Malawi

Census Results


1966-08-09 4,039,583
1977-09-20 5,547,460
1987-09-01 7,988,507
1998-09-12 9,933,868
2008-06-08 13,077,160

General Information


Official name Republic of Malawi
Official name [native] Dziko la Malaŵi «Chichewa»
the Republic of Malawi «English»
Capital Lilongwe
Capital [native] Lilongwe «English»
Region Eastern Africa
ISO code MW
Statistical agency National Statistical Office

Name in Chinese 马拉维共和国
Name in Arabic جمهورية ملاوي
Name in Spanish la República de Malawi
Name in Russian Республика Малави
Name in French la République du Malawi

Administrative units

administrative unitscapitalarea (sq.km.)population
1987-09-01
census		population
1998-09-12
census		population
2008-06-08
census
Central Region 35,5923,110,9864,066,3405,510,195
Dedza DistrictDedza3,624411,787486,682624,445
Dowa DistrictDowa3,041322,432411,387558,470
Kasungu DistrictKasungu7,878323,453480,659627,467
Lilongwe DistrictLilongwe5,703753,309905,8891,230,834
Lilongwe CityLilongwe456223,318440,471674,448
Mchinji DistrictMchinji3,356249,843324,941456,516
Nkhotakota DistrictNkhotakota4,259158,044229,460303,659
Ntcheu DistrictNtcheu3,424358,767370,757471,589
Ntchisi DistrictNtchisi1,655120,860167,880224,872
Salima DistrictSalima2,196189,173248,214337,895
Northern Region 26,931911,7871,233,5601,708,930
Chitipa DistrictChitipa4,28896,794126,799178,904
Karonga DistrictKaronga3,355148,014194,572269,890
Likoma District-188,1928,07410,414
Mzimba DistrictMzimba10,382389,479524,014727,931
Mzuzu CityMzuzu City4844,21786,980133,968
Nkhata Bay DistrictNkhata Bay4,071130,189164,761215,789
Rumphi DistrictRumphi4,76994,902128,360172,034
Southern Region 31,7533,965,7344,633,9685,876,784
Balaka DistrictBalaka2,193213,416253,098317,324
Blantyre DistrictBlantyre1,792256,405307,344340,728
Blantyre CityBlantyre City220333,120502,053661,256
Chikwawa DistrictChikwawa4,755316,733356,682434,648
Chiradzulu DistrictChiradzulu767210,912236,050288,546
Machinga DistrictMachinga3,771301,849369,614490,579
Mangochi DistrictMangochi6,273496,578610,239797,061
Mulanje DistrictMulanje2,056419,928428,322521,391
Mwanza DistrictMwanza82660,30563,22092,947
Neno DistrictNeno1,46961,20874,795107,317
Nsanje DistrictNsanje1,942204,374194,924238,103
Phalombe DistrictPhalombe1,394218,134231,990313,129
Thyolo DistrictThyolo1,715431,157458,976587,053
Zomba DistrictZomba2,541398,365480,746579,639
Zomba CityZomba City3943,25065,91588,314
total 94,2767,988,5079,933,86813,077,160
source: National Statistical Office, Malawi.
note: area = land area.
note: NP = National Park; TA = Traditional Authority; STA = Sub-Traditional Authority; S/C Sub-Chiefdom.

