The annual inflation rate in Malawi eased to 23.4% in May 2026, down from 24.3% in April. Food costs, which continue to be the main driver of inflation in Malawi, eased to 17.6% from 19.1% in the previous month, particularly cereals such as rice, maize, and maize flour, moderated. Non-food prices increased by 33%, from 33.2%, with upward price pressures from housing and utilities and transportations. On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined by 0.2% after a 2.9% drop in April. source: National Statistical Office of Malawi

Inflation Rate in Malawi decreased to 23.40 percent in May from 24.30 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in Malawi averaged 16.28 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 37.90 percent in February of 2013 and a record low of 6.30 percent in December of 2010. This page provides the latest reported value for - Malawi Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Malawi Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Malawi decreased to 23.40 percent in May from 24.30 percent in April of 2026. Inflation Rate in Malawi is expected to be 25.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Malawi Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 17.00 percent in 2027 and 15.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-20 06:50 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 24.3% 23.8% 23.4%
2026-06-18 03:40 PM
Inflation Rate YoY
May 23.4% 24.3% 24.7%
2026-07-15 02:00 PM
Inflation Rate YoY
Jun 23.4% 25.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 285.20 285.80 points May 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 260.20 256.00 points Mar 2026
CPI Transportation 254.20 251.30 points Mar 2026
Food Inflation 17.60 19.10 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 23.40 24.30 percent May 2026


Malawi Inflation Rate
In Malawi, the inflation rate measures a broad rise or fall in prices that consumers pay for a standard basket of goods.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
23.40 24.30 37.90 6.30 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly
2021M12=100

News Stream
Malawi Inflation Rate Eased in May
The annual inflation rate in Malawi eased to 23.4% in May 2026, down from 24.3% in April. Food costs, which continue to be the main driver of inflation in Malawi, eased to 17.6% from 19.1% in the previous month, particularly cereals such as rice, maize, and maize flour, moderated. Non-food prices increased by 33%, from 33.2%, with upward price pressures from housing and utilities and transportations. On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined by 0.2% after a 2.9% drop in April.
2026-06-19
Malawi Inflation Rate Accelerates
Malawi's annual inflation rate accelerated to 24.3% in April 2026, up from 23.8% in March. This marks the highest level in three months, as non-food inflation rose to a record high of 33.2%, from 30.7% in March, due to higher petrol and diesel prices and reflecting higher costs in transports and housing and utilities. In contrast, food inflation eased to 19.1% from 20%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose declined 2.5%, reversing a 0.6% increase in the previous month.
2026-05-21
Malawi Inflation Rate Eases to 2022-Low
Malawi's annual inflation rate eased to 23.8% in March 2026, marking a new lowest level since July 2022, down from 24.1% in February. Food inflation slowed, edging down to 20% from 20.8% in the previous month. In contrast, non-food inflation rose to 30.7% from 30% in February. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.6%, easing from a 3.2% increase in February.
2026-04-17