Inflation Malawi 2020
Average inflation: 8.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 8.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 11.1%. The lowest inflation was in September at 7.1%.
- Highest month
- January: 11.1%
- Lowest month
- September: 7.1%
- Difference
- 4.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 13.1%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 2.4%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 13.1%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 2.4%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 4.2% lower than the 5-year average of 12.8%.
- 5-year average
- 12.8%
- 10-year average
- 16.6%
- All-time high (2013)
- 27.6%
- All-time low (2011)
- 7.6%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2019, inflation has fallen by +0.8 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.8 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: -4.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 6.6% 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 €108.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2020
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11.1% | +2.3 |
| February | 11.0% | +3.1 |
| March | 9.8% | +0.5 |
| April | 9.5% | +0.4 |
| May | 8.7% | -0.2 |
| June | 8.5% | -0.4 |
| July | 8.0% | -1.3 |
| August | 7.6% | -1.9 |
| September | 7.1% | -2.1 |
| October | 7.5% | -2.0 |
| November | 7.3% | -3.0 |
| December | 7.6% | -4.0 |
| Average | 8.6% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.