Malawi
Africa · Eastern Africa
Warm Heart of Africa: peaceful and friendly, one of the world's poorest nations.
At a Glance
📈Malawi's Human Development Index
0.508
Low human development#170 of 191 countries worldwide, #35 of 54 in Africa.
Higher than 11% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Malawi
Malawi is a small landlocked country in southern Africa centred on the vast, clear Lake Malawi, one of the great freshwater lakes of the world with outstanding snorkelling and a slow, lakeside pace of life. The people have a widespread reputation as among the friendliest in Africa, and the country is safe and straightforward to travel independently. Those who want a gentle, nature-focused southern Africa experience that isn't dominated by expensive safari will find it very rewarding.
- Lake Malawi contains more species of fish than any lake in the world — over 1,000 identified.
- Known as 'the warm heart of Africa' — a reputation rooted in real measures of hospitality.
Quick Facts
Capital
Lilongwe
Languages
English, Chewa
Currency
MK MWK
Area
94,280 km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$672
PPP / Capita
$2K
Inflation
28.4%
Unemployment
5.1%
Innovation (GII)
16.0
GNI / Capita
$600
Tax Revenue
15.6%
FDI Inflows
2.3%
Education Spend
2.7%
Price Level Index
69th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.299 → 0.508 (+0.209)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Malawi for real?
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💬Quick answers
What is Malawi's Human Development Index?
Malawi's Human Development Index is 0.508 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #170 of 191 countries.
Is Malawi safe?
Malawi scores 1.99 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #82 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in Malawi?
Life expectancy at birth in Malawi is 67.6 yrs (World Bank), ranked #149 of 195 countries.