Military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi
Malawi: Military spending per armed forces personnel was 6,405 constant 2024 US$ in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi, 1985–2020
Source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026); The Military Balance - International Institute for Strategic Studies, via World Bank (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2024 US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi is 6,405 constant 2024 US$, measured in 2020.
The figure is up 8.3% on the previous year and down 24.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi peaked at 12,051 constant 2024 US$ in 2013 and was at its lowest, 1,192 constant 2024 US$, in 1995.
Malawi ranks 137th of 160 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi, year by year
| Year | constant 2024 US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 4,376 constant 2024 US$ | — |
| 1989 | 2,845 constant 2024 US$ | -35.0% |
| 1990 | 2,685 constant 2024 US$ | -5.6% |
| 1991 | 2,090 constant 2024 US$ | -22.2% |
| 1992 | 1,849 constant 2024 US$ | -11.5% |
| 1993 | 1,876 constant 2024 US$ | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 1,833 constant 2024 US$ | -2.3% |
| 1995 | 1,192 constant 2024 US$ | -35.0% |
| 1996 | 1,393 constant 2024 US$ | +16.8% |
| 1997 | 3,233 constant 2024 US$ | +132.2% |
| 1998 | 2,581 constant 2024 US$ | -20.2% |
| 1999 | 2,516 constant 2024 US$ | -2.5% |
| 2000 | 2,135 constant 2024 US$ | -15.1% |
| 2001 | 2,013 constant 2024 US$ | -5.7% |
| 2002 | 2,177 constant 2024 US$ | +8.1% |
| 2003 | 2,235 constant 2024 US$ | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 4,255 constant 2024 US$ | +90.3% |
| 2005 | 5,978 constant 2024 US$ | +40.5% |
| 2006 | 4,902 constant 2024 US$ | -18.0% |
| 2007 | 5,049 constant 2024 US$ | +3.0% |
| 2008 | 6,171 constant 2024 US$ | +22.2% |
| 2009 | 9,986 constant 2024 US$ | +61.8% |
| 2010 | 8,426 constant 2024 US$ | -15.6% |
| 2011 | 6,704 constant 2024 US$ | -20.4% |
| 2012 | 7,691 constant 2024 US$ | +14.7% |
| 2013 | 12,051 constant 2024 US$ | +56.7% |
| 2014 | 8,921 constant 2024 US$ | -26.0% |
| 2015 | 7,073 constant 2024 US$ | -20.7% |
| 2016 | 3,278 constant 2024 US$ | -53.6% |
| 2017 | 4,027 constant 2024 US$ | +22.8% |
| 2018 | 4,504 constant 2024 US$ | +11.8% |
| 2019 | 5,916 constant 2024 US$ | +31.4% |
| 2020 | 6,405 constant 2024 US$ | +8.3% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 6,405 constant 2024 US$ is below the median for low income countries, which is 7,109 constant 2024 US$, 90% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 6,405 constant 2024 US$ is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13,391 constant 2024 US$, 48% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,610 constant 2024 US$ | 2,845 constant 2024 US$ | 4,376 constant 2024 US$ | 2 |
| 1990s | 2,125 constant 2024 US$ | 1,192 constant 2024 US$ | 3,233 constant 2024 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 4,490 constant 2024 US$ | 2,013 constant 2024 US$ | 9,986 constant 2024 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,859 constant 2024 US$ | 3,278 constant 2024 US$ | 12,051 constant 2024 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,405 constant 2024 US$ | 6,405 constant 2024 US$ | 6,405 constant 2024 US$ | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
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 military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi?
- Military spending per armed forces personnel in Malawi was 6,405 constant 2024 US$ in 2020, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026); The Military Balance - International Institute for Strategic Studies, via World Bank (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending per armed forces personnel recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 12,051 constant 2024 US$ in 2013.
- What is the lowest military spending per armed forces personnel recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,192 constant 2024 US$ in 1995.
- How does Malawi rank for military spending per armed forces personnel?
- Malawi ranks 137th out of 160 countries with data for 2020.
- Is military spending per armed forces personnel rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026); The Military Balance - International Institute for Strategic Studies, via World Bank (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military spending per armed forces personnel. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total military expenditure divided by armed forces personnel. This data is expressed in US dollars. It is adjusted for inflation but does not account for differences in the cost of living between countries.