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Malawi vs Sri Lanka statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 21.9M in Sri Lanka (ranked 61/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 23,884 sq mi for Sri Lanka (ranked 107th vs. 122nd).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Sri Lanka ranks 72/197 ($99B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Sri Lanka ranks 124/197 ($4,516).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Sri Lanka
Population
22949294
22185425
Population rank 61/197 63/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 72/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 124/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$15,633
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 85/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$2,874
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 23,884 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
928 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
1.97
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
34.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
78 years
2026

Malawi and Sri Lanka: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Sri Lanka economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Sri Lanka
2024 $11,316,411,329 $98,963,185,510
2023 $13,363,669,673 $83,716,142,582
2022 $12,429,059,928 $74,143,020,263
2021 $12,378,119,199 $88,556,698,938
2020 $11,769,313,598 $84,335,574,582
2019 $11,051,852,713 $88,998,706,297
2018 $9,879,220,354 $94,450,015,983
2017 $8,943,543,794 $94,369,350,286
2016 $7,909,868,618 $88,000,211,172
2015 $9,219,474,379 $85,090,301,052
2014 $8,801,326,169 $82,531,125,191
2013 $8,031,571,928 $76,976,203,829
2012 $8,773,203,178 $70,447,217,164
2011 $11,648,142,958 $67,753,285,897
2010 $10,128,323,011 $58,636,049,434
2009 $9,009,887,947 $42,066,224,093
2008 $7,743,617,352 $40,713,826,215
2007 $6,451,210,219 $32,350,238,760
2006 $5,818,279,739 $28,267,410,543
2005 $5,320,409,651 $24,405,791,045
2004 $5,058,726,350 $20,662,525,941
2003 $4,669,789,300 $18,881,765,437
2002 $5,087,328,438 $16,536,535,647
2001 $2,498,008,665 $15,749,753,805
2000 $2,537,307,580 $16,595,882,819
1999 $2,584,478,924 $15,711,933,513
1998 $2,547,609,590 $15,760,736,956
1997 $3,875,785,863 $15,091,913,884
1996 $3,319,573,750 $13,897,738,375
1995 $2,033,701,498 $13,029,697,561
1994 $1,719,864,761 $11,717,604,209
1993 $3,013,392,658 $10,338,679,636
1992 $2,618,837,835 $9,703,011,636
1991 $3,206,783,830 $9,000,362,582
1990 $2,737,087,862 $8,032,551,173
1989 $2,314,205,130 $6,987,267,684
1988 $2,008,189,508 $6,978,371,581
1987 $1,721,711,808 $6,682,167,120
1986 $1,722,586,299 $6,405,210,564
1985 $1,646,442,273 $5,978,460,972
1984 $1,758,028,656 $6,043,474,843
1983 $1,780,148,049 $5,167,913,302
1982 $1,717,379,495 $4,768,765,017
1981 $1,801,193,910 $4,415,844,156
1980 $1,801,156,775 $4,024,621,900
1979 - $3,364,611,432
1978 - $2,733,183,857
1977 - $4,104,509,583
1976 - $3,591,319,857
1975 - $3,791,298,146
1974 - $3,574,586,466
1973 - $2,875,625,000
1972 - $2,553,936,348
1971 - $2,369,308,600
1970 - $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Malawi and Sri Lanka economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Sri Lanka
2024 $523 $4,516
2023 $633 $3,799
2022 $604 $3,343
2021 $617 $3,997
2020 $603 $3,848
2019 $581 $4,082
2018 $533 $4,359
2017 $496 $4,399
2016 $451 $4,149
2015 $540 $4,058
2014 $530 $3,972
2013 $497 $3,739
2012 $558 $3,328
2011 $763 $3,225
2010 $683 $2,808
2009 $626 $2,027
2008 $554 $1,974
2007 $475 $1,579
2006 $441 $1,389
2005 $414 $1,207
2004 $405 $1,029
2003 $383 $946
2002 $428 $835
2001 $215.5 $804
2000 $224.2 $860
1999 $233.9 $829
1998 $236 $848
1997 $367 $827
1996 $321 $776
1995 $200.4 $742
1994 $169.2 $678
1993 $293 $607
1992 $258.4 $580
1991 $326 $546
1990 $286.7 $491
1989 $252.2 $430
1988 $229.4 $434
1987 $207.6 $420
1986 $217.9 $407
1985 $216.1 $385
1984 $239.7 $391
1983 $252.4 $336
1982 $253.3 $312
1981 $276.4 $292.5
1980 $287.5 $271.1
1979 - $230.8
1978 - $191
1977 - $292.1
1976 - $260.3
1975 - $279.8
1974 - $268.7
1973 - $220.2
1972 - $199.4
1971 - $188.8
1970 - $186.9
1969 - $163.6
1968 - $153.5
1967 - $162.3
1966 - $156.6
1965 - $155.6
1964 - $122.9
1963 - $119.4
1962 - $141.4
1961 - $145.9
1960 - $145.9

