Inflation rates by country and year

0%20.8%41.7%62.5%83.3%
0%20.8%41.7%62.5%83.3%
198111.8%
20039.6%
202528.4%
Source: World Bank

Data: World Bank, annual %. For information only — not financial advice.

Year2025Inflation Rate28.4%

Behind the curve

Turning points in Malawi

  1. 2008↑ Upward pressure

    The world food price crisis — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Malawi imports much of its food and fuel, so the 2007–08 global price surge fed into domestic prices.

    Reserve Bank of Malawi
  2. 2012↑ Upward pressure

    The kwacha's devaluation — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    A sharp devaluation of the kwacha in 2012 lifted import prices and inflation.

    Reserve Bank of Malawi
  3. 2022↑ Upward pressure

    The post-pandemic inflation surge — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Higher global food and energy prices lifted Malawian inflation in 2022.

    Reserve Bank of Malawi

These are selected historical influences, not a complete account of inflation. An upward-pressure event can coincide with a peak when its inflationary effect has already occurred or when other forces begin pushing inflation lower. The markers show the years in which events occurred, although their effects may extend into later years.

What is the inflation in Malawi?

The annual inflation rate in Malawi was 28.4% in 2025, the most recent year in the World Bank dataset. That means prices rose 28.4% on average compared with the year before. Use the chart above to explore Malawi's full inflation history from 1981 to 2025, and to compare it with any other country.

How inflation in Malawi has changed

Inflation in Malawi peaked at 83.3% in 1995 and reached its lowest point at 7.4% in 2010. Averaged across the 45 years of available data (1981–2025), the rate has been 19.9% per year.

Frequently asked questions about inflation in Malawi

What is the current inflation rate in Malawi?

The latest available annual figure is 28.4% in 2025, from the World Bank. Because the figures are reported annually, they may not reflect the most recent monthly reading published by Malawi's statistical office.

What was the highest inflation rate in Malawi?

The highest annual inflation rate on record is 83.3%, reached in 1995.

What was the lowest inflation rate in Malawi?

The lowest annual inflation rate on record is 7.4%, recorded in 2010.

Where does the inflation data for Malawi come from?

All figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (indicator FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), which report annual consumer price inflation for more than 200 countries and territories from 1960 onward.