Lending interest rate in Malawi: 37.1% (Lending rate, 2024 · 5th of 91). Lending interest rate (%) in Malawi: 37.1% in 2024, ranking 5th of 91 countries. In 2010 it was 24.6%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2024
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks lending interest rate (%) in Malawi for each year from 2010 to 2024, 15 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in %. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2024 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2024, Malawi's lending rate rose from 24.6% to 37.1%, a rise of 12.4 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 46.0% in 2013; the lowest was 23.8% in 2011.
- Recently, the figure has risen in each of the last two years (2023: 33.5%; 2024: 37.1%).
- Malawi has the 5th-highest value of 91 countries with recent data.
- In Eastern Africa, Malawi has the 3rd-highest value of 11 countries with recent data; the highest is Madagascar (60.0%), and the typical (median) value is 16.0%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 34.2% in 2010 to 2014, 37.0% in 2015 to 2019 and 28.8% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 6 of the 14 year-to-year steps and down in 8. The biggest one-year rise came in 2013 (+13.7 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2019 (−6.6 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 8.6 percentage points around its average of 33.3%, a volatile pattern.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Eastern Africa, where the typical value is 16.0%, Malawi is 21.0 percentage points higher.
Related figures
- Lending interest rate (%) by country, 2025: 60.0% (highest: Madagascar). The rate banks charge on loans to their best (prime) customers.
- Lending interest rate (%) in Burundi, 2010–2025: 12.4% (Lending rate, 2025 · 29th of 91). Lending interest rate (%) in Burundi: 12.4% in 2025, ranking 29th of 91 countries.
- Lending interest rate (%) in Comoros, 2010–2022: 8.0% (Lending rate, 2022). Lending interest rate (%) in Comoros: 8.0% in 2022.
About this statistic
The rate banks charge on loans to their best (prime) customers. Definitions differ between countries. A starting point for the cost of borrowing. Small businesses usually pay more than the prime rate.
Access to credit, interest rates and banking services decide how easily households can borrow and spend, and how easily small businesses can fund equipment, stock and growth. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the lending interest rate (%) in Malawi?
37.1% (Lending rate, 2024 · 5th of 91). Lending interest rate (%) in Malawi: 37.1% in 2024, ranking 5th of 91 countries. In 2010 it was 24.6%.
How has lending rate in Malawi changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2024, Malawi's lending rate rose from 24.6% to 37.1%, a rise of 12.4 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 46.0% in 2013; the lowest was 23.8% in 2011.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2024. The rate banks charge on loans to their best (prime) customers. Definitions differ between countries. A starting point for the cost of borrowing. Small businesses usually pay more than the prime rate.
Data
| Year | Lending interest rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 24.6% |
| 2011 | 23.8% |
| 2012 | 32.3% |
| 2013 | 46.0% |
| 2014 | 44.3% |
| 2015 | 44.4% |
| 2016 | 44.1% |
| 2017 | 38.6% |
| 2018 | 32.3% |
| 2019 | 25.7% |
| 2020 | 24.2% |
| 2021 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 37.1% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2024. Coverage: Malawi.
The rate banks charge on loans to their best (prime) customers. Definitions differ between countries. A starting point for the cost of borrowing. Small businesses usually pay more than the prime rate.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Lending interest rate (%) by country, 2025
- Lending interest rate (%) in Burundi, 2010–2025
- Lending interest rate (%) in Comoros, 2010–2022
- Lending interest rate (%) in Kenya, 2010–2024
- Lending interest rate (%) in Madagascar, 2010–2025
- GDP of Malawi, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Malawi, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Malawi, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Malawi, 2010–2024
All Malawi data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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