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Malawi vs. Sri Lanka life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Sri Lanka
2026 67.9 78
2025 67.7 77.9
2024 67.6 77.7
2023 67.4 77.5
2022 66 77.3
2021 64.8 76.3
2020 65.2 76.9
2019 65 76.7
2018 64.5 76.5
2017 63.9 76.2
2016 63.2 76.1
2015 62.3 76
2014 61.7 75.8
2013 60.8 75.5
2012 59.9 75.2
2011 58.9 74.7
2010 57.8 74.5
2009 56.7 70.3
2008 55.7 72.6
2007 54.7 73
2006 53.7 72.8
2005 52.5 73.1
2004 51.1 68
2003 49.6 72.4
2002 48.2 72.3
2001 47.2 71.8
2000 46.2 71.2
1999 45.1 70.4
1998 44.3 70.1
1997 44.2 69.9
1996 44 69.8
1995 43.8 69.7
1994 43.8 70.2
1993 43.6 70
1992 43.6 69.6
1991 43.5 69.1
1990 43.6 69.2
1989 43.5 67.3
1988 43.6 69
1987 43.9 69
1986 44.3 69
1985 44.6 68.9
1984 44.8 68.8
1983 45 68.7
1982 44.8 68.7
1981 44.7 68.4
1980 44.3 68
1979 43.7 67.5
1978 43 66.8
1977 42 66.4
1976 41 65.8
1975 40.1 65.4
1974 39.2 65
1973 38.4 64.8
1972 37.6 64.6
1971 37.1 64.2
1970 36.6 64.4
1969 36.3 64.1
1968 36.1 63.9
1967 35.9 63.6
1966 35.8 63.2
1965 35.7 62.8
1964 35.7 62.4
1963 35.6 62
1962 35.4 61.6
1961 35.2 61.2
1960 35 60.6
1959 34.8 60
1958 34.4 59.3
1957 34.1 58.5
1956 33.8 57.9
1955 33.6 57.2
1954 33.3 56.4
1953 33.2 55.6
1952 33 54.9
1951 32.8 54
1950 32.7 53.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Malawi and Sri Lanka population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Population
Malawi Sri Lanka
2024 21,655,286 21,916,000
2023 21,104,482 22,037,000
2022 20,568,728 22,181,000
2021 20,047,258 22,156,000
2020 19,533,888 21,919,000
2019 19,025,752 21,803,000
2018 18,528,081 21,670,000
2017 18,039,715 21,453,000
2016 17,557,739 21,209,000
2015 17,085,587 20,970,000
2014 16,621,538 20,778,000
2013 16,161,816 20,585,000
2012 15,709,577 21,169,458
2011 15,265,022 21,009,048
2010 14,826,463 20,879,089
2009 14,395,788 20,756,435
2008 13,976,417 20,629,378
2007 13,576,343 20,492,545
2006 13,198,701 20,352,411
2005 12,840,031 20,216,524
2004 12,500,737 20,087,605
2003 12,181,574 19,951,521
2002 11,880,440 19,805,752
2001 11,593,058 19,600,362
2000 11,315,942 19,293,054
1999 11,047,804 18,944,731
1998 10,792,876 18,596,003
1997 10,562,035 18,248,200
1996 10,352,228 17,905,018
1995 10,150,117 17,564,068
1994 10,164,894 17,275,773
1993 10,284,024 17,025,918
1992 10,135,079 16,739,284
1991 9,844,227 16,475,354
1990 9,545,852 16,352,458
1989 9,176,220 16,248,557
1988 8,753,262 16,078,621
1987 8,293,174 15,916,576
1986 7,906,480 15,731,256
1985 7,620,508 15,544,154
1984 7,332,810 15,441,860
1983 7,051,709 15,388,794
1982 6,778,879 15,286,567
1981 6,516,454 15,099,414
1980 6,265,529 14,847,974
1979 6,028,749 14,579,614
1978 5,810,132 14,310,128
1977 5,614,983 14,049,371
1976 5,443,384 13,796,770
1975 5,287,367 13,548,984
1974 5,141,337 13,305,693
1973 5,003,938 13,060,916
1972 4,874,475 12,809,205
1971 4,751,434 12,551,910
1970 4,633,944 12,287,110
1969 4,521,184 12,013,858
1968 4,411,054 11,736,088
1967 4,303,012 11,457,328
1966 4,197,926 11,183,928
1965 4,096,157 10,916,965
1964 3,997,305 10,653,397
1963 3,900,506 10,395,040
1962 3,806,307 10,143,754
1961 3,715,534 9,899,372
1960 3,628,134 9,661,389

