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Malawi vs Sierra Leone statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 8.64M in Sierra Leone (ranked 102/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 27,869 sq mi for Sierra Leone (ranked 107th vs. 116th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 ($6.97B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Sierra Leone ranks 186/197 ($807).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Sierra Leone
Population
22949294
9049533
Population rank 61/197 101/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 160/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 186/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$3,522
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 174/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$2,915
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 27,869 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
323 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
3.79
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
20.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
62.3 years
2026

Malawi and Sierra Leone: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Sierra Leone
2024 $11,316,411,329 $6,971,127,235
2023 $13,363,669,673 $6,415,852,767
2022 $12,429,059,928 $7,121,125,278
2021 $12,378,119,199 $7,166,931,485
2020 $11,769,313,598 $6,688,307,703
2019 $11,051,852,713 $6,523,577,594
2018 $9,879,220,354 $6,390,514,689
2017 $8,943,543,794 $5,749,846,528
2016 $7,909,868,618 $6,084,297,211
2015 $9,219,474,379 $6,788,352,975
2014 $8,801,326,169 $7,686,138,791
2013 $8,031,571,928 $7,502,762,863
2012 $8,773,203,178 $6,141,666,509
2011 $11,648,142,958 $4,861,632,885
2010 $10,128,323,011 $4,262,805,967
2009 $9,009,887,947 $3,953,403,098
2008 $7,743,617,352 $4,157,895,298
2007 $6,451,210,219 $3,632,957,611
2006 $5,818,279,739 $3,263,697,467
2005 $5,320,409,651 $2,545,275,313
2004 $5,058,726,350 $2,237,350,687
2003 $4,669,789,300 $2,142,618,046
2002 $5,087,328,438 $1,933,863,911
2001 $2,498,008,665 $1,681,473,894
2000 $2,537,307,580 $635,866,404
1999 $2,584,478,924 $669,386,624
1998 $2,547,609,590 $672,368,187
1997 $3,875,785,863 $850,232,760
1996 $3,319,573,750 $941,709,423
1995 $2,033,701,498 $870,740,292
1994 $1,719,864,761 $911,853,802
1993 $3,013,392,658 $768,867,883
1992 $2,618,837,835 $679,940,814
1991 $3,206,783,830 $779,981,987
1990 $2,737,087,862 $649,644,098
1989 $2,314,205,130 $932,974,420
1988 $2,008,189,508 $1,055,083,933
1987 $1,721,711,808 $660,106,336
1986 $1,722,586,299 $490,181,457
1985 $1,646,442,273 $856,890,459
1984 $1,758,028,656 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,780,148,049 $995,104,305
1982 $1,717,379,495 $1,295,361,886
1981 $1,801,193,910 $1,114,830,472
1980 $1,801,156,775 $1,100,685,845
1979 - $1,109,374,911
1978 - $960,728,339
1977 - $691,777,584
1976 - $594,895,942
1975 - $679,336,344
1974 - $648,590,643
1973 - $575,230,724
1972 - $465,381,340
1971 - $419,549,305
1970 - $434,410,974
1969 - $408,690,163
1968 - $329,859,732
1967 - $348,795,303
1966 - $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Malawi and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Sierra Leone
2024 $523 $807
2023 $633 $758
2022 $604 $860
2021 $617 $885
2020 $603 $845
2019 $581 $844
2018 $533 $846
2017 $496 $779
2016 $451 $844
2015 $540 $965
2014 $530 $1,118
2013 $497 $1,117
2012 $558 $938
2011 $763 $761
2010 $683 $685
2009 $626 $653
2008 $554 $705
2007 $475 $632
2006 $441 $580
2005 $414 $463
2004 $405 $418
2003 $383 $414
2002 $428 $389
2001 $215.5 $358
2000 $224.2 $143.7
1999 $233.9 $155
1998 $236 $156.5
1997 $367 $199.9
1996 $321 $224.3
1995 $200.4 $208.4
1994 $169.2 $218.5
1993 $293 $185
1992 $258.4 $163.2
1991 $326 $183.7
1990 $286.7 $154.8
1989 $252.2 $231.3
1988 $229.4 $268.2
1987 $207.6 $172.4
1986 $217.9 $131.5
1985 $216.1 $235.5
1984 $239.7 $306
1983 $252.4 $285.8
1982 $253.3 $380
1981 $276.4 $334
1980 $287.5 $336
1979 - $346
1978 - $305
1977 - $224.2
1976 - $196.4
1975 - $228.4
1974 - $222.1
1973 - $200.6
1972 - $165.4
1971 - $151.8
1970 - $160.2
1969 - $153.6
1968 - $126.3
1967 - $136.1
1966 - $149.3
1965 - $145.6
1964 - $153.4
1963 - $146.3
1962 - $146.3
1961 - $142.3
1960 - $142

