Malawi Population Clock
Malawi has an estimated population of about 22.2 million, which makes it the 60th most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.56% a year.
The capital is Lilongwe.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2016–2025 (World Bank)
How Malawi's population is changing
Malawi records about 1,894 births and 322 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 1,572 people per day, or about 574,173 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 5,628 over the reported period, with more people leaving than arriving. That is small next to its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, Malawi would take roughly 27 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2016 to 2025, the population rose from 17.6 million to 22.2 million — a gain of 4.66 million, or 26.5%.
Where people live in Malawi
With about 224 people per square kilometre, Malawi is densely populated, roughly 3.6× the world average of 62. That ranks 27th of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are Switzerland and North Korea.
Malawi covers about 94,280 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 22.2 million into that density figure.
About 17.6% of people live in urban areas, making Malawi predominantly rural, below the world average of 57.8%. That works out to roughly 3.91 million town and city dwellers and 18.3 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in Malawi
Malawi has a very young population: about 40.1% are under 15 and 2.6% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 15.5 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 3.59 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 67.6 years, roughly 5.9 years below the global average of 73.5.
Malawi at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22.2 million | 2025 |
| World rank by population | #60 | 2025 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.56% | 2025 |
| Population density | 224 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 94,280 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 17.6% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 67.6 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 3.59 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 40.1% | 2025 |
| Population 65 and over | 2.6% | 2025 |
| Net migration | -5,628 | 2025 |
| Births per day | 1,894 | 2025 |
| Deaths per day | 322 | 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
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Is Malawi's population growing or shrinking?
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Where do these Malawi figures come from?
Current local time in Malawi
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2025. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank