Malawi

Malawi ranks 166th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 38.3. This is 61% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places Malawi in the 14th percentile, 7.1 points below the global average of 45.4.

Malawi performs best in Resource Efficiency (15th) and Natural Capital (124th), and weakest in Intellectual Capital (176th) and Economic Sustainability (173rd). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Social Capital 150th, Governance 159th.

Malawi's GSCI score has declined by 1.8 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is negative (-4.0 points).

Malawi has a population of 21.7 million, 48% below the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 183 people per km², 3.1 times the world average (58). Its GDP is $11.0 billion, 1.9% of the average country ($569.2 billion).

Malawi's GDP per capita is $508, 3.7% of the world average of $13,684.

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.