Malawi GDP Per Capita (2026)
Malawi has a developing Southern African economy supported by agriculture, tobacco, tea, sugar, trade, services, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP per capita provides an important measure of how national economic production compares with the country’s growing population and helps track changes in output per resident. Explore Malawi’s latest GDP per capita data, historical trends, development patterns, and economic comparisons below.
GDP Per Capita 2026
$733
Est. in USD
World Rank
#186
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+17.3%
+$108
Africa Rank
#48
Out of 54 countries
1. Malawi GDP Per Capita in 2026
Malawi’s GDP per capita reflects economic output generated for each resident across agriculture, services, trade, and industry. Farming remains central to employment and export earnings, making agricultural performance especially important to the economy. Adjusting total GDP for population provides a clearer basis for comparing Malawi with countries of different sizes and stages of development.
2. Malawi GDP Per Capita Growth (1980–2026)
3. Malawi GDP Per Capita (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $733 | +17.3% |
| 2025 | $625 | +24.0% |
| 2024 | $504 | -14.7% |
| 2023 | $591 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $567 | -2.4% |
| 2021 | $581 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | $568 | +4.4% |
| 2019 | $544 | +8.6% |
| 2018 | $501 | +7.3% |
| 2017 | $467 | +12.5% |
| 2016 | $415 | -16.7% |
| 2015 | $498 | +2.9% |
| 2014 | $484 | +8.3% |
| 2013 | $447 | -11.7% |
| 2012 | $506 | -27.2% |
| 2011 | $695 | +11.6% |
| 2010 | $623 | +9.1% |
| 2009 | $571 | +13.1% |
| 2008 | $505 | +16.9% |
| 2007 | $432 | +7.7% |
| 2006 | $401 | +6.4% |
| 2005 | $377 | +3.0% |
| 2004 | $366 | +6.1% |
| 2003 | $345 | -10.2% |
| 2002 | $384 | +13.6% |
| 2001 | $338 | -4.2% |
| 2000 | $353 | -4.1% |
| 1999 | $368 | -1.3% |
| 1998 | $373 | -36.0% |
| 1997 | $583 | +13.9% |
| 1996 | $512 | +60.0% |
| 1995 | $320 | +15.1% |
| 1994 | $278 | -42.4% |
| 1993 | $483 | +14.5% |
| 1992 | $422 | -19.5% |
| 1991 | $524 | +24.5% |
| 1990 | $421 | +9.6% |
| 1989 | $384 | +8.2% |
| 1988 | $355 | +8.2% |
| 1987 | $328 | -7.3% |
| 1986 | $354 | -1.4% |
| 1985 | $359 | -10.3% |
| 1984 | $400 | -4.8% |
| 1983 | $420 | +1.0% |
| 1982 | $416 | -7.1% |
| 1981 | $448 | -2.6% |
| 1980 | $460 | — |
4. Malawi GDP Per Capita Growth
1-Year Change
+17.3%
(2025 to 2026)
5-Year Change
+26.2%
(2021 to 2026)
10-Year Change
+76.6%
(2016 to 2026)
20-Year Change
+82.8%
(2006 to 2026)
Malawi’s GDP per capita can be influenced by weather conditions, agricultural output, commodity prices, inflation, exchange rates, investment, and population growth. Dependence on agriculture means droughts or weak harvests can significantly affect annual performance. Historical data helps show how output per resident has evolved across periods of expansion, climate stress, and economic adjustment.
5. Malawi GDP Per Capita vs Africa and World
Malawi
$733
Africa Average
$3,302
World Average
$25,179
$0
$12,590
$25,179
USD
Malawi’s GDP per capita is approximately
77.8%
below the
Africa average
and
97.1%
below the world average.
6. Malawi GDP Per Capita Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| #45 | Sudan | $864 |
| #46 | Niger | $822 |
| #47 | Somalia | $813 |
| #48 | Malawi | $733 |
| #49 | Eritrea | $656 |
| #50 | Madagascar | $656 |
| #51 | Mozambique | $632 |
7. GDP vs GDP Per Capita in Malawi
Malawi GDP (Nominal)
$18.2 Billion
(2026)
Malawi GDP Per Capita
$733
(2026)
Malawi’s total GDP captures the complete scale of economic activity generated across the country, while GDP per capita divides that production by population. Total GDP shows the overall size and structure of the economy, whereas GDP per capita provides a population-adjusted measure of production per resident. Both indicators together offer complementary perspectives on development.
Explore more:
Malawi GDP
8. Malawi GDP Per Capita Forecast
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $824 | +12.4% |
| 2028 | $924 | +12.1% |
| 2029 | $1,023 | +10.7% |
| 2030 | $1,133 | +10.8% |
Malawi GDP per capita is projected to reach $1,133 by 2030, representing a 54.6% increase from the 2026 level.
9. Malawi GDP Per Capita: Key Findings
Malawi GDP per capita is estimated at $733 in 2026.
It ranks #186 globally and #48 in Africa.
GDP per capita increased by 17.3% compared with 2025.
Over the last 5 years, GDP per capita grew by 26.2%.
Over the last 10 years, GDP per capita grew by 76.6%.
It is approximately 77.8% below the Africa average.
It is approximately 97.1% below the world average.
The forecast reaches $1,133 by 2030, 54.6% above the 2026 level.
10. What Is GDP Per Capita?
GDP per capita is the total economic output of a country divided by its population.
GDP Per Capita
=
GDP
÷
Population
It helps measure the average economic output per person and is widely used to compare economic performance across countries. Higher values generally indicate greater economic output per resident.
11. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Sources:
World Bank,
United Nations
Population Source:
UN Population Division
Currency:
Current USD (Nominal)
Update Frequency:
Annually
Last Updated:
September 2026
12. Malawi GDP Per Capita FAQs
Malawi GDP per capita is estimated at $733 in 2026.
Malawi ranks #186 globally and #48 in Africa by GDP per capita.
Yes. GDP per capita increased by approximately 17.3% compared with 2025.
Malawi GDP per capita was approximately $498 in 2015.
Malawi GDP per capita is approximately 77.8% below the Africa average.
14. Explore GDP Per Capita
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.