Malawi Government Debt to GDP
General government gross debt as % of GDP GGXWDG_NGDP
Malawi's government debt to gdp was 80.42% in 2025, ranked 37th globally. This represents a 8.2% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2002–2025.
Overview
Malawi's government debt to gdp stood at 80.42% in 2025, a decline of +7.16% from 2024. The IMF projects 80.42% by 2025. Malawi ranked 37th globally.
Malawi’s general government debt ratio fell dramatically from its 2002 peak of 101.50 % of GDP to a historic low of 17.91 % in 2006, before rising again to 80.42 % in 2025, placing it 37th in the world. The steep decline in the mid‑2000s reflected fiscal consolidation and limited external borrowing, while the subsequent increase mirrors broader sub‑Saharan trends of higher public spending and debt‑financing for infrastructure and social programmes. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Malawi’s 2025 debt level is close to Tunisia’s 80.62 % and slightly above Argentina’s 78.84 %, indicating a convergence with other emerging economies that have pursued expansive fiscal policies. The 24‑year series shows that the debt trajectory is now on an upward path, and future movements will depend on the government’s ability to balance growth‑stimulating investment with prudent debt management, especially as external financing conditions evolve.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Debt to GDP | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 78.77% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 78.18% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 77.18% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 77.49% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 78.26% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 80.42% | - | - |
| 2025 | 80.42% | −7.16% | #37 |
| 2024 | 87.58% | +0.88% | #156 |
| 2023 | 86.70% | +11.00% | #157 |
| 2022 | 75.70% | +9.15% | #139 |
| 2021 | 66.55% | +12.69% | #112 |
| 2020 | 53.86% | +12.67% | #86 |
| 2019 | 41.19% | +0.38% | #72 |
| 2018 | 40.81% | +0.83% | #71 |
| 2017 | 39.98% | +2.90% | #66 |
| 2016 | 37.08% | +1.63% | #57 |
| 2015 | 35.46% | +1.94% | #62 |
| 2014 | 33.52% | −1.83% | #68 |
| 2013 | 35.35% | +6.74% | #82 |
| 2012 | 28.61% | +8.62% | #65 |
| 2011 | 19.98% | +0.67% | #35 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malawi matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2016. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw government debt to gdp improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's government debt to gdp was 80.42% in 2025. Ranked 37th globally. This represents a 8.2% decrease from the previous year.
Malawi's government debt to gdp peaked at 101.51% in 2002.
The lowest government debt to gdp in Malawi was 17.91% in 2006.
Malawi ranks 37th globally in government debt to gdp as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXWDG_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Malawi's government debt to gdp is projected to reach 80.42% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The government debt to gdp of Malawi in 2025 was 80.42%. This ranks 37th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_government-debt-to-gdp,
title = {Malawi Government Debt to GDP},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/government-debt-to-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}