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Fertility rates in Malawi and Sri Lanka

Fertility rate
Malawi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Sri Lanka
2023 3.65 1.97
2022 3.72 1.98
2021 3.79 2
2020 3.88 2.01
2019 3.95 2.02
2018 4.02 2.03
2017 4.11 2.04
2016 4.22 2.06
2015 4.38 2.09
2014 4.57 2.13
2013 4.76 2.18
2012 4.9 2.17
2011 5.08 2.14
2010 5.26 2.13
2009 5.45 2.18
2008 5.61 2.23
2007 5.72 2.3
2006 5.8 2.29
2005 5.85 2.26
2004 5.86 2.27
2003 5.88 2.3
2002 5.9 2.31
2001 5.94 2.28
2000 6 2.21
1999 6.12 2.14
1998 6.21 2.14
1997 6.23 2.22
1996 6.29 2.29
1995 6.39 2.35
1994 6.49 2.4
1993 6.57 2.44
1992 6.63 2.49
1991 6.68 2.51
1990 6.74 2.54
1989 6.8 2.58
1988 6.88 2.57
1987 6.97 2.64
1986 7.07 2.74
1985 7.17 2.9
1984 7.27 3.01
1983 7.36 3.11
1982 7.45 3.32
1981 7.49 3.65
1980 7.52 3.73
1979 7.47 3.82
1978 7.43 3.81
1977 7.41 3.74
1976 7.39 3.78
1975 7.36 3.82
1974 7.34 3.86
1973 7.34 4
1972 7.33 4.16
1971 7.31 4.27
1970 7.3 4.39
1969 7.27 4.5
1968 7.26 4.66
1967 7.21 4.79
1966 7.17 4.83
1965 7.13 4.93
1964 7.11 5.06
1963 7.13 5.12
1962 7.1 5.18
1961 7.07 5.24
1960 7.04 5.35

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Malawi and Sri Lanka demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Sri Lanka
2024 18.9 34.1
2023 18.7 33.8
2022 18.4 33.6
2021 18.2 33.3
2020 18 33.1
2019 17.8 32.8
2018 17.6 32.5
2017 17.4 32.3
2016 17.2 32
2015 17.1 31.7
2014 17 31.4
2013 16.9 31.1
2012 16.8 30.8
2011 16.8 30.5
2010 16.7 30.2
2009 16.7 29.9
2008 16.8 29.6
2007 16.8 29.3
2006 16.8 29
2005 16.8 28.8
2004 16.8 28.5
2003 16.8 28.2
2002 16.8 27.9
2001 16.8 27.6
2000 16.8 27.2
1999 16.7 26.9
1998 16.8 26.5
1997 16.8 26.2
1996 16.8 25.8
1995 16.9 25.3
1994 16.9 24.9
1993 17 24.6
1992 17.1 24.3
1991 17.2 23.9
1990 17.3 23.6
1989 17.4 23.4
1988 17.5 23.1
1987 17.4 22.8
1986 17.3 22.5
1985 17.3 22.2
1984 17.3 22
1983 17.3 21.9
1982 17.3 21.7
1981 17.3 21.6
1980 17.3 21.5
1979 17.4 21.3
1978 17.4 21.2
1977 17.4 21
1976 17.5 20.9
1975 17.5 20.7
1974 17.6 20.6
1973 17.7 20.4
1972 17.8 20.2
1971 17.9 20.1
1970 18 20
1969 18.2 19.9
1968 18.3 19.8
1967 18.3 19.7
1966 18.3 19.6
1965 18.4 19.5
1964 18.3 19.5
1963 18.3 19.5
1962 18.3 19.5
1961 18.3 19.5
1960 18.2 19.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/malawi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Sri Lanka
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$84.6B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
19.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
1.83%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
1.43%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
317,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-5.64%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
4.67%
2023
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
50.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
3.1%
2019
Listed domestic companies n/a
284
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$6.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$6.72B
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
540,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
8.22%
2020
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
81.7%
2024

Energy

Malawi Sri Lanka
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
474 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$29.9
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
23.3 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
1.06 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
53.9%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
48.8%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
6.72%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
60%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
684 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
49.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
40.8%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Malawi Sri Lanka
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.27%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
-30,724
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
20.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
48.4:51.6
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.52 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.11 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
51.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
35
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
53
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
3.43
2019
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
19.7
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
55
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
92.7%
2023
English speaking
3.88%
2023
18.3%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
51.2%
2023

Health

Malawi Sri Lanka
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$134.2
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$73.6
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
78 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
6.05%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
1.14
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
25.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
18
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
6.1
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
10.9%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
10.2%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
40
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
19.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
2.91 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Sri Lanka
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.04%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
1,090 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
11,610 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
8,122 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
70,894 mi
2010

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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