MWI · Sub-Saharan Africa / Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding high income)

Location

GDP per capita: 523 USD (PPP: 1,858 intl$) · Total GDP: 11.3 billion USD (2024)

Income and purchasing power

The average monthly income in Malawi is 48 USD per month. This compares to prices and purchasing power compared to the United States.

Compare cost of living and purchasing power →

Economic performance 2024

Indicator Value Per Capita
GDP 11.32 billion USD 523 USD
Gross National Product (GNI) 570 USD
GDP (PPP) 1,858 intl$

Development of gross domestic product in billions of USD 1980 - 2024

Year GDP (billions USD) GDP per capita (USD)
2024 11.32 523
2023 13.36 633
2022 12.43 604
2021 12.38 617
2020 11.77 603
2019 11.05 581
2018 9.88 533
2017 8.94 496
2016 7.91 451
2015 9.22 540
2014 8.80 530
2013 8.03 497
2012 8.77 558
2011 11.65 763
2010 10.13 683
2009 9.01 626
2008 7.74 554
2007 6.45 475
2006 5.82 441
2005 5.32 414
2004 5.06 405
2003 4.67 383
2002 5.09 428
2001 2.50 215
2000 2.54 224
1999 2.58 234
1998 2.55 236
1997 3.88 367
1996 3.32 321
1995 2.03 200
1994 1.72 169
1993 3.01 293
1992 2.62 258
1991 3.21 326
1990 2.74 287
1989 2.31 252
1988 2.01 229
1987 1.72 208
1986 1.72 218
1985 1.65 216
1984 1.76 240
1983 1.78 252
1982 1.72 253
1981 1.80 276
1980 1.80 287

Largest economic sectors

The main economic sectors in Malawi play a crucial role in the country's economic development and prosperity. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

Primary Sectors

  • Banking and financial services
  • Construction and real estate
  • Manufacturing (metals, steel)
  • Information technology

Supporting Sectors

  • Logistics and transportation
  • Tourism and hospitality
  • Agriculture and food processing
  • Energy and utilities

Note: Detailed sector breakdown data is being collected and will be updated soon.

Imports and Exports 2024

Indicator Malawi Per Capita
Imports 3.53 billion USD (31.2% of GDP)
Exports 1.27 billion USD (11.2% of GDP)

Household debt and deficits 2024

Indicator Malawi
Government debt 6.29 billion USD (55.6% of GDP)
Household debt 1.01 billion USD (8.9% of GDP)

Corruption in Malawi

The Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024 will be displayed here once the data is available. This section will show the country's ranking and trends in corruption perception.

Data source: Transparency International

Unemployment rates in percentages 1991 - 2025

The unemployment rate is calculated as the percentage of unemployed persons in the total labor force. Data source: ILOSTAT

Year Unemployment Rate (%)
2025 5.1%
2024 5.1%
2023 5.0%
2022 5.0%
2021 5.7%
2020 5.7%
2019 5.0%
2018 5.0%
2017 5.0%
2016 5.0%
2015 5.0%
2014 5.0%
2013 5.0%
2012 4.9%
2011 4.8%
2010 4.8%
2009 4.7%
2008 4.8%
2007 4.9%
2006 5.0%
2005 4.9%
2004 5.0%
2003 5.2%
2002 5.2%
2001 5.2%
2000 5.0%
1999 5.0%
1998 4.9%
1997 4.7%
1996 4.9%
1995 4.9%
1994 5.4%
1993 5.0%
1992 5.1%
1991 4.9%

Inflation rates in percentages 1981 - 2024

Year Inflation Rate (%)
2024 32.2%
2023 28.8%
2022 21.0%
2021 9.3%
2020 8.6%
2019 9.4%
2018 12.4%
2017 11.5%
2016 21.7%
2015 21.9%
2014 23.8%
2013 27.3%
2012 21.3%
2011 7.6%
2010 7.4%
2009 8.4%
2008 8.7%
2007 8.0%
2006 14.0%
2005 15.4%
2004 11.4%
2003 9.6%
2002 14.7%
2001 22.7%
2000 29.6%
1999 44.8%
1998 29.7%
1997 9.1%
1996 37.6%
1995 83.3%
1994 34.6%
1993 22.8%
1992 23.8%
1991 12.6%
1990 11.8%
1989 12.4%
1988 33.9%
1987 25.2%
1986 14.0%
1985 10.5%
1984 20.0%
1983 13.5%
1982 9.8%
1981 11.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GDP per capita of Malawi in 2024?

The GDP per capita of Malawi is 523 USD in 2024. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), the GDP per capita is 1,858 international dollars. This indicator measures the economic output per person and is a key metric for comparing economic prosperity across countries.

What are the main industries in Malawi?

The main economic sectors in Malawi include banking and financial services, construction and real estate, manufacturing (metals, steel), and information technology. Supporting sectors include logistics and transportation, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food processing, and energy and utilities. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

What is the inflation rate in Malawi in 2024?

The inflation rate in Malawi is 32.2% in 2024. Inflation measures the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. This data is updated regularly from reliable sources like the World Bank and IMF.

Explore key economic indicators of Malawi including GDP, inflation, unemployment, and trade data. This page provides up-to-date statistics and visual insights based on official international sources such as World Bank, IMF, and ILO.

Our comprehensive database allows you to compare Malawi's economic performance with other countries and understand global economic trends. Access current economic indicators, historical data, and comparative analysis to gain a deeper understanding of Malawi's economic landscape. For demographic data, visit our population statistics section.

Data Sources

All economic data presented on this page is sourced from reputable international organizations and updated regularly.

  • World Bank: GDP, inflation, unemployment, trade, and economic indicators
  • IMF (International Monetary Fund): Economic indicators and financial statistics
  • OECD: Economic and social statistics
  • Transparency International: Corruption perception index
  • Numbeo: Cost of living data

Data is updated monthly. Last update: June 2026