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Ghana vs Malawi statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a population of 34.4M (ranked 47/197), compared with 21.7M in Malawi (ranked 62/197). Ghana's land area is 87,851 sq mi versus 36,402 sq mi for Malawi (ranked 81st vs. 107th).

By GDP, Ghana ranks 80/197 ($82.3B) and Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B). By GDP per capita, Ghana ranks 151/197 ($2,391), while Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523).

Main facts and rankings

Ghana Malawi
Population
35885254
22949294
Population rank 46/197 61/197
GDP
$82.3B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank 80/197 151/197
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank 151/197 194/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$1,858
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank 123/185 168/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$3,031
2026
Land area 87,851 sq mi 36,402 sq mi
Population density
407 ppl/mi²
2026
626 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.4
2023
3.65
2023
Median age
22.2 years
2024
18.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.1 years
2026
67.9 years
2026

Ghana and Malawi: Comparison Charts

Ghana and Malawi economies compared

GDP
Ghana

Malawi
1x
Year GDP
Ghana Malawi
2024 $82,308,110,386 $11,316,411,329
2023 $80,547,146,878 $13,363,669,673
2022 $73,919,003,210 $12,429,059,928
2021 $79,514,204,730 $12,378,119,199
2020 $70,008,243,860 $11,769,313,598
2019 $68,352,629,246 $11,051,852,713
2018 $67,259,353,966 $9,879,220,354
2017 $60,385,409,435 $8,943,543,794
2016 $56,144,179,398 $7,909,868,618
2015 $49,436,806,230 $9,219,474,379
2014 $54,678,533,806 $8,801,326,169
2013 $62,845,721,960 $8,031,571,928
2012 $41,271,701,061 $8,773,203,178
2011 $39,336,668,081 $11,648,142,958
2010 $32,197,655,567 $10,128,323,011
2009 $26,048,720,006 $9,009,887,947
2008 $28,679,383,241 $7,743,617,352
2007 $24,827,339,138 $6,451,210,219
2006 $20,885,037,597 $5,818,279,739
2005 $10,744,568,381 $5,320,409,651
2004 $8,881,417,907 $5,058,726,350
2003 $7,632,723,556 $4,669,789,300
2002 $6,166,197,848 $5,087,328,438
2001 $5,314,872,854 $2,498,008,665
2000 $4,982,850,662 $2,537,307,580
1999 $7,718,109,982 $2,584,478,924
1998 $7,482,069,162 $2,547,609,590
1997 $6,891,443,192 $3,875,785,863
1996 $6,932,991,739 $3,319,573,750
1995 $6,464,382,808 $2,033,701,498
1994 $5,446,383,727 $1,719,864,761
1993 $5,968,922,939 $3,013,392,658
1992 $6,416,103,926 $2,618,837,835
1991 $6,603,185,268 $3,206,783,830
1990 $5,889,106,573 $2,737,087,862
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,314,205,130
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,008,189,508
1987 $5,074,829,932 $1,721,711,808
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,722,586,299
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,646,442,273
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,758,028,656
1983 $4,057,275,132 $1,780,148,049
1982 $4,035,994,398 $1,717,379,495
1981 $4,222,441,860 $1,801,193,910
1980 $4,445,228,216 $1,801,156,775
1979 $4,020,227,920 -
1978 $3,662,478,185 -
1977 $3,189,428,571 -
1976 $2,765,254,237 -
1975 $2,810,106,383 -
1974 $2,894,409,938 -
1973 $3,006,766,758 -
1972 $2,112,293,280 -
1971 $2,417,108,578 -
1970 $2,215,028,588 -
1969 $1,962,050,556 -
1968 $1,666,909,518 -
1967 $1,747,187,645 -
1966 $2,126,300,672 -
1965 $2,053,462,968 -
1964 $1,731,296,200 -
1963 $1,540,797,589 -
1962 $1,382,515,654 -
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

