GDP per capita in Malawi
Malawi: GDP per capita was 1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices in 2022. ▲ Rising
Latest (2022)
1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices
Change on year
down 1.7%
World rank
160th
of 166 countries
All-time high
1,211 international-$ in 2011 prices
in 2021
All-time low
417.08 international-$ in 2011 prices
in 1907
Years of data
111
1904–2022
GDP per capita in Malawi, 1904–2022
Source: Bolt and van Zanden – Maddison Project Database 2023 – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2011 prices.
Analysis
In 2022, gdp per capita in Malawi stood at 1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices.
The figure is down 1.7% on the previous year and up 9.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gdp per capita in Malawi peaked at 1,211 international-$ in 2011 prices in 2021 and was at its lowest, 417.08 international-$ in 2011 prices, in 1907.
That places Malawi 160th out of 166 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 111 years of available data.
GDP per capita in Malawi, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2011 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1904 | 424.89 international-$ in 2011 prices | — |
| 1905 | 423.33 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.4% |
| 1906 | 423.33 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.0% |
| 1907 | 417.08 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.5% |
| 1908 | 417.08 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.0% |
| 1909 | 428.02 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.6% |
| 1910 | 424.89 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.7% |
| 1911 | 432.7 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.8% |
| 1912 | 438.95 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.4% |
| 1913 | 487.38 international-$ in 2011 prices | +11.0% |
| 1915 | 492.11 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.0% |
| 1917 | 473 international-$ in 2011 prices | -3.9% |
| 1918 | 447.52 international-$ in 2011 prices | -5.4% |
| 1919 | 437.96 international-$ in 2011 prices | -2.1% |
| 1920 | 430 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.8% |
| 1921 | 426.81 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.7% |
| 1922 | 431.59 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.1% |
| 1923 | 457.07 international-$ in 2011 prices | +5.9% |
| 1924 | 495.3 international-$ in 2011 prices | +8.4% |
| 1925 | 519.18 international-$ in 2011 prices | +4.8% |
| 1926 | 471.41 international-$ in 2011 prices | -9.2% |
| 1927 | 504.85 international-$ in 2011 prices | +7.1% |
| 1928 | 504.85 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.0% |
| 1929 | 504.85 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 512.82 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.6% |
| 1931 | 629.07 international-$ in 2011 prices | +22.7% |
| 1932 | 629.07 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.0% |
| 1933 | 683.22 international-$ in 2011 prices | +8.6% |
| 1934 | 649.78 international-$ in 2011 prices | -4.9% |
| 1935 | 649.78 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.0% |
| 1936 | 684.82 international-$ in 2011 prices | +5.4% |
| 1937 | 694.37 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.4% |
| 1938 | 691.18 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.5% |
| 1939 | 683.22 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.2% |
| 1940 | 686.41 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.5% |
| 1941 | 684.82 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.2% |
| 1948 | 514.41 international-$ in 2011 prices | -24.9% |
| 1949 | 560.59 international-$ in 2011 prices | +9.0% |
| 1950 | 516 international-$ in 2011 prices | -8.0% |
| 1951 | 529 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.5% |
| 1952 | 540 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.1% |
| 1953 | 553 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.4% |
| 1954 | 566 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.4% |
| 1955 | 564 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.4% |
| 1956 | 599 international-$ in 2011 prices | +6.2% |
| 1957 | 610 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.8% |
| 1958 | 618 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.3% |
| 1959 | 626 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 628 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.3% |
| 1961 | 644 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 626 international-$ in 2011 prices | -2.8% |
| 1963 | 599 international-$ in 2011 prices | -4.3% |
| 1964 | 572 international-$ in 2011 prices | -4.5% |
| 1965 | 633 international-$ in 2011 prices | +10.7% |
| 1966 | 679 international-$ in 2011 prices | +7.3% |
| 1967 | 725 international-$ in 2011 prices | +6.8% |
| 1968 | 697 international-$ in 2011 prices | -3.9% |
| 1969 | 722 international-$ in 2011 prices | +3.6% |
| 1970 | 713 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.2% |
| 1971 | 794 international-$ in 2011 prices | +11.4% |
| 1972 | 851 international-$ in 2011 prices | +7.2% |
| 1973 | 896 international-$ in 2011 prices | +5.3% |
| 1974 | 928 international-$ in 2011 prices | +3.6% |
| 1975 | 934 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.6% |
| 1976 | 942 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.9% |
| 1977 | 961 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.0% |
| 1978 | 1,015 international-$ in 2011 prices | +5.6% |
| 1979 | 1,030 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.5% |
| 1980 | 1,004 international-$ in 2011 prices | -2.5% |
| 1981 | 925 international-$ in 2011 prices | -7.9% |
| 1982 | 904 international-$ in 2011 prices | -2.3% |
| 1983 | 913 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.0% |
| 1984 | 925 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.3% |
| 1985 | 966 international-$ in 2011 prices | +4.4% |
| 1986 | 936 international-$ in 2011 prices | -3.1% |
| 1987 | 905 international-$ in 2011 prices | -3.3% |
| 1988 | 872 international-$ in 2011 prices | -3.6% |
