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Malawi vs Zimbabwe statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has a population of 21.7M (ranked 62/197), compared with 16.6M in Zimbabwe (ranked 74/197). Malawi's land area is 36,402 sq mi versus 149,364 sq mi for Zimbabwe (ranked 107th vs. 60th).

By GDP, Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B) and Zimbabwe ranks 102/197 ($41.5B). By GDP per capita, Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523), while Zimbabwe ranks 148/197 ($2,497).

Main facts and rankings

Malawi Zimbabwe
Population
22949294
17361868
Population rank 61/197 74/197
GDP
$11.3B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank 151/197 102/197
GDP per capita
$523
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank 194/197 148/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,858
2024
$5,928
2024
Government debt
$9.91B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
87.6%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$458
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank 168/185 121/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,031
2026
$2,897
2026
Land area 36,402 sq mi 149,364 sq mi
Population density
626 ppl/mi²
2026
115.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.65
2023
3.72
2023
Median age
18.9 years
2024
19 years
2024
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
63.6 years
2026

Malawi and Zimbabwe: Comparison Charts

Malawi and Zimbabwe economies compared

GDP
Malawi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP
Malawi Zimbabwe
2024 $11,316,411,329 $41,539,411,516
2023 $13,363,669,673 $35,871,779,681
2022 $12,429,059,928 $40,757,561,709
2021 $12,378,119,199 $41,287,673,690
2020 $11,769,313,598 $31,980,334,561
2019 $11,051,852,713 $33,357,695,635
2018 $9,879,220,354 $34,141,666,667
2017 $8,943,543,794 $51,035,657,371
2016 $7,909,868,618 $20,559,250,000
2015 $9,219,474,379 $19,973,250,000
2014 $8,801,326,169 $19,505,500,000
2013 $8,031,571,928 $19,100,750,000
2012 $8,773,203,178 $17,123,500,000
2011 $11,648,142,958 $14,109,000,000
2010 $10,128,323,011 $12,047,750,000
2009 $9,009,887,947 $9,670,750,000
2008 $7,743,617,352 $4,418,000,000
2007 $6,451,210,219 $5,294,750,000
2006 $5,818,279,739 $5,446,750,000
2005 $5,320,409,651 $5,758,250,000
2004 $5,058,726,350 $5,808,500,000
2003 $4,669,789,300 $5,730,500,000
2002 $5,087,328,438 $6,345,250,000
2001 $2,498,008,665 $6,780,750,000
2000 $2,537,307,580 $6,693,250,000
1999 $2,584,478,924 $6,861,500,000
1998 $2,547,609,590 $6,405,250,000
1997 $3,875,785,863 $8,534,000,000
1996 $3,319,573,750 $8,557,500,000
1995 $2,033,701,498 $7,115,000,000
1994 $1,719,864,761 $6,894,250,000
1993 $3,013,392,658 $6,567,250,000
1992 $2,618,837,835 $6,755,000,000
1991 $3,206,783,830 $8,646,000,000
1990 $2,737,087,862 $8,788,301,546
1989 $2,314,205,130 $8,290,553,535
1988 $2,008,189,508 $7,818,774,177
1987 $1,721,711,808 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,722,586,299 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,646,442,273 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,758,028,656 $6,355,369,172
1983 $1,780,148,049 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,717,379,495 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,801,193,910 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,801,156,775 $6,682,278,300
1979 - $5,180,102,910
1978 - $4,353,822,343
1977 - $4,366,610,469
1976 - $4,320,576,877
1975 - $4,373,532,601
1974 - $3,984,194,614
1973 - $3,311,043,292
1972 - $2,679,096,597
1971 - $2,179,828,710
1970 - $1,885,168,339
1969 - $1,748,891,294
1968 - $1,480,355,355
1967 - $1,397,715,282
1966 - $1,282,403,936
1965 - $1,312,105,394
1964 - $1,217,759,447
1963 - $1,160,103,724
1962 - $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

