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Malawi vs Malaysia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 35.6M in Malaysia (ranked 44/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 126,854 sq mi for Malaysia (ranked 107th vs. 65th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Malaysia ranks 38/197 ($422B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Malaysia ranks 79/197 ($11,874).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Malaysia
Population
22949294
36512221
Population rank 61/197 45/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 38/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 79/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$38,779
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 62/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$11,005
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 126,854 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
287 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
1.55
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
31.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
77.2 years
2026

Malawi and Malaysia: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Malaysia economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Malaysia
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Malaysia
2024 $11,316,411,329 $422,227,005,429
2023 $13,363,669,673 $399,949,418,753
2022 $12,429,059,928 $407,830,525,990
2021 $12,378,119,199 $373,784,553,030
2020 $11,769,313,598 $337,456,163,961
2019 $11,051,852,713 $365,177,721,022
2018 $9,879,220,354 $358,788,845,713
2017 $8,943,543,794 $319,109,094,160
2016 $7,909,868,618 $301,256,033,870
2015 $9,219,474,379 $301,355,266,965
2014 $8,801,326,169 $338,066,095,097
2013 $8,031,571,928 $323,276,235,524
2012 $8,773,203,178 $314,443,047,642
2011 $11,648,142,958 $297,951,668,675
2010 $10,128,323,011 $255,017,638,456
2009 $9,009,887,947 $202,257,453,037
2008 $7,743,617,352 $230,811,614,370
2007 $6,451,210,219 $193,549,569,478
2006 $5,818,279,739 $162,692,258,307
2005 $5,320,409,651 $143,534,405,819
2004 $5,058,726,350 $124,749,473,684
2003 $4,669,789,300 $110,202,368,421
2002 $5,087,328,438 $100,845,526,316
2001 $2,498,008,665 $92,783,947,368
2000 $2,537,307,580 $93,789,736,842
1999 $2,584,478,924 $79,148,421,053
1998 $2,547,609,590 $72,167,498,981
1997 $3,875,785,863 $100,005,323,302
1996 $3,319,573,750 $100,855,393,910
1995 $2,033,701,498 $88,705,342,903
1994 $1,719,864,761 $74,478,356,958
1993 $3,013,392,658 $66,894,966,969
1992 $2,618,837,835 $59,167,550,163
1991 $3,206,783,830 $49,143,148,094
1990 $2,737,087,862 $44,024,585,240
1989 $2,314,205,130 $38,847,965,293
1988 $2,008,189,508 $35,272,109,220
1987 $1,721,711,808 $32,181,210,158
1986 $1,722,586,299 $27,734,111,400
1985 $1,646,442,273 $31,199,633,353
1984 $1,758,028,656 $33,942,897,422
1983 $1,780,148,049 $30,347,442,111
1982 $1,717,379,495 $26,804,493,635
1981 $1,801,193,910 $25,004,285,792
1980 $1,801,156,775 $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

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

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

Malawi and Malaysia economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Malaysia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Malaysia
2024 $523 $11,874
2023 $633 $11,386
2022 $604 $11,755
2021 $617 $10,903
2020 $603 $9,958
2019 $581 $10,920
2018 $533 $10,902
2017 $496 $9,863
2016 $451 $9,477
2015 $540 $9,649
2014 $530 $11,013
2013 $497 $10,714
2012 $558 $10,601
2011 $763 $10,217
2010 $683 $8,899
2009 $626 $7,191
2008 $554 $8,372
2007 $475 $7,169
2006 $441 $6,158
2005 $414 $5,556
2004 $405 $4,939
2003 $383 $4,465
2002 $428 $4,184
2001 $215.5 $3,944
2000 $224.2 $4,084
1999 $233.9 $3,528
1998 $236 $3,294
1997 $367 $4,679
1996 $321 $4,837
1995 $200.4 $4,363
1994 $169.2 $3,758
1993 $293 $3,462
1992 $258.4 $3,141
1991 $326 $2,679
1990 $286.7 $2,469
1989 $252.2 $2,244
1988 $229.4 $2,100
1987 $207.6 $1,977
1986 $217.9 $1,760
1985 $216.1 $2,046
1984 $239.7 $2,300
1983 $252.4 $2,124
1982 $253.3 $1,938
1981 $276.4 $1,866
1980 $287.5 $1,886
1979 - $1,680
1978 - $1,327
1977 - $1,092
1976 - $940
1975 - $811
1974 - $848
1973 - $701
1972 - $472
1971 - $407
1970 - $380
1969 - $368
1968 - $342
1967 - $335
1966 - $339
1965 - $326
1964 - $303
1963 - $291.8
1962 - $238.8
1961 - $232.9
1960 - $240.8

