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Malawi vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 107th vs. 105th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi South Korea
Population
22949294
51649918
Population rank 61/197 31/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 151/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Malawi and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Malawi and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Malawi

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Malawi South Korea
2024 $11,316,411,329 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $13,363,669,673 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $12,429,059,928 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $12,378,119,199 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $11,769,313,598 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $11,051,852,713 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $9,879,220,354 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $8,943,543,794 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $7,909,868,618 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $9,219,474,379 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $8,801,326,169 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $8,031,571,928 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $8,773,203,178 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $11,648,142,958 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $10,128,323,011 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $9,009,887,947 $983,065,242,417
2008 $7,743,617,352 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $6,451,210,219 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $5,818,279,739 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $5,320,409,651 $971,740,329,984
2004 $5,058,726,350 $823,251,107,639
2003 $4,669,789,300 $728,516,494,684
2002 $5,087,328,438 $650,014,391,470
2001 $2,498,008,665 $567,564,806,235
2000 $2,537,307,580 $597,487,173,479
1999 $2,584,478,924 $515,697,079,289
1998 $2,547,609,590 $397,297,216,492
1997 $3,875,785,863 $589,202,526,424
1996 $3,319,573,750 $631,196,863,758
1995 $2,033,701,498 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,719,864,761 $479,181,794,217
1993 $3,013,392,658 $405,705,302,846
1992 $2,618,837,835 $366,921,291,825
1991 $3,206,783,830 $340,851,946,804
1990 $2,737,087,862 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,314,205,130 $254,236,243,100
1988 $2,008,189,508 $205,477,530,605
1987 $1,721,711,808 $152,240,393,646
1986 $1,722,586,299 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,646,442,273 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,758,028,656 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,780,148,049 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,717,379,495 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,801,193,910 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,801,156,775 $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-korea | CC BY

Malawi and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi South Korea
2024 $523 $36,239
2023 $633 $35,674
2022 $604 $34,822
2021 $617 $37,518
2020 $603 $33,646
2019 $581 $33,827
2018 $533 $35,364
2017 $496 $33,297
2016 $451 $30,832
2015 $540 $30,172
2014 $530 $30,667
2013 $497 $28,449
2012 $558 $26,601
2011 $763 $26,175
2010 $683 $24,071
2009 $626 $19,937
2008 $554 $22,252
2007 $475 $25,078
2006 $441 $22,610
2005 $414 $20,167
2004 $405 $17,122
2003 $383 $15,212
2002 $428 $13,643
2001 $215.5 $11,981
2000 $224.2 $12,710
1999 $233.9 $11,063
1998 $236 $8,583
1997 $367 $12,822
1996 $321 $13,865
1995 $200.4 $13,002
1994 $169.2 $10,734
1993 $293 $9,180
1992 $258.4 $8,387
1991 $326 $7,873
1990 $286.7 $6,813
1989 $252.2 $5,989
1988 $229.4 $4,889
1987 $207.6 $3,658
1986 $217.9 $2,911
1985 $216.1 $2,543
1984 $239.7 $2,469
1983 $252.4 $2,246
1982 $253.3 $2,032
1981 $276.4 $1,918
1980 $287.5 $1,746
1979 - $1,814
1978 - $1,429
1977 - $1,073
1976 - $847
1975 - $627
1974 - $572
1973 - $412
1972 - $328
1971 - $304
1970 - $281.8
1969 - $245.5
1968 - $200
1967 - $162.5
1966 - $134.4
1965 - $109.4
1964 - $124.2
1963 - $147
1962 - $106.6
1961 - $94.2
1960 - $158.8

