Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 107th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
22949294
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 61/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$11.3B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 151/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$523
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 194/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,858
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$9.91B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
87.6%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$458
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 168/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$3,031
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 36,402 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
626 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
3.65
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
18.9 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
67.9 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Malawi and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Malawi and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $11,316,411,329 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $13,363,669,673 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $12,429,059,928 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $12,378,119,199 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $11,769,313,598 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $11,051,852,713 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $9,879,220,354 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $8,943,543,794 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $7,909,868,618 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $9,219,474,379 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $8,801,326,169 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $8,031,571,928 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $8,773,203,178 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $11,648,142,958 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $10,128,323,011 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $9,009,887,947 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $7,743,617,352 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $6,451,210,219 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $5,818,279,739 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $5,320,409,651 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $5,058,726,350 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $4,669,789,300 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $5,087,328,438 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $2,498,008,665 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $2,537,307,580 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $2,584,478,924 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $2,547,609,590 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $3,875,785,863 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $3,319,573,750 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $2,033,701,498 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $1,719,864,761 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $3,013,392,658 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $2,618,837,835 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $3,206,783,830 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $2,737,087,862 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $2,314,205,130 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $2,008,189,508 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $1,721,711,808 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $1,722,586,299 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $1,646,442,273 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $1,758,028,656 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $1,780,148,049 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $1,717,379,495 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $1,801,193,910 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $1,801,156,775 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | - | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | - | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | - | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | - | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | - | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | - | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | - | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | - | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | - | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | - | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | - | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | - | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | - | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | - | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | - | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | - | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | - | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | - | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | - | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | - | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-africa | CC BY 
Malawi and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $523 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $633 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $604 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $617 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $603 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $581 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $533 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $496 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $451 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $540 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $530 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $497 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $558 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $763 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $683 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $626 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $554 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $475 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $441 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $414 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $405 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $383 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $428 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $215.5 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $224.2 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $233.9 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $236 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $367 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $321 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $200.4 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $169.2 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $293 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $258.4 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $326 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $286.7 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $252.2 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $229.4 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $207.6 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $217.9 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $216.1 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $239.7 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $252.4 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $253.3 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $276.4 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $287.5 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | - | $2,202 |
| 1978 | - | $1,852 |
| 1977 | - | $1,671 |
| 1976 | - | $1,559 |
| 1975 | - | $1,670 |
| 1974 | - | $1,656 |
| 1973 | - | $1,369 |
| 1972 | - | $1,038 |
| 1971 | - | $1,020 |
| 1970 | - | $952 |
| 1969 | - | $891 |
| 1968 | - | $817 |
| 1967 | - | $779 |
| 1966 | - | $722 |
| 1965 | - | $685 |
| 1964 | - | $646 |
| 1963 | - | $605 |
| 1962 | - | $563 |
| 1961 | - | $546 |
| 1960 | - | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-africa | CC BY
Malawi vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 67.9 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 67.7 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 67.6 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 67.4 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 66 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 64.8 | 62 |
| 2020 | 65.2 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 65 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 64.5 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 63.9 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 63.2 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 62.3 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 61.7 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 60.8 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 59.9 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 58.9 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 57.8 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 56.7 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 55.7 | 56 |
| 2007 | 54.7 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 53.7 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 52.5 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 51.1 | 54 |
| 2003 | 49.6 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 48.2 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 47.2 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 46.2 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 45.1 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 44.3 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 44.2 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 44 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 43.8 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 43.8 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 43.6 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 43.6 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 43.5 | 63 |
| 1990 | 43.6 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 43.5 | 63 |
| 1988 | 43.6 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 43.9 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 44.3 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 44.6 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 44.8 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 45 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 44.8 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 44.7 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 44.3 | 60 |
| 1979 | 43.7 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 43 | 59 |
| 1977 | 42 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 41 | 58 |
| 1975 | 40.1 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 39.2 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 38.4 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 37.6 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 37.1 | 56 |
| 1970 | 36.6 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 36.3 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 36.1 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 35.9 | 55 |
| 1966 | 35.8 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 35.7 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 35.7 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 35.6 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 35.4 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 35.2 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 35 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 34.8 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 34.4 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 34.1 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 33.8 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 33.6 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 33.3 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 33.2 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 33 | 45 |
| 1951 | 32.8 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 32.7 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-africa | CC BY
