Malawi
- Capital:
- Lilongwe
- Continent:
- Africa
- Region(s):
- Eastern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Abbreviation:
- MWI
22,785,535
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
22,785,535
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
Malawi's population is projected to be 58,389,577 by 2097.
Historical
Switch the toggle to see projected data.
| Year ↓ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22,785,535 | 2.59% | 62 |
| 2025 | 22,216,120 | 2.61% | 62 |
| 2020 | 19,533,888 | 2.67% | 62 |
| 2019 | 19,025,752 | 2.69% | 65 |
| 2018 | 18,528,081 | 2.71% | 65 |
| 2017 | 18,039,715 | 2.74% | 65 |
| 2015 | 17,085,587 | 2.88% | 66 |
| 2010 | 14,826,463 | 2.92% | 67 |
| 2005 | 12,840,031 | 2.56% | 69 |
| 2000 | 11,315,942 | 2.2% | 70 |
| Year ↑ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22,785,535 | 2.59% | 62 |
| 2032 | 26,366,761 | 2.45% | 60 |
| 2037 | 29,462,510 | 2.25% | 60 |
| 2042 | 32,517,507 | 1.99% | 59 |
| 2047 | 35,567,993 | 1.81% | 56 |
| 2052 | 38,568,584 | 1.63% | 55 |
| 2057 | 41,511,359 | 1.48% | 54 |
| 2062 | 44,330,130 | 1.32% | 51 |
| 2067 | 46,922,128 | 1.14% | 48 |
| 2072 | 49,355,296 | 1.02% | 47 |
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Lilongwe has a metropolitan area population of 1,344,144, comprising 5.9%% of Malawi's total population.
As of 2026, Malawi has a total population of 22,785,535, ranking as the 62nd most populous nation in the world.
Malawi has a net population change of approximately 1,576 people per day, driven by 1,895 births, 323 deaths, and net immigration of 4 people.
Malawi represents 0.28% of the total global population and 1.44% of Africa's population.
Malawi has a population density of 241.7 people per km² (approximately 625.9 per mi²), making it the 62nd most densely populated country in the world.
Currently, 15.54% of the population resides in urban areas, a figure that is increasing annually.
*Rates last updated: June 8, 2026
As of 2026, the largest ethnicity in Malawi is Chewa (34.3%) , followed by Lomwe (18.8%) .
As of 2026, Protestant is the largest religion in Malawi, comprising 33.5% of the population.