Expanded administrative units

administrative unitscapitalarea (sq.km.)population
1987-09-01
census		population
1998-09-12
census		population
2008-06-08
census
Central Region 35,5923,110,9864,066,3405,510,195
Dedza DistrictDedza3,624411,787486,682624,445
S/C Chauma   16,38920,896
STA Chilikumwendo   46,28260,707
Dedza Town   15,40820,241
TA Kachindamoto   68,09293,532
S/C Kamenya Gwaza   23,72030,358
TA Kaphuka   103,622133,778
TA Kasumbu   56,11571,199
TA Pemba   105,343131,097
TA Tambala   51,71162,637
Dowa DistrictDowa3,041322,432411,387558,470
TA Dzoole   53,90275,121
STA Chakhaza   93,813121,488
TA Kayembe   61,48485,855
TA Chiwere   61,77382,112
STA Mkukula   52,52474,849
TA Msakambewa   48,15964,505
STA Mponela   35,23949,775
Dowa Boma   4,4934,765
Kasungu DistrictKasungu7,878323,453480,659627,467
STA Chilowamatambe   30,19638,129
STA Chisikwa   4,6366,320
TA Chulu   43,32759,683
TA Kaluluma   29,82345,769
TA Kaomba   31,94340,892
TA Kapelula   21,86637,641
Kasungu National Park   385321
Kasungu Township   27,75439,640
STA Kawamba   40,53741,486
TA Lukwa   26,39731,150
STA M'nyanja   19,34630,963
TA Mwase   18,17121,053
STA Njombwa   24,53939,081
TA Santhe   64,54482,823
STA Simlemba   23,24129,685
TA Wimbe   73,95482,831
Lilongwe DistrictLilongwe5,703753,309905,8891,230,834
TA Chadza   79,900112,230
TA Chimutu   64,23690,027
TA Chiseka   173,468229,184
STA Chitekwele   26,75037,660
TA Chitukula   21,90028,959
TA Kabudula   80,531111,791
TA Kalolo   104,939141,624
TA Kalumba   17,73923,206
TA Kalumbu   44,51957,997
TA Khongoni   76,121100,304
TA Malili   63,44590,809
TA Mazengera   75,01895,958
STA Mtema   35,65248,088
STA Njewa   22,04431,731
STA Tsabango   19,62731,266
Lilongwe CityLilongwe456223,318440,471674,448
Area 1   10,92213,684
Area 2   2,7743,041
Area 3   4,6584,471
Area 4   4294
Area 5   225755
Area 6   1,3652,498
Area 7   31,68639,966
Area 8   23,31026,249
Area 9   1,5291,866
Area 10   3,9873,189
Area 11   1,075935
Area 12   2,6292,311
Area 13   37 
Area 14   8611,157
Area 15   1,8721,571
Area 16   025
Area 17   04
Area 18   10,67713,942
Area 20   014
Area 21   35,31444,764
Area 22   19,62229,458
Area 23   33,66445,606
Area 24   13,60222,708
Area 25   39,13265,672
Area 26   3,8924,847
Area 27   1,4342,233
Area 28   32148
Area 29   658539
Area 30   2,9142,329
Area 32   247346
Area 33   1,9382,496
Area 34   046
Area 35   5,1767,304
Area 36   16,16447,308
Area 37   0555
Area 38   2,5919,733
Area 39   3,8864,690
Area 40   08
Area 42   013
Area 43   1,6512,307
Area 44   13,20325,911
Area 45   414170
Area 46   2,2443,198
Area 47   5,4978,139
Area 49   13,50125,509
Area 50   8,17826,881
Area 51   14,49913,709
Area 52   2,8433,268
Area 53   11,94718,332
Area 54   3,4694,695
Area 55   10,86715,505
Area 56   22,36936,642
Area 57   34,69259,805
Area 58   16,89323,902
Mchinji DistrictMchinji3,356249,843324,941456,516
STA Dambe   35,21453,850
STA Mavwere   68,20289,896
Mchinji Boma   11,47317,881
