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Malawi vs Papua New Guinea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 10.6M in Papua New Guinea (ranked 92/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 174,850 sq mi for Papua New Guinea (ranked 107th vs. 54th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Papua New Guinea ranks 110/197 ($31.8B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Papua New Guinea ranks 140/197 ($3,007).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Papua New Guinea
Population
22949294
11002753
Population rank 61/197 89/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 110/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 140/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$4,875
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 129/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$2,362
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 174,850 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
62.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
3.1
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
23.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

Malawi and Papua New Guinea: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Papua New Guinea
2024 $11,316,411,329 $31,800,428,266
2023 $13,363,669,673 $30,816,367,067
2022 $12,429,059,928 $31,653,185,953
2021 $12,378,119,199 $26,109,413,521
2020 $11,769,313,598 $23,848,447,850
2019 $11,051,852,713 $24,750,626,030
2018 $9,879,220,354 $24,109,780,708
2017 $8,943,543,794 $22,742,699,138
2016 $7,909,868,618 $20,758,876,953
2015 $9,219,474,379 $21,723,437,010
2014 $8,801,326,169 $23,210,823,987
2013 $8,031,571,928 $21,261,338,065
2012 $8,773,203,178 $21,295,168,666
2011 $11,648,142,958 $17,985,138,066
2010 $10,128,323,011 $14,250,786,675
2009 $9,009,887,947 $11,619,456,449
2008 $7,743,617,352 $11,670,892,801
2007 $6,451,210,219 $9,545,028,944
2006 $5,818,279,739 $8,354,911,041
2005 $5,320,409,651 $4,865,892,972
2004 $5,058,726,350 $3,927,157,867
2003 $4,669,789,300 $3,536,411,824
2002 $5,087,328,438 $2,999,511,040
2001 $2,498,008,665 $3,081,024,212
2000 $2,537,307,580 $3,521,339,699
1999 $2,584,478,924 $3,477,038,204
1998 $2,547,609,590 $3,789,443,015
1997 $3,875,785,863 $4,936,615,299
1996 $3,319,573,750 $5,155,311,077
1995 $2,033,701,498 $4,636,057,476
1994 $1,719,864,761 $5,502,786,070
1993 $3,013,392,658 $4,974,550,286
1992 $2,618,837,835 $4,377,980,510
1991 $3,206,783,830 $3,787,394,958
1990 $2,737,087,862 $3,219,729,083
1989 $2,314,205,130 $3,546,472,566
1988 $2,008,189,508 $3,656,177,881
1987 $1,721,711,808 $3,143,851,794
1986 $1,722,586,299 $2,647,995,602
1985 $1,646,442,273 $2,423,339,172
1984 $1,758,028,656 $2,552,662,617
1983 $1,780,148,049 $2,562,351,551
1982 $1,717,379,495 $2,368,719,683
1981 $1,801,193,910 $2,498,190,847
1980 $1,801,156,775 $2,545,808,456
1979 - $2,293,760,511
1978 - $1,947,878,831
1977 - $1,640,746,619
1976 - $1,511,843,235
1975 - $1,356,603,608
1974 - $1,467,417,672
1973 - $1,299,079,410
1972 - $858,761,926
1971 - $717,750,278
1970 - $645,568,215
1969 - $551,263,864
1968 - $485,184,190
1967 - $441,728,183
1966 - $390,992,063
1965 - $344,176,055
1964 - $305,312,049
1963 - $275,968,044
1962 - $261,184,042
1961 - $244,832,039
1960 - $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Malawi and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Papua New Guinea
2024 $523 $3,007
2023 $633 $2,966
2022 $604 $3,102
2021 $617 $2,608
2020 $603 $2,430
2019 $581 $2,576
2018 $533 $2,566
2017 $496 $2,478
2016 $451 $2,316
2015 $540 $2,485
2014 $530 $2,723
2013 $497 $2,561
2012 $558 $2,635
2011 $763 $2,288
2010 $683 $1,867
2009 $626 $1,569
2008 $554 $1,625
2007 $475 $1,371
2006 $441 $1,238
2005 $414 $744
2004 $405 $621
2003 $383 $577
2002 $428 $506
2001 $215.5 $538
2000 $224.2 $636
1999 $233.9 $650
1998 $236 $733
1997 $367 $990
1996 $321 $1,071
1995 $200.4 $998
1994 $169.2 $1,228
1993 $293 $1,151
1992 $258.4 $1,051
1991 $326 $942
1990 $286.7 $826
1989 $252.2 $934
1988 $229.4 $985
1987 $207.6 $865
1986 $217.9 $745
1985 $216.1 $697
1984 $239.7 $750
1983 $252.4 $769
1982 $253.3 $726
1981 $276.4 $781
1980 $287.5 $813
1979 - $748
1978 - $648
1977 - $558
1976 - $525
1975 - $482
1974 - $533
1973 - $483
1972 - $327
1971 - $279.7
1970 - $257.6
1969 - $225.3
1968 - $202.9
1967 - $189
1966 - $171.1
1965 - $153.9
1964 - $139.5
1963 - $128.9
1962 - $124.7
1961 - $119.7
1960 - $115.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Malawi vs. Papua New Guinea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Papua New Guinea
2026 67.9 66.5
2025 67.7 66.4
2024 67.6 66.3
2023 67.4 66.1
2022 66 65.3
2021 64.8 64.4
2020 65.2 65.1
2019 65 65.3
2018 64.5 65.1
2017 63.9 64.9
2016 63.2 64.7
2015 62.3 64.5
2014 61.7 64.2
2013 60.8 63.9
2012 59.9 63.6
2011 58.9 63.4
2010 57.8 63.1
2009 56.7 62.8
2008 55.7 62.5
2007 54.7 62.2
2006 53.7 62
2005 52.5 61.9
2004 51.1 61.8
2003 49.6 61.7
2002 48.2 61.6
2001 47.2 61.6
2000 46.2 61.6
1999 45.1 61.5
1998 44.3 60.4
1997 44.2 61.3
1996 44 61.1
1995 43.8 60.9
1994 43.8 60.7
1993 43.6 60.5
1992 43.6 60.3
1991 43.5 59.9
1990 43.6 59.8
1989 43.5 59.6
1988 43.6 59.4
1987 43.9 59.2
1986 44.3 59
1985 44.6 58.8
1984 44.8 58.6
1983 45 58.3
1982 44.8 58.1
1981 44.7 57.8
1980 44.3 57.4
1979 43.7 57
1978 43 56.5
1977 42 56
1976 41 55.5
1975 40.1 55
1974 39.2 54.4
1973 38.4 53.9
1972 37.6 53.3
1971 37.1 52.6
1970 36.6 52.1
1969 36.3 51.5
1968 36.1 50.9
1967 35.9 50.2
1966 35.8 49.6
1965 35.7 48.9
1964 35.7 48.3
1963 35.6 47.7
1962 35.4 46.7
1961 35.2 46.4
1960 35 45.8
1959 34.8 45.1
1958 34.4 44.6
1957 34.1 43.9
1956 33.8 43.3
1955 33.6 42.6
1954 33.3 42
1953 33.2 41.3
1952 33 40.7
1951 32.8 35.5
1950 32.7 39.4

