Malawi

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Malawi
Published: 2026

Region: East Africa
Capital: Lilongwe
Currency: Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
Density: 198 / km²

WRI Score 2026

55.26

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 149th
In Africa: 11th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Territorial system · top rate 30%· KPMG / EY
91.0
Territorial system taxes only locally sourced income.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 198 / km²· UN WPP
33.8
Densely populated relative to land area.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $721· IMF WEO 2026
1.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 65 years· WHO / UN
20.8
Among the shortest average lifespans on this list.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.05 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
22.7
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 5.5%· ILO / SECO
84.9
Low, stable labour market.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0.7% of GDP· SIPRI
97.9
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
53.2
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Malawi holds 149th of 211 with a WRI Score of 55.26 — sits in the lower-middle of the field. Its profile is defined by near-perfect military posture (97.9) and ideological neutrality (96), offset by GDP per capita, its clearest structural constraint.