Travel safety comparison · Africa
Madagascar vs Malawi: safety comparison
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Madagascar vs Malawi: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.
Malawi sits a little lower on the Warnely composite score than Madagascar (37 against 43), but the gap is small enough that the practical difference comes down to category-by-category detail rather than the headline. The biggest single category gap is in crime, where Malawi scores 2/5 against Madagascar's 3/5.
| 🇲🇬Madagascar | 🇲🇼Malawi | |
|---|---|---|
| Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) | 43 / 100 | 37 / 100 |
| Risk tier | Exercise Increased Caution | Exercise Increased Caution |
| UK FCDO advisory | No active advisory | No active advisory |
| US State Department advisory | Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) | Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) |
| Global Peace Index rank | #59 | #71 |
| Drug law | Severe (long sentences) | Severe (long sentences) |
| Women's safety rating | Exercise Caution | Exercise Caution |
| LGBTQ+ legal status | legal | illegal |
| Tap water | n/a | n/a |
| Currency | MGA | MWK |
Madagascar vs Malawi: common questions
Is Madagascar or Malawi safer to visit?
Malawi has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 37/100 vs 43/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.
Is Madagascar or Malawi safer for solo female travellers?
Madagascar is rated Exercise Caution for women's safety; Malawi is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.
What do FCDO and US State Department say about Madagascar and Malawi?
Madagascar: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) (US State). Malawi: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) (US State).