Malawi vs South Africa: Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and)

Malawi
22.1
in 2027
South Africa
19.64
in 2027
Malawi rank
32nd
South Africa rank
35th

Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and) over time

  • Malawi
  • South Africa
0204060200020132027

How they compare

Malawi currently reports 22.1 against 19.64 in South Africa, a difference of 2.46.

That makes Malawi's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.

The two have swapped places 2 times across 28 shared years of data; in 2000 it was Malawi ahead.

Malawi ranks 32nd and South Africa ranks 35th of 45 countries.

Malawi has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Malawi South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 41.07 7.58 33.5 Malawi
2010s 17.63 14.32 3.32 Malawi
2020s 30.86 19.9 10.97 Malawi

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and), Malawi or South Africa?
Malawi, at 22.1 against 19.64 in South Africa as of 2027.
What is the difference in gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and) between Malawi and South Africa?
2.46, with Malawi ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Malawi and South Africa?
28 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2027.
How do Malawi and South Africa rank globally for gross external debt, percent of gdp (balance of payments and)?
Malawi ranks 32nd and South Africa ranks 35th of 45 countries.
Where does this data come from?
International Monetary Fund, published as Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Malawi vs South Africa: Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and). Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://debt.statizoid.com/compare/gross-external-debt-percent-of-gdp-balance-of-payments-and-international-investment/malawi/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Gross external debt, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6))
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
64 places, 1,765 data points, 2000–2027
Last refreshed

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.