Inflation Malawi 2018
Average inflation: 12.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 12.5%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in August at 17.8%. The lowest inflation was in February at 7.8%.
- Highest month
- August: 17.8%
- Lowest month
- February: 7.8%
- Difference
- 10.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 14.7%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 12.8%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 14.7%
- Lowest increase
- Food: 12.8%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 5.8% lower than the 5-year average of 18.3%.
- 5-year average
- 18.3%
- 10-year average
- 18.5%
- All-time high (2013)
- 27.6%
- All-time low (2011)
- 7.6%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has fallen by +0.9 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.9 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: -10.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 10.5% 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 €112.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8.1% | -10.1 |
| February | 7.8% | -8.3 |
| March | 9.9% | -5.9 |
| April | 9.7% | -4.9 |
| May | 11.6% | -0.7 |
| June | 13.9% | +2.6 |
| July | 16.7% | +6.5 |
| August | 17.8% | +8.5 |
| September | 15.7% | +7.3 |
| October | 16.2% | +7.9 |
| November | 13.1% | +5.4 |
| December | 9.9% | +2.8 |
| Average | 12.5% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.