Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average in Malawi
Malawi: Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average was 1,734 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average in Malawi, 1987–2026
Source: World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data.
Analysis
In 2026, official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Malawi stood at 1,734.
That represents a change of up 143.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Malawi peaked at 1,734 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2.16, in 1987.
That places Malawi 25th out of 195 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 2.16 | — |
| 1988 | 2.51 | +16.0% |
| 1989 | 2.7 | +7.7% |
| 1990 | 2.67 | -1.1% |
| 1991 | 2.74 | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 3.53 | +28.5% |
| 1993 | 4.34 | +23.0% |
| 1994 | 7.91 | +82.4% |
| 1995 | 15.17 | +91.7% |
| 1996 | 15.22 | +0.3% |
| 1997 | 16.28 | +7.0% |
| 1998 | 30.86 | +89.6% |
| 1999 | 43.93 | +42.4% |
| 2000 | 59.38 | +35.2% |
| 2001 | 72.28 | +21.7% |
| 2002 | 76.21 | +5.4% |
| 2003 | 96.37 | +26.5% |
| 2004 | 108.39 | +12.5% |
| 2005 | 118.06 | +8.9% |
| 2006 | 136.03 | +15.2% |
| 2007 | 140 | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 140.52 | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 141.14 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 150.71 | +6.8% |
| 2011 | 156.91 | +4.1% |
| 2012 | 246.02 | +56.8% |
| 2013 | 364.46 | +48.1% |
| 2014 | 421.83 | +15.7% |
| 2015 | 498.59 | +18.2% |
| 2016 | 713.28 | +43.1% |
| 2017 | 725.36 | +1.7% |
| 2018 | 725.84 | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 735.5 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 741.72 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 798.64 | +7.7% |
| 2022 | 938.82 | +17.6% |
| 2023 | 1,146 | +22.1% |
| 2024 | 1,720 | +50.0% |
| 2025 | 1,734 | +0.8% |
| 2026 | 1,734 | -0.0% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 1,734 is above the median for low income countries, which is 563.92, 3.1× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 1,734 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 563.92, 3.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.46 | 2.16 | 2.7 | 3 |
| 1990s | 14.26 | 2.67 | 43.93 | 10 |
| 2000s | 108.84 | 59.38 | 141.14 | 10 |
| 2010s | 473.85 | 150.71 | 735.5 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,259 | 741.72 | 1,734 | 7 |
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 official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Malawi?
- Official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Malawi was 1,734 in 2026, according to World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data.
- What is the highest official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 1,734 in 2025.
- What is the lowest official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.16 in 1987.
- How does Malawi rank for official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average?
- Malawi ranks 25th out of 195 countries with data for 2026.
- Is official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 143.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data, published as part of Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Official exchange rate refers to the exchange rate determined by national authorities or to the rate determined in the legally sanctioned exchange market. It is calculated as an annual average based on monthly averages (local currency units relative to the U.S. dollar).