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

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

Malawi vs. Malaysia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Malaysia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Malaysia
2026 67.9 77.2
2025 67.7 77
2024 67.6 76.8
2023 67.4 76.7
2022 66 75.4
2021 64.8 73.9
2020 65.2 76.1
2019 65 75.9
2018 64.5 75.7
2017 63.9 75.5
2016 63.2 75.4
2015 62.3 75.3
2014 61.7 75.3
2013 60.8 75.5
2012 59.9 75.6
2011 58.9 75.5
2010 57.8 75.4
2009 56.7 75.3
2008 55.7 75.2
2007 54.7 75
2006 53.7 74.7
2005 52.5 74.4
2004 51.1 74
2003 49.6 73.7
2002 48.2 73.5
2001 47.2 73.1
2000 46.2 72.7
1999 45.1 72.4
1998 44.3 72.4
1997 44.2 72.3
1996 44 72.1
1995 43.8 72
1994 43.8 71.9
1993 43.6 71.7
1992 43.6 71.5
1991 43.5 71.2
1990 43.6 71
1989 43.5 70.8
1988 43.6 70.6
1987 43.9 70.4
1986 44.3 70.1
1985 44.6 69.9
1984 44.8 69.6
1983 45 69.2
1982 44.8 68.9
1981 44.7 68.5
1980 44.3 68.1
1979 43.7 67.6
1978 43 67.2
1977 42 66.7
1976 41 66.2
1975 40.1 65.7
1974 39.2 65.2
1973 38.4 64.7
1972 37.6 64.2
1971 37.1 63.8
1970 36.6 63.3
1969 36.3 62.9
1968 36.1 62.4
1967 35.9 62
1966 35.8 61.7
1965 35.7 61.1
1964 35.7 60.4
1963 35.6 59.7
1962 35.4 58.9
1961 35.2 58
1960 35 57.2
1959 34.8 56.3
1958 34.4 55.4
1957 34.1 54.5
1956 33.8 53.7
1955 33.6 52.8
1954 33.3 52
1953 33.2 51.1
1952 33 50.1
1951 32.8 49.2
1950 32.7 48.5

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

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

Malawi and Malaysia population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Malaysia
1x
Year Population
Malawi Malaysia
2024 21,655,286 35,557,673
2023 21,104,482 35,126,298
2022 20,568,728 34,695,493
2021 20,047,258 34,282,399
2020 19,533,888 33,889,558
2019 19,025,752 33,440,596
2018 18,528,081 32,910,967
2017 18,039,715 32,355,644
2016 17,557,739 31,789,685
2015 17,085,587 31,232,798
2014 16,621,538 30,696,137
2013 16,161,816 30,174,265
2012 15,709,577 29,662,831
2011 15,265,022 29,162,039
2010 14,826,463 28,655,776
2009 14,395,788 28,124,778
2008 13,976,417 27,570,059
2007 13,576,343 26,998,389
2006 13,198,701 26,417,909
2005 12,840,031 25,836,071
2004 12,500,737 25,256,772
2003 12,181,574 24,679,602
2002 11,880,440 24,102,477
2001 11,593,058 23,526,538
2000 11,315,942 22,967,816
1999 11,047,804 22,435,531
1998 10,792,876 21,906,713
1997 10,562,035 21,375,218
1996 10,352,228 20,850,087
1995 10,150,117 20,330,599
1994 10,164,894 19,820,446
1993 10,284,024 19,322,664
1992 10,135,079 18,834,572
1991 9,844,227 18,342,464
1990 9,545,852 17,833,171
1989 9,176,220 17,314,997
1988 8,753,262 16,796,605
1987 8,293,174 16,276,737
1986 7,906,480 15,760,419
1985 7,620,508 15,252,258
1984 7,332,810 14,759,009
1983 7,051,709 14,285,907
1982 6,778,879 13,832,798
1981 6,516,454 13,399,203
1980 6,265,529 12,983,363
1979 6,028,749 12,627,862
1978 5,810,132 12,328,157
1977 5,614,983 12,035,713
1976 5,443,384 11,750,097
1975 5,287,367 11,471,914
1974 5,141,337 11,200,906
1973 5,003,938 10,935,621
1972 4,874,475 10,676,835
1971 4,751,434 10,423,453
1970 4,633,944 10,178,802
1969 4,521,184 9,947,597
1968 4,411,054 9,725,281
1967 4,303,012 9,507,099
1966 4,197,926 9,284,688
1965 4,096,157 9,056,408
1964 3,997,305 8,828,406
1963 3,900,506 8,602,160
1962 3,806,307 8,380,172
1961 3,715,534 8,164,443
1960 3,628,134 7,956,197

