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Malawi vs Nigeria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 233M in Nigeria (ranked 6/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 351,650 sq mi for Nigeria (ranked 107th vs. 30th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Nigeria ranks 54/197 ($252B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Nigeria ranks 174/197 ($1,084).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Nigeria
Population
22949294
243824469
Population rank 61/197 6/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 54/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 174/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$9,087
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 170/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$1,104
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 351,650 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
690 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
4.48
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
19 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
55 years
2026

Malawi and Nigeria: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Nigeria economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Nigeria
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Nigeria
2024 $11,316,411,329 $252,261,880,141
2023 $13,363,669,673 $487,387,801,881
2022 $12,429,059,928 $646,950,257,578
2021 $12,378,119,199 $609,147,716,973
2020 $11,769,313,598 $598,586,817,819
2019 $11,051,852,713 $668,219,992,691
2018 $9,879,220,354 $421,739,251,509
2017 $8,943,543,794 $375,745,731,053
2016 $7,909,868,618 $404,649,125,252
2015 $9,219,474,379 $493,026,682,801
2014 $8,801,326,169 $574,183,763,412
2013 $8,031,571,928 $520,117,180,314
2012 $8,773,203,178 $463,971,018,239
2011 $11,648,142,958 $414,466,676,831
2010 $10,128,323,011 $366,990,417,129
2009 $9,009,887,947 $295,008,835,381
2008 $7,743,617,352 $339,476,276,258
2007 $6,451,210,219 $278,260,846,800
2006 $5,818,279,739 $238,454,997,161
2005 $5,320,409,651 $175,670,569,969
2004 $5,058,726,350 $135,764,731,646
2003 $4,669,789,300 $104,738,954,264
2002 $5,087,328,438 $95,054,059,303
2001 $2,498,008,665 $73,557,840,064
2000 $2,537,307,580 $69,171,451,627
1999 $2,584,478,924 $59,145,077,039
1998 $2,547,609,590 $218,416,200,673
1997 $3,875,785,863 $200,850,397,618
1996 $3,319,573,750 $185,730,236,700
1995 $2,033,701,498 $140,919,776,986
1994 $1,719,864,761 $80,399,613,064
1993 $3,013,392,658 $56,721,051,402
1992 $2,618,837,835 $52,058,181,854
1991 $3,206,783,830 $59,526,833,412
1990 $2,737,087,862 $54,035,795,388
1989 $2,314,205,130 $44,003,061,108
1988 $2,008,189,508 $49,648,470,440
1987 $1,721,711,808 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,722,586,299 $54,805,852,581
1985 $1,646,442,273 $73,745,821,158
1984 $1,758,028,656 $73,484,359,521
1983 $1,780,148,049 $97,094,911,792
1982 $1,717,379,495 $142,769,363,314
1981 $1,801,193,910 $164,475,209,516
1980 $1,801,156,775 $64,201,788,123
1979 - $47,259,911,894
1978 - $36,527,862,209
1977 - $36,035,407,725
1976 - $36,308,883,249
1975 - $27,778,934,625
1974 - $24,846,641,318
1973 - $15,162,871,287
1972 - $12,274,416,018
1971 - $9,181,769,912
1970 - $12,546,094,982
1969 - $6,634,317,346
1968 - $5,200,997,920
1967 - $5,203,237,919
1966 - $6,366,917,453
1965 - $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

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

Malawi and Nigeria economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Nigeria
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Nigeria
2024 $523 $1,084
2023 $633 $2,139
2022 $604 $2,899
2021 $617 $2,787
2020 $603 $2,797
2019 $581 $3,190
2018 $533 $2,058
2017 $496 $1,876
2016 $451 $2,070
2015 $540 $2,586
2014 $530 $3,089
2013 $497 $2,873
2012 $558 $2,633
2011 $763 $2,418
2010 $683 $2,202
2009 $626 $1,820
2008 $554 $2,154
2007 $475 $1,816
2006 $441 $1,600
2005 $414 $1,211
2004 $405 $962
2003 $383 $763
2002 $428 $712
2001 $215.5 $566
2000 $224.2 $547
1999 $233.9 $481
1998 $236 $1,822
1997 $367 $1,720
1996 $321 $1,633
1995 $200.4 $1,272
1994 $169.2 $745
1993 $293 $540
1992 $258.4 $509
1991 $326 $597
1990 $286.7 $556
1989 $252.2 $465
1988 $229.4 $540
1987 $207.6 $588
1986 $217.9 $628
1985 $216.1 $869
1984 $239.7 $890
1983 $252.4 $1,207
1982 $253.3 $1,822
1981 $276.4 $2,162
1980 $287.5 $870
1979 - $661
1978 - $527
1977 - $536
1976 - $556
1975 - $438
1974 - $403
1973 - $252.4
1972 - $209.5
1971 - $160.5
1970 - $224.5
1969 - $121.4
1968 - $97.3
1967 - $99.5
1966 - $124.4
1965 - $117.3
1964 - $113.3
1963 - $107.7
1962 - $104.5
1961 - $97.1
1960 - $93.1

