Photo: Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malawi: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Malawi is placed 161st of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 1,623 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 17.95 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
161st
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 1,623GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 17.95Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- -1.007Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 50.37Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malawi on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
1,623
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Malawi: 1,623. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 30,639 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 1,451 · Tanzania 3,821 · Zambia 3,742
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Malawi’s is from 2025 · CC BY 4.0
17.95
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Malawi: 17.95. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 60.79 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 11.15 · Tanzania 16.67 · Zambia 3.108
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
-1.007
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 118th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Malawi: -1.007. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.287 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique -1.227 · Tanzania -0.923 · Zambia -0.67
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
50.37
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Malawi: 50.37. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 90.12 Kenya
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 54.39 · Tanzania 59.83 · Zambia 72.7
02Over time
Which way Malawi is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from 1,239 in 2000 to 1,623 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 1,623.0 17,265 2024 1,634.2 18,108 2023 1,649.3 17,686 2022 1,660.0 16,933 2021 1,687.6 16,260 2020 1,656.4 15,631 2019 1,687.3 16,761 2018 1,638.9 16,349 2017 1,613.1 16,129 2016 1,593.6 15,512 2015 1,597.7 14,857 2014 1,597.6 14,475 2013 1,555.5 14,681 2012 1,518.1 14,631 2011 1,533.2 13,916 2010 1,504.4 14,101 2009 1,449.7 13,655 2008 1,378.4 14,030 2007 1,318.3 13,755 2006 1,237.3 12,983 2005 1,214.7 12,023 2004 1,208.2 11,608 2003 1,176.1 11,183 2002 1,140.8 11,144 2001 1,149.6 10,907 2000 1,239.4 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from -1.487 in 2000 to -1.007 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2024 -1.007 0.1310 2023 -1.256 0.0710 2022 -1.090 0.0580 2021 -1.062 0.0010 2020 -1.437 0.0470 2019 -1.180 0.0300 2018 -1.023 -0.0150 2017 -1.132 0.0080 2016 -1.357 -0.0660 2015 -0.959 -0.0600 2014 -0.846 -0.0190 2013 -1.077 0.0140 2012 -1.183 0.0060 2011 -1.380 -0.0140 2010 -1.115 -0.0020 2009 -1.397 0.0990 2008 -1.406 0.0700 2007 -1.590 -0.0080 2006 -1.270 0.0740 2005 -1.177 0.0510 2004 -1.442 0.0505 2003 -1.562 0.0450 2002 -1.121 0.0100 2001 -1.527 0.0470 2000 -1.487 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from 16.54 in 2011 to 50.37 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2024 50 73 2021 43 74 2017 34 59 2014 18 52 2011 17 37
03In context
Malawi beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Malawi and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Zambia | 140th | 3,742 | 3.108 | -0.67 | 72.7 |
 Tanzania | 141st | 3,821 | 16.67 | -0.923 | 59.83 |
| Malawi | 161st | 1,623 | 17.95 | -1.007 | 50.37 |
 Mozambique | 165th | 1,451 | 11.15 | -1.227 | 54.39 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Malawi in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malawi is ahead of the world, and behind
46 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which Malawi does better than the middle country measured.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06190.08107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Malawi: 190.08 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 1st of 194 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08146.13106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Malawi: 146.13 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 9th of 195 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23135.51106.23▲ Improved since 2012
Malawi: 135.51 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 17th of 195 · derived.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4510.4271.451No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0.427 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 95th of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4236.6625.42▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 36.66 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 55th of 170 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9435.2543.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 35.25 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 75th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.9310.5612.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 10.56 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 65th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median18
Statistics on which Malawi does worse than the middle country measured.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.589-0.093▲ Improved since 2015
Malawi: -0.589 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 145th of 209 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3961.8853.396▼ Worsened since 2015
Malawi: 1.885 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 136th of 186 · derived.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9750.140.975▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 0.14 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 91st of 119 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1924.2240.19▲ Improved since 2020
Malawi: 24.22 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 149th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3944.9252.39No earlier reading
Malawi: 44.92 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 130th of 169 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.15.9316.1▲ Improved since 2013
Malawi: 5.93 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.815841.81No earlier reading
Malawi: 58 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 38th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.539.5127.5▼ Worsened since 2010
Malawi: 39.51 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48611,12446,486▼ Worsened since 2010
Malawi: 11,124 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 150 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5215.9928.52No earlier reading
Malawi: 15.99 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 125th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.1890.485▼ Worsened since 2013
Malawi: 0.189 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 153rd of 170 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.41.43610.4No earlier reading
Malawi: 1.436 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6725.446.67No real change since 2012
Malawi: 25.4 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 183rd of 195 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9525.17701.95No earlier reading
Malawi: 25.17 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 137th of 145 · derived.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2731,56114,273No real change since 2017
Malawi: 1,561 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 98th of 102 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8901,19012,890No real change since 2012
Malawi: 1,190 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 160th of 166 · derived.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,8001,53612,800No real change since 2017
Malawi: 1,536 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 167th of 173 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.836.663.8No earlier reading
Malawi: 36.6 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 95th of 99 by World Energy Council.
