Rank #115 by World Population
🇲🇼Malawi
Malawi has a population of 21,104,482, ranking #115 in the world. The capital is Lilongwe. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .
World Bank: Low income
21,104,482
Population
#115
World Rank
67.4
Life Expectancy
$633
GDP Per Capita
Malawi, #115 by world population
Malawi Population History (1960-2024)
The country of Malawi had a population of 3,628,134 in 1960 and 21,655,286 in 2024, a 6.0× growth over 64 years. The peak was 21,655,286 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.84%.
21,655,286
Population (2024)
3,628,134
Population (1960)
21,655,286
Peak (2024)
2.84%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 3,628,134 |
| 1961 | 3,715,534 |
| 1962 | 3,806,307 |
| 1963 | 3,900,506 |
| 1964 | 3,997,305 |
| 1965 | 4,096,157 |
| 1966 | 4,197,926 |
| 1967 | 4,303,012 |
| 1968 | 4,411,054 |
| 1969 | 4,521,184 |
| 1970 | 4,633,944 |
| 1971 | 4,751,434 |
| 1972 | 4,874,475 |
| 1973 | 5,003,938 |
| 1974 | 5,141,337 |
| 1975 | 5,287,367 |
| 1976 | 5,443,384 |
| 1977 | 5,614,983 |
| 1978 | 5,810,132 |
| 1979 | 6,028,749 |
| 1980 | 6,265,529 |
| 1981 | 6,516,454 |
| 1982 | 6,778,879 |
| 1983 | 7,051,709 |
| 1984 | 7,332,810 |
| 1985 | 7,620,508 |
| 1986 | 7,906,480 |
| 1987 | 8,293,174 |
| 1988 | 8,753,262 |
| 1989 | 9,176,220 |
| 1990 | 9,545,852 |
| 1991 | 9,844,227 |
| 1992 | 10,135,079 |
| 1993 | 10,284,024 |
| 1994 | 10,164,894 |
| 1995 | 10,150,117 |
| 1996 | 10,352,228 |
| 1997 | 10,562,035 |
| 1998 | 10,792,876 |
| 1999 | 11,047,804 |
| 2000 | 11,315,942 |
| 2001 | 11,593,058 |
| 2002 | 11,880,440 |
| 2003 | 12,181,574 |
| 2004 | 12,500,737 |
| 2005 | 12,840,031 |
| 2006 | 13,198,701 |
| 2007 | 13,576,343 |
| 2008 | 13,976,417 |
| 2009 | 14,395,788 |
| 2010 | 14,826,463 |
| 2011 | 15,265,022 |
| 2012 | 15,709,577 |
| 2013 | 16,161,816 |
| 2014 | 16,621,538 |
| 2015 | 17,085,587 |
| 2016 | 17,557,739 |
| 2017 | 18,039,715 |
| 2018 | 18,528,081 |
| 2019 | 19,025,752 |
| 2020 | 19,533,888 |
| 2021 | 20,047,258 |
| 2022 | 20,568,728 |
| 2023 | 21,104,482 |
| 2024 | 21,655,286 |
Demographics
| Population | 21,104,482 |
| Population Growth Rate | 2.57% |
| Urban Population | 17.0% |
| Fertility Rate | 3.65 births/woman |
| Life Expectancy | 67.4 years |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 38.4 per 1,000 |
| Literacy Rate | 70.2% |
Economy & Trade
$633
GDP Per Capita
5.0%
Unemployment Rate
Low income
Income Level
38.5
Gini Index (inequality)
42.4%
Trade (% of GDP)
Health & Education
6.5%
Health Expenditure (% GDP)
0.05
Physicians per 1,000
70.2%
Literacy Rate
38.4
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Development & Connectivity
15.6%
Electricity Access
16.8%
Internet Users
60
Mobile Subs per 100
223.8
People per km2
-5,811
Net Migration
Environment
22.4%
Forest Area
Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Malawi in global context
Malawi is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.
World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →Other related entities
Country rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi has a population of 21,104,482, ranking #115 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 2.57%.
Life expectancy in Malawi is 67.4 years. The infant mortality rate is 38.4 per 1,000 live births.
Malawi's GDP per capita is $633. It is classified as a low income country by the World Bank.
17.0% of Malawi's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 223.8 people per square kilometer.
The adult literacy rate in Malawi is 70.2%.
International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.
With 21,104,482 residents, Malawi is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa . The population is expanding fast — roughly 2.6% annually.
Malawi is a lower-income economy, with GDP per capita of about $633. Life expectancy is 67.4 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 3.6 births per woman, and 17.0% of the population lives in urban areas.
Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.