6
1986 $1,200 $217.9
1985 $994 $216.1
1984 $1,145 $239.7
1983 $1,121 $252.4
1982 $1,006 $253.3
1981 $1,107 $276.4
1980 $1,132 $287.5
1979 $909 -
1978 $695 -
1977 $565 -
1976 $490 -
1975 $493 -
1974 $446 -
1973 $374 -
1972 $264.2 -
1971 $212.2 -
1970 $163 -
1969 $131.8 -
1968 $113.4 -
1967 $100.9 -
1966 $89.1 -
1965 $79.7 -
1964 $73.5 -
1963 $68.9 -
1962 $66 -
1961 $62.3 -
1960 $58.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/malawi | CC BY

Botswana vs. Malawi life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Malawi
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Malawi
2026 69.6 67.9
2025 69.4 67.7
2024 69.3 67.6
2023 69.2 67.4
2022 68.7 66
2021 63.3 64.8
2020 67.6 65.2
2019 67.2 65
2018 66.4 64.5
2017 65.4 63.9
2016 64.3 63.2
2015 63.2 62.3
2014 62.2 61.7
2013 61.2 60.8
2012 60.4 59.9
2011 59.7 58.9
2010 59.1 57.8
2009 58.3 56.7
2008 57.7 55.7
2007 56.7 54.7
2006 55.1 53.7
2005 54.4 52.5
2004 53.6 51.1
2003 52.9 49.6
2002 52.4 48.2
2001 52.2 47.2
2000 52.3 46.2
1999 52.5 45.1
1998 53 44.3
1997 53.6 44.2
1996 54.3 44
1995 54.7 43.8
1994 56 43.8
1993 57.3 43.6
1992 58.2 43.6
1991 58.9 43.5
1990 60.1 43.6
1989 61.2 43.5
1988 61.7 43.6
1987 62.8 43.9
1986 63.4 44.3
1985 63.6 44.6
1984 63.7 44.8
1983 63.6 45
1982 63.4 44.8
1981 63 44.7
1980 62.5 44.3
1979 62 43.7
1978 61.5 43
1977 60.9 42
1976 60.2 41
1975 59.5 40.1
1974 58.9 39.2
1973 58.3 38.4
1972 57.7 37.6
1971 57.1 37.1
1970 56.4 36.6
1969 55.9 36.3
1968 55.4 36.1
1967 54.9 35.9
1966 54.4 35.8
1965 53.9 35.7
1964 53.4 35.7
1963 52.8 35.6
1962 52.3 35.4
1961 51.8 35.2
1960 51.2 35
1959 50.7 34.8
1958 50.1 34.4
1957 49.5 34.1
1956 49 33.8
1955 48.5 33.6
1954 48 33.3
1953 47.5 33.2
1952 47 33
1951 46.6 32.8
1950 46.2 32.7

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/malawi | CC BY

Botswana and Malawi population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Malawi
1x
Year Population
Botswana Malawi
2024 2,521,139 21,655,286
2023 2,480,244 21,104,482
2022 2,439,892 20,568,728
2021 2,401,441 20,047,258
2020 2,365,894 19,533,888
2019 2,332,083 19,025,752
2018 2,299,141 18,528,081
2017 2,266,747 18,039,715
2016 2,234,776 17,557,739
2015 2,203,273 17,085,587
2014 2,172,044 16,621,538
2013 2,140,682 16,161,816
2012 2,108,617 15,709,577
2011 2,073,535 15,265,022
2010 2,033,111 14,826,463
2009 1,990,673 14,395,788
2008 1,949,970 13,976,417
2007 1,911,201 13,576,343
2006 1,874,516 13,198,701
2005 1,839,877 12,840,031
2004 1,807,146 12,500,737
2003 1,775,736 12,181,574
2002 1,744,763 11,880,440
2001 1,712,254 11,593,058
2000 1,677,382 11,315,942
1999 1,641,997 11,047,804
1998 1,606,899 10,792,876
1997 1,571,691 10,562,035
1996 1,535,914 10,352,228
1995 1,498,836 10,150,117
1994 1,460,023 10,164,894
1993 1,420,115 10,284,024
1992 1,380,033 10,135,079
1991 1,341,756 9,844,227
1990 1,305,696 9,545,852
1989 1,270,274 9,176,220
1988 1,235,476 8,753,262
1987 1,199,167 8,293,174
1986 1,160,650 7,906,480
1985 1,121,945 7,620,508
1984 1,083,660 7,332,810
1983 1,046,137 7,051,709
1982 1,009,269 6,778,879
1981 969,996 6,516,454
1980 937,485 6,265,529
1979 901,742 6,028,749
1978 849,239 5,810,132
1977 799,574 5,614,983
1976 758,508 5,443,384
1975 720,380 5,287,367
1974 685,448 5,141,337
1973 652,408 5,003,938
1972 622,407 4,874,475
1971 600,481 4,751,434
1970 590,334 4,633,944
1969 587,066 4,521,184
1968 583,966 4,411,054
1967 580,933 4,303,012
1966 577,866 4,197,926
1965 574,664 4,096,157
1964 566,266 3,997,305
1963 552,966 3,900,506
1962 540,186 3,806,307
1961 527,942 3,715,534
1960 516,165 3,628,134

