Malawi: housing

How many households in Malawi own their home?

67.2% of Malawi's households owned their dwelling in 2024/25 and 15.2% rented, according to the National Statistical Office Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6). A further 14.7% lived in housing provided free of charge with authorisation.

Ownership was 75.0% in rural areas and 29.4% in urban areas, where 52.8% of dwellings were rented. The survey classed 43.1% of households as living in permanent structures, 35.3% in semi-permanent and 21.7% in traditional housing, based on roof and wall materials.

Official sources: NSO Malawi: Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6) 2024-2025, main report (PDF)

How many people in Malawi have clean water and sanitation?

91.2% of Malawi's households used an improved water source in 2024/25, and 54.2% had improved sanitation, according to the National Statistical Office Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6).

The World Bank gives lower figures for 2024: 73.1% of people used at least basic drinking water services and 49.2% at least basic sanitation. Those figures come from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, whose basic level adds conditions such as collection time and whether facilities are shared, so they are lower than the share using an improved source.

Official sources: NSO Malawi: Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6) 2024-2025, main report (PDF) · World Bank: People using at least basic drinking water services, Malawi · World Bank: People using at least basic sanitation services, Malawi

How many people in Malawi live in cities?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people living in urban areas in Malawi at 17.6% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 48th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 44.9%. World rank, highest first: 190th of 193.

How many people in Malawi live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Malawi was 38.0%, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. It is 41st highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 48.7%. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 60th highest.

What share of people in Malawi have electricity?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 15.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.7% (2006) to 18.0% (2018). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.8%; Malawi is 46th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 191st highest.

How many people in Malawi have clean water?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Malawi at 18.2% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.2%; Malawi is 18th highest of 25. World rank, highest first: 124th of 134.

What share of people in Malawi have safe sanitation?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Malawi at 46.2% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 10.1% (2005) to 46.2% (2022). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 23.6%; Malawi is 4th highest of 29. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 83rd highest.

What is access to clean cooking in Malawi?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Malawi was 2.0% in 2024. It has not changed since 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 13.0%, and Malawi placed 38th highest of 48. Worldwide: 182nd of 192.