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Malawi vs. Sierra Leone life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Sierra Leone
2026 67.9 62.3
2025 67.7 62.2
2024 67.6 62
2023 67.4 61.8
2022 66 61.3
2021 64.8 60.3
2020 65.2 59.7
2019 65 59.6
2018 64.5 59.1
2017 63.9 57.8
2016 63.2 56.9
2015 62.3 55.5
2014 61.7 54.3
2013 60.8 54.1
2012 59.9 53.2
2011 58.9 52.6
2010 57.8 51.9
2009 56.7 51.3
2008 55.7 50.7
2007 54.7 50
2006 53.7 49.5
2005 52.5 48.3
2004 51.1 47.5
2003 49.6 46.8
2002 48.2 46.2
2001 47.2 45.4
2000 46.2 44.8
1999 45.1 42
1998 44.3 42.7
1997 44.2 43.6
1996 44 43.5
1995 43.8 42.6
1994 43.8 42.8
1993 43.6 43.4
1992 43.6 43.5
1991 43.5 43.3
1990 43.6 43.7
1989 43.5 43.7
1988 43.6 43.8
1987 43.9 43.7
1986 44.3 43.5
1985 44.6 43.6
1984 44.8 43.6
1983 45 43.5
1982 44.8 43.3
1981 44.7 43.1
1980 44.3 42.8
1979 43.7 42.5
1978 43 42.2
1977 42 41.8
1976 41 41.4
1975 40.1 41
1974 39.2 40.4
1973 38.4 40
1972 37.6 39.5
1971 37.1 39.1
1970 36.6 38.6
1969 36.3 38.2
1968 36.1 37.8
1967 35.9 37.3
1966 35.8 36.6
1965 35.7 35.9
1964 35.7 35.3
1963 35.6 34.7
1962 35.4 34.2
1961 35.2 33.6
1960 35 33.1
1959 34.8 32.6
1958 34.4 32.1
1957 34.1 31.8
1956 33.8 31.3
1955 33.6 30.9
1954 33.3 30.5
1953 33.2 30.1
1952 33 29.7
1951 32.8 29.3
1950 32.7 28.9

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Malawi and Sierra Leone population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Population
Malawi Sierra Leone
2024 21,655,286 8,642,022
2023 21,104,482 8,460,512
2022 20,568,728 8,276,807
2021 20,047,258 8,094,602
2020 19,533,888 7,912,558
2019 19,025,752 7,731,991
2018 18,528,081 7,554,563
2017 18,039,715 7,379,299
2016 17,557,739 7,205,328
2015 17,085,587 7,037,655
2014 16,621,538 6,876,385
2013 16,161,816 6,714,051
2012 15,709,577 6,551,080
2011 15,265,022 6,387,251
2010 14,826,463 6,222,714
2009 14,395,788 6,055,646
2008 13,976,417 5,894,722
2007 13,576,343 5,749,352
2006 13,198,701 5,624,466
2005 12,840,031 5,501,712
2004 12,500,737 5,355,717
2003 12,181,574 5,177,687
2002 11,880,440 4,971,435
2001 11,593,058 4,692,716
2000 11,315,942 4,423,611
1999 11,047,804 4,318,043
1998 10,792,876 4,295,785
1997 10,562,035 4,253,716
1996 10,352,228 4,199,210
1995 10,150,117 4,179,179
1994 10,164,894 4,173,105
1993 10,284,024 4,157,130
1992 10,135,079 4,166,366
1991 9,844,227 4,246,267
1990 9,545,852 4,196,828
1989 9,176,220 4,034,037
1988 8,753,262 3,934,517
1987 8,293,174 3,829,718
1986 7,906,480 3,728,380
1985 7,620,508 3,638,438
1984 7,332,810 3,558,758
1983 7,051,709 3,481,646
1982 6,778,879 3,408,183
1981 6,516,454 3,338,940
1980 6,265,529 3,272,089
1979 6,028,749 3,207,499
1978 5,810,132 3,145,517
1977 5,614,983 3,085,354
1976 5,443,384 3,028,820
1975 5,287,367 2,974,657
1974 5,141,337 2,920,459
1973 5,003,938 2,866,955
1972 4,874,475 2,814,388
1971 4,751,434 2,763,222
1970 4,633,944 2,712,286
1969 4,521,184 2,661,365
1968 4,411,054 2,611,532
1967 4,303,012 2,562,384
1966 4,197,926 2,514,638
1965 4,096,157 2,468,666
1964 3,997,305 2,424,390
1963 3,900,506 2,382,258
1962 3,806,307 2,342,242
1961 3,715,534 2,304,227
1960 3,628,134 2,268,356

