Military expenditure in Malawi
Malawi: Military expenditure was 117.59 million current USD in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
117.59 million current USD
Change on year
down 21.4%
World rank
141st
of 168 countries
All-time high
149.58 million current USD
in 2023
All-time low
1.77 million current USD
in 1965
Years of data
60
1965–2024
Military expenditure in Malawi, 1965–2024
Source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Measured in current USD.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military expenditure in Malawi is 117.59 million current USD, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 21.4% on the previous year and up 137.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military expenditure in Malawi peaked at 149.58 million current USD in 2023 and was at its lowest, 1.77 million current USD, in 1965.
Malawi ranks 141st of 168 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military expenditure in Malawi, year by year
| Year | current USD | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 1.77 million current USD | — |
| 1966 | 1.85 million current USD | +4.3% |
| 1967 | 2.13 million current USD | +15.4% |
| 1968 | 1.88 million current USD | -11.8% |
| 1969 | 1.96 million current USD | +4.1% |
| 1970 | 2.06 million current USD | +4.9% |
| 1971 | 2.34 million current USD | +14.1% |
| 1972 | 2.70 million current USD | +15.1% |
| 1973 | 4.71 million current USD | +74.6% |
| 1974 | 5.30 million current USD | +12.6% |
| 1975 | 9.36 million current USD | +76.5% |
| 1976 | 9.21 million current USD | -1.7% |
| 1977 | 13.63 million current USD | +48.0% |
| 1978 | 25.57 million current USD | +87.7% |
| 1979 | 43.03 million current USD | +68.3% |
| 1980 | 53.13 million current USD | +23.5% |
| 1981 | 38.51 million current USD | -27.5% |
| 1982 | 26.98 million current USD | -29.9% |
| 1983 | 22.22 million current USD | -17.6% |
| 1984 | 18.84 million current USD | -15.2% |
| 1985 | 19.81 million current USD | +5.2% |
| 1986 | 24.74 million current USD | +24.9% |
| 1987 | 21.64 million current USD | -12.5% |
| 1988 | 20.17 million current USD | -6.8% |
| 1989 | 22.78 million current USD | +13.0% |
| 1990 | 24.31 million current USD | +6.7% |
| 1991 | 23.70 million current USD | -2.5% |
| 1992 | 25.24 million current USD | +6.5% |
| 1993 | 25.73 million current USD | +1.9% |
| 1994 | 17.06 million current USD | -33.7% |
| 1995 | 11.05 million current USD | -35.2% |
| 1996 | 20.15 million current USD | +82.4% |
| 1997 | 26.41 million current USD | +31.0% |
| 1998 | 14.47 million current USD | -45.2% |
| 1999 | 14.40 million current USD | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 11.73 million current USD | -18.6% |
| 2001 | 12.68 million current USD | +8.1% |
| 2002 | 14.82 million current USD | +16.8% |
| 2003 | 13.12 million current USD | -11.5% |
| 2004 | 21.97 million current USD | +67.4% |
| 2005 | 38.21 million current USD | +74.0% |
| 2006 | 31.09 million current USD | -18.6% |
| 2007 | 33.60 million current USD | +8.1% |
| 2008 | 44.46 million current USD | +32.3% |
| 2009 | 58.80 million current USD | +32.2% |
| 2010 | 49.98 million current USD | -15.0% |
| 2011 | 52.80 million current USD | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 46.16 million current USD | -12.6% |
| 2013 | 62.93 million current USD | +36.3% |
| 2014 | 49.45 million current USD | -21.4% |
| 2015 | 40.79 million current USD | -17.5% |
| 2016 | 35.75 million current USD | -12.4% |
| 2017 | 47.42 million current USD | +32.6% |
| 2018 | 58.37 million current USD | +23.1% |
| 2019 | 85.18 million current USD | +45.9% |
| 2020 | 98.86 million current USD | +16.1% |
| 2021 | 92.57 million current USD | -6.4% |
| 2022 | 117.55 million current USD | +27.0% |
| 2023 | 149.58 million current USD | +27.3% |
| 2024 | 117.59 million current USD | -21.4% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 117.59 million current USD is below the median for low income countries, which is 375.21 million current USD, 31% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 117.59 million current USD is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 293.92 million current USD, 40% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.92 million current USD | 1.77 million current USD | 2.13 million current USD | 5 |
| 1970s | 11.79 million current USD | 2.06 million current USD | 43.03 million current USD | 10 |
| 1980s | 26.88 million current USD | 18.84 million current USD | 53.13 million current USD | 10 |
| 1990s | 20.25 million current USD | 11.05 million current USD | 26.41 million current USD | 10 |
| 2000s | 28.05 million current USD | 11.73 million current USD | 58.80 million current USD | 10 |
| 2010s | 52.88 million current USD | 35.75 million current USD | 85.18 million current USD | 10 |
| 2020s | 115.23 million current USD | 92.57 million current USD | 149.58 million current USD | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 138 Montenegro 150.03 million current USD compare
- 139 Cuba 128.61 million current USD compare
- 140 Madagascar 121.63 million current USD compare
- 142 Equatorial Guinea 113.14 million current USD compare
- 143 Turkmenistan 111.92 million current USD compare
- 144 Moldova 110.73 million current USD compare
More public sector data for Malawi
- Democracy, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote in practice, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Democracy 6 (2025)
- Chief executive of the government is elected 1 (2025)
- Elected parliament 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military expenditure in Malawi?
- Military expenditure in Malawi was 117.59 million current USD in 2024, according to SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- What is the highest military expenditure recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 149.58 million current USD in 2023.
- What is the lowest military expenditure recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.77 million current USD in 1965.
- How does Malawi rank for military expenditure?
- Malawi ranks 141st out of 168 countries with data for 2024.
- Is military expenditure rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 137.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published as part of Military expenditure (current USD). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Military spending USD, in current prices (converted at the exchange rate for the given year)