Malawi: Statistical Overview

Capital: Lilongwe

Population

Total Population: 21,655,286

Natural Increase: 2.6%

Density: 224 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 17.3%

Ethnic Origins: The country is made up of several ethnic groups: the Chewa (about 34%), Lomwe (19%), Yao (13%), Ngoni (10%), Tumbuka (9%), Nyanja (6%), as well as a range of other ethnic groups (including Asians and Europeans) accounting for about 9% of the total population. (National Statistical Office of Malawi)

Official Language: English and Chichewa

Other Languages Spoken: Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chisena, Chilomwe, Chitonga

Business Language(s): English

Local Time:

It is %T:%M %A In Lilongwe

Exchange Rate on :

National Currency: Malawi Kwacha (MWK)

Country Overview

Area: 118,480 km²

Type of State: Malawi is a presidential republic.

Type of Economy: Low-income, primarily agricultural economy dependent on international aid.
Malawi is facing significant economic challenges, with very high inflation and heavy debt, which has prompted the country to implement austerity measures to stabilize its economy.

HDI*: 0.517/1

HDI (World Rank): 173/192

Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, measures a country's development in terms of quality of life. It mainly takes into account life expectancy, level of education and GDP per capita.

Telecommunication

Telephone Code:
To call from Malawi, dial 00
To call Malawi, dial +265

Internet Suffix: .mw

Households with a computer: 3.3 per 100 Inhabitants

Mobile phone subscriptions: 61.1 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 18.0 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 15.6% of the Population

Foreign Trade in Figures

Foreign Trade Indicators	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Imports of Goods (million USD)	3,073	1,586	3,141	3,315	3,661
Exports of Goods (million USD)	1,009	900	966	958	947
Imports of Services (million USD)	594	963	1,005	895	953
Exports of Services (million USD)	462	399	465	508	519

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation, Latest data available.

See the latest updates in the Country Profile for Malawi.

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