Malawi Population Pyramid 2023
Malawi
Afghanistan
Africa
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
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Asia
Australia
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Least developed countries
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Less developed regions
Less developed regions, excluding China
Less developed regions, excluding least developed countries
Liberia
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Malawi
Malaysia
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Mali
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More developed regions
Morocco
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New Caledonia
New Zealand
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Niger
Nigeria
Northern Africa
Northern America
Northern Europe
Norway
Oceania
Oman
Other non-specified areas
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Polynesia
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Russian Federation
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Réunion
Saint Lucia
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Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
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Singapore
Slovakia
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South Africa
South America
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Southern Africa
Southern Asia
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Western Africa
Western Asia
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World
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
2023
Population:
21,104,482
Summary
Malawi in 2023
The population of Malawi in 2023 was 21,104,482. That is 30.6% more than in 2013, when the population stood at 16,161,816.
The median age was 18.7 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there were 73.7 children under 15 and 4.6 people aged 65 or over. The pyramid is expansive: its wide base of young cohorts reflects high fertility and a rapidly growing population.
Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.
Key indicators for Malawi
What is driving the change
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
Migration to and from Malawi
Where immigrants come from (2024)
156,059 immigrants live in Malawi, 0.7% of the population.
| Mozambique | 39,156 |
| Zambia | 30,614 |
| D.R. Congo | 27,099 |
| Zimbabwe | 26,561 |
| Burundi | 9,834 |
Where emigrants live (2024)
427,573 people born in Malawi live in other countries.
| South Africa | 220,437 |
| Zimbabwe | 111,872 |
| Mozambique | 65,284 |
| Zambia | 17,796 |
| Tanzania | 6,678 |
Explore
Immigration statistics
Origin of migrant stocks map
Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.
How Malawi compares with its neighbours
| Country | Population | Median age | Relative size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malawi | 21,104,483 | 18.7 | |
| Zambia | 20,723,965 | 18.6 | |
| Somalia | 18,358,615 | 16.5 | |
| Zimbabwe | 16,340,822 | 18.9 | |
| Rwanda | 13,954,472 | 20.5 |
Frequently asked questions about Malawi's population
How many people lived in Malawi in 2023?
In 2023, Malawi's population was 21,104,482.
Is the population of Malawi increasing or decreasing?
Malawi's population grew 30.6% over the previous ten years, and is projected to reach 37,361,683 by 2050.
What is the median age in Malawi?
The median age in Malawi is 18.7 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in Malawi?
In Malawi, 41.3% of people are under 15 and 2.6% 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.
