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Malawi vs Rwanda statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 14.3M in Rwanda (ranked 77/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 9,525 sq mi for Rwanda (ranked 107th vs. 146th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Rwanda ranks 144/197 ($14.3B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Rwanda ranks 178/197 ($1,000).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Rwanda
Population
22949294
14975051
Population rank 61/197 77/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 144/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 178/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$3,711
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 157/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$2,194
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 9,525 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
1,563 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
3.7
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
20.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
68.5 years
2026

Malawi and Rwanda: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Rwanda economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Rwanda
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Rwanda
2024 $11,316,411,329 $14,251,642,235
2023 $13,363,669,673 $14,331,722,703
2022 $12,429,059,928 $13,316,161,002
2021 $12,378,119,199 $11,078,787,090
2020 $11,769,313,598 $10,174,386,857
2019 $11,051,852,713 $10,349,300,277
2018 $9,879,220,354 $9,637,904,521
2017 $8,943,543,794 $9,252,833,891
2016 $7,909,868,618 $8,695,272,058
2015 $9,219,474,379 $8,543,760,200
2014 $8,801,326,169 $8,238,966,124
2013 $8,031,571,928 $7,819,964,030
2012 $8,773,203,178 $7,654,761,050
2011 $11,648,142,958 $6,884,913,658
2010 $10,128,323,011 $6,124,756,654
2009 $9,009,887,947 $5,674,476,969
2008 $7,743,617,352 $5,179,854,065
2007 $6,451,210,219 $4,070,507,895
2006 $5,818,279,739 $3,319,784,539
2005 $5,320,409,651 $2,933,819,766
2004 $5,058,726,350 $2,376,496,067
2003 $4,669,789,300 $2,138,237,279
2002 $5,087,328,438 $1,966,003,468
2001 $2,498,008,665 $1,966,600,715
2000 $2,537,307,580 $2,068,836,754
1999 $2,584,478,924 $2,157,108,263
1998 $2,547,609,590 $1,989,343,546
1997 $3,875,785,863 $1,851,558,197
1996 $3,319,573,750 $1,382,334,879
1995 $2,033,701,498 $1,293,535,193
1994 $1,719,864,761 $753,636,370
1993 $3,013,392,658 $1,971,525,712
1992 $2,618,837,835 $2,029,026,962
1991 $3,206,783,830 $1,911,600,237
1990 $2,737,087,862 $2,550,185,679
1989 $2,314,205,130 $2,405,022,593
1988 $2,008,189,508 $2,395,492,687
1987 $1,721,711,808 $2,157,432,668
1986 $1,722,586,299 $1,944,710,684
1985 $1,646,442,273 $1,715,626,331
1984 $1,758,028,656 $1,587,413,084
1983 $1,780,148,049 $1,479,687,587
1982 $1,717,379,495 $1,407,243,139
1981 $1,801,193,910 $1,407,062,527
1980 $1,801,156,775 $1,254,765,642
1979 - $1,109,346,131
1978 - $905,709,076
1977 - $746,650,613
1976 - $637,753,853
1975 - $571,863,500
1974 - $308,458,423
1973 - $290,746,157
1972 - $246,457,838
1971 - $222,952,504
1970 - $219,900,006
1969 - $188,700,037
1968 - $172,200,018
1967 - $159,560,018
1966 - $124,525,703
1965 - $148,799,980
1964 - $129,999,994
1963 - $128,000,000
1962 - $125,000,008
1961 - $122,000,016
1960 - $119,000,024

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

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

Malawi and Rwanda economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Rwanda
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Rwanda
2024 $523 $1,000
2023 $633 $1,027
2022 $604 $975
2021 $617 $830
2020 $603 $779
2019 $581 $810
2018 $533 $772
2017 $496 $758
2016 $451 $730
2015 $540 $734
2014 $530 $725
2013 $497 $705
2012 $558 $707
2011 $763 $651
2010 $683 $594
2009 $626 $564
2008 $554 $528
2007 $475 $426
2006 $441 $357
2005 $414 $324
2004 $405 $269.5
2003 $383 $249
2002 $428 $234
2001 $215.5 $237.3
2000 $224.2 $251.9
1999 $233.9 $264.7
1998 $236 $246.2
1997 $367 $238.7
1996 $321 $206
1995 $200.4 $228
1994 $169.2 $111
1993 $293 $247
1992 $258.4 $264.1
1991 $326 $254
1990 $286.7 $346
1989 $252.2 $335
1988 $229.4 $344
1987 $207.6 $320
1986 $217.9 $297.7
1985 $216.1 $271.6
1984 $239.7 $259.9
1983 $252.4 $250.6
1982 $253.3 $246.4
1981 $276.4 $254.6
1980 $287.5 $234.4
1979 - $213.8
1978 - $179.9
1977 - $152.7
1976 - $134.4
1975 - $124.1
1974 - $68.9
1973 - $66.9
1972 - $58.4
1971 - $54.4
1970 - $55.2
1969 - $48.9
1968 - $46
1967 - $44
1966 - $35.4
1965 - $43.5
1964 - $39
1963 - $39.3
1962 - $39.2
1961 - $39.3
1960 - $39.4