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

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/malawi | CC BY

Fertility rates in Botswana and Malawi

Fertility rate
Botswana

Malawi
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Malawi
2023 2.73 3.65
2022 2.79 3.72
2021 2.83 3.79
2020 2.86 3.88
2019 2.91 3.95
2018 2.94 4.02
2017 2.97 4.11
2016 2.99 4.22
2015 3.01 4.38
2014 3.03 4.57
2013 3.05 4.76
2012 3.07 4.9
2011 3.1 5.08
2010 3.14 5.26
2009 3.13 5.45
2008 3.13 5.61
2007 3.13 5.72
2006 3.11 5.8
2005 3.08 5.85
2004 3.06 5.86
2003 3.11 5.88
2002 3.18 5.9
2001 3.25 5.94
2000 3.29 6
1999 3.31 6.12
1998 3.36 6.21
1997 3.43 6.23
1996 3.57 6.29
1995 3.79 6.39
1994 4.02 6.49
1993 4.15 6.57
1992 4.26 6.63
1991 4.37 6.68
1990 4.51 6.74
1989 4.67 6.8
1988 4.88 6.88
1987 5.1 6.97
1986 5.33 7.07
1985 5.48 7.17
1984 5.63 7.27
1983 5.79 7.36
1982 5.97 7.45
1981 6.16 7.49
1980 6.29 7.52
1979 6.4 7.47
1978 6.48 7.43
1977 6.54 7.41
1976 6.6 7.39
1975 6.61 7.36
1974 6.61 7.34
1973 6.59 7.34
1972 6.56 7.33
1971 6.54 7.31
1970 6.55 7.3
1969 6.56 7.27
1968 6.58 7.26
1967 6.6 7.21
1966 6.61 7.17
1965 6.6 7.13
1964 6.61 7.11
1963 6.58 7.13
1962 6.54 7.1
1961 6.56 7.07
1960 6.6 7.04

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/malawi | CC BY

Botswana and Malawi demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Malawi
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Malawi
2024 24.2 18.9
2023 23.9 18.7
2022 23.6 18.4
2021 23.4 18.2
2020 23.3 18
2019 23.1 17.8
2018 22.9 17.6
2017 22.8 17.4
2016 22.7 17.2
2015 22.7 17.1
2014 22.7 17
2013 22.7 16.9
2012 22.8 16.8
2011 22.7 16.8
2010 22.5 16.7
2009 22.2 16.7
2008 22 16.8
2007 21.7 16.8
2006 21.5 16.8
2005 21.2 16.8
2004 20.9 16.8
2003 20.6 16.8
2002 20.3 16.8
2001 20 16.8
2000 19.7 16.8
1999 19.4 16.7
1998 19.1 16.8
1997 18.8 16.8
1996 18.6 16.8
1995 18.3 16.9
1994 18 16.9
1993 17.8 17
1992 17.6 17.1
1991 17.4 17.2
1990 17.3 17.3
1989 17.1 17.4
1988 17 17.5
1987 16.9 17.4
1986 16.9 17.3
1985 16.8 17.3
1984 16.8 17.3
1983 16.8 17.3
1982 16.8 17.3
1981 16.8 17.3
1980 16.8 17.3
1979 16.9 17.4
1978 16.6 17.4
1977 16.4 17.4
1976 16.2 17.5
1975 16 17.5
1974 15.8 17.6
1973 15.6 17.7
1972 15.4 17.8
1971 15.3 17.9
1970 15.4 18
1969 15.6 18.2
1968 15.7 18.3
1967 15.9 18.3
1966 16.2 18.3
1965 16.4 18.4
1964 16.6 18.3
1963 16.8 18.3
1962 17.1 18.3
1961 17.4 18.3
1960 17.7 18.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/malawi | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Malawi
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$12.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
29.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
2.75%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
1.02%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
15,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.82%
2024
-11%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
15.4%
2024
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
17.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
50.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.9%
2019
Listed domestic companies
23
2023
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$594M
2020
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$187M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
871,000
2018
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
2.68%
2020
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
50.4%
2024

Energy

Botswana Malawi
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,165 kg
2022
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17.1
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
4.79 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
0.22 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
n/a
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
62.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
1,522 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
80.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
72.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
15.6%
2023

Society

Botswana Malawi
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.27%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
-5,628
2025
Urban population
67.5%
2024
17.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.68 ft
2025
5.44 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.12 ft
2025
Quality of life index
50.1
2026
31.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
26
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.5
2021
1.79
2012
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
33.4
2019
Visa free countries
83
2025
78
2025
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
68.1%
2022
English speaking
38.4%
2023
3.88%
2023
People using the Internet
81.4%
2023
18%
2023

Health

Botswana Malawi
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$41.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$4.95
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
67.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
65.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.05
2022
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
19.1 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
225
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.6
2023
38.3
2023
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
7.87%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
5.7%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
34
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
9.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
3.61 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Malawi
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.06%
2026
Land area per capita
86,792 sq mi
2024
1,681 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
23,359 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
8,169 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
9,601 mi
2015

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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