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

Ghana and Malawi economies compared

GDP per capita
Ghana

Malawi
1x
Year GDP per capita
Ghana Malawi
2024 $2,391 $523
2023 $2,384 $633
2022 $2,230 $604
2021 $2,445 $617
2020 $2,195 $603
2019 $2,187 $581
2018 $2,195 $533
2017 $2,012 $496
2016 $1,912 $451
2015 $1,723 $540
2014 $1,950 $530
2013 $2,295 $497
2012 $1,544 $558
2011 $1,507 $763
2010 $1,264 $683
2009 $1,048 $626
2008 $1,183 $554
2007 $1,050 $475
2006 $906 $441
2005 $479 $414
2004 $406 $405
2003 $358 $383
2002 $297.5 $428
2001 $263.5 $215.5
2000 $253.7 $224.2
1999 $403 $233.9
1998 $400 $236
1997 $378 $367
1996 $389 $321
1995 $372 $200.4
1994 $321 $169.2
1993 $360 $293
1992 $396 $258.4
1991 $418 $326
1990 $383 $286.7
1989 $350 $252.2
1988 $355 $229.4
1987 $355 $207.6
1986 $411 $217.9
1985 $330 $216.1
1984 $330 $239.7
1983 $311 $252.4
1982 $319 $253.3
1981 $344 $276.4
1980 $372 $287.5
1979 $347 -
1978 $326 -
1977 $292.3 -
1976 $261 -
1975 $273 -
1974 $289.4 -
1973 $310 -
1972 $223.8 -
1971 $263.4 -
1970 $248.2 -
1969 $225.8 -
1968 $196.7 -
1967 $211.2 -
1966 $263.3 -
1965 $260.5 -
1964 $225 -
1963 $205 -
1962 $188.4 -
1961 $181.9 -
1960 $174.9 -

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

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

Ghana vs. Malawi life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Ghana

Malawi
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Ghana Malawi
2026 66.1 67.9
2025 65.9 67.7
2024 65.7 67.6
2023 65.5 67.4
2022 65.2 66
2021 64.3 64.8
2020 64.3 65.2
2019 64.5 65
2018 64.1 64.5
2017 63.8 63.9
2016 63.5 63.2
2015 63.2 62.3
2014 62.8 61.7
2013 62.4 60.8
2012 62 59.9
2011 61.6 58.9
2010 61.3 57.8
2009 60.9 56.7
2008 60.6 55.7
2007 60.3 54.7
2006 60 53.7
2005 59.6 52.5
2004 59.3 51.1
2003 59 49.6
2002 58.7 48.2
2001 58.4 47.2
2000 58.1 46.2
1999 57.8 45.1
1998 57.5 44.3
1997 57.2 44.2
1996 57 44
1995 56.7 43.8
1994 56.2 43.8
1993 56.3 43.6
1992 56.1 43.6
1991 55.7 43.5
1990 55.4 43.6
1989 54.9 43.5
1988 54.4 43.6
1987 53.8 43.9
1986 53.3 44.3
1985 52.7 44.6
1984 52.2 44.8
1983 51.8 45
1982 51.4 44.8
1981 51.3 44.7
1980 51.1 44.3
1979 50.8 43.7
1978 50.5 43
1977 50.1 42
1976 49.7 41
1975 49.3 40.1
1974 48.9 39.2
1973 48.6 38.4
1972 48.3 37.6
1971 47.9 37.1
1970 47.9 36.6
1969 47.9 36.3
1968 47.8 36.1
1967 47.7 35.9
1966 47.7 35.8
1965 47.7 35.7
1964 47.6 35.7
1963 47.5 35.6
1962 47.3 35.4
1961 47.1 35.2
1960 46.9 35
1959 46.7 34.8
1958 46.4 34.4
1957 46.1 34.1
1956 45.7 33.8
1955 45.4 33.6
1954 45 33.3
1953 44.5 33.2
1952 44 33
1951 43.6 32.8
1950 43.1 32.7