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-korea | CC BY

Malawi vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi South Korea
2026 67.9 84.6
2025 67.7 84.5
2024 67.6 84.4
2023 67.4 84.3
2022 66 82.7
2021 64.8 83.9
2020 65.2 83.7
2019 65 83.7
2018 64.5 83.3
2017 63.9 83.3
2016 63.2 82.9
2015 62.3 82.5
2014 61.7 82.4
2013 60.8 81.8
2012 59.9 81.3
2011 58.9 81.2
2010 57.8 80.7
2009 56.7 80.6
2008 55.7 80
2007 54.7 79.4
2006 53.7 79
2005 52.5 78.4
2004 51.1 78
2003 49.6 77.5
2002 48.2 77.2
2001 47.2 76.9
2000 46.2 76.2
1999 45.1 75.6
1998 44.3 75
1997 44.2 74.5
1996 44 74
1995 43.8 73.4
1994 43.8 72.9
1993 43.6 72.7
1992 43.6 72.2
1991 43.5 71.4
1990 43.6 71
1989 43.5 70.7
1988 43.6 70.2
1987 43.9 69.3
1986 44.3 69
1985 44.6 68.4
1984 44.8 68.1
1983 45 66.7
1982 44.8 67.1
1981 44.7 67.1
1980 44.3 64.8
1979 43.7 66.1
1978 43 65
1977 42 64.6
1976 41 65
1975 40.1 64.7
1974 39.2 64.2
1973 38.4 63.8
1972 37.6 63.2
1971 37.1 62.7
1970 36.6 62.2
1969 36.3 61.4
1968 36.1 60.9
1967 35.9 60.9
1966 35.8 55.4
1965 35.7 55.8
1964 35.7 55.3
1963 35.6 55
1962 35.4 55
1961 35.2 54.4
1960 35 53.8
1959 34.8 52.9
1958 34.4 51.8
1957 34.1 51.6
1956 33.8 50.2
1955 33.6 48.4
1954 33.3 46.1
1953 33.2 40.5
1952 33 36.6
1951 32.8 26.6
1950 32.7 22.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-korea | CC BY

Malawi and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Malawi South Korea
2024 21,655,286 51,751,065
2023 21,104,482 51,712,619
2022 20,568,728 51,672,569
2021 20,047,258 51,769,539
2020 19,533,888 51,836,239
2019 19,025,752 51,764,822
2018 18,528,081 51,585,058
2017 18,039,715 51,361,911
2016 17,557,739 51,217,803
2015 17,085,587 51,014,947
2014 16,621,538 50,746,659
2013 16,161,816 50,428,893
2012 15,709,577 50,199,853
2011 15,265,022 49,936,638
2010 14,826,463 49,554,112
2009 14,395,788 49,307,835
2008 13,976,417 49,054,708
2007 13,576,343 48,683,638
2006 13,198,701 48,438,292
2005 12,840,031 48,184,561
2004 12,500,737 48,082,519
2003 12,181,574 47,892,330
2002 11,880,440 47,644,736
2001 11,593,058 47,370,164
2000 11,315,942 47,008,111
1999 11,047,804 46,616,677
1998 10,792,876 46,286,503
1997 10,562,035 45,953,580
1996 10,352,228 45,524,681
1995 10,150,117 45,092,991
1994 10,164,894 44,641,540
1993 10,284,024 44,194,628
1992 10,135,079 43,747,962
1991 9,844,227 43,295,704
1990 9,545,852 42,869,283
1989 9,176,220 42,449,038
1988 8,753,262 42,031,247
1987 8,293,174 41,621,690
1986 7,906,480 41,213,674
1985 7,620,508 40,805,744
1984 7,332,810 40,405,956
1983 7,051,709 39,910,403
1982 6,778,879 39,326,352
1981 6,516,454 38,723,248
1980 6,265,529 38,123,775
1979 6,028,749 37,534,236
1978 5,810,132 36,969,185
1977 5,614,983 36,411,795
1976 5,443,384 35,848,523
1975 5,287,367 35,280,725
1974 5,141,337 34,692,266
1973 5,003,938 34,103,149
1972 4,874,475 33,505,406
1971 4,751,434 32,882,704
1970 4,633,944 32,240,827
1969 4,521,184 31,544,266
1968 4,411,054 30,838,302
1967 4,303,012 30,130,983
1966 4,197,926 29,435,571
1965 4,096,157 28,704,674
1964 3,997,305 27,984,155
1963 3,900,506 27,261,747
1962 3,806,307 26,513,030
1961 3,715,534 25,765,673
1960 3,628,134 25,012,374

