Population by income level in Malawi
Malawi: Population by income level was 22.22 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population by income level in Malawi, 1960–2025
Source: United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, population by income level in Malawi stood at 22.22 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
The figure is up 2.6% on the previous year and up 30.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population by income level in Malawi peaked at 22.22 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 3.63 million, in 1960.
Malawi ranks 60th of 215 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4.06 million | 3.63 million | 4.52 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.26 million | 4.63 million | 6.03 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.57 million | 6.27 million | 9.18 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.29 million | 9.55 million | 11.05 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 12.75 million | 11.32 million | 14.40 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.88 million | 14.83 million | 19.03 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.85 million | 19.53 million | 22.22 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More population data for Malawi
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.85 million people (2100)
- Population density 627.29 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.59 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 35,510 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.59 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.59 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.6% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 3.65 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population by income level in Malawi?
- Population by income level in Malawi was 22.22 million in 2025, according to United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population by income level recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 22.22 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population by income level recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.63 million in 1960.
- How does Malawi rank for population by income level?
- Malawi ranks 60th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population by income level rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population by income level. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total population, differentiated by World Bank income level.