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

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

Malawi and Zimbabwe economies compared

GDP per capita
Malawi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP per capita
Malawi Zimbabwe
2024 $523 $2,497
2023 $633 $2,195
2022 $604 $2,536
2021 $617 $2,614
2020 $603 $2,060
2019 $581 $2,184
2018 $533 $2,271
2017 $496 $3,445
2016 $451 $1,408
2015 $540 $1,387
2014 $530 $1,373
2013 $497 $1,363
2012 $558 $1,239
2011 $763 $1,038
2010 $683 $902
2009 $626 $736
2008 $554 $341
2007 $475 $414
2006 $441 $431
2005 $414 $461
2004 $405 $470
2003 $383 $468
2002 $428 $525
2001 $215.5 $566
2000 $224.2 $563
1999 $233.9 $582
1998 $236 $552
1997 $367 $751
1996 $321 $767
1995 $200.4 $648
1994 $169.2 $634
1993 $293 $605
1992 $258.4 $631
1991 $326 $831
1990 $286.7 $867
1989 $252.2 $840
1988 $229.4 $816
1987 $207.6 $726
1986 $217.9 $693
1985 $216.1 $649
1984 $239.7 $757
1983 $252.4 $959
1982 $253.3 $1,096
1981 $276.4 $1,069
1980 $287.5 $949
1979 - $779
1978 - $665
1977 - $677
1976 - $687
1975 - $717
1974 - $674
1973 - $579
1972 - $483
1971 - $406
1970 - $361
1969 - $346
1968 - $302
1967 - $294.4
1966 - $278.7
1965 - $294.3
1964 - $281.9
1963 - $277.1
1962 - $275.7
1961 - $279.2
1960 - $276.6

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

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

Malawi vs. Zimbabwe life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Malawi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Malawi Zimbabwe
2026 67.9 63.6
2025 67.7 63.3
2024 67.6 63.1
2023 67.4 62.8
2022 66 62.4
2021 64.8 60.1
2020 65.2 61.5
2019 65 61.1
2018 64.5 60.9
2017 63.9 60.3
2016 63.2 59.8
2015 62.3 59
2014 61.7 58.1
2013 60.8 56.8
2012 59.9 55.4
2011 58.9 53.9
2010 57.8 51.9
2009 56.7 49.7
2008 55.7 48.5
2007 54.7 47.6
2006 53.7 47.1
2005 52.5 46.6
2004 51.1 46
2003 49.6 45.4
2002 48.2 45.9
2001 47.2 44.5
2000 46.2 46
1999 45.1 46.4
1998 44.3 47.6
1997 44.2 48.5
1996 44 49
1995 43.8 51.1
1994 43.8 52.5
1993 43.6 54
1992 43.6 55.6
1991 43.5 57
1990 43.6 58.3
1989 43.5 59.4
1988 43.6 60.2
1987 43.9 60.7
1986 44.3 61
1985 44.6 60.9
1984 44.8 60.6
1983 45 60
1982 44.8 59.9
1981 44.7 59.4
1980 44.3 59.1
1979 43.7 54.9
1978 43 54.7
1977 42 57
1976 41 57.6
1975 40.1 58.2
1974 39.2 58.2
1973 38.4 58.1
1972 37.6 58.2
1971 37.1 58
1970 36.6 57.8
1969 36.3 57.5
1968 36.1 57.1
1967 35.9 56.8
1966 35.8 56.4
1965 35.7 55.9
1964 35.7 55.4
1963 35.6 54.9
1962 35.4 54.5
1961 35.2 54
1960 35 53.5
1959 34.8 53
1958 34.4 52.6
1957 34.1 52.2
1956 33.8 51.8
1955 33.6 51.4
1954 33.3 51
1953 33.2 50.6
1952 33 50.2
1951 32.8 49.8
1950 32.7 49.4

