Malawi vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP)

Malawi
33.8%
in 2019
Sub-Saharan Africa
17.2%
in 2024
Malawi rank
3rd
Sub-Saharan Africa rank
2nd

Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) over time

  • Malawi
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
0102030199020072024

How they compare

Malawi currently reports 33.8% against 17.2% in Sub-Saharan Africa, a difference of 16.6%.

That makes Malawi's figure about 2.0 times Sub-Saharan Africa's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 5 shared years of data; in 1997 it was Sub-Saharan Africa ahead.

Malawi ranks 3rd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 2nd of 123 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Malawi averaged higher in 2 and Sub-Saharan Africa in 1.

Head to head by decade

Decade Malawi Sub-Saharan Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 25.5% 31.2% 5.7% Sub-Saharan Africa
2000s 32.4% 25.6% 6.8% Malawi
2010s 33.0% 18.2% 14.8% Malawi

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp), Malawi or Sub-Saharan Africa?
Malawi, at 33.8% against 17.2% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2019.
What is the difference in poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) between Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa?
16.6%, with Malawi ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa?
5 years are reported by both, from 1997 to 2019.
How do Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp)?
Malawi ranks 3rd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 2nd of 123 countries.
Where does this data come from?
World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Malawi vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP). Statizoid, drawing on World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/compare/poverty-gap-at-3-00-a-day-2021-ppp-percent/malawi/sub-saharan-africa/

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<a href="https://poverty.statizoid.com/compare/poverty-gap-at-3-00-a-day-2021-ppp-percent/malawi/sub-saharan-africa/">Malawi vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP)</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (%)
Unit
%
Source
World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
137 places, 2,872 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed

Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $3.00 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.