Health in Central Region, Malawi: official figures
For every 1,000 babies born in the Central Region in the ten years before the 2024 survey, 34 died before their first birthday and 49 before their fifth; the under-five rate is the second highest of the 3 regions (Malawi, last five years: 48).
How many children in the Central Region are vaccinated?
66.7% of children aged 12 to 23 months in the Central Region had all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses each of pentavalent and polio, and measles-rubella) in 2024 and 1.1% had none; the basic-vaccine rate is the second highest of the 3 regions (Malawi: 66.7% and 1.3%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in the Central Region are malnourished?
38.5% of children under five in the Central Region were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2024, 1.3% were wasted and 9.6% underweight; the stunting rate is the joint highest of the 3 regions (Malawi: 37.8%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is malaria among children in the Central Region?
26.7% of children aged 6 to 59 months in the Central Region tested positive for malaria with a rapid test during the 2024 survey, the highest of the 3 regions (Malawi: 23.3%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyDo women in the Central Region give birth in a health facility?
96.9% of births in the Central Region in the two years before the 2024 survey took place in a health facility, almost the same as in the other two regions (Malawi: 96.9%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is teenage pregnancy in the Central Region?
27.8% of young women aged 15 to 19 in the Central Region had already been pregnant in 2024, the lowest of the 3 regions (Malawi: 31.5%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyMore figures
- 53.3% of households in the Central Region said their health care over the past month had been less than adequate in the 2024-2025 Integrated Household Survey, the second highest of the 3 regions (Malawi: 56.4%). Source: National Statistical Office of Malawi · saved copy
How Central Region compares with other regions
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) (2014-2024)
Central Region ranks 2 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Region | 51 |
| 2 | Central Region | 49 |
| 3 | Northern Region | 46 |
Children under 5 stunted (2024)
Central Region ranks 1 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Region | 38.5% |
| 2 | Southern Region | 38.5% |
| 3 | Northern Region | 33.2% |
Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines (2024)
Central Region ranks 2 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Region | 68.4% |
| 2 | Central Region | 66.7% |
| 3 | Northern Region | 60.5% |
Children 6-59 months positive for malaria (rapid test) (2024)
Central Region ranks 1 of 3, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 6-59 months positive for malaria (rapid test) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Region | 26.7% |
| 2 | Southern Region | 22.2% |
| 3 | Northern Region | 17.7% |
More on Central Region: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Malawi
Sources
- 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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