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

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

Malawi vs. Rwanda life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Rwanda
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Rwanda
2026 67.9 68.5
2025 67.7 68.2
2024 67.6 68
2023 67.4 67.8
2022 66 67.5
2021 64.8 66.8
2020 65.2 67
2019 65 66.7
2018 64.5 66.4
2017 63.9 66.1
2016 63.2 65.7
2015 62.3 65.4
2014 61.7 65.1
2013 60.8 64.7
2012 59.9 64.2
2011 58.9 63.5
2010 57.8 62.8
2009 56.7 61.8
2008 55.7 60.6
2007 54.7 59.5
2006 53.7 58.3
2005 52.5 57
2004 51.1 55.5
2003 49.6 53.5
2002 48.2 51.3
2001 47.2 49.5
2000 46.2 47.8
1999 45.1 45.7
1998 44.3 43.1
1997 44.2 42
1996 44 42.5
1995 43.8 41.5
1994 43.8 12.2
1993 43.6 42.9
1992 43.6 44.4
1991 43.5 46.2
1990 43.6 47.8
1989 43.5 49.5
1988 43.6 50.9
1987 43.9 51.5
1986 44.3 51.7
1985 44.6 51.7
1984 44.8 51.4
1983 45 50.9
1982 44.8 50.2
1981 44.7 49.2
1980 44.3 48.1
1979 43.7 47.1
1978 43 46.2
1977 42 45.6
1976 41 45.3
1975 40.1 45.3
1974 39.2 45.6
1973 38.4 45.9
1972 37.6 46.3
1971 37.1 46.8
1970 36.6 47.1
1969 36.3 47.4
1968 36.1 47.7
1967 35.9 48
1966 35.8 48.1
1965 35.7 48.2
1964 35.7 48.1
1963 35.6 44
1962 35.4 47.8
1961 35.2 47.5
1960 35 47
1959 34.8 46.5
1958 34.4 46.1
1957 34.1 45.6
1956 33.8 45.2
1955 33.6 44.8
1954 33.3 44.4
1953 33.2 44.1
1952 33 43.8
1951 32.8 43.5
1950 32.7 43.2

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

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

Malawi and Rwanda population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Rwanda
1x
Year Population
Malawi Rwanda
2024 21,655,286 14,256,567
2023 21,104,482 13,954,471
2022 20,568,728 13,651,030
2021 20,047,258 13,355,260
2020 19,533,888 13,065,837
2019 19,025,752 12,776,103
2018 18,528,081 12,487,996
2017 18,039,715 12,202,060
2016 17,557,739 11,919,183
2015 17,085,587 11,640,022
2014 16,621,538 11,364,757
2013 16,161,816 11,093,340
2012 15,709,577 10,829,901
2011 15,265,022 10,573,733
2010 14,826,463 10,317,553
2009 14,395,788 10,060,432
2008 13,976,417 9,804,269
2007 13,576,343 9,549,933
2006 13,198,701 9,299,246
2005 12,840,031 9,054,528
2004 12,500,737 8,816,844
2003 12,181,574 8,586,875
2002 11,880,440 8,400,180
2001 11,593,058 8,287,094
2000 11,315,942 8,213,931
1999 11,047,804 8,147,912
1998 10,792,876 8,081,681
1997 10,562,035 7,755,238
1996 10,352,228 6,708,764
1995 10,150,117 5,674,118
1994 10,164,894 6,792,352
1993 10,284,024 7,981,132
1992 10,135,079 7,683,266
1991 9,844,227 7,526,966
1990 9,545,852 7,375,307
1989 9,176,220 7,184,706
1988 8,753,262 6,968,071
1987 8,293,174 6,749,493
1986 7,906,480 6,531,881
1985 7,620,508 6,317,228
1984 7,332,810 6,107,627
1983 7,051,709 5,905,311
1982 6,778,879 5,711,549
1981 6,516,454 5,527,230
1980 6,265,529 5,353,259
1979 6,028,749 5,189,541
1978 5,810,132 5,035,171
1977 5,614,983 4,888,240
1976 5,443,384 4,745,954
1975 5,287,367 4,607,728
1974 5,141,337 4,474,228
1973 5,003,938 4,345,047
1972 4,874,475 4,220,335
1971 4,751,434 4,100,044
1970 4,633,944 3,980,669
1969 4,521,184 3,861,271
1968 4,411,054 3,744,010
1967 4,303,012 3,629,577
1966 4,197,926 3,521,626
1965 4,096,157 3,423,210
1964 3,997,305 3,334,834
1963 3,900,506 3,258,890
1962 3,806,307 3,186,025
1961 3,715,534 3,106,779
1960 3,628,134 3,022,294

