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Burkina Faso vs Malawi statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a population of 23.5M (ranked 59/197), compared with 21.7M in Malawi (ranked 62/197). Burkina Faso's land area is 105,638 sq mi versus 36,402 sq mi for Malawi (ranked 73rd vs. 107th).

By GDP, Burkina Faso ranks 122/197 ($23.1B) and Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B). By GDP per capita, Burkina Faso ranks 180/197 ($982), while Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523).

Main facts and rankings

Burkina Faso Malawi
Population
24756783
22949294
Population rank 59/197 61/197
GDP
$23.1B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank 122/197 151/197
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank 180/197 194/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$1,858
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank 162/185 168/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$3,031
2026
Land area 105,638 sq mi 36,402 sq mi
Population density
233 ppl/mi²
2026
626 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.19
2023
3.65
2023
Median age
18.6 years
2024
18.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
61.6 years
2026
67.9 years
2026

Burkina Faso and Malawi: Comparison Charts

Burkina Faso and Malawi economies compared

GDP
Burkina Faso

Malawi
1x
Year GDP
Burkina Faso Malawi
2024 $23,124,729,853 $11,316,411,329
2023 $20,112,614,449 $13,363,669,673
2022 $18,622,421,395 $12,429,059,928
2021 $19,697,516,284 $12,378,119,199
2020 $17,725,010,533 $11,769,313,598
2019 $16,032,813,503 $11,051,852,713
2018 $15,890,066,221 $9,879,220,354
2017 $14,106,955,615 $8,943,543,794
2016 $12,833,363,045 $7,909,868,618
2015 $11,832,159,316 $9,219,474,379
2014 $13,943,016,077 $8,801,326,169
2013 $13,444,300,486 $8,031,571,928
2012 $12,561,015,157 $8,773,203,178
2011 $12,080,295,978 $11,648,142,958
2010 $10,109,619,741 $10,128,323,011
2009 $9,450,696,873 $9,009,887,947
2008 $9,451,435,490 $7,743,617,352
2007 $7,625,722,837 $6,451,210,219
2006 $6,547,419,820 $5,818,279,739
2005 $6,146,353,173 $5,320,409,651
2004 $5,451,688,538 $5,058,726,350
2003 $4,740,768,143 $4,669,789,300
2002 $3,622,350,063 $5,087,328,438
2001 $3,190,371,081 $2,498,008,665
2000 $2,968,370,088 $2,537,307,580
1999 $3,389,566,713 $2,584,478,924
1998 $2,804,902,367 $2,547,609,590
1997 $2,447,669,102 $3,875,785,863
1996 $2,586,550,595 $3,319,573,750
1995 $2,379,517,975 $2,033,701,498
1994 $1,895,290,637 $1,719,864,761
1993 $3,199,536,465 $3,013,392,658
1992 $3,356,692,505 $2,618,837,835
1991 $3,135,045,584 $3,206,783,830
1990 $3,101,300,779 $2,737,087,862
1989 $2,615,587,734 $2,314,205,130
1988 $2,616,040,479 $2,008,189,508
1987 $2,369,834,950 $1,721,711,808
1986 $2,036,303,358 $1,722,586,299
1985 $1,552,493,196 $1,646,442,273
1984 $1,459,880,132 $1,758,028,656
1983 $1,600,278,605 $1,780,148,049
1982 $1,754,450,096 $1,717,379,495
1981 $1,775,842,334 $1,801,193,910
1980 $1,928,719,888 $1,801,156,775
1979 $1,748,480,621 -
1978 $1,475,583,645 -
1977 $1,131,224,878 -
1976 $976,547,188 -
1975 $939,972,703 -
1974 $751,133,430 -
1973 $674,773,570 -
1972 $578,595,522 -
1971 $482,411,179 -
1970 $458,404,269 -
1969 $478,298,645 -
1968 $460,442,689 -
1967 $450,753,924 -
1966 $433,889,766 -
1965 $422,916,790 -
1964 $410,321,645 -
1963 $394,040,667 -
1962 $379,567,099 -
1961 $350,247,234 -
1960 $330,442,816 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/malawi | CC BY

