Inflation Malawi 2017
Average inflation: 11.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 11.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 18.2%. The lowest inflation was in December at 7.1%.
- Highest month
- January: 18.2%
- Lowest month
- December: 7.1%
- Difference
- 11.1 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 17.2%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 12.2%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 17.2%
- Lowest increase
- Food: 12.2%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 9.7% lower than the 5-year average of 21.3%.
- 5-year average
- 21.3%
- 10-year average
- 19.4%
- All-time high (2013)
- 27.6%
- All-time low (2011)
- 7.6%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2016, inflation has fallen by +10.2 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -10.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- August: -13.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 9.6% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €111.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2017
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18.2% | -5.2 |
| February | 16.1% | -7.2 |
| March | 15.8% | -6.2 |
| April | 14.6% | -6.3 |
| May | 12.3% | -9.1 |
| June | 11.3% | -11.4 |
| July | 10.2% | -13.3 |
| August | 9.3% | -13.5 |
| September | 8.4% | -12.8 |
| October | 8.3% | -11.8 |
| November | 7.7% | -12.2 |
| December | 7.1% | -12.9 |
| Average | 11.6% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.