Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Malawi
Malawi: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 220.39 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Malawi, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
Malawi recorded 220.39 for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in 2024.
That represents a change of up 3.0% on the previous year and down 63.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Malawi peaked at 812.69 in 2011 and was at its lowest, -28.7, in 1991.
That places Malawi 153rd out of 222 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 23.3 | — |
| 1991 | -28.7 | -223.2% |
| 1992 | -7.1 | -75.3% |
| 1993 | 8 | -212.7% |
| 1994 | 24.99 | +212.4% |
| 1995 | 5.64 | -77.4% |
| 1996 | 15.77 | +179.4% |
| 1997 | 14.9 | -5.5% |
| 1998 | 12.1 | -18.8% |
| 1999 | 58.5 | +383.5% |
| 2000 | 39.63 | -32.3% |
| 2001 | 39.37 | -0.7% |
| 2002 | 38.72 | -1.7% |
| 2003 | 13.26 | -65.7% |
| 2004 | 58.95 | +344.5% |
| 2005 | 99.14 | +68.2% |
| 2006 | 35.56 | -64.1% |
| 2007 | 124.35 | +249.7% |
| 2008 | 195.42 | +57.2% |
| 2009 | 49.13 | -74.9% |
| 2010 | 97.01 | +97.5% |
| 2011 | 812.69 | +737.7% |
| 2012 | -8.89 | -101.1% |
| 2013 | 445.52 | -5113.7% |
| 2014 | 598.74 | +34.4% |
| 2015 | 408.46 | -31.8% |
| 2016 | 115.7 | -71.7% |
| 2017 | 90.2 | -22.0% |
| 2018 | 77.01 | -14.6% |
| 2019 | 55.23 | -28.3% |
| 2020 | 252.18 | +356.6% |
| 2021 | 129.5 | -48.6% |
| 2022 | 198.73 | +53.5% |
| 2023 | 213.96 | +7.7% |
| 2024 | 220.39 | +3.0% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 220.39 is below the median for low income countries, which is 274, 80% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 220.39 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 596.7, 37% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Malawi changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +5113.7% | -8.89 | 445.52 |
| 2011 | +737.7% | 97.01 | 812.69 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12.74 | -28.7 | 58.5 | 10 |
| 2000s | 69.35 | 13.26 | 195.42 | 10 |
| 2010s | 269.17 | -8.89 | 812.69 | 10 |
| 2020s | 202.95 | 129.5 | 252.18 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More economy & growth data for Malawi
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.07 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.6 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 56.42 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.005 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 2.61 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 257.97 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 20.57 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0228 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 11.91 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate -29.8 % change on previous year (2020)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Malawi?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Malawi was 220.39 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 812.69 in 2011.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was -28.7 in 1991.
- How does Malawi rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- Malawi ranks 153rd out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 63.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).