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

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

Ghana and Malawi population clocks and comparison

Population
Ghana

Malawi
1x
Year Population
Ghana Malawi
2024 34,427,414 21,655,286
2023 33,787,914 21,104,482
2022 33,149,152 20,568,728
2021 32,518,665 20,047,258
2020 31,887,809 19,533,888
2019 31,258,945 19,025,752
2018 30,637,585 18,528,081
2017 30,008,354 18,039,715
2016 29,356,742 17,557,739
2015 28,696,068 17,085,587
2014 28,041,592 16,621,538
2013 27,386,193 16,161,816
2012 26,734,268 15,709,577
2011 26,095,088 15,265,022
2010 25,474,995 14,826,463
2009 24,862,664 14,395,788
2008 24,249,946 13,976,417
2007 23,642,279 13,576,343
2006 23,040,702 13,198,701
2005 22,449,438 12,840,031
2004 21,868,298 12,500,737
2003 21,296,705 12,181,574
2002 20,729,388 11,880,440
2001 20,167,069 11,593,058
2000 19,637,087 11,315,942
1999 19,149,864 11,047,804
1998 18,688,036 10,792,876
1997 18,238,958 10,562,035
1996 17,810,181 10,352,228
1995 17,399,017 10,150,117
1994 16,993,190 10,164,894
1993 16,589,519 10,284,024
1992 16,184,855 10,135,079
1991 15,787,496 9,844,227
1990 15,394,648 9,545,852
1989 15,006,813 9,176,220
1988 14,636,568 8,753,262
1987 14,289,108 8,293,174
1986 13,965,217 7,906,480
1985 13,661,229 7,620,508
1984 13,370,590 7,332,810
1983 13,029,836 7,051,709
1982 12,643,819 6,778,879
1981 12,281,712 6,516,454
1980 11,941,448 6,265,529
1979 11,597,255 6,028,749
1978 11,248,450 5,810,132
1977 10,911,871 5,614,983
1976 10,594,913 5,443,384
1975 10,294,308 5,287,367
1974 10,000,523 5,141,337
1973 9,714,617 5,003,938
1972 9,438,187 4,874,475
1971 9,176,264 4,751,434
1970 8,925,813 4,633,944
1969 8,690,383 4,521,184
1968 8,475,729 4,411,054
1967 8,271,913 4,303,012
1966 8,074,521 4,197,926
1965 7,882,606 4,096,157
1964 7,695,739 3,997,305
1963 7,514,714 3,900,506
1962 7,337,375 3,806,307
1961 7,162,667 3,715,534
1960 6,961,215 3,628,134

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

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

Fertility rates in Ghana and Malawi

Fertility rate
Ghana

Malawi
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ghana Malawi
2023 3.4 3.65
2022 3.43 3.72
2021 3.49 3.79
2020 3.54 3.88
2019 3.59 3.95
2018 3.65 4.02
2017 3.72 4.11
2016 3.87 4.22
2015 3.98 4.38
2014 4.03 4.57
2013 4.11 4.76
2012 4.15 4.9
2011 4.18 5.08
2010 4.18 5.26
2009 4.18 5.45
2008 4.22 5.61
2007 4.29 5.72
2006 4.4 5.8
2005 4.5 5.85
2004 4.5 5.86
2003 4.6 5.88
2002 4.69 5.9
2001 4.77 5.94
2000 4.83 6
1999 4.82 6.12
1998 4.83 6.21
1997 4.88 6.23
1996 4.96 6.29
1995 5.11 6.39
1994 5.25 6.49
1993 5.41 6.57
1992 5.52 6.63
1991 5.63 6.68
1990 5.74 6.74
1989 5.82 6.8
1988 5.92 6.88
1987 6.02 6.97
1986 6.08 7.07
1985 6.12 7.17
1984 6.15 7.27
1983 6.23 7.36
1982 6.31 7.45
1981 6.42 7.49
1980 6.47 7.52
1979 6.51 7.47
1978 6.56 7.43
1977 6.64 7.41
1976 6.7 7.39
1975 6.76 7.36
1974 6.82 7.34
1973 6.87 7.34
1972 6.92 7.33
1971 6.95 7.31
1970 6.95 7.3
1969 6.95 7.27
1968 6.89 7.26
1967 6.89 7.21
1966 6.86 7.17
1965 6.88 7.13
1964 6.9 7.11
1963 6.94 7.13
1962 6.94 7.1
1961 6.91 7.07
1960 6.89 7.04

