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Malawi vs Nicaragua statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 6.92M in Nicaragua (ranked 108/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 46,464 sq mi for Nicaragua (ranked 107th vs. 98th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Nicaragua ranks 131/197 ($19.7B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Nicaragua ranks 141/197 ($2,848).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Nicaragua
Population
22949294
7124343
Population rank 61/197 107/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 131/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 141/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$8,709
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 138/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$2,318
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 46,464 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
152.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
26.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
75.4 years
2026

Malawi and Nicaragua: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Nicaragua economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Nicaragua
2024 $11,316,411,329 $19,693,982,968
2023 $13,363,669,673 $17,805,842,284
2022 $12,429,059,928 $15,634,572,502
2021 $12,378,119,199 $14,209,020,362
2020 $11,769,313,598 $12,726,422,432
2019 $11,051,852,713 $12,699,023,614
2018 $9,879,220,354 $13,025,221,974
2017 $8,943,543,794 $13,785,893,007
2016 $7,909,868,618 $13,286,093,388
2015 $9,219,474,379 $12,756,696,261
2014 $8,801,326,169 $11,880,438,824
2013 $8,031,571,928 $10,982,988,249
2012 $8,773,203,178 $10,532,017,232
2011 $11,648,142,958 $9,774,329,333
2010 $10,128,323,011 $8,758,602,233
2009 $9,009,887,947 $8,298,702,489
2008 $7,743,617,352 $8,496,967,597
2007 $6,451,210,219 $7,423,375,015
2006 $5,818,279,739 $6,763,672,381
2005 $5,320,409,651 $6,321,324,279
2004 $5,058,726,350 $5,792,932,838
2003 $4,669,789,300 $5,322,228,351
2002 $5,087,328,438 $5,223,727,303
2001 $2,498,008,665 $5,351,752,034
2000 $2,537,307,580 $5,109,587,050
1999 $2,584,478,924 $4,856,026,259
1998 $2,547,609,590 $4,635,347,386
1997 $3,875,785,863 $4,389,973,490
1996 $3,319,573,750 $4,308,351,903
1995 $2,033,701,498 $4,140,470,000
1994 $1,719,864,761 $3,863,185,119
1993 $3,013,392,658 $1,756,454,248
1992 $2,618,837,835 $1,792,800,000
1991 $3,206,783,830 $1,488,804,124
1990 $2,737,087,862 $1,009,455,484
1989 $2,314,205,130 $1,013,184,756
1988 $2,008,189,508 $2,630,900,096
1987 $1,721,711,808 $3,851,200,118
1986 $1,722,586,299 $2,885,799,994
1985 $1,646,442,273 $2,683,699,935
1984 $1,758,028,656 $3,117,599,872
1983 $1,780,148,049 $2,753,100,058
1982 $1,717,379,495 $2,454,499,872
1981 $1,801,193,910 $2,474,700,227
1980 $1,801,156,775 $2,144,300,006
1979 - $1,567,599,982
1978 - $2,127,699,979
1977 - $2,226,999,874
1976 - $1,836,899,999
1975 - $1,581,599,959
1974 - $1,521,400,012
1973 - $1,092,900,015
1972 - $878,570,045
1971 - $828,569,953
1970 - $778,569,939
1969 - $750,000,003
1968 - $692,859,985
1967 - $657,140,011
1966 - $607,140,010
1965 - $564,290,020
1964 - $347,119,918
1963 - $297,324,163
1962 - $269,283,804
1961 - $244,144,237
1960 - $227,223,322

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

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

Malawi and Nicaragua economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Nicaragua
2024 $523 $2,848
2023 $633 $2,609
2022 $604 $2,323
2021 $617 $2,138
2020 $603 $1,938
2019 $581 $1,959
2018 $533 $2,035
2017 $496 $2,183
2016 $451 $2,132
2015 $540 $2,074
2014 $530 $1,958
2013 $497 $1,835
2012 $558 $1,785
2011 $763 $1,680
2010 $683 $1,527
2009 $626 $1,467
2008 $554 $1,524
2007 $475 $1,350
2006 $441 $1,248
2005 $414 $1,183
2004 $405 $1,099
2003 $383 $1,021
2002 $428 $1,014
2001 $215.5 $1,052
2000 $224.2 $1,017
1999 $233.9 $980
1998 $236 $949
1997 $367 $913
1996 $321 $911
1995 $200.4 $892
1994 $169.2 $849
1993 $293 $394
1992 $258.4 $411
1991 $326 $350
1990 $286.7 $242.5
1989 $252.2 $249.2
1988 $229.4 $662
1987 $207.6 $992
1986 $217.9 $761
1985 $216.1 $724
1984 $239.7 $861
1983 $252.4 $780
1982 $253.3 $714
1981 $276.4 $740
1980 $287.5 $659
1979 - $495
1978 - $691
1977 - $744
1976 - $633
1975 - $561
1974 - $557
1973 - $413
1972 - $341
1971 - $331
1970 - $321
1969 - $319
1968 - $304
1967 - $297.9
1966 - $284
1965 - $272.3
1964 - $172.7
1963 - $152.5
1962 - $142.3
1961 - $132.9
1960 - $127.5