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Malawi and Papua New Guinea population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Population
Malawi Papua New Guinea
2024 21,655,286 10,576,502
2023 21,104,482 10,389,635
2022 20,568,728 10,203,169
2021 20,047,258 10,012,896
2020 19,533,888 9,815,746
2019 19,025,752 9,609,010
2018 18,528,081 9,394,513
2017 18,039,715 9,178,714
2016 17,557,739 8,961,718
2015 17,085,587 8,743,246
2014 16,621,538 8,523,441
2013 16,161,816 8,302,698
2012 15,709,577 8,081,390
2011 15,265,022 7,859,346
2010 14,826,463 7,633,523
2009 14,395,788 7,406,438
2008 13,976,417 7,183,002
2007 13,576,343 6,963,345
2006 13,198,701 6,747,720
2005 12,840,031 6,535,905
2004 12,500,737 6,328,041
2003 12,181,574 6,123,997
2002 11,880,440 5,924,003
2001 11,593,058 5,728,435
2000 11,315,942 5,537,064
1999 11,047,804 5,349,333
1998 10,792,876 5,166,390
1997 10,562,035 4,987,883
1996 10,352,228 4,813,361
1995 10,150,117 4,644,278
1994 10,164,894 4,480,208
1993 10,284,024 4,320,872
1992 10,135,079 4,166,699
1991 9,844,227 4,021,837
1990 9,545,852 3,896,481
1989 9,176,220 3,796,078
1988 8,753,262 3,711,880
1987 8,293,174 3,632,543
1986 7,906,480 3,554,793
1985 7,620,508 3,478,936
1984 7,332,810 3,405,198
1983 7,051,709 3,333,633
1982 6,778,879 3,264,291
1981 6,516,454 3,197,019
1980 6,265,529 3,131,512
1979 6,028,749 3,067,341
1978 5,810,132 3,003,714
1977 5,614,983 2,940,327
1976 5,443,384 2,877,327
1975 5,287,367 2,814,820
1974 5,141,337 2,752,671
1973 5,003,938 2,690,629
1972 4,874,475 2,628,432
1971 4,751,434 2,566,421
1970 4,633,944 2,505,628
1969 4,521,184 2,446,927
1968 4,411,054 2,390,803
1967 4,303,012 2,337,532
1966 4,197,926 2,285,774
1965 4,096,157 2,235,820
1964 3,997,305 2,188,325
1963 3,900,506 2,141,376
1962 3,806,307 2,093,919
1961 3,715,534 2,046,127
1960 3,628,134 1,995,110

