Regions of Malawi: population and official figures
Malawi is divided into 3 regions. The largest by population is Southern Region with 7,750,629 people (44.1% of the total); the smallest is Northern Region with 2,289,780. Malawi's three regions are used for administration and statistics; they have no elected government or budget of their own. Population figures are from the 2018 census, the latest held. Health, schooling, water and household wealth come from the 2024 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, and literacy, enrolment, electricity, food security and financial accounts from the National Statistical Office's Sixth Integrated Household Survey (2024-2025).
Who governs Malawi's regions?
Regions (3: Northern, Central, Southern): No elected government. Used for national administration and statistics only.
How local power works in Malawi · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 3 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Region | 7,750,629 | 2018 | +2.7% |
| 2 | Central Region | 7,523,340 | 2018 | +3.1% |
| 3 | Northern Region | 2,289,780 | 2018 | +3.0% |
Cities: the largest cities of Malawi.
More on Malawi: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- National Statistical Office of Malawi (copy hosted by UNFPA Malawi): 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census Main Report: Tables A1 and A3 (population by region, sex, urban and rural), 2.2 (growth 2008-2018), 2.5 (density) and 4.1 (households), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1a44ad127e84…)
- National Statistical Office of Malawi (with ICF, The DHS Program): Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2024: Final Report (region rows of Tables 2.6, 2.12, 3.2.1, 3.6.1, 5.2, 5.12, 8.3, 9.7, 10.4, 11.1, 12.15, 15.6.1, 16.2 and 16.7), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 67bf038b8ed3…)
- National Statistical Office of Malawi: The Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6) 2024-2025 Main Report: appendix Tables 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 6.1, 7.17, 9.1, 9.2, 10.3 and 12.1 by region, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 199eeaf84c4b…)
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