Malawi is located in Eastern Africa, and its capital is Lilongwe. It has a population of approximately 21,655,286 and covers an area of about 118,480 km². Its official currency is the Malawian kwacha (MWK).
What stands out
People & place
183 /km² across 118,480 km²
Malawi has a recorded population of 21,655,286 and a reported surface area of 118,480 km².
Economic snapshot
$11.32 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $11.32 billion and GDP per capita at $523 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Mal, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa known for its friendly people and beautiful Lake Malawi.
It is bordered by Zambia to the north, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and west. Its terrain ranges from lowlands along Lake Malawi to rugged mountains in the north, and the climate varies from humid subtropical along the lake to semi-arid in the north.
Malawiese culture is shaped by a mix of ethnic traditions, mainly from the Chewa, Yao, Lomwe, and Tonga peoples. Music, dance, and storytelling are integral, with traditional instruments such as the likembe and ngoni common. The national language is English, but Chichewa is widely spoken and cultural heritage is expressed through village kachimbira and communal cooking.
Founded as a pre‑colonial kingdom in the 14th century, Malawi became the British Protectorate of Nyasaland in 1907. It gained independence on July 6, 1964, initially led by Dr. Hastings Banda. Since then, the country has undergone political transitions, including a brief civil war in the 1990s, and has sought democratic consolidation and economic development.
Key facts
Population: approximately 19 million (2023 estimate)
Area: 118,612 km² (45,723 sq mi)
Currency: Malawian kwacha (MWK)
Official language(s): English (official), Chichewa (national)
Major export: Copper, tea, coffee
Lake Malawi is the third largest and deepest lake in Africa
The Mount Mulanje in the south is the highest peak at 2,516 m
Malawi is one of the world's largest producers of small‑scale copper ore
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Eastern Africa