Malawi population hits 17.5 million, females still a majority: Census results show 35 percent growth rate

National Statistics Office (NSO)  has released preliminary report of the recent population and housing census (PHC) which shows that the country’s population is sky-rocketing and has hit over 17.5 million, 35 percent increase in 10 years from 2008 to 2018.

Kanyuka: Population growth rate at 35 percent

According to the results released Thursday in eastern city of Zomba , NSO  report indicates that the country’s population has increased to 17 563 749 from 13 02 498 in a space of 10 years.

NSO commissioner, Mercy Kanyuka, said there are 8 521 456 males and 9 042 293 females, representing 49 and 51 percent, of the total population, respectively.

Said Kanyuka: “There are about 500 000 women more than men. But we noted that their population keeps on declining. Women comprise 51 percent of the entire population.”

Kanyuka said the final report will be released next April.

The results show that the southern region is the most populated at 7.8 million, trailed by the central and northern regions at 7.5 and 2.5 million respectively.

Lilongwe has a population of 2.6 million, Blantyre has 1.3 million while Mangochi has 1.1 million.

Likoma island is the least populated at 15 000.

The report also indicates that Malawi’s population growth  is putting pressure on the land.

“During the 2018 PHC Malawi population density stood at 186 persons per square kilometer up from 138 in the 2008 census representing a 35 percent jump,” the report says.

Likoma District, though with the smallest population, has the highest population density at district level, standing at 710 persons per square kilometer followed by Chiradzulu at 469.

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Kanyimbi
Kanyimbi
5 years ago

Poor govt policies of borrowing for consumption & not for investment like what Mauritius did as per Late Prof Chikaonda’s last interview on Mibawa TV. Ma order kumangopatsa amwenye or tribesmen kusiya gulu lambiri la a Malawi losauka bad mapeto ake 6 koloka madzulo amakhala alowa kale kupanga ana coz chaumphawi.

Pitala and Zamiya K145 million

We must take this seriously. As a poor nation chigololo basi. We are shitholes. Same schools. Same roads. Same hospitals. The poor are pulling the rich down nkuberekana kwawo.

dan
dan
5 years ago

We need to start imprisoning those who just breed without responsibility, Those whose who just shower and are showered with unplanned pregnancies amidst a ot of family planning methods and information

Truth Pains
5 years ago

It buffered me when people here in the south rejoice of being the most over populated region .
Am southerner myself but mmmmh let’s take control measures seriously .

That’s why land here in the south and centre is more expensive compared to the north bcoz of high competion.

I would love to Cap at maximum of 3 children from each family .

Shaft Sachapandimadzi
Shaft Sachapandimadzi
5 years ago

We need to abolish free hospitals, free education, subsidy fertilizer, free ARV’s etc. People r producing anyhow because government is taking care of their children from birth(free delivery)-school-farming and we hv forgotten family planning. Tikungobelekana bcz chilichonse tikudalira Boma kuti itipangila

Ida
Ida
5 years ago

Tingokhala ndi lamulo loti 2 children per household. More than that,an offence committed

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago

A population BOOM under the wise & dynamic leadership of the mighty DPP, WAMASOMPHENYA! In barely less than a decade 35% increase, almost half the population of South Africa.
Probably part of the strategic plan to be winning elections. Do we still wonder why DPP paid handsome kickbacks to crooked MPs for supporting the rejection of the 50+1 vote of the ERB? Numbers means a lot to selfish politicians no matter what strain they cause to an ailing national economy/ resources.
Shame!