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

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

Malawi and Zimbabwe population clocks and comparison

Population
Malawi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Population
Malawi Zimbabwe
2024 21,655,286 16,634,373
2023 21,104,482 16,340,822
2022 20,568,728 16,069,056
2021 20,047,258 15,797,210
2020 19,533,888 15,526,888
2019 19,025,752 15,271,368
2018 18,528,081 15,034,452
2017 18,039,715 14,812,482
2016 17,557,739 14,600,294
2015 17,085,587 14,399,013
2014 16,621,538 14,207,359
2013 16,161,816 14,013,808
2012 15,709,577 13,817,887
2011 15,265,022 13,595,424
2010 14,826,463 13,356,548
2009 14,395,788 13,142,790
2008 13,976,417 12,959,149
2007 13,576,343 12,804,058
2006 13,198,701 12,636,445
2005 12,840,031 12,483,432
2004 12,500,737 12,365,896
2003 12,181,574 12,232,323
2002 11,880,440 12,087,653
2001 11,593,058 11,971,901
2000 11,315,942 11,892,055
1999 11,047,804 11,783,458
1998 10,792,876 11,594,297
1997 10,562,035 11,369,827
1996 10,352,228 11,158,360
1995 10,150,117 10,974,599
1994 10,164,894 10,873,148
1993 10,284,024 10,860,288
1992 10,135,079 10,702,700
1991 9,844,227 10,404,816
1990 9,545,852 10,137,281
1989 9,176,220 9,864,798
1988 8,753,262 9,583,094
1987 8,293,174 9,284,644
1986 7,906,480 8,982,578
1985 7,620,508 8,686,813
1984 7,332,810 8,391,488
1983 7,051,709 8,098,404
1982 6,778,879 7,796,496
1981 6,516,454 7,498,635
1980 6,265,529 7,041,303
1979 6,028,749 6,647,556
1978 5,810,132 6,543,575
1977 5,614,983 6,449,512
1976 5,443,384 6,287,105
1975 5,287,367 6,098,658
1974 5,141,337 5,908,328
1973 5,003,938 5,720,404
1972 4,874,475 5,542,445
1971 4,751,434 5,374,712
1970 4,633,944 5,215,918
1969 4,521,184 5,058,181
1968 4,411,054 4,900,440
1967 4,303,012 4,748,307
1966 4,197,926 4,601,217
1965 4,096,157 4,458,462
1964 3,997,305 4,320,006
1963 3,900,506 4,185,877
1962 3,806,307 4,055,959
1961 3,715,534 3,930,401
1960 3,628,134 3,809,389

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

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

Fertility rates in Malawi and Zimbabwe

Fertility rate
Malawi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Zimbabwe
2023 3.65 3.72
2022 3.72 3.77
2021 3.79 3.77
2020 3.88 3.75
2019 3.95 3.75
2018 4.02 3.74
2017 4.11 3.77
2016 4.22 3.83
2015 4.38 3.91
2014 4.57 4.01
2013 4.76 4.11
2012 4.9 4.13
2011 5.08 4.13
2010 5.26 4.04
2009 5.45 3.95
2008 5.61 3.78
2007 5.72 3.68
2006 5.8 3.64
2005 5.85 3.69
2004 5.86 3.78
2003 5.88 3.86
2002 5.9 3.93
2001 5.94 3.98
2000 6 4.01
1999 6.12 4.06
1998 6.21 4.07
1997 6.23 4.08
1996 6.29 4.11
1995 6.39 4.15
1994 6.49 4.28
1993 6.57 4.39
1992 6.63 4.57
1991 6.68 4.72
1990 6.74 4.88
1989 6.8 5.07
1988 6.88 5.28
1987 6.97 5.5
1986 7.07 5.69
1985 7.17 5.87
1984 7.27 6.04
1983 7.36 6.2
1982 7.45 6.33
1981 7.49 6.45
1980 7.52 6.52
1979 7.47 6.59
1978 7.43 6.66
1977 7.41 6.71
1976 7.39 6.77
1975 7.36 6.83
1974 7.34 6.88
1973 7.34 6.94
1972 7.33 6.94
1971 7.31 6.94
1970 7.3 6.98
1969 7.27 7.04
1968 7.26 7.11
1967 7.21 7.16
1966 7.17 7.2
1965 7.13 7.23
1964 7.11 7.23
1963 7.13 7.23
1962 7.1 7.23
1961 7.07 7.21
1960 7.04 7.2

