Malawi: economy and key statistics
Malawi is number 145 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $14.9 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $672. The economy grew by 1.9% in 2025. Unemployment is 5.1%. The economy is 49% services, 30% agriculture, 14% industry. In 311 Institute directories: 7 R&D labs.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Malawi is number 137 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 24.9 out of 100: economic 36, technology 10, military 12 and human capital 53.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $14.9 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $42.2 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $672 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +1.9% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 28.4% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 5.1% | 2025 |
| Population | 22.2 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 8.3 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 49% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 14% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 11% | 2024 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 30% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 11% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 2.3% of GDP | 2024 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 2% | 2024 |
| Internet users | 19% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Main export industries
Malawi exported goods worth about $1.0bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes: $0.6bn (59.5% of goods exports)
- Vegetables and certain roots and tubers: $0.1bn (8.7% of goods exports)
- Coffee, tea, mate and spices: $0.1bn (7.7% of goods exports)
- Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits: $0.0bn (5.0% of goods exports)
- Food industries, residues and wastes thereof: $0.0bn (4.2% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Africa
- South Africa (#40)
- Nigeria (#50)
- Kenya (#62)
- Ethiopia (#67)
- Angola (#69)
- Ghana (#70)
- Côte d'Ivoire (#77)
- DR Congo (#81)
- Tanzania (#83)
- Uganda (#89)
- Sudan (#91)
- Cameroon (#92)
- Zimbabwe (#96)
- Senegal (#108)
- Mali (#114)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Malawi?
Malawi had a GDP of $14.9 billion in 2025, ranking number 145 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Malawi?
GDP per person in Malawi was $672 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Malawi growing?
The economy of Malawi grew by 1.9% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
© 311 Institute 2026. Facts from Wikidata (CC0) and the sources linked on this page. The selection, classification and links are the proprietary work of the 311 Institute, protected by copyright and database rights.