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

Malawi
75.4%
in 2019
Sub-Saharan Africa
45.1%
in 2024
Malawi rank
2nd
Sub-Saharan Africa rank
2nd

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

  • Malawi
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
020406080199020072024

How they compare

Malawi currently reports 75.4% against 45.1% in Sub-Saharan Africa, a difference of 30.3%.

That makes Malawi's figure about 1.7 times Sub-Saharan Africa's.

Across all 5 years both countries report, Malawi has been ahead every year.

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

Malawi has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Malawi Sub-Saharan Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 64.6% 63.5% 1.1% Malawi
2000s 74.4% 56.9% 17.5% Malawi
2010s 73.3% 46.1% 27.2% Malawi

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp), Malawi or Sub-Saharan Africa?
Malawi, at 75.4% against 45.1% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2019.
What is the difference in poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) between Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa?
30.3%, 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 headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp)?
Malawi ranks 2nd 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 headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population). 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 headcount ratio 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 15 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/compare/poverty-headcount-ratio-at-3-00-a-day-2021-ppp-percent-of-population/malawi/sub-saharan-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)
Unit
% of population
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 headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.