Photo: Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malawi: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Malawi is placed joint 140th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 59.4 (2025); Labour Income Share 37.07 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint140th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malawi on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
59.4
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Malawi: 59.4. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 82.89 Madagascar
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 73.49 · Tanzania 82.4 · Zambia 58.27
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
5.072
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Malawi: 5.072. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.922 Burundi
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 6.628 · Tanzania 1.572 · Zambia 5.918
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
59.91
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Malawi: 59.91. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 14.88 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 83.68 · Tanzania 83.65 · Zambia 70.17
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi fell from 76.76 in 2000 to 59.4 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 59.40 57.720 2024 59.75 57.694 2023 59.84 58.158 2022 59.90 57.688 2021 59.37 56.066 2020 64.36 55.691 2019 60.13 57.871 2018 60.19 56.911 2017 60.26 56.738 2016 61.96 56.845 2015 63.64 56.788 2014 65.23 56.774 2013 66.77 56.229 2012 68.29 56.289 2011 69.84 56.297 2010 71.16 56.212 2009 72.45 56.255 2008 73.60 57.308 2007 74.70 56.933 2006 75.74 56.685 2005 76.82 56.129 2004 76.80 55.465 2003 76.64 55.630 2002 76.58 55.843 2001 76.61 56.018 2000 76.76 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from 36.69 in 2004 to 37.07 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 37.071 46.230 2024 37.232 46.060 2023 37.209 45.900 2022 37.469 45.615 2021 36.157 45.433 2020 37.154 47.267 2019 36.690 46.277 2018 37.003 46.187 2017 37.083 46.467 2016 37.422 46.798 2015 37.350 46.876 2014 36.701 47.281 2013 36.746 46.887 2012 37.543 46.231 2011 36.843 45.679 2010 36.396 46.024 2009 36.059 47.071 2008 36.210 45.312 2007 35.756 45.246 2006 36.869 45.670 2005 37.188 46.265 2004 36.687 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from 5.045 in 2000 to 5.072 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 5.072 5.08 2024 5.051 5.15 2023 5.009 5.21 2022 5.020 5.34 2021 5.652 6.04 2020 5.720 6.38 2019 4.964 5.36 2018 5.021 5.35 2017 5.046 5.59 2016 5.011 5.90 2015 4.953 6.41 2014 4.967 6.58 2013 4.978 6.71 2012 4.949 6.79 2011 4.829 6.90 2010 4.780 7.04 2009 4.732 6.67 2008 4.796 5.79 2007 4.876 6.00 2006 4.954 6.50 2005 4.935 7.09 2004 4.964 6.80 2003 5.165 6.95 2002 5.248 6.91 2001 5.221 6.96 2000 5.045 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi fell from 62.85 in 2000 to 59.91 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2025 59.91 28.67 2024 59.97 29.04 2023 60.01 29.33 2022 60.06 29.67 2021 60.10 30.01 2020 60.65 30.54 2019 60.69 29.98 2018 60.80 30.15 2017 60.88 29.93 2016 60.95 29.91 2015 61.01 30.26 2014 61.11 30.47 2013 61.26 31.14 2012 61.40 31.00 2011 61.52 31.41 2010 61.76 32.37 2009 62.00 32.59 2008 62.22 31.76 2007 62.45 33.47 2006 62.67 34.27 2005 62.81 34.66 2004 62.87 35.51 2003 62.91 35.90 2002 62.93 35.96 2001 62.89 35.27 2000 62.85 35.67
03In context
Malawi beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Malawi and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tanzania | =29th | 82.4 | 54.19 | 1.572 | 83.65 |
 Mozambique | 66th | 73.49 | 61.84 | 6.628 | 83.68 |
| Malawi | =140th | 59.4 | 37.07 | 5.072 | 59.91 |
 Zambia | 163rd | 58.27 | 25.93 | 5.918 | 70.17 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Malawi in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malawi is ahead of the world, and behind
29 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.171.61▲ Improved since 2015
Malawi: 0.17 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8647.7435.86No earlier reading
Malawi: 47.74 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 9th of 86 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▲ Improved since 2015
Malawi: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.836.94712.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Malawi: 6.947 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 140th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0742.3232.07No earlier reading
Malawi: 42.32 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3658.1853.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Malawi: 58.18 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 59th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6662.5861.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Malawi: 62.58 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 85th of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median13
Statistics on which Malawi does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1613.5119.16No earlier reading
Malawi: 13.51 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 179 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.688.8516.68No earlier reading
Malawi: 8.85 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 110th of 139 · derived.
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.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 985698No real change since 2015
Malawi: 56 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2304,08425,230No real change since 2010
Malawi: 4,084 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 136th of 151 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.162.8822.16No real change since 2015
Malawi: 2.88 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 171st of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3844,56347,384No real change since 2015
Malawi: 4,563 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 161st of 168 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7691.2936.76No earlier reading
Malawi: 91.29 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 5th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88573.064.885No real change since 2015
Malawi: 73.06 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742495.236,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Malawi: 495.23 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 147th of 151 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.91.545.9No earlier reading
Malawi: 1.5 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3139.4214.31▼ Worsened since 2017
Malawi: 39.42 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5649.8212.56No earlier reading
Malawi: 49.82 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 1st of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Malawi: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3864.9814.38No real change since 2015
Malawi: 64.98 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 8th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4554.0813.45Moved since 2013
Malawi: 54.08 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8461.2631.84No real change since 2015
Malawi: 61.26 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 43rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8930.7638.89Moved since 2015
Malawi: 30.76 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 166th of 182 · 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.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5127.6859.51No real change since 2015
Malawi: 27.68 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 173rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.887.34318.88No real change since 2015
Malawi: 7.343 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 175th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.012.39615.01No earlier reading
Malawi: 2.396 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 133rd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Malawi
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2013), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2013), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Low Pay Rate (last 2013). 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
Work & Labour among Malawi’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Malawi’s 10th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Malawi can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Tanzania=29th4/4 keysThis page
Malawi=140th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
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.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Malawi on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Malawi is placed joint 140th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Malawi?
59.4 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Malawi?
37.07 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Malawi compare with Tanzania on work & labour?
Tanzania is placed joint 29th of 182, and Malawi joint 140th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Tanzania 82.4, Malawi 59.4; Labour Income Share: Tanzania 54.19, Malawi 37.07; Unemployment Rate: Tanzania 1.572, Malawi 5.072; Vulnerable Employment: Tanzania 83.65, Malawi 59.91.
How have Malawi’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 76.76 in 2000 to 59.4 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 36.69 in 2004 to 37.07 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 5.045 in 2000 to 5.072 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 62.85 in 2000 to 59.91 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Malawi?
No current reading is published for Malawi on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Low Pay Rate. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 29 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malawi: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malawi/work