Updated
Overview
Malawi and Zambia are nearly matched in population: 22.22 million versus 21.91 million people (2025).
Zambia's economy is about 95% larger than Malawi's, at $28.88B versus $14.92B.
Per person, Zambia is the wealthier of the two: $1,318 against $672 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Malawi | Zambia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $14.92B | Higher: $28.88B | 2025 | $11.01B / $26.33B |
| GDP per capita | $672 | Higher: $1,318 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.9% | Higher: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 28.4% | Lower: 13.9% | 2025 | 32.2% / 15.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.1% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 53 | 30 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $170 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $43 | Higher: $50 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 22.22 million | 21.91 million | 2025 | 21.76 million / 22.02 million |
| Population growth | 2.6% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.1 yrs | 17.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.53 | 3.97 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 67.6 yrs | 66.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 18% | 46% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 19% | 17% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 118,484 km² | 752,612 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 187.5/km² | 29.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 1.88 Mt | 12 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $117.59M | $349.67M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 15,000 | 16,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Zambia is growing faster: 3.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.9%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Malawi at 28.4%, while the other economy sits at 13.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Zambia: a price level of 30 versus 53 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 18.1 (Malawi) and 17.9 (Zambia).
Life expectancy is 1.0 years longer in Malawi (67.6 vs 66.5).
Zambia is considerably more urbanized: 46% of people live in cities, against 18%.
Geography
By land area, Malawi is 84% smaller than Zambia: 118,484 km² versus 752,612 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Malawi is far more densely settled: 188 people per km² against 29.
Military
Zambia spends 3.0 times as much on defence as Malawi: $349.67M versus $117.59M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Zambia fields the larger armed forces: 16,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Malawi bigger than Zambia?
- Zambia is larger by land area. Malawi covers 118,484 km² while Zambia covers 752,612 km², so Zambia is 6.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Malawi or Zambia?
- Malawi has the larger population: 22.22 million versus 21.91 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Malawi richer than Zambia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Zambia is richer: $1,318 against $672. Total GDP tells the same story: $14.92B for Malawi versus $28.88B for Zambia.
- Who spends more on their military, Malawi or Zambia?
- Zambia spends more: $349.67M versus $117.59M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).