STA Mduwa   58,36379,738
TA Mkanda   61,45486,006
TA Mlonyeni   27,18137,415
TA Zulu   63,05491,730
Nkhotakota DistrictNkhotakota4,259158,044229,460303,659
STA Kafuzila   11,99517,775
TA Kanyenda   74,93291,064
TA Malenga Chanzi   41,50152,612
STA Mphonde   18,76725,492
TA Mwadzama   45,99768,158
TA Mwansambo   16,91823,832
Nkhotako Boma   19,26224,726
Nkhotakota Game Reserve   880
Ntcheu DistrictNtcheu3,424358,767370,757471,589
TA Chakhumbira   21,68526,234
STA Champiti   13,58416,306
STA Goodson Ganya   77,078104,889
TA Kwataine   35,32241,107
STA Makwangwala   66,33985,418
TA Masasa   17,58624,533
TA Mpando   37,27550,334
TA Njolomole   45,86753,423
Ntcheu Boma   8,78314,642
TA Phambala   47,23854,703
Ntchisi DistrictNtchisi1,655120,860167,880224,872
TA Chikho   19,56826,925
STA Chilooko   47,54362,259
TA Kalumo   17,10390,585
TA Kasakula   10,89515,315
Ntchisi Boma   5,7737,918
STA Nthondo   66,99821,870
Salima DistrictSalima2,196189,173248,214337,895
TA Kambalame   10,59015,794
STA Kambwiri   20,11727,114
TA Karonga   42,49855,553
TA Khombedza   45,76567,568
STA Kuluunda   9,37210,320
Lake Malawi NP (A)   186 
TA Maganga   35,68847,498
STA Msosa   4,4185,611
STA Mwanza   12,60920,773
TA Ndindi   31,17640,250
TA Pemba   15,44019,562
Salima Township   20,35527,852
Northern Region 26,931911,7871,233,5601,708,930
Chitipa DistrictChitipa4,28896,794126,799178,904
Chitipa Boma   7,63614,753
TA Kameme   14,41919,313
TA Mwabulambya   49,44369,721
TA Mwenemisuku   22,97027,426
TA Mwenewenya   13,65019,468
TA Nthalire   18,66028,223
Nyika NP (C)    210
Karonga DistrictKaronga3,355148,014194,572269,890
Karonga Town   27,81140,334
TA Kilupula   47,44561,648
TA Kyungu   46,06366,318
STA Mwakaboko   15,37719,360
STA Mwirang'ombe   20,15128,215
Nyika NP (B)    00
TA Wasambo   37,72554,015
Likoma District-188,1928,07410,414
Likoma Boma    1,352
TA Mkumpha   8,0749,062
Mzimba DistrictMzimba10,382389,479524,014727,931
TA Chindi   94,250131,584
S/C Jaravikuba Munthali   10,31414,742
S/C Kampingo Sibande   38,37057,076
S/C Khosolo Gwaza Jere   26,04537,540
TA M'mbelwa   85,470117,707
TA Mabulabo   45,90563,514
TA Mpherembe   37,41344,196
TA Mtwalo   99,230139,479
TA Mzikubola   49,70968,427
Mzimba Boma   13,74220,994
TA Mzukuzuku   23,19432,530
Vwaza Game Reserve (B)   372142
Mzuzu CityMzuzu City4844,21786,980133,968
Chasefu ward   1,5961,820
Chibanja ward   6,4409,840
Chiputula ward   15,86721,699
Jombo ward   1,3331,347
Kaning'ina ward   3,7014,016
Katawa ward   2,8763,617
Katoto ward   3,9207,022
Lupaso ward   10,08417,511
Masasa ward   1,1751,507
Mchengautuwa ward   16,11229,271
Msongwe ward   1,5402,731
Mzilawayingwe ward   2,7793,297
New Airport Site ward   3,7337,570
Nkhorongo ward   2,3853,190
Viphya ward   6,75212,182
Zolozolo ward   6,6877,348
Nkhata Bay DistrictNkhata Bay4,071130,189164,761215,789
TA Boghoyo   1,1581,264
STA Fukamalaza   7,86711,104
TA Fukamapiri   11,28717,051
TA Kabunduli   30,13037,295