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

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

Malawi vs. Nicaragua life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Nicaragua
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Nicaragua
2026 67.9 75.4
2025 67.7 75.3
2024 67.6 75.1
2023 67.4 74.9
2022 66 74.5
2021 64.8 70.5
2020 65.2 70.8
2019 65 73.8
2018 64.5 73.9
2017 63.9 73.4
2016 63.2 73.2
2015 62.3 72.9
2014 61.7 72.8
2013 60.8 72.6
2012 59.9 72.4
2011 58.9 72
2010 57.8 71.8
2009 56.7 71.5
2008 55.7 71.4
2007 54.7 71.2
2006 53.7 71
2005 52.5 70.4
2004 51.1 69.5
2003 49.6 68.7
2002 48.2 68
2001 47.2 67
2000 46.2 66.4
1999 45.1 65.9
1998 44.3 64.1
1997 44.2 65.5
1996 44 65.2
1995 43.8 64.9
1994 43.8 64.5
1993 43.6 64.1
1992 43.6 63.7
1991 43.5 63.3
1990 43.6 62.5
1989 43.5 61.9
1988 43.6 59.8
1987 43.9 57.3
1986 44.3 57.6
1985 44.6 56.4
1984 44.8 56.1
1983 45 56.9
1982 44.8 58.7
1981 44.7 58.3
1980 44.3 58
1979 43.7 50.8
1978 43 53.5
1977 42 56.1
1976 41 56.1
1975 40.1 55.8
1974 39.2 55.4
1973 38.4 55
1972 37.6 48
1971 37.1 54.2
1970 36.6 53.8
1969 36.3 53.4
1968 36.1 52.9
1967 35.9 52.3
1966 35.8 51.6
1965 35.7 50.6
1964 35.7 49.6
1963 35.6 48.8
1962 35.4 48
1961 35.2 47.3
1960 35 46.4
1959 34.8 46.1
1958 34.4 45.5
1957 34.1 44.9
1956 33.8 44.3
1955 33.6 43.7
1954 33.3 43.1
1953 33.2 42.4
1952 33 41.9
1951 32.8 40.8
1950 32.7 40.6

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

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

Malawi and Nicaragua population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Nicaragua
1x
Year Population
Malawi Nicaragua
2024 21,655,286 6,916,140
2023 21,104,482 6,823,613
2022 20,568,728 6,730,654
2021 20,047,258 6,644,741
2020 19,533,888 6,565,267
2019 19,025,752 6,483,657
2018 18,528,081 6,400,080
2017 18,039,715 6,316,231
2016 17,557,739 6,232,666
2015 17,085,587 6,149,417
2014 16,621,538 6,066,492
2013 16,161,816 5,983,845
2012 15,709,577 5,901,287
2011 15,265,022 5,819,051
2010 14,826,463 5,737,450
2009 14,395,788 5,656,601
2008 13,976,417 5,576,593
2007 13,576,343 5,497,243
2006 13,198,701 5,418,855
2005 12,840,031 5,342,105
2004 12,500,737 5,272,912
2003 12,181,574 5,210,963
2002 11,880,440 5,149,909
2001 11,593,058 5,087,825
2000 11,315,942 5,022,633
1999 11,047,804 4,954,018
1998 10,792,876 4,883,655
1997 10,562,035 4,809,573
1996 10,352,228 4,729,974
1995 10,150,117 4,642,931
1994 10,164,894 4,549,316
1993 10,284,024 4,453,732
1992 10,135,079 4,357,026
1991 9,844,227 4,259,637
1990 9,545,852 4,162,559
1989 9,176,220 4,066,476
1988 8,753,262 3,972,320
1987 8,293,174 3,882,164
1986 7,906,480 3,794,157
1985 7,620,508 3,706,479
1984 7,332,810 3,619,104
1983 7,051,709 3,530,282
1982 6,778,879 3,438,745
1981 6,516,454 3,345,674
1980 6,265,529 3,252,403
1979 6,028,749 3,164,525
1978 5,810,132 3,080,314
1977 5,614,983 2,992,534
1976 5,443,384 2,903,851
1975 5,287,367 2,816,943
1974 5,141,337 2,732,075
1973 5,003,938 2,649,278
1972 4,874,475 2,573,578
1971 4,751,434 2,499,825
1970 4,633,944 2,423,065
1969 4,521,184 2,348,398
1968 4,411,054 2,275,836
1967 4,303,012 2,205,567
1966 4,197,926 2,137,820
1965 4,096,157 2,072,681
1964 3,997,305 2,010,176
1963 3,900,506 1,950,159
1962 3,806,307 1,892,320
1961 3,715,534 1,836,451
1960 3,628,134 1,782,370

