Malawi External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Malawi's external debt was $4.0B in 2025, ranked 90th globally. This represents a 5.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Malawi's external debt stood at $4.0B in 2025, a rise of +$217.0M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $4.0B by 2025. Malawi ranked 90th globally.
Malawi’s external debt has expanded dramatically over the 56‑year series, rising from a low of 135,209,089.90 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 3,960,612,293.76 in 2025, placing the country at rank 90 globally. This increase reflects successive borrowing cycles tied to infrastructure projects, climate‑related shocks and fiscal deficits, with debt‑to‑GDP ratios climbing as the economy struggled to generate sufficient foreign exchange earnings. Compared with peers of similar rank, Malawi’s debt level is slightly lower than Mauritania’s 4,021,206,121.67 but higher than Djibouti’s 3,633,240,407.99, indicating a middle‑ground position within the group of low‑income economies facing comparable financing constraints. The steep upward trajectory since the 1970s suggests that without substantial debt‑service relief, diversification of export markets or a boost in domestic revenue, the debt stock is likely to continue its ascent, pressuring fiscal sustainability in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $4.4B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $4.2B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $4.0B | - | - |
| 2025 | $4.0B | +$217.0M | #90 |
| 2024 | $3.7B | +$139.5M | #32 |
| 2023 | $3.6B | +$264.1M | #33 |
| 2022 | $3.3B | +$142.9M | #31 |
| 2021 | $3.2B | +$235.4M | #27 |
| 2020 | $3.0B | +$534.3M | #29 |
| 2019 | $2.4B | +$161.7M | #28 |
| 2018 | $2.3B | +$103.3M | #27 |
| 2017 | $2.2B | +$314.3M | #28 |
| 2016 | $1.8B | +$125.6M | #28 |
| 2015 | $1.7B | +$61.7M | #27 |
| 2014 | $1.7B | +$97.9M | #26 |
| 2013 | $1.6B | +$231.3M | #26 |
| 2012 | $1.3B | +$118.1M | #26 |
| 2011 | $1.2B | +$192.8M | #27 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malawi matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2016. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's external debt was $4.0B in 2025. Ranked 90th globally. This represents a 5.8% increase from the previous year.
Malawi's external debt peaked at $4.0B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Malawi was $135.2M in 1970.
Malawi ranks 90th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malawi's external debt is projected to reach $4.0B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Malawi's external debt was approximately 3.96 billion ($4.0B) in 2025.
The external debt of Malawi in 2025 was $4.0B. This ranks 90th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_external-debt,
title = {Malawi External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}