Phwaaa pa UTM.
5 years ago

Ndiye how come kuti atumbuka omwe alipo ochepa kwambiri (2million) koma ndiomwe ali thoo mumaofesimu pamene central and south (15.5million) anthu ake siambiri mumaofesimu? Inu atumbuka mwaonjezatu kudzikonda. Or else, lets do what Kamuzu did. Atumbuka must pack and go to work kwawo ku mpoto. Why should 15million people of south and central remain poor just because atumbuka akungolembana ntchito okhaokha? Shupit. Distribution of masukulu must also be based on population. Why should Machinga not have a boarding Govt Secondary School until this day when other districts have up to four boarding secondary schools? Mwaonjezatu inu mabwana achitumbuka pankhani yokondera… Read more »

muonosile
muonosile
5 years ago
Reply to  Phwaaa pa UTM.

At least three quarters of people from the Northern region resides in the South particularly Blantyre to be precise hence high population ratio.

phakamani mahlambi
5 years ago
Reply to  Phwaaa pa UTM.

akupatsani bwanji masukulu pamene mungokhalira kuwedza nsomba ndi kuvina nyawu pamene anzanu akulimbikira sukulu???

kawawa
kawawa
5 years ago
Reply to  Phwaaa pa UTM.

Shallow thinking, dont sow seeds of hatred. We are all Malawians irrespective of our home villages.

Bibo
5 years ago
Reply to  kawawa

koma iyi ndi mbuzitu

Ida
Ida
5 years ago
Reply to  Phwaaa pa UTM.

Kodi nkhani ndi kusapezeka kwa ma school kapena kusakhala ndi chidwi ndi maphunziro. Leave atumbuka out of this. How many of ur educated brothers and sisters are not employed because atumbuka akulembana okhaokha?

dan
dan
5 years ago
Reply to  Phwaaa pa UTM.

Mmaofesi safuna mbuli amafuna wopitako, Osati kudambwe koma ku sukulu osatinso ku dagala koma kusukulu osatinso kujando koma ku sukulu.
Pita ukawauze ambuyako kuti kodi bwanji nthawi ya sukulu musachite zopusazo koma kupita ku sukulu

Laz
Laz
5 years ago

This is a reflection of poor governance by the DPP. There seems to be no long term planning. All they know is borrowing money from lenders and celebrating this as if its free money. How much more money will have to be borrowed in order to support such a population? And at what cost will this money be borrowed? Is there any economic recovery hope for Malawi?

Intifada
Intifada
5 years ago

This is a national disaster that needs bond decisions now. Family planning has failed to control population growth. There should be an immediate action to stop over population otherwise there will be social unrest as people will be fighting for few resources (demographic entrapment) . There is currently no village in the South where there are no fights over land and resources. The population flood is quickly flowing to Central and Northern regions. There should be a cap of 2 children per family. I know politicians are cerebrating the figures because they are counting on votes which are often on… Read more »

Telon
Telon
5 years ago
Reply to  Intifada

Intifada please confine your over population facts to the Southern region and to a lesser extent the Central region. The North has only 2.3 million people but with vast idle land. That’s why at household level the North is regarded as having highest living standards. Inu you are happy when you hear kuti the south is the most populous region in Malawi, without looking at economic challenges associated with over population in a poor country like Malawi.

muonosile
muonosile
5 years ago
Reply to  Telon

There is no way North can have a high population when majority of its people are residing in the South/Centre, thus deserting their original home.

Giona
Giona
5 years ago
Reply to  Intifada

Which CSOs? a mathanyulawa? Iwo sibola kuyenda mmiseu.

Thin
Thin
5 years ago
Reply to  Intifada

You’re blind my friend didn’t Jesus said that in the days of His coming the world will be like the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah? No matter what birth controls or putting any restrictions in place, the word of God must come to pass. Don’t you see the immorality on the earth like immodest dressing, fornication, adultery, idolatry looking at these demon-crazies and compare with those that Jesus likened to the days of Noah. And before floods, people multiplied in the world and evils became as character as today the pastors did not say anything as today provided… Read more »

Achiswe
5 years ago
Reply to  Thin

Please leave God and religion out of this discussion. What has God ever done to improve the lot of mankind? Any progress comes from the ingenuity of man. God and religion only bring confusion and exacerbate the problem.

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