No better end21
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.30630.373.306No real change since 2015
Malawi: 30.37 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.57230.036.572Moved since 2015
Malawi: 30.03 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 10th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0484.1262.04Moved since 2017
Malawi: 84.12 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 14th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.5120.306Moved since 2015
Malawi: 0.512 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1784.8267.17Moved since 2014
Malawi: 84.82 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9682.9791.968Moved since 2015
Malawi: 2.979 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7084.2231.708No real change since 2011
Malawi: 4.223 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 75th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2118.2416.21Moved since 2017
Malawi: 18.24 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 51st of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23101.64103.23Moved since 2015
Malawi: 101.64 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2401,2472,240No real change since 2022
Malawi: 1,247 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7228.7541.72Moved since 2017
Malawi: 28.75 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 102nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-0.901-0.225Moved since 2014
Malawi: -0.901 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6023.4219.602Moved since 2015
Malawi: 3.421 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.3430.523Moved since 2013
Malawi: 0.343 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6839.479.68Moved since 2017
Malawi: 39.4 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 119th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9315.7322.93Moved since 2017
Malawi: 15.73 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 115th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2350.0481.235No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0.048 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6514.324.65Moved since 2015
Malawi: 14.3 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 143rd of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95179.37657.95Moved since 2014
Malawi: 179.37 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3410.6536.34Moved since 2017
Malawi: 10.65 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 133rd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.06-1.98922.06No real change since 2017
Malawi: -1.989 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 145th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Malawi
Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2013), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Services Exports (last 2023), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, Gini Index (last 2019), Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 2019), ICT Services Exports (last 2023), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2019), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2019), Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Logistics Performance Index (last 2018), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2024), Merchant Fleet by Country of Ownership, New Business Density (last 2009), Palma Ratio (last 2019), Research and Development Spending (last 2019), Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products (last 2021), Tax Revenue (% of GDP) (last 2023) and Total Factor Productivity Level. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Malawi’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Malawi’s 14th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 22nd of 1864/4 keys
- Energy58th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties88th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 118th of 1944/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 124th of 1844/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 125th of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge141st of 1982/4 keys
- Digital & Technology146th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 140th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital159th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 160th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing182nd of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation161st of 1764/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality150th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Malawi can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Mauritius36th4/4 keysThis page
Malawi161st4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Malawi and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Malawi on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Malawi rank on economy & innovation?
Malawi is placed 161st of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Malawi?
1,623 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Malawi?
17.95 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Malawi compare with Tanzania on economy & innovation?
Tanzania is placed 141st of 176, and Malawi 161st. GDP per Capita (PPP): Tanzania 3,821, Malawi 1,623; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Tanzania 16.67, Malawi 17.95; Economic Complexity Index: Tanzania -0.923, Malawi -1.007; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Tanzania 59.83, Malawi 50.37.
How have Malawi’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 1,239 in 2000 to 1,623 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from -1.487 in 2000 to -1.007 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 16.54 in 2011 to 50.37 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Malawi?
No current reading is published for Malawi on Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Services Exports, Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), ICT Services Exports, Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Logistics Performance Index, Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), Merchant Fleet by Country of Ownership, New Business Density, Palma Ratio, Research and Development Spending, Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All Products, Tax Revenue (% of GDP) and Total Factor Productivity Level. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 46 statistics on this page come from 13 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Malawi’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Malawi (banner) — Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malawi: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malawi/economy