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

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

Malawi and Zimbabwe demographics compared

Median age
Malawi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Median age, years
Malawi Zimbabwe
2024 18.9 19
2023 18.7 18.9
2022 18.4 18.7
2021 18.2 18.6
2020 18 18.5
2019 17.8 18.3
2018 17.6 18.2
2017 17.4 18.1
2016 17.2 18
2015 17.1 18
2014 17 18
2013 16.9 18
2012 16.8 18.1
2011 16.8 18.2
2010 16.7 18.3
2009 16.7 18.4
2008 16.8 18.5
2007 16.8 18.5
2006 16.8 18.5
2005 16.8 18.3
2004 16.8 18.3
2003 16.8 18.2
2002 16.8 18.1
2001 16.8 18
2000 16.8 17.8
1999 16.7 17.7
1998 16.8 17.5
1997 16.8 17.2
1996 16.8 16.9
1995 16.9 16.6
1994 16.9 16.4
1993 17 16.3
1992 17.1 16.4
1991 17.2 16.5
1990 17.3 16.3
1989 17.4 16.1
1988 17.5 15.9
1987 17.4 15.9
1986 17.3 15.9
1985 17.3 15.9
1984 17.3 15.8
1983 17.3 15.8
1982 17.3 15.8
1981 17.3 15.7
1980 17.3 15.6
1979 17.4 15.6
1978 17.4 15.7
1977 17.4 15.8
1976 17.5 15.8
1975 17.5 15.9
1974 17.6 15.9
1973 17.7 15.8
1972 17.8 15.8
1971 17.9 15.8
1970 18 15.7
1969 18.2 15.7
1968 18.3 15.7
1967 18.3 15.7
1966 18.3 15.7
1965 18.4 15.7
1964 18.3 15.7
1963 18.3 15.8
1962 18.3 16
1961 18.3 16.2
1960 18.2 16.4

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Malawi Zimbabwe
GNI, Atlas method
$12.3B
2024
$39.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.5%
2024
12.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.75%
2022
0.38%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
0.35%
2024
Armed forces personnel
15,000
2020
51,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-11%
2024
-1.06%
2024
Unemployment rate
15.4%
2024
12.1%
2024
Services, % of GDP
44.2%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
35%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.7
2026
35.2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2019
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2019
1.9%
2019
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00001%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
69
1999
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Total reserves including gold
$594M
2020
$485M
2024
Personal remittances received
$187M
2024
$3.51B
2024
International tourist arrivals
871,000
2018
639,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.68%
2020
1.25%
2020
Banked people share
50.4%
2024
49.5%
2024

Energy

Malawi Zimbabwe
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
417 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$13
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
4.79 megatons
2024
12.9 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.22 tons
2024
0.77 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
45.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
62.9%
2022
82.4%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
7.59%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
17%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
539 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
80.1%
2021
72.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
72.5%
2021
67.6%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
15.6%
2023
62%
2023

Society

Malawi Zimbabwe
% of world population
0.27%
2024
0.2%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,628
2025
-54,555
2025
Urban population
17.3%
2024
39.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
47.7:52.3
2024
Average male height
5.44 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.24 ft
2025
Quality of life index
31.3
2026
27.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
22
2025
Higher education index
26
2026
45
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.79
2012
6.76
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
33.4
2019
41.2
2019
Visa free countries
78
2025
70
2025
Adult literacy rate
68.1%
2022
89.8%
2022
English speaking
3.88%
2023
82.1%
2023
People using the Internet
18%
2023
38.4%
2023

Health

Malawi Zimbabwe
Government health expenditure per capita
$41.3
2023
$62.9
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$4.95
2023
$6.69
2023
Life expectancy
67.9 years
2026
63.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
65.5%
2023
45%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.05
2022
0.14
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.1 years
2025
20.3 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
225
2023
358
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.3
2023
44.2
2023
Obesity rate
7.87%
2022
14.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.7%
2024
1.5%
2024
Air quality index
34
2026
29
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
9.7%
2022
11.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.61 liters
2020
2.67 liters
2020

Territory

Malawi Zimbabwe
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.26%
2026
Land area per capita
1,681 sq mi
2024
8,979 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
23,359 sq mi
2026
62,422 sq mi
2026
Forest area
8,169 sq mi
2026
66,820 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,601 mi
2015
60,439 mi
2019

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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