Burkina Faso and Malawi economies compared

GDP per capita
Burkina Faso

Malawi
1x
Year GDP per capita
Burkina Faso Malawi
2024 $982 $523
2023 $873 $633
2022 $827 $604
2021 $896 $617
2020 $825 $603
2019 $765 $581
2018 $777 $533
2017 $709 $496
2016 $664 $451
2015 $630 $540
2014 $765 $530
2013 $760 $497
2012 $731 $558
2011 $725 $763
2010 $625 $683
2009 $602 $626
2008 $619 $554
2007 $515 $475
2006 $456 $441
2005 $441 $414
2004 $404 $405
2003 $362 $383
2002 $285.7 $428
2001 $259.5 $215.5
2000 $248.9 $224.2
1999 $292.8 $233.9
1998 $249.5 $236
1997 $223.9 $367
1996 $242.7 $321
1995 $229.1 $200.4
1994 $187.2 $169.2
1993 $324 $293
1992 $349 $258.4
1991 $334 $326
1990 $339 $286.7
1989 $293.2 $252.2
1988 $301 $229.4
1987 $280.2 $207.6
1986 $247.5 $217.9
1985 $194.1 $216.1
1984 $187.8 $239.7
1983 $211.9 $252.4
1982 $239 $253.3
1981 $248.7 $276.4
1980 $277.6 $287.5
1979 $258.5 -
1978 $223.9 -
1977 $176 -
1976 $155.5 -
1975 $152.9 -
1974 $124.7 -
1973 $114.1 -
1972 $99.6 -
1971 $84.5 -
1970 $81.7 -
1969 $86.8 -
1968 $85 -
1967 $84.6 -
1966 $82.8 -
1965 $82.1 -
1964 $80.9 -
1963 $78.9 -
1962 $77.2 -
1961 $72.2 -
1960 $69.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/malawi | CC BY

Burkina Faso vs. Malawi life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Burkina Faso

Malawi
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Burkina Faso Malawi
2026 61.6 67.9
2025 61.5 67.7
2024 61.3 67.6
2023 61.1 67.4
2022 60.7 66
2021 60 64.8
2020 60.5 65.2
2019 60.2 65
2018 60 64.5
2017 59.6 63.9
2016 59.2 63.2
2015 58.8 62.3
2014 58.3 61.7
2013 57.9 60.8
2012 57.5 59.9
2011 57 58.9
2010 56.3 57.8
2009 55.8 56.7
2008 55.2 55.7
2007 54.4 54.7
2006 53.8 53.7
2005 53.3 52.5
2004 52.6 51.1
2003 52 49.6
2002 51.4 48.2
2001 51.2 47.2
2000 50.8 46.2
1999 50.5 45.1
1998 50.2 44.3
1997 49.6 44.2
1996 49.7 44
1995 49.6 43.8
1994 49.5 43.8
1993 49.4 43.6
1992 49.4 43.6
1991 49.3 43.5
1990 49.3 43.6
1989 49.3 43.5
1988 49.2 43.6
1987 49.1 43.9
1986 49 44.3
1985 48.7 44.6
1984 48.5 44.8
1983 48.1 45
1982 47.6 44.8
1981 46.9 44.7
1980 46.5 44.3
1979 45.7 43.7
1978 45 43
1977 44.2 42
1976 43.3 41
1975 42.5 40.1
1974 41.7 39.2
1973 40.9 38.4
1972 40.4 37.6
1971 39.9 37.1
1970 39.5 36.6
1969 39 36.3
1968 38.8 36.1
1967 38.4 35.9
1966 38.1 35.8
1965 37.8 35.7
1964 37.4 35.7
1963 37.1 35.6
1962 36.8 35.4
1961 36.4 35.2
1960 36.1 35
1959 35.7 34.8
1958 35.4 34.4
1957 35.1 34.1
1956 34.8 33.8
1955 34.5 33.6
1954 34.2 33.3
1953 33.9 33.2
1952 33.6 33
1951 33.4 32.8
1950 33 32.7