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Malawi and South Korea

Fertility rate
Malawi

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi South Korea
2023 3.65 0.72
2022 3.72 0.78
2021 3.79 0.81
2020 3.88 0.84
2019 3.95 0.92
2018 4.02 0.98
2017 4.11 1.05
2016 4.22 1.17
2015 4.38 1.24
2014 4.57 1.21
2013 4.76 1.19
2012 4.9 1.3
2011 5.08 1.24
2010 5.26 1.23
2009 5.45 1.15
2008 5.61 1.19
2007 5.72 1.26
2006 5.8 1.13
2005 5.85 1.09
2004 5.86 1.16
2003 5.88 1.19
2002 5.9 1.18
2001 5.94 1.31
2000 6 1.48
1999 6.12 1.43
1998 6.21 1.46
1997 6.23 1.54
1996 6.29 1.57
1995 6.39 1.63
1994 6.49 1.66
1993 6.57 1.65
1992 6.63 1.76
1991 6.68 1.71
1990 6.74 1.57
1989 6.8 1.56
1988 6.88 1.55
1987 6.97 1.53
1986 7.07 1.58
1985 7.17 1.66
1984 7.27 1.74
1983 7.36 2.06
1982 7.45 2.39
1981 7.49 2.57
1980 7.52 2.82
1979 7.47 2.9
1978 7.43 2.64
1977 7.41 2.99
1976 7.39 3
1975 7.36 3.43
1974 7.34 3.77
1973 7.34 4.07
1972 7.33 4.12
1971 7.31 4.54
1970 7.3 4.53
1969 7.27 4.45
1968 7.26 4.51
1967 7.21 4.62
1966 7.17 4.78
1965 7.13 4.89
1964 7.11 5.07
1963 7.13 5.33
1962 7.1 5.56
1961 7.07 5.8
1960 7.04 5.99

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-korea | CC BY

Malawi and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi South Korea
2024 18.9 46.1
2023 18.7 45.5
2022 18.4 44.9
2021 18.2 44.4
2020 18 43.8
2019 17.8 43.1
2018 17.6 42.5
2017 17.4 41.9
2016 17.2 41.4
2015 17.1 40.8
2014 17 40.2
2013 16.9 39.5
2012 16.8 38.8
2011 16.8 38.2
2010 16.7 37.6
2009 16.7 37
2008 16.8 36.4
2007 16.8 35.8
2006 16.8 35.2
2005 16.8 34.5
2004 16.8 33.9
2003 16.8 33.4
2002 16.8 32.8
2001 16.8 32.3
2000 16.8 31.7
1999 16.7 31.2
1998 16.8 30.7
1997 16.8 30.2
1996 16.8 29.8
1995 16.9 29.4
1994 16.9 28.9
1993 17 28.3
1992 17.1 27.8
1991 17.2 27.2
1990 17.3 26.7
1989 17.4 26.3
1988 17.5 25.8
1987 17.4 25.3
1986 17.3 24.8
1985 17.3 24.2
1984 17.3 23.7
1983 17.3 23.3
1982 17.3 22.8
1981 17.3 22.5
1980 17.3 22.1
1979 17.4 21.6
1978 17.4 21.1
1977 17.4 20.7
1976 17.5 20.2
1975 17.5 19.9
1974 17.6 19.6
1973 17.7 19.3
1972 17.8 19.1
1971 17.9 19
1970 18 18.9
1969 18.2 18.8
1968 18.3 18.7
1967 18.3 18.6
1966 18.3 18.5
1965 18.4 18.6
1964 18.3 18.8
1963 18.3 19
1962 18.3 19.1
1961 18.3 19.2
1960 18.2 19.3

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/south-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
96.9%
2024

Energy

Malawi South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Malawi South Korea
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
63
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
98.8%
2018
English speaking
3.88%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
18%
2023
97.9%
2024

Health

Malawi South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi South Korea
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
68,794 mi
2018

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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