Malawi Population Pyramid 2021

Malawi
2021
Population: 20,047,257

Year

-5 -1   2021  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Malawi in 2021

The population of Malawi in 2021 was 20,047,258. That is 31.3% more than in 2011, when the population stood at 15,265,023.

With a median age of 18.2 years, Malawi had a youth dependency ratio of 77.6 and an old-age dependency ratio of 4.8 per 100 people of working age. The pyramid is expansive: its wide base of young cohorts reflects high fertility and a rapidly growing population.

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Population
20,047,258
Median age
18.2
0-14 %
42.5%
65+ %
2.7%
Child dependency
77.6
Old-age dependency
4.8
Region
Pyramid shape
Population 2050
37,361,683
Population 2100
59,141,258
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
12345678
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 3.65

The fertility rate of Malawi was 3.65 births per woman in 2023, above the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
304050607080
19602023 · 67.4

A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 67.4 years on average (70.6 years for girls, 64.1 for boys).

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
255075100
19502100
Where immigrants come from (2024)

156,059 immigrants live in Malawi, 0.7% of the population.

Mozambique39,156
Zambia30,614
D.R. Congo27,099
Zimbabwe26,561
Burundi9,834
Where emigrants live (2024)

427,573 people born in Malawi live in other countries.

South Africa220,437
Zimbabwe111,872
Mozambique65,284
Zambia17,796
Tanzania6,678
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

Country Population Median age Relative size
Malawi 20,047,258 18.2
Zambia 19,603,608 18.2
Somalia 17,271,432 16.4
Zimbabwe 15,797,210 18.6
Rwanda 13,355,260 20.0
What was the population of Malawi in 2021?
In 2021, Malawi's population was 20,047,258.
Is the population of Malawi increasing or decreasing?
Malawi's population grew 31.3% over the previous ten years, and is projected to reach 37,361,683 by 2050.
How old is the population of Malawi?
The median age in Malawi is 18.2 years — half the population is younger, half older.
What share of Malawi's population is over 65 or under 15?
In Malawi, 42.5% of people are under 15 and 2.7% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does Malawi have?
Malawi has an expansive pyramid: a wide base of young cohorts reflecting high fertility and continued population growth.

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