Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi
Malawi: Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile was 27.86 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2019. ▼ Falling
Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi, 1997–2019
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.
Analysis
The most recent figure for threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi is 27.86 international-$ in 2021 prices, measured in 2019.
That represents a change of down 10.9% on the previous year and up 14.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi peaked at 35.26 international-$ in 2021 prices in 1997 and was at its lowest, 24.34 international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2010.
Malawi ranks 118th of 120 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 35.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2004 | 29.49 international-$ in 2021 prices | -16.4% |
| 2010 | 24.34 international-$ in 2021 prices | -17.5% |
| 2016 | 31.27 international-$ in 2021 prices | +28.5% |
| 2019 | 27.86 international-$ in 2021 prices | -10.9% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 27.86 international-$ in 2021 prices is below the median for low income countries, which is 50.17 international-$ in 2021 prices, 56% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 27.86 international-$ in 2021 prices is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 52.77 international-$ in 2021 prices, 53% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 35.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | 35.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | 35.26 international-$ in 2021 prices | 1 |
| 2000s | 29.49 international-$ in 2021 prices | 29.49 international-$ in 2021 prices | 29.49 international-$ in 2021 prices | 1 |
| 2010s | 27.82 international-$ in 2021 prices | 24.34 international-$ in 2021 prices | 31.27 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 115 Uganda 34.65 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 116 Madagascar 32.12 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 117 Burundi 28.65 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 119 Mozambique 17.33 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 120 Zambia 16.88 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
More reference data data for Malawi
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1596 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.09 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3426 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5353 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.6012 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 4.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 16.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.87 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi?
- Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile in Malawi was 27.86 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2019, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 35.26 international-$ in 2021 prices in 1997.
- What is the lowest threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.34 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2010.
- How does Malawi rank for threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile?
- Malawi ranks 118th out of 120 countries with data for 2019.
- Is threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Threshold income or consumption per month marking the poorest decile, the median, and the richest decile. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Level of income or consumption per month below which 10% of the population falls.