Quick facts
Malawi population overview
Malawi is the 21st most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 22,498,611 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,558 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 683,958 births (30.4 per 1,000 people) and 116,993 deaths (5.2 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 2,250 people. The infant mortality rate is 27.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 3,628,134 in 1960 to 22,216,120 in 2025 — a change of +512.3%, or +2.8% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 67.9 years; women have on average 3.6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 40.1% of residents are under 15 and 2.6% are 65 or older (2025); 17.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Lilongwe. Malawi covers 118,480 km², giving a population density of about 194 people per km². GDP was $14.92B in 2025 — about $672 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Malawi population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 22,952,545 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 22,498,611 |
| World rank | #62 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #21 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.5% |
| Births per year est. | 683,958 |
| Deaths per year est. | 116,993 |
| Net migration per year est. | +2,250 |
| Birth rate | 30.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 27.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 95.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 67.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 17.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 118,480 km² |
| Population density | 194 per km² |
| Capital | Lilongwe |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $14.92B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $672 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Malawi population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 22,952,545 | – | – |
| 2025 | 22,216,120 | +560,834 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | 21,655,286 | +550,804 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 21,104,482 | +535,754 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 20,568,728 | +521,470 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 20,047,258 | +513,370 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 19,533,888 | +2,448,301 | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 17,085,587 | +2,259,124 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 14,826,463 | +1,986,432 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 12,840,031 | +1,524,089 | +2.6% |
| 2000 | 11,315,942 | +1,165,825 | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 10,150,117 | +604,265 | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 9,545,852 | +1,925,344 | +4.6% |
| 1985 | 7,620,508 | +1,354,979 | +4% |
| 1980 | 6,265,529 | +978,162 | +3.5% |
| 1975 | 5,287,367 | +653,423 | +2.7% |
| 1970 | 4,633,944 | +537,787 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 4,096,157 | +468,023 | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 3,628,134 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Malawi
Population over time
- From 3,628,134 in 1960 to 22,952,545 today — up 532.6%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.6 years (2024), up 32.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 31.1 births vs 5.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 25.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 40.1% of the population is under 15 and 2.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 4.79 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 6.12 Mt in 2021 — down 21.6% since.
- Per person: 0.22 t in 2024, vs 0.07 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 62.9% of final energy in 2022 (-21.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 22.4% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 37.1% to 22.4% since 1990 — roughly 17,418 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 17.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 4% in 1960 (+13.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 8.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 785 m³ in 2022, down 81.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $14.92B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 61.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $672 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 28.4% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 19% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 69.3 per 100 people (2024).
Malawi in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Malawi in 2026?
As of October 2026, Malawi has an estimated population of 22,952,545. The United Nations estimated 22,498,611 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Malawi growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.5% per year — roughly 1,558 more people every day. Each year there are about 683,958 births and 116,993 deaths, with net migration of +2,250.
What is the population density of Malawi?
About 194 people per square kilometre: 22,952,545 people living on 118,480 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Malawi?
The median age is 18.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 67.9 years. 40.1% of the population is under 15 and 2.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Malawi rank by population?
Malawi is the 62nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 21st in Africa, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Malawi changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 3,628,134; by 2025 it had grown to 22,216,120 (+512.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Egypt
DR Congo
Zambia
Taiwan
Sri Lanka
ChadSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.