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Malawi and Papua New Guinea

Fertility rate
Malawi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Papua New Guinea
2023 3.65 3.1
2022 3.72 3.17
2021 3.79 3.22
2020 3.88 3.27
2019 3.95 3.32
2018 4.02 3.38
2017 4.11 3.43
2016 4.22 3.5
2015 4.38 3.56
2014 4.57 3.63
2013 4.76 3.68
2012 4.9 3.75
2011 5.08 3.82
2010 5.26 3.88
2009 5.45 3.94
2008 5.61 4.01
2007 5.72 4.08
2006 5.8 4.15
2005 5.85 4.22
2004 5.86 4.28
2003 5.88 4.36
2002 5.9 4.42
2001 5.94 4.47
2000 6 4.53
1999 6.12 4.59
1998 6.21 4.63
1997 6.23 4.68
1996 6.29 4.73
1995 6.39 4.78
1994 6.49 4.87
1993 6.57 4.96
1992 6.63 5.03
1991 6.68 5.11
1990 6.74 5.18
1989 6.8 5.24
1988 6.88 5.3
1987 6.97 5.36
1986 7.07 5.42
1985 7.17 5.47
1984 7.27 5.51
1983 7.36 5.56
1982 7.45 5.59
1981 7.49 5.65
1980 7.52 5.71
1979 7.47 5.79
1978 7.43 5.88
1977 7.41 5.96
1976 7.39 6.02
1975 7.36 6.07
1974 7.34 6.11
1973 7.34 6.16
1972 7.33 6.2
1971 7.31 6.23
1970 7.3 6.25
1969 7.27 6.26
1968 7.26 6.25
1967 7.21 6.24
1966 7.17 6.23
1965 7.13 6.2
1964 7.11 6.19
1963 7.13 6.15
1962 7.1 6.14
1961 7.07 6.07
1960 7.04 6.02

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Malawi and Papua New Guinea demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Papua New Guinea
2024 18.9 23.6
2023 18.7 23.4
2022 18.4 23.2
2021 18.2 23
2020 18 22.8
2019 17.8 22.6
2018 17.6 22.4
2017 17.4 22.2
2016 17.2 22
2015 17.1 21.9
2014 17 21.7
2013 16.9 21.5
2012 16.8 21.3
2011 16.8 21.2
2010 16.7 21
2009 16.7 20.9
2008 16.8 20.7
2007 16.8 20.6
2006 16.8 20.4
2005 16.8 20.3
2004 16.8 20.2
2003 16.8 20
2002 16.8 19.9
2001 16.8 19.9
2000 16.8 19.8
1999 16.7 19.7
1998 16.8 19.6
1997 16.8 19.5
1996 16.8 19.4
1995 16.9 19.2
1994 16.9 19.1
1993 17 19
1992 17.1 18.9
1991 17.2 18.8
1990 17.3 18.7
1989 17.4 18.6
1988 17.5 18.6
1987 17.4 18.5
1986 17.3 18.5
1985 17.3 18.4
1984 17.3 18.3
1983 17.3 18.3
1982 17.3 18.2
1981 17.3 18.1
1980 17.3 18
1979 17.4 17.8
1978 17.4 17.7
1977 17.4 17.5
1976 17.5 17.4
1975 17.5 17.3
1974 17.6 17.2
1973 17.7 17.2
1972 17.8 17.1
1971 17.9 17.2
1970 18 17.3
1969 18.2 17.4
1968 18.3 17.5
1967 18.3 17.6
1966 18.3 17.8
1965 18.4 17.9
1964 18.3 18
1963 18.3 18.1
1962 18.3 18.3
1961 18.3 18.4
1960 18.2 18.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Malawi and Papua New Guinea.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Papua New Guinea
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$30.7B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
20.4%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
0.78%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.31%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-3.23%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
2.69%
2022
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
37.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
54.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
1.9%
2009
Listed domestic companies n/a
6
2016
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$3.9B
2023
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$3.87M
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
39,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
0.04%
2018
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
n/a

Energy

Malawi Papua New Guinea
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
5.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
0.52 tons
2024
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
54.6%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
40%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
35.3%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
20.5%
2023

Society

Malawi Papua New Guinea
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.13%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
-284
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
15.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
51.4:48.6
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
37.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
26
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
30
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
9.4
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
12.6
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
86
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
87.1%
2022
English speaking
3.88%
2023
70.4%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
24.1%
2023

Health

Malawi Papua New Guinea
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$85.2
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$7.28
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
18.2%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
0.06
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
21.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
189
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
40.3
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
21.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
14.1%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
91
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
39.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
1.13 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Papua New Guinea
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.3%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
16,532 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
5,425 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
138,051 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
5,809 mi
2011

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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