Urban Population: Malawi
Malawi's urban population is currently 17.3% as of 2024. # Malawi Urban Population Malawi's urban population reached 17.
Current (2024)
17.3%
+1.7% y/y
Peak (2024)
17.3%
Low (1960)
4.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Malawi
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Malawi
Analysis# Malawi Urban Population
Malawi's urban population reached 17.269% in 2024, marking the country's all-time peak. Since 1960, when only 4.044% of Malawians lived in urban areas, the nation has experienced a 327% increase in urbanization over six decades. Despite this substantial growth, Malawi remains predominantly rural compared to global and regional averages, with roughly four in five residents still living outside cities.
The period from 2015 to 2024 reveals steady urbanization acceleration. Annual growth increments widened from 0.066 percentage points (2015–2016) to 0.294 percentage points (2023–2024), suggesting urbanization momentum is intensifying. If this trend continues, Malawi's urban share could approach 18–19% within the next five years, reflecting ongoing rural-to-urban migration driven by economic opportunity and demographic shifts.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.3% | +1.73% |
| 2023 | 17.0% | +1.56% |
| 2022 | 16.7% | +1.38% |
| 2021 | 16.5% | +1.18% |
| 2020 | 16.3% | +0.98% |
| 2019 | 16.1% | +0.72% |
| 2018 | 16.0% | +0.37% |
| 2017 | 16.0% | +0.40% |
| 2016 | 15.9% | +0.42% |
| 2015 | 15.8% | +0.43% |
| 2014 | 15.8% | +0.44% |
| 2013 | 15.7% | +0.46% |
| 2012 | 15.6% | +0.47% |
| 2011 | 15.6% | +0.48% |
| 2010 | 15.5% | +0.49% |
| 2009 | 15.4% | +0.51% |
| 2008 | 15.3% | +0.50% |
| 2007 | 15.2% | +0.48% |
| 2006 | 15.2% | +0.47% |
| 2005 | 15.1% | +0.48% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 15.0% | +0.51% |
| 2003 | 15.0% | +0.56% |
| 2002 | 14.9% | +0.62% |
| 2001 | 14.8% | +0.70% |
| 2000 | 14.7% | +0.80% |
| 1999 | 14.6% | +0.95% |
| 1998 | 14.4% | +1.36% |
| 1997 | 14.2% | +1.92% |
| 1996 | 14.0% | +2.39% |
| 1995 | 13.6% | +2.79% |
| 1994 | 13.3% | +3.11% |
| 1993 | 12.9% | +3.34% |
| 1992 | 12.4% | +3.47% |
| 1991 | 12.0% | +3.49% |
| 1990 | 11.6% | +3.38% |
| 1989 | 11.2% | +3.12% |
| 1988 | 10.9% | +2.69% |
| 1987 | 10.6% | +2.39% |
| 1986 | 10.4% | +2.25% |
| 1985 | 10.1% | +2.12% |
| 1984 | 9.9% | +2.07% |
| 1983 | 9.7% | +2.06% |
| 1982 | 9.5% | +2.11% |
| 1981 | 9.3% | +2.23% |
| 1980 | 9.1% | +2.43% |
| 1979 | 8.9% | +2.69% |
| 1978 | 8.7% | +3.10% |
| 1977 | 8.4% | +3.80% |
| 1976 | 8.1% | +4.62% |
| 1975 | 7.8% | +5.32% |
| 1974 | 7.4% | +5.94% |
| 1973 | 7.0% | +6.41% |
| 1972 | 6.5% | +6.71% |
| 1971 | 6.1% | +6.77% |
| 1970 | 5.7% | +6.54% |
| 1969 | 5.4% | +5.93% |
| 1968 | 5.1% | +4.87% |
| 1967 | 4.8% | +3.37% |
| 1966 | 4.7% | +2.58% |
| 1965 | 4.6% | +2.61% |
| 1964 | 4.5% | +2.53% |
| 1963 | 4.3% | +2.48% |
| 1962 | 4.2% | +2.42% |
| 1961 | 4.1% | +2.30% |
| 1960 | 4.0% | — |
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