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

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

Fertility rates in Malawi and Malaysia

Fertility rate
Malawi

Malaysia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Malaysia
2023 3.65 1.55
2022 3.72 1.55
2021 3.79 1.56
2020 3.88 1.68
2019 3.95 1.78
2018 4.02 1.84
2017 4.11 1.89
2016 4.22 1.94
2015 4.38 2.01
2014 4.57 2.06
2013 4.76 2.07
2012 4.9 2.12
2011 5.08 2.15
2010 5.26 2.14
2009 5.45 2.22
2008 5.61 2.26
2007 5.72 2.25
2006 5.8 2.31
2005 5.85 2.39
2004 5.86 2.49
2003 5.88 2.6
2002 5.9 2.66
2001 5.94 2.81
2000 6 2.94
1999 6.12 3.07
1998 6.21 3.12
1997 6.23 3.23
1996 6.29 3.3
1995 6.39 3.32
1994 6.49 3.35
1993 6.57 3.36
1992 6.63 3.37
1991 6.68 3.34
1990 6.74 3.3
1989 6.8 3.31
1988 6.88 3.5
1987 6.97 3.57
1986 7.07 3.7
1985 7.17 3.8
1984 7.27 3.89
1983 7.36 3.93
1982 7.45 3.97
1981 7.49 4
1980 7.52 4.04
1979 7.47 4.09
1978 7.43 4.18
1977 7.41 4.28
1976 7.39 4.4
1975 7.36 4.5
1974 7.34 4.62
1973 7.34 4.73
1972 7.33 4.82
1971 7.31 4.92
1970 7.3 5.04
1969 7.27 5.16
1968 7.26 5.29
1967 7.21 5.43
1966 7.17 5.64
1965 7.13 5.84
1964 7.11 6.03
1963 7.13 6.19
1962 7.1 6.3
1961 7.07 6.37
1960 7.04 6.41

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

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

Malawi and Malaysia demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Malaysia
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Malaysia
2024 18.9 31.5
2023 18.7 31.1
2022 18.4 30.6
2021 18.2 30.1
2020 18 29.6
2019 17.8 29.2
2018 17.6 28.8
2017 17.4 28.5
2016 17.2 28.1
2015 17.1 27.8
2014 17 27.5
2013 16.9 27.1
2012 16.8 26.8
2011 16.8 26.4
2010 16.7 26
2009 16.7 25.6
2008 16.8 25.1
2007 16.8 24.8
2006 16.8 24.5
2005 16.8 24.2
2004 16.8 24
2003 16.8 23.9
2002 16.8 23.7
2001 16.8 23.6
2000 16.8 23.5
1999 16.7 23.4
1998 16.8 23.1
1997 16.8 22.9
1996 16.8 22.7
1995 16.9 22.5
1994 16.9 22.3
1993 17 22.1
1992 17.1 21.9
1991 17.2 21.7
1990 17.3 21.5
1989 17.4 21.3
1988 17.5 21.1
1987 17.4 21
1986 17.3 20.9
1985 17.3 20.7
1984 17.3 20.5
1983 17.3 20.4
1982 17.3 20.1
1981 17.3 19.9
1980 17.3 19.7
1979 17.4 19.5
1978 17.4 19.3
1977 17.4 19
1976 17.5 18.8
1975 17.5 18.6
1974 17.6 18.3
1973 17.7 18.1
1972 17.8 17.9
1971 17.9 17.6
1970 18 17.4
1969 18.2 17.3
1968 18.3 17.1
1967 18.3 17
1966 18.3 16.9
1965 18.4 16.8
1964 18.3 16.9
1963 18.3 17
1962 18.3 17.1
1961 18.3 17.3
1960 18.2 17.5

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Malaysia
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$414B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
23.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
3.51%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.99%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
136,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-3.95%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
3.93%
2022
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
37%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
68
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.3%
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00008%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
1,031
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$116B
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$1.61B
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
4,333,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
1.63%
2020
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
88.7%
2024

Energy

Malawi Malaysia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
2,867 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$12
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
296 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
8.32 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
96%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
7.5%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
2.88%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
-0.58%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
4,986 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
17%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
16.6%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Malawi Malaysia
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.44%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
+166,615
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
76.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
52.4:47.6
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.55 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
68.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
52
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
76
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
0.72
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
22.5
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
174
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
95.8%
2022
English speaking
3.88%
2023
57.3%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
98%
2024

Health

Malawi Malaysia
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$450
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$167
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
77.2 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
0.001%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
2.34
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
26
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
8.1
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
22.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
21.1%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
41
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
22%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
0.74 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Malaysia
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.22%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
3,568 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
33,093 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
73,219 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
173,898 mi
2022

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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