| 1989 | 864 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.9% |
| 1990 | 861 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.3% |
| 1991 | 899.98 international-$ in 2011 prices | +4.5% |
| 1992 | 802.93 international-$ in 2011 prices | -10.8% |
| 1993 | 865.76 international-$ in 2011 prices | +7.8% |
| 1994 | 791.55 international-$ in 2011 prices | -8.6% |
| 1995 | 906.88 international-$ in 2011 prices | +14.6% |
| 1996 | 972.82 international-$ in 2011 prices | +7.3% |
| 1997 | 1,006 international-$ in 2011 prices | +3.4% |
| 1998 | 986.03 international-$ in 2011 prices | -2.0% |
| 1999 | 989.84 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 967.09 international-$ in 2011 prices | -2.3% |
| 2001 | 899.23 international-$ in 2011 prices | -7.0% |
| 2002 | 886.2 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.4% |
| 2003 | 905.79 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 922.76 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 920.05 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 929.48 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 982.39 international-$ in 2011 prices | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 1,018 international-$ in 2011 prices | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 1,062 international-$ in 2011 prices | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 1,092 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.8% |
| 2011 | 1,102 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 1,089 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.2% |
| 2013 | 1,113 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.1% |
| 2014 | 1,143 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 1,144 international-$ in 2011 prices | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 1,139 international-$ in 2011 prices | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 1,153 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 1,173 international-$ in 2011 prices | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 1,205 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 1,187 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.6% |
| 2021 | 1,211 international-$ in 2011 prices | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices | -1.7% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices is below the median for low income countries, which is 1,569 international-$ in 2011 prices, 76% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2,395 international-$ in 2011 prices, 50% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 422.29 international-$ in 2011 prices | 417.08 international-$ in 2011 prices | 428.02 international-$ in 2011 prices | 6 |
| 1910s | 454.32 international-$ in 2011 prices | 424.89 international-$ in 2011 prices | 492.11 international-$ in 2011 prices | 8 |
| 1920s | 474.59 international-$ in 2011 prices | 426.81 international-$ in 2011 prices | 519.18 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 1930s | 650.73 international-$ in 2011 prices | 512.82 international-$ in 2011 prices | 694.37 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 1940s | 611.56 international-$ in 2011 prices | 514.41 international-$ in 2011 prices | 686.41 international-$ in 2011 prices | 4 |
| 1950s | 572.1 international-$ in 2011 prices | 516 international-$ in 2011 prices | 626 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 1960s | 652.5 international-$ in 2011 prices | 572 international-$ in 2011 prices | 725 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 1970s | 906.4 international-$ in 2011 prices | 713 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,030 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 1980s | 921.4 international-$ in 2011 prices | 864 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,004 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 1990s | 908.26 international-$ in 2011 prices | 791.55 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,006 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 2000s | 949.28 international-$ in 2011 prices | 886.2 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,062 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,135 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,089 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,205 international-$ in 2011 prices | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,196 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,187 international-$ in 2011 prices | 1,211 international-$ in 2011 prices | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 157 Chad 1,394 international-$ in 2011 prices compare
- 158 Madagascar 1,367 international-$ in 2011 prices compare
- 159 Afghanistan 1,358 international-$ in 2011 prices compare
- 161 Mozambique 1,088 international-$ in 2011 prices compare
- 162 Niger 1,008 international-$ in 2011 prices compare
- 163 Democratic Republic of Congo 844.17 international-$ in 2011 prices compare
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$), annual growth rate -29.8 % change on previous year (2020)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gdp per capita in Malawi?
- Gdp per capita in Malawi was 1,190 international-$ in 2011 prices in 2022, according to Bolt and van Zanden – Maddison Project Database 2023 – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest gdp per capita recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 1,211 international-$ in 2011 prices in 2021.
- What is the lowest gdp per capita recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 417.08 international-$ in 2011 prices in 1907.
- How does Malawi rank for gdp per capita?
- Malawi ranks 160th out of 166 countries with data for 2022.
- Is gdp per capita rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Bolt and van Zanden – Maddison Project Database 2023 – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average economic output per person in a country or region per year. This data is adjusted for inflation and differences in living costs between countries.