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

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

Malawi vs. Nigeria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Nigeria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Nigeria
2026 67.9 55
2025 67.7 54.8
2024 67.6 54.6
2023 67.4 54.5
2022 66 54.1
2021 64.8 53.5
2020 65.2 53.1
2019 65 53
2018 64.5 52.7
2017 63.9 52.4
2016 63.2 52.2
2015 62.3 51.9
2014 61.7 51.9
2013 60.8 51.8
2012 59.9 51.7
2011 58.9 51.5
2010 57.8 51.3
2009 56.7 51.1
2008 55.7 50.7
2007 54.7 50.4
2006 53.7 49.9
2005 52.5 49.5
2004 51.1 49.1
2003 49.6 48.6
2002 48.2 48
2001 47.2 47.5
2000 46.2 47.1
1999 45.1 46.6
1998 44.3 46.1
1997 44.2 46
1996 44 45.8
1995 43.8 45.9
1994 43.8 45.7
1993 43.6 45.8
1992 43.6 45.6
1991 43.5 45.5
1990 43.6 45.7
1989 43.5 45.8
1988 43.6 45.8
1987 43.9 45.9
1986 44.3 46
1985 44.6 46.2
1984 44.8 46.3
1983 45 46.4
1982 44.8 46.4
1981 44.7 46.3
1980 44.3 46
1979 43.7 45.7
1978 43 45.3
1977 42 44.8
1976 41 44.2
1975 40.1 43.1
1974 39.2 42.5
1973 38.4 41.8
1972 37.6 41.3
1971 37.1 40.6
1970 36.6 40
1969 36.3 38.9
1968 36.1 38.6
1967 35.9 37.5
1966 35.8 38.4
1965 35.7 38.2
1964 35.7 38
1963 35.6 37.8
1962 35.4 37.6
1961 35.2 37.4
1960 35 37.2
1959 34.8 37
1958 34.4 36.8
1957 34.1 36.6
1956 33.8 36.5
1955 33.6 36.3
1954 33.3 36.2
1953 33.2 36
1952 33 35.9
1951 32.8 35.7
1950 32.7 35.5

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

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

Malawi and Nigeria population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Nigeria
1x
Year Population
Malawi Nigeria
2024 21,655,286 232,679,478
2023 21,104,482 227,882,945
2022 20,568,728 223,150,896
2021 20,047,258 218,529,286
2020 19,533,888 213,996,181
2019 19,025,752 209,485,641
2018 18,528,081 204,938,755
2017 18,039,715 200,254,579
2016 17,557,739 195,443,700
2015 17,085,587 190,671,878
2014 16,621,538 185,896,915
2013 16,161,816 181,049,443
2012 15,709,577 176,200,625
2011 15,265,022 171,379,598
2010 14,826,463 166,642,886
2009 14,395,788 162,049,464
2008 13,976,417 157,595,014
2007 13,576,343 153,267,261
2006 13,198,701 149,077,334
2005 12,840,031 145,017,253
2004 12,500,737 141,057,045
2003 12,181,574 137,202,644
2002 11,880,440 133,471,989
2001 11,593,058 129,862,595
2000 11,315,942 126,382,494
1999 11,047,804 123,047,320
1998 10,792,876 119,846,254
1997 10,562,035 116,754,792
1996 10,352,228 113,754,779
1995 10,150,117 110,819,428
1994 10,164,894 107,935,714
1993 10,284,024 105,122,069
1992 10,135,079 102,372,770
1991 9,844,227 99,720,162
1990 9,545,852 97,120,925
1989 9,176,220 94,531,014
1988 8,753,262 92,020,090
1987 8,293,174 89,591,716
1986 7,906,480 87,235,953
1985 7,620,508 84,897,973
1984 7,332,810 82,526,443
1983 7,051,709 80,438,260
1982 6,778,879 78,378,701
1981 6,516,454 76,068,103
1980 6,265,529 73,764,641
1979 6,028,749 71,498,242
1978 5,810,132 69,326,532
1977 5,614,983 67,234,590
1976 5,443,384 65,258,009
1975 5,287,367 63,410,815
1974 5,141,337 61,679,144
1973 5,003,938 60,082,139
1972 4,874,475 58,601,748
1971 4,751,434 57,214,684
1970 4,633,944 55,893,838
1969 4,521,184 54,631,914
1968 4,411,054 53,432,783
1967 4,303,012 52,293,065
1966 4,197,926 51,188,234
1965 4,096,157 50,086,764
1964 3,997,305 49,012,016
1963 3,900,506 47,973,575
1962 3,806,307 46,965,292
1961 3,715,534 45,989,310
1960 3,628,134 45,053,782

