Inflation Malawi 2021
Average inflation: 9.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 9.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 11.5%. The lowest inflation was in January at 7.7%.
- Highest month
- December: 11.5%
- Lowest month
- January: 7.7%
- Difference
- 3.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 11.3%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 8.1%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 11.3%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 8.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.0% lower than the 5-year average of 10.3%.
- 5-year average
- 10.3%
- 10-year average
- 16.8%
- All-time high (2013)
- 27.6%
- All-time low (2011)
- 7.6%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2020, the difference is minimal (+0.7 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +3.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 7.3% 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 €109.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.7% | -3.4 |
| February | 8.3% | -2.7 |
| March | 10.2% | +0.4 |
| April | 9.2% | -0.3 |
| May | 8.9% | +0.2 |
| June | 9.1% | +0.6 |
| July | 8.7% | +0.7 |
| August | 8.4% | +0.8 |
| September | 8.9% | +1.8 |
| October | 9.8% | +2.3 |
| November | 11.1% | +3.8 |
| December | 11.5% | +3.9 |
| Average | 9.3% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.