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/malawi | CC BY

Burkina Faso and Malawi population clocks and comparison

Population
Burkina Faso

Malawi
1x
Year Population
Burkina Faso Malawi
2024 23,548,781 21,655,286
2023 23,025,776 21,104,482
2022 22,509,038 20,568,728
2021 21,995,243 20,047,258
2020 21,478,690 19,533,888
2019 20,961,952 19,025,752
2018 20,438,288 18,528,081
2017 19,894,407 18,039,715
2016 19,334,856 17,557,739
2015 18,777,487 17,085,587
2014 18,229,461 16,621,538
2013 17,695,409 16,161,816
2012 17,172,287 15,709,577
2011 16,661,908 15,265,022
2010 16,176,498 14,826,463
2009 15,710,066 14,395,788
2008 15,258,093 13,976,417
2007 14,816,307 13,576,343
2006 14,373,707 13,198,701
2005 13,932,123 12,840,031
2004 13,500,533 12,500,737
2003 13,082,532 12,181,574
2002 12,680,897 11,880,440
2001 12,295,001 11,593,058
2000 11,925,546 11,315,942
1999 11,574,928 11,047,804
1998 11,240,664 10,792,876
1997 10,934,223 10,562,035
1996 10,655,942 10,352,228
1995 10,386,722 10,150,117
1994 10,123,798 10,164,894
1993 9,871,713 10,284,024
1992 9,629,275 10,135,079
1991 9,394,632 9,844,227
1990 9,159,356 9,545,852
1989 8,921,175 9,176,220
1988 8,687,435 8,753,262
1987 8,457,109 8,293,174
1986 8,228,847 7,906,480
1985 7,999,935 7,620,508
1984 7,772,256 7,332,810
1983 7,551,129 7,051,709
1982 7,340,197 6,778,879
1981 7,140,271 6,516,454
1980 6,947,900 6,265,529
1979 6,763,903 6,028,749
1978 6,590,984 5,810,132
1977 6,428,734 5,614,983
1976 6,280,635 5,443,384
1975 6,147,569 5,287,367
1974 6,024,904 5,141,337
1973 5,911,927 5,003,938
1972 5,807,234 4,874,475
1971 5,707,999 4,751,434
1970 5,610,304 4,633,944
1969 5,513,177 4,521,184
1968 5,418,644 4,411,054
1967 5,326,348 4,303,012
1966 5,237,933 4,197,926
1965 5,152,833 4,096,157
1964 5,071,034 3,997,305
1963 4,993,623 3,900,506
1962 4,919,672 3,806,307
1961 4,848,224 3,715,534
1960 4,778,621 3,628,134

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/malawi | CC BY

Fertility rates in Burkina Faso and Malawi

Fertility rate
Burkina Faso

Malawi
1x
Year Fertility rate
Burkina Faso Malawi
2023 4.19 3.65
2022 4.28 3.72
2021 4.36 3.79
2020 4.44 3.88
2019 4.68 3.95
2018 4.92 4.02
2017 5.17 4.11
2016 5.33 4.22
2015 5.48 4.38
2014 5.6 4.57
2013 5.7 4.76
2012 5.79 4.9
2011 5.87 5.08
2010 5.94 5.26
2009 5.99 5.45
2008 6.05 5.61
2007 6.11 5.72
2006 6.17 5.8
2005 6.18 5.85
2004 6.22 5.86
2003 6.28 5.88
2002 6.34 5.9
2001 6.43 5.94
2000 6.52 6
1999 6.59 6.12
1998 6.66 6.21
1997 6.72 6.23
1996 6.78 6.29
1995 6.81 6.39
1994 6.84 6.49
1993 6.89 6.57
1992 6.94 6.63
1991 6.97 6.68
1990 7.01 6.74
1989 7.05 6.8
1988 7.11 6.88
1987 7.17 6.97
1986 7.22 7.07
1985 7.24 7.17
1984 7.25 7.27
1983 7.25 7.36
1982 7.25 7.45
1981 7.26 7.49
1980 7.22 7.52
1979 7.19 7.47
1978 7.15 7.43
1977 7.05 7.41
1976 6.95 7.39
1975 6.91 7.36
1974 6.84 7.34
1973 6.77 7.34
1972 6.72 7.33
1971 6.7 7.31
1970 6.69 7.3
1969 6.66 7.27
1968 6.65 7.26
1967 6.59 7.21
1966 6.53 7.17
1965 6.47 7.13
1964 6.42 7.11
1963 6.36 7.13
1962 6.32 7.1
1961 6.29 7.07
1960 6.25 7.04

