Malawi Debt Service
Total debt service as % of exports DT.TDS.DECT.EX.ZS
Malawi's debt service was 11.45% in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 8.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1977–2025.
Overview
Malawi's debt service stood at 11.45% in 2025, a rise of +0.89% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 11.45% by 2025. Malawi ranked 61st globally.
Malawi’s debt‑service burden, measured as the share of exports devoted to external debt payments, has risen sharply since the early 2000s, reaching 11.45 % of exports in 2025, which places the country 61st globally. This level is markedly higher than the all‑time trough of 1.42 % recorded in 2011, but remains far below the all‑time peak of 53.70 % experienced in 1986, a period characterised by severe external shocks and limited fiscal capacity. Over the 49‑year series, the indicator shows a long‑term upward trajectory, mirroring the experience of peer economies such as Paraguay (11.91 % in 2025) and Nepal (12.02 % in 2025), which also contend with modest export bases and growing external obligations. The recent increase reflects tighter external financing conditions and higher interest rates, while export growth has been uneven. Continued diversification of export markets and prudent debt management could temper the upward pressure, suggesting that the debt‑service ratio may stabilise or modestly decline if reforms take hold.
Data & projection
| Year | Debt Service | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 13.23% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 12.34% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 11.45% | - | - |
| 2025 | 11.45% | +0.89% | #61 |
| 2024 | 10.56% | +0.85% | #45 |
| 2023 | 9.71% | +0.56% | #38 |
| 2022 | 9.14% | +2.13% | #41 |
| 2021 | 7.02% | −0.43% | #27 |
| 2020 | 7.45% | +0.83% | #27 |
| 2019 | 6.62% | −0.61% | #28 |
| 2018 | 7.23% | +0.71% | #35 |
| 2017 | 6.52% | +0.13% | #36 |
| 2016 | 6.39% | +0.81% | #36 |
| 2015 | 5.57% | +1.47% | #33 |
| 2014 | 4.11% | +0.96% | #28 |
| 2013 | 3.14% | +1.09% | #25 |
| 2012 | 2.06% | +0.64% | #17 |
| 2011 | 1.42% | −0.27% | #10 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malawi matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2016. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw debt service improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's debt service was 11.45% in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 8.4% increase from the previous year.
Malawi's debt service peaked at 53.70% in 1986.
The lowest debt service in Malawi was 1.42% in 2011.
Malawi ranks 61st globally in debt service as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.TDS.DECT.EX.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malawi's debt service is projected to reach 11.45% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The debt service of Malawi in 2025 was 11.45%. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_debt-service,
title = {Malawi Debt Service},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/debt-service/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}