Malawi and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 21,655,286 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 21,104,482 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 20,568,728 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 20,047,258 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 19,533,888 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 19,025,752 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 18,528,081 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 18,039,715 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 17,557,739 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 17,085,587 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 16,621,538 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 16,161,816 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 15,709,577 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 15,265,022 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 14,826,463 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 14,395,788 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 13,976,417 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 13,576,343 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 13,198,701 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 12,840,031 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 12,500,737 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 12,181,574 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 11,880,440 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 11,593,058 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 11,315,942 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 11,047,804 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 10,792,876 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 10,562,035 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 10,352,228 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 10,150,117 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 10,164,894 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 10,284,024 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 10,135,079 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 9,844,227 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 9,545,852 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 9,176,220 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 8,753,262 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 8,293,174 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 7,906,480 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 7,620,508 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 7,332,810 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 7,051,709 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 6,778,879 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 6,516,454 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 6,265,529 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 6,028,749 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 5,810,132 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 5,614,983 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 5,443,384 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 5,287,367 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 5,141,337 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 5,003,938 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 4,874,475 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 4,751,434 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 4,633,944 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 4,521,184 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 4,411,054 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 4,303,012 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 4,197,926 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 4,096,157 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 3,997,305 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 3,900,506 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 3,806,307 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 3,715,534 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 3,628,134 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Malawi and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 3.65 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 3.72 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 3.79 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 3.88 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 3.95 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 4.02 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 4.11 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 4.22 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 4.38 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 4.57 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 4.76 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 4.9 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 5.08 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 5.26 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 5.45 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 5.61 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 5.72 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 5.8 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 5.85 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 5.86 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 5.88 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 5.9 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 5.94 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 6 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 6.12 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 6.21 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 6.23 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 6.29 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 6.39 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 6.49 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 6.57 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 6.63 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 6.68 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 6.74 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 6.8 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 6.88 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.97 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 7.07 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 7.17 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 7.27 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 7.36 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 7.45 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 7.49 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 7.52 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 7.47 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 7.43 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 7.41 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 7.39 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 7.36 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 7.34 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 7.34 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 7.33 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 7.31 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 7.3 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 7.27 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 7.26 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 7.21 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 7.17 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 7.13 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 7.11 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 7.13 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 7.1 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 7.07 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 7.04 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-africa | CC BY
Malawi and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 18.9 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 18.7 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 18.4 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 18.2 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 18 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 17.8 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 17.6 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 17.4 | 27 |
| 2016 | 17.2 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 17.1 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 17 | 26 |
| 2013 | 16.9 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 16.8 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 16.8 | 25 |
| 2010 | 16.7 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 16.7 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 16.8 | 24 |
| 2007 | 16.8 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 16.8 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 16.8 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 16.8 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 16.8 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 16.8 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 16.8 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 16.8 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 16.7 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 16.8 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 16.8 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 16.8 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 16.9 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 16.9 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.1 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.2 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.3 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.4 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17.5 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 17.4 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17.3 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17.3 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17.3 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17.3 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17.3 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 17.3 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 17.3 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 17.4 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 17.4 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 17.4 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 17.5 | 19 |
| 1975 | 17.5 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 17.6 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 17.7 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 17.8 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 17.9 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 18 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 18.2 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 18.3 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 18.3 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 18.3 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 18.4 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 18.3 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 18.3 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 18.3 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 18.3 | 19 |
| 1960 | 18.2 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Malawi and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$12.3B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
29.5%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.75%
2022 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.02%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
15,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-11%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
15.4%
2024 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
44.2%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
17.1%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
50.7
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31%
2019 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.9%
2019 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$594M
2020 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$187M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
871,000
2018 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
2.68%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
50.4%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita | n/a |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
4.79 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.22 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share | n/a |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
62.9%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
80.1%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
72.5%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
15.6%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.27%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-5,628
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
17.3%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
48.8:51.2
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.44 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.12 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
31.3
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
34
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
26
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
1.79
2012 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
33.4
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
78
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
68.1%
2022 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
3.88%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
18%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$41.3
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$4.95
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
67.9 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
65.5%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.05
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19.1 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
225
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
38.3
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
7.87%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
5.7%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
34
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
9.7%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.61 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Malawi
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.06%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,681 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
23,359 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
8,169 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
9,601 mi
2015 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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