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/malawi | CC BY

Burkina Faso and Malawi demographics compared

Median age
Burkina Faso

Malawi
1x
Year Median age, years
Burkina Faso Malawi
2024 18.6 18.9
2023 18.4 18.7
2022 18.2 18.4
2021 18 18.2
2020 17.7 18
2019 17.6 17.8
2018 17.4 17.6
2017 17.3 17.4
2016 17.2 17.2
2015 17.1 17.1
2014 17.1 17
2013 17.1 16.9
2012 17.1 16.8
2011 17.1 16.8
2010 17.1 16.7
2009 17.1 16.7
2008 17.1 16.8
2007 17.1 16.8
2006 17.1 16.8
2005 17 16.8
2004 16.9 16.8
2003 16.8 16.8
2002 16.7 16.8
2001 16.6 16.8
2000 16.5 16.8
1999 16.4 16.7
1998 16.3 16.8
1997 16.3 16.8
1996 16.3 16.8
1995 16.3 16.9
1994 16.3 16.9
1993 16.3 17
1992 16.3 17.1
1991 16.4 17.2
1990 16.5 17.3
1989 16.6 17.4
1988 16.7 17.5
1987 16.8 17.4
1986 16.9 17.3
1985 17.1 17.3
1984 17.2 17.3
1983 17.3 17.3
1982 17.4 17.3
1981 17.5 17.3
1980 17.6 17.3
1979 17.7 17.4
1978 17.8 17.4
1977 17.9 17.4
1976 18.1 17.5
1975 18.2 17.5
1974 18.3 17.6
1973 18.5 17.7
1972 18.6 17.8
1971 18.8 17.9
1970 18.9 18
1969 19.1 18.2
1968 19.3 18.3
1967 19.5 18.3
1966 19.5 18.3
1965 19.6 18.4
1964 19.6 18.3
1963 19.7 18.3
1962 19.7 18.3
1961 19.7 18.3
1960 19.8 18.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/malawi | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Burkina Faso Malawi
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$12.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
29.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.33%
2023
2.75%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
4.68%
2024
1.02%
2024
Armed forces personnel
11,000
2020
15,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-5.84%
2024
-11%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
15.4%
2024
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
17.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
49.1
2026
50.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
2.9%
2019
Total reserves including gold n/a
$594M
2020
Personal remittances received
$590M
2024
$187M
2024
International tourist arrivals
67,000
2020
871,000
2018
International tourism as share of exports
3.87%
2019
2.68%
2020
Banked people share
51.4%
2024
50.4%
2024

Energy

Burkina Faso Malawi
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
313 kg
2022
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$8.45
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.48 megatons
2024
4.79 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.27 tons
2024
0.22 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2022
n/a
Renewable energy use share
71.4%
2022
62.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.18%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
131.2 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
14%
2021
80.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
4.91%
2022
72.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
21.7%
2023
15.6%
2023

Society

Burkina Faso Malawi
% of world population
0.29%
2024
0.27%
2024
Annual migration change
-27,130
2025
-5,628
2025
Urban population
28.3%
2024
17.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.64 ft
2025
5.44 ft
2025
Average female height
5.29 ft
2025
5.12 ft
2025
Quality of life index
23.7
2026
31.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
40
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
31
2026
26
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.3
2017
1.79
2012
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31
2019
33.4
2019
Visa free countries
65
2025
78
2025
Adult literacy rate
41.4%
2023
68.1%
2022
English speaking
1%
2025
3.88%
2023
People using the Internet
17%
2023
18%
2023

Health

Burkina Faso Malawi
Government health expenditure per capita
$71.7
2023
$41.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$31.4
2023
$4.95
2023
Life expectancy
61.6 years
2026
67.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
20.9%
2023
65.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.15
2022
0.05
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.1 years
2025
19.1 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
242
2023
225
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
77.3
2023
38.3
2023
Obesity rate
6.9%
2022
7.87%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.5%
2024
5.7%
2024
Air quality index
19
2026
34
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
14.3%
2022
9.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
11.3 liters
2020
3.61 liters
2020

Territory

Burkina Faso Malawi
% of world land
0.18%
2026
0.06%
2026
Land area per capita
4,486 sq mi
2024
1,681 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
56,413 sq mi
2026
23,359 sq mi
2026
Forest area
23,423 sq mi
2026
8,169 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,509 mi
2014
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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