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

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

Fertility rates in Malawi and Nigeria

Fertility rate
Malawi

Nigeria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Nigeria
2023 3.65 4.48
2022 3.72 4.55
2021 3.79 4.64
2020 3.88 4.7
2019 3.95 4.86
2018 4.02 5.02
2017 4.11 5.18
2016 4.22 5.34
2015 4.38 5.5
2014 4.57 5.62
2013 4.76 5.69
2012 4.9 5.8
2011 5.08 5.89
2010 5.26 5.95
2009 5.45 5.99
2008 5.61 6.02
2007 5.72 6.03
2006 5.8 6.05
2005 5.85 6.06
2004 5.86 6.09
2003 5.88 6.1
2002 5.9 6.12
2001 5.94 6.13
2000 6 6.12
1999 6.12 6.08
1998 6.21 6.07
1997 6.23 6.14
1996 6.29 6.22
1995 6.39 6.27
1994 6.49 6.32
1993 6.57 6.35
1992 6.63 6.39
1991 6.68 6.43
1990 6.74 6.46
1989 6.8 6.49
1988 6.88 6.5
1987 6.97 6.5
1986 7.07 6.56
1985 7.17 6.62
1984 7.27 6.7
1983 7.36 6.78
1982 7.45 6.8
1981 7.49 6.82
1980 7.52 6.85
1979 7.47 6.89
1978 7.43 6.92
1977 7.41 6.86
1976 7.39 6.81
1975 7.36 6.77
1974 7.34 6.7
1973 7.34 6.63
1972 7.33 6.58
1971 7.31 6.53
1970 7.3 6.47
1969 7.27 6.44
1968 7.26 6.42
1967 7.21 6.4
1966 7.17 6.39
1965 7.13 6.37
1964 7.11 6.36
1963 7.13 6.35
1962 7.1 6.36
1961 7.07 6.35
1960 7.04 6.36

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

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

Malawi and Nigeria demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Nigeria
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Nigeria
2024 18.9 19
2023 18.7 18.8
2022 18.4 18.7
2021 18.2 18.5
2020 18 18.3
2019 17.8 18.2
2018 17.6 18
2017 17.4 17.9
2016 17.2 17.8
2015 17.1 17.8
2014 17 17.7
2013 16.9 17.7
2012 16.8 17.7
2011 16.8 17.7
2010 16.7 17.8
2009 16.7 17.8
2008 16.8 17.8
2007 16.8 17.9
2006 16.8 17.9
2005 16.8 17.9
2004 16.8 17.9
2003 16.8 17.9
2002 16.8 17.9
2001 16.8 17.9
2000 16.8 17.9
1999 16.7 17.9
1998 16.8 17.8
1997 16.8 17.7
1996 16.8 17.6
1995 16.9 17.6
1994 16.9 17.5
1993 17 17.4
1992 17.1 17.4
1991 17.2 17.3
1990 17.3 17.3
1989 17.4 17.3
1988 17.5 17.3
1987 17.4 17.3
1986 17.3 17.3
1985 17.3 17.3
1984 17.3 17.4
1983 17.3 17.5
1982 17.3 17.6
1981 17.3 17.7
1980 17.3 17.8
1979 17.4 17.9
1978 17.4 18
1977 17.4 18.2
1976 17.5 18.3
1975 17.5 18.4
1974 17.6 18.5
1973 17.7 18.6
1972 17.8 18.7
1971 17.9 18.8
1970 18 18.9
1969 18.2 19.1
1968 18.3 19.2
1967 18.3 19.2
1966 18.3 19.3
1965 18.4 19.3
1964 18.3 19.3
1963 18.3 19.3
1962 18.3 19.3
1961 18.3 19.3
1960 18.2 19.3

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Nigeria
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$396B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
12.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
0.32%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
223,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
3.45%
2024
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
18.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
54.8
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3%
2022
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.000004%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
169
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$38.6B
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$21.3B
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
5,265,000
2016
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
0.8%
2020
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
63.3%
2024

Energy

Malawi Nigeria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
333 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$24.9
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
131.9 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
0.57 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
55.7%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
80.3%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
1.08%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
-66.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
135.6 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
23.8%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
24.3%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
61.2%
2023

Society

Malawi Nigeria
% of world population
0.27%
2024
2.86%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
-15,258
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
63%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
50.6:49.4
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.63 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.19 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
15.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
26
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
57
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
21.7
2019
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
20.7
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
52
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
70.4%
2024
English speaking
3.88%
2023
60.6%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
39.2%
2023

Health

Malawi Nigeria
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$66.8
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$48
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
55 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
11.3%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
0.38
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
20.4 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
993
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
104.9
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
12.8%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
3%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
8
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
3.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
3.78 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Nigeria
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.61%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
1,511 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
267,948 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
81,611 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
121,167 mi
2017

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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