HistoryData

GDP per Capita: Malawi

Malawi's gdp per capita is currently $721.417 as of 2026. # Malawi GDP per Capita Malawi's GDP per capita reached 721.

How to read this figure

GDP per capita measures economic output per person, not personal wealth or living standards. It can be substantially inflated where a large share of output is generated by multinational corporations or by cross-border workers who are not counted in the resident population. Ireland's figure, for example, is raised by multinational profit-shifting — its own statistics office reports a modified measure (GNI*) for this reason — and Luxembourg's by commuters who contribute to GDP but live abroad. For comparing living standards, GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) is more reliable.

Current (2026)
$721.417
+15.9% y/y
Peak (2026)
$721.417
Low (1994)
$278.145
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
19802026 · 51 pts

GDP per CapitaMalawi

19802026

GDP per Capita — Malawi
278.145USD491.056USD703.968USD916.88USD1,129.791USD198019902000201020202030LowPeak
Analysis# Malawi GDP per Capita Malawi's GDP per capita reached 721.417 USD in 2026, marking its all-time peak. The metric has grown 56.7% since 1980, when the country's economy was significantly smaller. The current figure represents a substantial recovery from 1994's low of 278.145 USD, demonstrating long-term economic progress despite persistent development challenges. Recent years reveal volatility alongside growth. A notable dip occurred in 2024 (504.498 USD), interrupting the upward momentum, but 2025-2026 projections show strong recovery, with GDP per capita climbing 43% in just two years. This sharp rebound suggests renewed economic momentum, though sustained growth will depend on continued policy stability and external market conditions.

Historical Data

51 Rows
YearValueChange %
2030$1,129.791+10.51%
2029$1,022.302+10.77%
2028$922.89+12.19%
2027$822.577+14.02%
2026$721.417+15.90%
2025$622.47+23.38%
2024$504.498-14.68%
2023$591.286+4.25%
2022$567.203-2.36%
2021$580.923+2.35%
2020$567.59+4.40%
2019$543.685+8.50%
2018$501.113+7.41%
2017$466.559+12.42%
2016$415.016-16.62%
2015$497.737+2.77%
2014$484.322+8.35%
2013$446.999-11.71%
2012$506.3-27.19%
2011$695.331+11.54%
Show all 51 rows
YearValueChange %
2010$623.414+9.16%
2009$571.113+13.17%
2008$504.65+16.79%
2007$432.115+7.79%
2006$400.898+6.33%
2005$377.042+3.10%
2004$365.696+5.95%
2003$345.163-10.15%
2002$384.137+13.49%
2001$338.478-4.02%
2000$352.65-4.24%
1999$368.272-1.29%
1998$373.078-36.05%
1997$583.417+13.93%
1996$512.064+60.07%
1995$319.894+15.01%
1994$278.145-42.44%
1993$483.263+14.39%
1992$422.469-19.31%
1991$523.591+24.49%
1990$420.593+9.44%
1989$384.328+8.35%
1988$354.718+8.23%
1987$327.758-7.54%
1986$354.471-1.18%
1985$358.713-10.40%
1984$400.328-4.61%
1983$419.657+0.84%
1982$416.18-7.06%
1981$447.79-2.74%
1980$460.392

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