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Fertility rates in Malawi and Sierra Leone

Fertility rate
Malawi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Sierra Leone
2023 3.65 3.79
2022 3.72 3.88
2021 3.79 3.98
2020 3.88 4.08
2019 3.95 4.19
2018 4.02 4.29
2017 4.11 4.39
2016 4.22 4.47
2015 4.38 4.55
2014 4.57 4.7
2013 4.76 4.87
2012 4.9 5.06
2011 5.08 5.21
2010 5.26 5.33
2009 5.45 5.45
2008 5.61 5.56
2007 5.72 5.64
2006 5.8 5.74
2005 5.85 5.81
2004 5.86 5.92
2003 5.88 6.09
2002 5.9 6.23
2001 5.94 6.31
2000 6 6.36
1999 6.12 6.42
1998 6.21 6.5
1997 6.23 6.53
1996 6.29 6.55
1995 6.39 6.56
1994 6.49 6.56
1993 6.57 6.57
1992 6.63 6.56
1991 6.68 6.55
1990 6.74 6.57
1989 6.8 6.57
1988 6.88 6.59
1987 6.97 6.61
1986 7.07 6.6
1985 7.17 6.59
1984 7.27 6.59
1983 7.36 6.57
1982 7.45 6.56
1981 7.49 6.55
1980 7.52 6.56
1979 7.47 6.58
1978 7.43 6.59
1977 7.41 6.57
1976 7.39 6.55
1975 7.36 6.55
1974 7.34 6.53
1973 7.34 6.47
1972 7.33 6.45
1971 7.31 6.43
1970 7.3 6.41
1969 7.27 6.39
1968 7.26 6.39
1967 7.21 6.38
1966 7.17 6.35
1965 7.13 6.31
1964 7.11 6.29
1963 7.13 6.26
1962 7.1 6.22
1961 7.07 6.21
1960 7.04 6.18

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Malawi and Sierra Leone demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Sierra Leone
2024 18.9 20.5
2023 18.7 20.3
2022 18.4 20
2021 18.2 19.8
2020 18 19.6
2019 17.8 19.4
2018 17.6 19.2
2017 17.4 19.1
2016 17.2 18.9
2015 17.1 18.7
2014 17 18.6
2013 16.9 18.5
2012 16.8 18.4
2011 16.8 18.3
2010 16.7 18.2
2009 16.7 18.1
2008 16.8 18.1
2007 16.8 18
2006 16.8 18
2005 16.8 18
2004 16.8 17.9
2003 16.8 17.9
2002 16.8 17.9
2001 16.8 18
2000 16.8 18
1999 16.7 18
1998 16.8 18.1
1997 16.8 18.1
1996 16.8 18.2
1995 16.9 18.2
1994 16.9 18.3
1993 17 18.4
1992 17.1 18.4
1991 17.2 18.5
1990 17.3 18.5
1989 17.4 18.6
1988 17.5 18.6
1987 17.4 18.7
1986 17.3 18.7
1985 17.3 18.8
1984 17.3 18.9
1983 17.3 18.9
1982 17.3 19
1981 17.3 19.1
1980 17.3 19.1
1979 17.4 19.2
1978 17.4 19.3
1977 17.4 19.4
1976 17.5 19.5
1975 17.5 19.6
1974 17.6 19.8
1973 17.7 19.9
1972 17.8 20.1
1971 17.9 20.2
1970 18 20.4
1969 18.2 20.6
1968 18.3 20.7
1967 18.3 20.8
1966 18.3 20.9
1965 18.4 20.9
1964 18.3 21
1963 18.3 21
1962 18.3 21.1
1961 18.3 21.1
1960 18.2 21.1

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Malawi and Sierra Leone.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Sierra Leone
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$7.08B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
15.6%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
2.62%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.46%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
9,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-4.53%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
3.19%
2018
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
25.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
49.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.4%
2018
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$433M
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$321M
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
71,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
5.49%
2018
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
38.6%
2024

Energy

Malawi Sierra Leone
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
1.46 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
0.17 tons
2024
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
71.6%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
75.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
70.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
35.5%
2023

Society

Malawi Sierra Leone
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.11%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
-11,309
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
45.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.46 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
29.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
20
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
2.14
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
33
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
66
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
48.6%
2022
English speaking
3.88%
2023
83.5%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
20.6%
2023

Health

Malawi Sierra Leone
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$35.8
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$19.5
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
62.3 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
28.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
0.13
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
19.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
354
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
94.3
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
7.32%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
4.8%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
16
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
12.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
0.29 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Sierra Leone
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
3,225 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
15,247 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
9,559 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
7,270 mi
2015

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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