Malawi vs South Africa Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (Malawi vs South Africa)
ⓘ When data for the selected year is missing, the closest prior year with data is used instead. Whenever the two countries' data points are 5+ years apart those indicators are excluded from the total score.
South Africa leads against Malawi in 6 of 11 comparable indicators, while Malawi leads in 5. Malawi's strongest global position is 89th (2025) in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). South Africa's strongest global position is 92nd (2023) in Rule of Law: Estimate.
- Malawi wins against South Africa in GDP growth (annual %): 1.67 (2024, ranked 154th) vs 0.53 (2024, ranked 186th).
- South Africa wins against Malawi in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 13,597.65 (2024, ranked 118th) vs 1,634.25 (2024, ranked 194th).
- Malawi wins against South Africa in Gini index: 38.50 (2019, ranked 132nd) vs 54.10 (2022, ranked 167th).
- South Africa wins against Malawi in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 78.36 (2024, ranked 118th) vs 18.96 (2024, ranked 199th).
- Malawi wins against South Africa in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 67.56 (2024, ranked 171st) vs 66.31 (2024, ranked 183rd).
- South Africa wins against Malawi in Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group): 88.31 (2023, ranked 107th) vs 24.38 (2024, ranked 191st).
- Malawi wins against South Africa in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 5.07 (2025, ranked 89th) vs 32.39 (2025, ranked 186th).
- South Africa wins against Malawi in Regulatory Quality: Estimate: -0.22 (2023, ranked 111th) vs -0.77 (2023, ranked 158th).
- South Africa wins against Malawi in Control of Corruption: Estimate: -0.28 (2023, ranked 108th) vs -0.60 (2023, ranked 142nd).
- South Africa wins against Malawi in Rule of Law: Estimate: 0.09 (2023, ranked 92nd) vs -0.16 (2023, ranked 109th).
- Malawi wins against South Africa in Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate: -0.24 (2023, ranked 125th) vs -0.67 (2023, ranked 161st).
| Metric | Malawi(5) | South Africa(6) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2024) 1.67 (154/214) | (2024) 0.53 (186/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2024) 1,634.25 (194/199) | (2024) 13,597.65 (118/199) |
| Gini index | (2019) 38.50 (132/171) | (2022) 54.10 (167/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 18.96 (199/213) | (2024) 78.36 (118/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 67.56 (171/217) | (2024) 66.31 (183/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2024) 24.38 (191/197) | (2023) 88.31 (107/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 5.07 (89/187) | (2025) 32.39 (186/187) |
| Regulatory Quality: Estimate | (2023) -0.77 (158/205) | (2023) -0.22 (111/205) |
| Control of Corruption: Estimate | (2023) -0.60 (142/205) | (2023) -0.28 (108/205) |
| Rule of Law: Estimate | (2023) -0.16 (109/205) | (2023) 0.09 (92/205) |
| Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate | (2023) -0.24 (125/205) | (2023) -0.67 (161/205) |