MWI
Data file updated Jun 27, 2026
Republic of Malawi
Country profile covering economy, demographics, military, quality-of-life signals, and historical trends.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Lilongwe
- Currency
- Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
- Language
- English, Chichewa
- Government
- Presidential republic
- Internet Users
- 17.2%
- Unemployment
- 20.4%
- Smoking (15+)
- 4.8%
Population
20.41M
GDP
$13.17B
GDP per Capita
$645.0
Area
118,484 km²
Life Expectancy
64.3 years
HDI
0.5
Economy
5 metrics| GDP (USD) | $13.17B |
|---|---|
| GDP Per Capita (USD) | $645.0 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 20.4% |
| GINI Index (Income Inequality) | 44.7 |
| Currency | Malawian Kwacha (MWK) |
Trade (Import/Export)
3 metrics| Exports | $1.5B |
|---|---|
| Imports | $4.2B |
| Trade Balance | $-2.7B |
Gold Reserves
1 metrics| Gold Reserves | 0.4 tonnes |
|---|
Society & Demographics
4 metrics| Life Expectancy (years) | 64.3 |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate (%) | 62.1% |
| Internet Users (%) | 17.2% |
| Human Development Index | 0.5 |
Military Strength
9 metrics| Active Personnel | 10,700 |
|---|---|
| Reserve Personnel | 1,500 |
| Total Military Personnel | 12,200 |
| Defense Budget (USD) | $45M |
| Tanks | 0 |
| Armored Vehicles | 20 |
| Self-Propelled Artillery | 0 |
| Towed Artillery | 20 |
| Rocket Projectors | 6 |
Air Force
7 metrics| Total Aircraft | 7 |
|---|---|
| Fighters | 0 |
| Attack Aircraft | 0 |
| Transport Aircraft | 2 |
| Trainer Aircraft | 3 |
| Helicopters | 2 |
| Attack Helicopters | 0 |
Education
4 metrics| Education Expenditure (% of GDP) | 4.7% |
|---|---|
| Universities | 12 |
| Primary Enrollment (%) | 97.8% |
| Secondary Enrollment (%) | 42.1% |
Healthcare
5 metrics| Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP) | 9.3% |
|---|---|
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.0 |
| Hospital Beds per 1,000 people | 1.3 |
| Life Expectancy (Male) | 62.2 |
| Life Expectancy (Female) | 66.5 |
Cost of Living
12 metrics| Cost of Living Index | 24.8 |
|---|---|
| Rent Index | 7.2 |
| Groceries Index | 23.1 |
| Restaurant Price Index | 18.9 |
| Local Purchasing Power | 8.3 |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant (USD) | $2.5 |
| Three-Course Meal for 2 (USD) | $12.0 |
| Monthly Rent - City Center (USD) | $180.0 |
| Monthly Rent - Outside Center (USD) | $85.0 |
| Monthly Utilities (USD) | $35.0 |
| Internet (60 Mbps, USD) | $25.0 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (USD) | $15.0 |
Historical Data
Compare Republic of Malawi
Religious Composition
- Protestant 33.5%
- Other Christian 26.6%
- Catholic 17.2%
- Muslim 13.8%
- Other 4.5%
- None 3.3%
Beverages per Person
- Coffee 0.5 kg/yr
- Tea 0.2 kg/yr
- Beer 5.1 L/yr
- Wine 0.0 L/yr
- Alcohol 1.0 L pure/yr
Per-capita — consumption where available, else FAOSTAT supply · alcohol = litres of pure alcohol (WHO)
Age Demographics
17.8
Median Age