Malawi Government Revenue
General government revenue as % of GDP GGR_NGDP
Malawi's government revenue was 17.46% in 2025, ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 5.5% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 2002–2025.
Overview
Malawi's government revenue stood at 17.46% in 2025, a decline of +1.02% from 2024. The IMF projects 17.46% by 2025. Malawi ranked 152nd globally.
Malawi’s government revenue has risen from an all‑time trough of 9.37 percent of GDP in 2002 to a peak of 20.23 percent in 2010, before settling at 17.46 percent in 2025, ranking 152nd globally. The upward trajectory reflects gradual improvements in tax administration and modest expansion of the formal sector, yet the 2025 level remains below that of peers such as Panama (17.68 percent) and Kenya (17.23 percent). The post‑peak decline after 2010 suggests that revenue gains were not fully consolidated, possibly due to limited diversification of the tax base and vulnerability to external shocks such as commodity price fluctuations. Over the 24‑year coverage period, the average revenue share has hovered around 14 percent, indicating persistent fiscal constraints. Continued reforms to broaden taxable activities, improve compliance and enhance digital filing could lift the revenue ratio further, while adverse shocks or fiscal slippage would likely reverse the recent modest gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 16.49% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 16.67% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 17.31% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 17.40% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 17.27% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 17.46% | - | - |
| 2025 | 17.46% | −1.02% | #152 |
| 2024 | 18.49% | +0.85% | #145 |
| 2023 | 17.64% | +0.28% | #150 |
| 2022 | 17.36% | +2.05% | #154 |
| 2021 | 15.31% | +0.61% | #164 |
| 2020 | 14.70% | −0.07% | #165 |
| 2019 | 14.77% | −0.27% | #171 |
| 2018 | 15.04% | −0.81% | #167 |
| 2017 | 15.84% | +1.00% | #162 |
| 2016 | 14.84% | −0.51% | #163 |
| 2015 | 15.35% | +0.16% | #165 |
| 2014 | 15.19% | −1.79% | #167 |
| 2013 | 16.98% | −0.33% | #158 |
| 2012 | 17.31% | +3.17% | #153 |
| 2011 | 14.15% | −6.08% | #167 |
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 revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's government revenue was 17.46% in 2025. Ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 5.5% decrease from the previous year.
Malawi's government revenue peaked at 20.23% in 2010.
The lowest government revenue in Malawi was 9.37% in 2002.
Malawi ranks 152nd globally in government revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGR_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Malawi's government revenue is projected to reach 17.46% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The government revenue of Malawi in 2025 was 17.46%. This ranks 152nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_government-revenue,
title = {Malawi Government Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/government-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}