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

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

Ghana and Malawi demographics compared

Median age
Ghana

Malawi
1x
Year Median age, years
Ghana Malawi
2024 22.2 18.9
2023 22 18.7
2022 21.8 18.4
2021 21.7 18.2
2020 21.5 18
2019 21.3 17.8
2018 21.2 17.6
2017 21 17.4
2016 20.9 17.2
2015 20.8 17.1
2014 20.7 17
2013 20.6 16.9
2012 20.5 16.8
2011 20.3 16.8
2010 20.2 16.7
2009 20 16.7
2008 19.9 16.8
2007 19.7 16.8
2006 19.5 16.8
2005 19.3 16.8
2004 19.1 16.8
2003 19 16.8
2002 18.8 16.8
2001 18.6 16.8
2000 18.4 16.8
1999 18.3 16.7
1998 18.1 16.8
1997 17.9 16.8
1996 17.7 16.8
1995 17.6 16.9
1994 17.5 16.9
1993 17.4 17
1992 17.3 17.1
1991 17.2 17.2
1990 17.2 17.3
1989 17.1 17.4
1988 17.1 17.5
1987 17.1 17.4
1986 17.1 17.3
1985 17.1 17.3
1984 17.1 17.3
1983 17 17.3
1982 16.9 17.3
1981 16.7 17.3
1980 16.7 17.3
1979 16.5 17.4
1978 16.4 17.4
1977 16.2 17.4
1976 16 17.5
1975 15.9 17.5
1974 15.8 17.6
1973 15.8 17.7
1972 15.8 17.8
1971 15.9 17.9
1970 15.9 18
1969 16 18.2
1968 16.1 18.3
1967 16.2 18.3
1966 16.4 18.3
1965 16.5 18.4
1964 16.7 18.3
1963 16.9 18.3
1962 17.2 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/ghana/malawi | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Ghana Malawi
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$12.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
29.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.91%
2022
2.75%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.38%
2024
1.02%
2024
Armed forces personnel
16,000
2020
15,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.31%
2024
-11%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
15.4%
2024
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
17.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
57.3
2026
50.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.9%
2019
Listed domestic companies
30
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$594M
2020
Personal remittances received
$3.03B
2024
$187M
2024
International tourist arrivals
897,000
2015
871,000
2018
International tourism as share of exports
0.87%
2020
2.68%
2020
Banked people share
81.2%
2024
50.4%
2024

Energy

Ghana Malawi
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
359 kg
2022
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$20.1
2022
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
24.2 megatons
2024
4.79 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.7 tons
2024
0.22 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
62%
2022
n/a
Renewable energy use share
39%
2021
62.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
6.03%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
-22.4%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
553 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
34.9%
2021
80.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
35.4%
2022
72.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
89.5%
2023
15.6%
2023

Society

Ghana Malawi
% of world population
0.42%
2024
0.27%
2024
Annual migration change
-17,079
2025
-5,628
2025
Urban population
58.4%
2024
17.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.9:50.1
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.59 ft
2025
5.44 ft
2025
Average female height
5.21 ft
2025
5.12 ft
2025
Quality of life index
41.8
2026
31.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
43
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
65
2026
26
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.81
2022
1.79
2012
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
25.7
2019
33.4
2019
Visa free countries
75
2025
78
2025
Adult literacy rate
76.5%
2021
68.1%
2022
English speaking
66.7%
2023
3.88%
2023
People using the Internet
69.9%
2023
18%
2023

Health

Ghana Malawi
Government health expenditure per capita
$70.3
2023
$41.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$18.7
2023
$4.95
2023
Life expectancy
66.1 years
2026
67.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
8.53%
2023
65.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.27
2023
0.05
2022
Age at first childbirth
22.1 years
2025
19.1 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
234
2023
225
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
37.1
2023
38.3
2023
Obesity rate
13.3%
2022
7.87%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
2.7%
2024
5.7%
2024
Air quality index
21
2026
34
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
3.4%
2022
9.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.26 liters
2020
3.61 liters
2020

Territory

Ghana Malawi
% of world land
0.15%
2026
0.06%
2026
Land area per capita
2,552 sq mi
2024
1,681 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
48,663 sq mi
2026
23,359 sq mi
2026
Forest area
30,917 sq mi
2026
8,169 sq mi
2026
Roads length
68,049 mi
2009
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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