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

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

Fertility rates in Malawi and Nicaragua

Fertility rate
Malawi

Nicaragua
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Nicaragua
2023 3.65 2.22
2022 3.72 2.24
2021 3.79 2.27
2020 3.88 2.3
2019 3.95 2.32
2018 4.02 2.35
2017 4.11 2.38
2016 4.22 2.41
2015 4.38 2.43
2014 4.57 2.46
2013 4.76 2.49
2012 4.9 2.53
2011 5.08 2.56
2010 5.26 2.6
2009 5.45 2.63
2008 5.61 2.66
2007 5.72 2.7
2006 5.8 2.73
2005 5.85 2.77
2004 5.86 2.78
2003 5.88 2.83
2002 5.9 2.89
2001 5.94 3
2000 6 3.12
1999 6.12 3.22
1998 6.21 3.34
1997 6.23 3.47
1996 6.29 3.62
1995 6.39 3.78
1994 6.49 3.94
1993 6.57 4.1
1992 6.63 4.27
1991 6.68 4.43
1990 6.74 4.6
1989 6.8 4.76
1988 6.88 4.93
1987 6.97 5.07
1986 7.07 5.22
1985 7.17 5.36
1984 7.27 5.49
1983 7.36 5.61
1982 7.45 5.74
1981 7.49 5.84
1980 7.52 5.96
1979 7.47 6.07
1978 7.43 6.16
1977 7.41 6.28
1976 7.39 6.37
1975 7.36 6.45
1974 7.34 6.52
1973 7.34 6.59
1972 7.33 6.65
1971 7.31 6.71
1970 7.3 6.77
1969 7.27 6.83
1968 7.26 6.89
1967 7.21 6.94
1966 7.17 6.99
1965 7.13 7.03
1964 7.11 7.06
1963 7.13 7.08
1962 7.1 7.1
1961 7.07 7.11
1960 7.04 7.16

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

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

Malawi and Nicaragua demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Nicaragua
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Nicaragua
2024 18.9 26.6
2023 18.7 26.3
2022 18.4 25.9
2021 18.2 25.6
2020 18 25.3
2019 17.8 25
2018 17.6 24.7
2017 17.4 24.3
2016 17.2 24
2015 17.1 23.7
2014 17 23.4
2013 16.9 23.1
2012 16.8 22.8
2011 16.8 22.5
2010 16.7 22.2
2009 16.7 22
2008 16.8 21.7
2007 16.8 21.4
2006 16.8 21.1
2005 16.8 20.8
2004 16.8 20.4
2003 16.8 20.1
2002 16.8 19.7
2001 16.8 19.4
2000 16.8 19.1
1999 16.7 18.8
1998 16.8 18.4
1997 16.8 18.1
1996 16.8 17.9
1995 16.9 17.6
1994 16.9 17.4
1993 17 17.2
1992 17.1 17
1991 17.2 16.8
1990 17.3 16.7
1989 17.4 16.5
1988 17.5 16.4
1987 17.4 16.4
1986 17.3 16.3
1985 17.3 16.3
1984 17.3 16.3
1983 17.3 16.3
1982 17.3 16.2
1981 17.3 16.2
1980 17.3 16.2
1979 17.4 16.2
1978 17.4 16.2
1977 17.4 16.2
1976 17.5 16.2
1975 17.5 16.2
1974 17.6 16.2
1973 17.7 16.2
1972 17.8 16.2
1971 17.9 16.1
1970 18 16.1
1969 18.2 16.1
1968 18.3 16
1967 18.3 16
1966 18.3 16
1965 18.4 15.9
1964 18.3 15.9
1963 18.3 15.9
1962 18.3 16
1961 18.3 16.1
1960 18.2 16.2

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Nicaragua
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
27.1%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
2.87%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.55%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
12,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
+2.48%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
5.2%
2018
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
27.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
53.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2%
2014
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$6.1B
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$5.25B
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
474,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
15.2%
1999
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
23.5%
2024

Energy

Malawi Nicaragua
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
608 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$12.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
5.74 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
0.83 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
39.9%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
50.4%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
17%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
46.5%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
682 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
69.5%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
14.9%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
88.3%
2023

Society

Malawi Nicaragua
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.09%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
-8,371
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
59.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
49.2:50.8
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.57 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.1 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
27.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
14
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
23
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
11
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
16.9
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
124
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
82.6%
2015
English speaking
3.88%
2023
1%
2025
People using the Internet
18%
2023
58.2%
2023

Health

Malawi Nicaragua
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$216.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$81.5
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
75.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
3.41%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
0.68
2018
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
60
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
13.4
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
34.5%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
10.4%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
58
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
3.67 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Nicaragua
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
6,718 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
19,656 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
11,998 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
14,849 mi
2014

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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