Current Account Balance: Malawi
Malawi's current account balance is currently -16.4 % of GDP as of 2026. # Malawi Current Account Balance Malawi's current account balance stands at -16.
Current (2026)
-16.4 % of GDP
+10.4% y/y
Peak (1998)
-0.1 % of GDP
Low (2024)
-21.9 % of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Current Account Balance — Malawi
1980 — 2026
Current Account Balance — Malawi
Analysis# Malawi Current Account Balance
Malawi's current account balance stands at -16.4% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a persistently weak external position. The deficit has deteriorated dramatically since 1980, declining 90.7% over the period. While 1998 marked the country's near-equilibrium peak at -0.1% of GDP, recent years have pushed the metric toward unsustainable levels, with 2024 recording an all-time low of -21.9%.
The trajectory shifted sharply negative after 2021, when the deficit accelerated from -15.2% to -17.6% by 2022. A modest recovery appears underway, with projections showing improvement from 2024's nadir to -16.4% by 2026. This rebound suggests stabilization efforts may be gaining traction, though the current account remains deeply imbalanced compared to historical norms, signaling continued reliance on external financing to support consumption and investment.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | -10.1 % of GDP | +8.18% |
| 2029 | -11 % of GDP | +12.00% |
| 2028 | -12.5 % of GDP | +11.97% |
| 2027 | -14.2 % of GDP | +13.41% |
| 2026 | -16.4 % of GDP | +10.38% |
| 2025 | -18.3 % of GDP | +16.44% |
| 2024 | -21.9 % of GDP | -26.59% |
| 2023 | -17.3 % of GDP | +1.70% |
| 2022 | -17.6 % of GDP | -15.79% |
| 2021 | -15.2 % of GDP | -10.14% |
| 2020 | -13.8 % of GDP | -9.52% |
| 2019 | -12.6 % of GDP | -5.00% |
| 2018 | -12 % of GDP | +22.58% |
| 2017 | -15.5 % of GDP | -18.32% |
| 2016 | -13.1 % of GDP | -7.38% |
| 2015 | -12.2 % of GDP | -74.29% |
| 2014 | -7 % of GDP | -7.69% |
| 2013 | -6.5 % of GDP | +5.80% |
| 2012 | -6.9 % of GDP | -13.11% |
| 2011 | -6.1 % of GDP | +0.00% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | -6.1 % of GDP | +15.28% |
| 2009 | -7.2 % of GDP | +32.71% |
| 2008 | -10.7 % of GDP | -84.48% |
| 2007 | -5.8 % of GDP | +53.23% |
| 2006 | -12.4 % of GDP | -31.91% |
| 2005 | -9.4 % of GDP | -27.03% |
| 2004 | -7.4 % of GDP | -1.37% |
| 2003 | -7.3 % of GDP | +23.96% |
| 2002 | -9.6 % of GDP | -585.71% |
| 2001 | -1.4 % of GDP | +17.65% |
| 2000 | -1.7 % of GDP | +52.78% |
| 1999 | -3.6 % of GDP | -3500.00% |
| 1998 | -0.1 % of GDP | +97.62% |
| 1997 | -4.2 % of GDP | -61.54% |
| 1996 | -2.6 % of GDP | -13.04% |
| 1995 | -2.3 % of GDP | +62.90% |
| 1994 | -6.2 % of GDP | -87.88% |
| 1993 | -3.3 % of GDP | +49.23% |
| 1992 | -6.5 % of GDP | -54.76% |
| 1991 | -4.2 % of GDP | -110.00% |
| 1990 | -2 % of GDP | -42.86% |
| 1989 | -1.4 % of GDP | +48.15% |
| 1988 | -2.7 % of GDP | -28.57% |
| 1987 | -2.1 % of GDP | +27.59% |
| 1986 | -2.9 % of GDP | +36.96% |
| 1985 | -4.6 % of GDP | -228.57% |
| 1984 | -1.4 % of GDP | +68.18% |
| 1983 | -4.4 % of GDP | -12.82% |
| 1982 | -3.9 % of GDP | +18.75% |
| 1981 | -4.8 % of GDP | +44.19% |
| 1980 | -8.6 % of GDP | — |
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