STA Malanda   16,76721,095
TA Malenga Mzoma   8,4419,027
TA Mankhambira   17,11821,794
STA Mkondowe   1,6771,933
STA Mkumbira   7,65310,958
TA Musisya   12,85116,156
Nkhata Bay Boma   9,43311,269
STA Nyaluwanga   5,2397,365
TA Timbiri   24,91135,858
STA Zilakoma   10,22913,620
Rumphi DistrictRumphi4,76994,902128,360172,034
S/C Chapinduka   2,3892,789
TA Chikulamayembe   45,51062,227
S/C Kachulu   6,7099,251
TA Katumbi   9,20613,210
S/C Mwahenga   9,82212,340
S/C Mwalweni   16,20920,192
TA Mwamlowe   7,3568,220
S/C Mwankhunikira   13,20320,643
Nyika NP (A)   516409
Rumphi Boma   14,06917,845
Vwaza Game Reserve (A)   21541
S/C Zolokere   3,1564,867
Southern Region 31,7533,965,7344,633,9685,876,784
Balaka DistrictBalaka2,193213,416253,098317,324
Balaka Boma   14,29822,733
TA Kalembo   93,752122,305
TA Msamala   145,048172,286
Blantyre DistrictBlantyre1,792256,405307,344340,728
TA Chigaru   33,24339,836
Senior TAKapeni   73,05572,236
TA Kuntaja   64,02571,434
TA Kunthembwe   26,70333,770
TA Lundu   20,18425,676
TA Machinjili   21,43022,297
TA Makata   13,65615,991
TA Somba   55,04859,488
Blantyre CityBlantyre City220333,120502,053661,256
Bangwe Ward   35,72334,773
Blantyre Central Ward   3,6684,808
Blantyre East Ward   3,5785,786
Blantyre West Ward   18,45822,901
Chichiri Ward   5,7085,452
Chigumula Ward   17,00223,352
Chilomoni Ward   23,22337,690
Likhubula Ward   48,96651,853
Limbe Central Ward   2,5582,960
Limbe East Ward   32,78038,512
Limbe west Ward   10,86513,877
Mapanga Ward   17,26523,854
Michiru Ward   28,30346,639
Misesa Ward   18,89331,212
Msamba Ward   2,6144,330
Mzedi Ward   9,17713,333
Namiyango Ward   13,36718,761
Nancholi Ward   10,87625,109
Ndirande Norh Ward   20,00929,033
Ndirande South Ward   61,63864,602
Ndirande West Ward   13,79515,529
Nkolokoti Ward   23,70335,218
Nyambadwe Ward   7,2728,304
Soche East Ward   14,79314,887
Soche West Ward   33,45350,617
South Lunzu Ward   24,36637,864
Chikwawa DistrictChikwawa4,755316,733356,682434,648
TA Chapananga   64,99386,495
Chikwawa Boma   7,4746,987
TA Kasisi   25,36231,003
TA Katunga   16,42924,680
Lengwe NP   30453
TA Lundu   42,51146,372
Majete Game Reserve (A)   590
TA Makhwira   59,02262,929
TA Maseya   19,21626,639
TA Ngabu   121,312149,490
Chiradzulu DistrictChiradzulu767210,912236,050288,546
Chiradzulu Boma   2,6992,348
TA Chitera   15,78918,394
TA Kadewere   62,19877,540
TA Likoswe   46,52756,840
TA Mpama   46,91458,005
TA Nchema   27,54233,779
TA Nkalo   34,38141,640
Machinga DistrictMachinga3,771301,849369,614490,579
TA Chamba   16,52621,591
TA Chikweo   39,10854,295
STA Chiwalo   12,10119,470
Senior TAKawinga   84,648113,022
TA Liwonde   63,79881,583
Liwonde National Park   2061,242
Liwonde Township   15,70122,927
Machinga Boma   1,2691,220
TA Mlomba   28,04540,752
TA Mposa   17,65521,705
TA Ngokwe   20,47625,655
TA Nyambi   38,59348,506
TA Sitola   31,48838,611
Mangochi DistrictMangochi6,273496,578610,239797,061
TA Chimwala   87,024112,486