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

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

Fertility rates in Malawi and Rwanda

Fertility rate
Malawi

Rwanda
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Rwanda
2023 3.65 3.7
2022 3.72 3.78
2021 3.79 3.84
2020 3.88 3.91
2019 3.95 3.99
2018 4.02 4.05
2017 4.11 4.08
2016 4.22 4.11
2015 4.38 4.11
2014 4.57 4.12
2013 4.76 4.14
2012 4.9 4.2
2011 5.08 4.33
2010 5.26 4.52
2009 5.45 4.71
2008 5.61 4.92
2007 5.72 5.14
2006 5.8 5.34
2005 5.85 5.5
2004 5.86 5.64
2003 5.88 5.74
2002 5.9 5.82
2001 5.94 5.89
2000 6 5.97
1999 6.12 6.06
1998 6.21 6.17
1997 6.23 6.24
1996 6.29 6.29
1995 6.39 6.35
1994 6.49 6.42
1993 6.57 6.48
1992 6.63 6.54
1991 6.68 6.62
1990 6.74 6.8
1989 6.8 7.03
1988 6.88 7.23
1987 6.97 7.43
1986 7.07 7.61
1985 7.17 7.79
1984 7.27 7.91
1983 7.36 8
1982 7.45 8.06
1981 7.49 8.1
1980 7.52 8.12
1979 7.47 8.13
1978 7.43 8.16
1977 7.41 8.14
1976 7.39 8.12
1975 7.36 8.1
1974 7.34 8.1
1973 7.34 8.09
1972 7.33 8.09
1971 7.31 8.09
1970 7.3 8.15
1969 7.27 8.18
1968 7.26 8.19
1967 7.21 8.21
1966 7.17 8.23
1965 7.13 8.25
1964 7.11 8.27
1963 7.13 8.27
1962 7.1 8.27
1961 7.07 8.28
1960 7.04 8.28

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

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

Malawi and Rwanda demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Rwanda
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Rwanda
2024 18.9 20.8
2023 18.7 20.5
2022 18.4 20.3
2021 18.2 20
2020 18 19.9
2019 17.8 19.8
2018 17.6 19.7
2017 17.4 19.6
2016 17.2 19.4
2015 17.1 19.3
2014 17 19.1
2013 16.9 19
2012 16.8 18.8
2011 16.8 18.7
2010 16.7 18.5
2009 16.7 18.4
2008 16.8 18.3
2007 16.8 18.1
2006 16.8 18
2005 16.8 17.8
2004 16.8 17.6
2003 16.8 17.4
2002 16.8 17.1
2001 16.8 16.8
2000 16.8 16.3
1999 16.7 15.8
1998 16.8 15.3
1997 16.8 14.8
1996 16.8 14.6
1995 16.9 14.3
1994 16.9 15
1993 17 15.7
1992 17.1 15.6
1991 17.2 15.5
1990 17.3 15.5
1989 17.4 15.5
1988 17.5 15.6
1987 17.4 15.6
1986 17.3 15.7
1985 17.3 15.8
1984 17.3 16
1983 17.3 16.1
1982 17.3 16.2
1981 17.3 16.4
1980 17.3 16.5
1979 17.4 16.5
1978 17.4 16.6
1977 17.4 16.6
1976 17.5 16.5
1975 17.5 16.4
1974 17.6 16.3
1973 17.7 16.2
1972 17.8 16
1971 17.9 15.9
1970 18 15.7
1969 18.2 15.5
1968 18.3 15.3
1967 18.3 15.1
1966 18.3 14.9
1965 18.4 14.8
1964 18.3 14.7
1963 18.3 14.8
1962 18.3 14.9
1961 18.3 15.1
1960 18.2 15.5

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Rwanda
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
28.8%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
4.69%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
1.25%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
35,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-6.57%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
11.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
21%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
56.5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.1%
2023
Listed domestic companies n/a
5
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$2.41B
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$517M
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
1,634,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
11%
2020
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
50%
2017

Energy

Malawi Rwanda
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
373 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$8.31
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
2.31 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
0.16 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
0%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
79.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
0.97%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
10.6%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
68.1 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
61%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
50.3%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
63.9%
2023

Society

Malawi Rwanda
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.18%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
+6,282
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
29.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.45 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.14 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
32.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
58
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
17
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
3.59
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
29.4
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
72
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
78.8%
2022
English speaking
3.88%
2023
15%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
34.2%
2023

Health

Malawi Rwanda
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$52.7
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$2.16
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
68.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
37%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
0.09
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
23 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
229
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
40
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
4.99%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
2.1%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
6
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
14.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
2.87 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Rwanda
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
668 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
7,271 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
1,077 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
2,920 mi
2021

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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