Share of urban population who live in the largest city in Malawi
Malawi: Share of urban population who live in the largest city was 6.7% in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of urban population who live in the largest city in Malawi, 1980–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Malawi recorded 6.7% for share of urban population who live in the largest city in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 23.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of urban population who live in the largest city in Malawi peaked at 11.5% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 1980.
Malawi ranks 173rd of 179 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Share of urban population who live in the largest city in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 5.0% | — |
| 1985 | 10.5% | +110.4% |
| 1990 | 9.7% | -7.9% |
| 1995 | 10.4% | +7.0% |
| 2000 | 11.5% | +11.4% |
| 2005 | 10.2% | -12.0% |
| 2010 | 8.8% | -13.9% |
| 2015 | 7.7% | -11.7% |
| 2020 | 6.7% | -13.7% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 6.7% is below the median for low income countries, which is 18.4%, 36% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 6.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 28.9%, 23% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 7.8% | 5.0% | 10.5% | 2 |
| 1990s | 10.0% | 9.7% | 10.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 10.9% | 10.2% | 11.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 8.2% | 7.7% | 8.8% | 2 |
| 2020s | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More population data for Malawi
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3622 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1183 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- 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)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2289 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.45 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of urban population who live in the largest city in Malawi?
- Share of urban population who live in the largest city in Malawi was 6.7% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of urban population who live in the largest city recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 11.5% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of urban population who live in the largest city recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 1980.
- How does Malawi rank for share of urban population who live in the largest city?
- Malawi ranks 173rd out of 179 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of urban population who live in the largest city rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of urban population who live in the largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of the urban population living in the country's largest city (by population). City boundaries are defined using a consistent global approach based on satellite imagery and population data.