← Back to all countries

Sub-Saharan Africa

Malawi

Malawi · MWI · population about 22.8 million

Of every 1,000 babies born in the world right now, 5 are born here — about one in 191. That is 0.7 million a year, or 1.3 a minute.

This is a draw with the birthplace fixed, not weighted. Sex, family and everything after are still random.

The numbers here

16 indicators and where they rank among 237 countries and territories. Rank 1 is the better end (longer lives first, lower mortality first).

Births, deaths, income and education in Malawi, and where each ranks among 237 countries and territories
IndicatorValueRank
Female life expectancyhigher is better70.6yrs#189 / 237
Male life expectancyhigher is better64.1yrs#198 / 237
Dies before fivelower is better36.7‰#194 / 237
Infant mortalitylower is better27.6‰#194 / 237
GDP per person (PPP)higher is better1,899int$#231 / 237
Gini coefficientlower is more equal38.5#163 / 237
Maternal mortalitylower is better225/100k births#202 / 237
Secondary enrolmenthigher is better37%#224 / 237
Tertiary enrolmenthigher is better3%#233 / 237
Urban populationhigher is better18%#234 / 237
Agricultural employmentlower is better65%#230 / 237
Road deathslower is better33.4/100k people#225 / 237
Male smokinglower is better9%#26 / 237
Out-of-pocket healthlower is better12%#36 / 237
Internet usehigher is better19%#222 / 237
Fertility ratehigher is better3.45#43 / 237

Sources:UN World Population Prospects 2024 (births, population, life expectancy, infant and under-five mortality, fertility), World Bank WDI (income, Gini, enrolment, urbanisation, agricultural employment, internet use, out-of-pocket health spending), WHO (maternal mortality, smoking, road deaths), UNODC (homicide). Estimated values are marked. Methods and limits are inhow it is calculated.

Three questions about Malawi

What are the odds of being born in Malawi?

About 0.7 million babies are born in Malawi in 2026, 0.52% of the world’s 132.5 million newborns — roughly one in 191. At 4.2 births a second worldwide, that is about 1.3 a minute here.

What is life expectancy in Malawi?

On the UN life table, women in Malawi live 70.6 years and men 64.1; female life expectancy ranks 189 of 237. Infant mortality is 27.6‰ and under-five mortality 36.7‰.

What is income per person in Malawi?

GDP per person (PPP) is about 1,899 international dollars, ranking 231 of 237. The Gini coefficient is 38.5 (lower is more equal), and 18% of people live in cities.