TA Chowe   83,204108,615
TA Jalasi   58,40674,215
TA Katuli   47,10652,080
Lake Malawi NP (B)   0771
TA Makanjila   47,91968,662
Mangochi Township   26,57039,575
TA Mbwana Nyambi   59,69579,797
Monkey Bay Urban   10,74911,246
TA Mponda   87,426109,082
STA Namabvi   22,72132,185
TA Nankumba   79,419108,347
Mulanje DistrictMulanje2,056419,928428,322521,391
TA Chikumbu   60,46671,736
TA Juma   61,20778,149
Laston Njema   50,18166,287
TA Mabuka   133,118155,099
Mulanje Boma   12,54814,497
Mulanje Mountain Reserve   58 
TA Nkanda   76,05693,892
TA Nthiramanja   34,68841,731
Mwanza DistrictMwanza82660,30563,22092,947
TA Kanduku   23,73535,971
Mwanza Boma   8,18914,226
TA Nthache   31,29642,750
Neno DistrictNeno1,46961,20874,795107,317
TA Dambe   19,26224,858
Majete Game Reserve   11736
TA Mlauli   17,15324,775
Neno Boma    1,649
TA Ngozi   13,13317,820
TA Symon   25,13038,179
Nsanje DistrictNsanje1,942204,374194,924238,103
TA Chimombo   8,84410,239
STA Makoko   5,0376,687
TA Malemia   16,00918,033
TA Mbenje   34,25443,394
TA Mlolo   47,66357,937
Mwabvi Game Reserve   4,0445,562
TA Ndamera   23,55026,596
TA Ngabu   9,09411,146
Nsanje Boma   16,98720,179
TA Nyachikadza   4,3663,640
TA Tengani   25,07634,690
Phalombe DistrictPhalombe1,394218,134231,990313,129
STA Chiwalo    32,165
TA Mkhumba   152,909206,554
TA Nazombe   76,50369,475
Phalombe   2,5784,935
Thyolo DistrictThyolo1,715431,157458,976587,053
TA Bvumbwe   72,64392,444
TA Chimaliro   83,281112,127
STA Chingata   27,96036,887
TA Kapichi   39,64250,143
STA Kwethemule   37,01647,490
Luchenza Township   8,84210,896
STA Mbawela   31,07240,534
STA Mphuka   36,02150,763
TA Nchilamwela   52,18756,225
TA Nsabwe   28,41734,746
TA Thomas   24,81132,050
STA Thukuta   11,77115,055
Thyolo Boma   5,3137,693
Zomba DistrictZomba2,541398,365480,746579,639
TA Chikowi 660 45,65056,726
TA Kuntumanji 332 61,07671,926
TA Malemia 306 47,59059,031
STA Mbiza   108,967137,593
TA Mkumbira 83 5,0744,803
TA Mlumbe 678 116,283132,340
TA Mwambo 482 96,106117,220
Zomba CityZomba City3943,25065,91588,314
Chambo Ward   4,3106,072
Chikamveka Ward   2,5422,978
Chikamveka NorthWard Ward   8,85113,710
Chilunga Ward   1,5913,636
Chilunga East Ward   4,3246,960
Likangal North Ward   9,57512,855
Likangala Central Ward   4,8227,696
Likangala South Ward   9231,541
Masondola Ward   1,732872
Mbedza Ward   3,2464,207
Mtiya Ward   10,1769,688
Sadzi Ward   5,7229,103
Zakazaka Ward   5,4176,423
Zomba Central Ward   2,6842,573
total 94,2767,988,5079,933,86813,077,160
source: National Statistical Office, Malawi.
note: area = land area.
note: NP = National Park; TA = Traditional Authority; STA = Sub-Traditional Authority; S/C Sub-Chiefdom.

Main cities

namepopulation
1987-09-01
census		population
1998-09-12
census		population
2008-06-08
census
Lilongwe223,318440,471674,448
Blantyre333,120502,053661,256
Mzuzu44,21786,980133,968
Zomba43,25065,91588,314
source: National Statistical Office, Malawi.