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Malawi: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As Nyasaland • Republic of Malawi
Head Of State And Government President: Peter Mutharika
Capital Lilongwe3
Population (2026 est.) 21,202,000
Form Of Government multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [229])
Official Language See footnote 1.
Official Religion none
Official Name Republic of Malawi1, 2
Total Area (Sq Km) 118,760
Total Area (Sq Mi) 45,854
Monetary Unit Malawian kwacha (MK)
Population Rank (2026) 64
Population Projection 2030 29,275,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 462.4
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 178.5
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2018) 15.8% • Rural: (2018) 84.2%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2021) 59.7 years • Female: (2021) 65.3 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 12,318
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 570
1No official language is stated in the constitution. English is the official language of instruction.2Dziko la Malaŵi in Chewa, the principal national language.3Judiciary meets in Blantyre.

Photos

Malawi
Map of Malawi showing its national boundaries with Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, as well as major cities including Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, and Zomba. Lake Malawi is depicted along the eastern border. An inset locator map highlights Malawi's position within southeastern Africa.
Cluster of thatched-roof huts and small buildings along the tree-lined shore of Lake Malawi, with water stretching to the horizon and a forested peninsula in the background.
Map of southeastern Africa highlighting Malawi in orange, with a label pointing to its capital, Lilongwe. Surrounding countries including Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are also labeled. The map shows Malawi's position relative to the Indian Ocean and Madagascar.
Map of Malawi highlighting its physical features, including Lake Malawi along the eastern border, national parks such as Nyika and Kasungu, the Shire Highlands, and Mount Mulanje. Neighboring countries Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique are shown, and an inset locator map marks Malawi's position in southeastern Africa.
Mulanje Mountains
Aerial view of Monkey Bay at Lake Malawi in East Africa, showing lush green islands and rocky outcrops surrounded by blue water.
Lilongwe
Malawi: fish drying on platforms
Malawi: Shire River
National anthem of Malawi
See All Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Cecil Rhodes
Cecil Rhodes
prime minister of Cape Colony
Joyce Banda
Joyce Banda
president of Malawi
First president of Malawi
Hastings Kamuzu Banda
president of Malawi
default image
John Chilembwe
Nyasaland leader
Harry Hamilton Johnston
Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston
British explorer
default image
Godfrey Wilson
British anthropologist
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Sir Alfred Sharpe
British colonial administrator

Related Places

A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
Africa
continent
Namib desert
Southern Africa
region, Africa
default image
Blantyre
Malawi
Lilongwe
Lilongwe
national capital, Malawi
default image
Zomba
Malawi
default image
Mangochi
Malawi
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Karonga
Malawi
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Salima
town, Malawi
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Nkhotakota
Malawi
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Dedza
Malawi
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Nkhata Bay
town, Malawi
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Nsanje
Malawi
default image
Kasungu
Malawi
default image
Mchinji
town, Malawi
default image
Mzimba
Malawi

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