2018 census of Malawi

Sixth census of Malawi
← 2008 September 3-23, 2018 2028 →
General information
CountryMalawi
Results
Total population17,563,749[1] (Increase 34.8%)
Most populous ​regionSouthern (7,750,629)
Least populous ​regionNorthern (2,289,780)


The 2018 Malawi census was the sixth national census in Malawi, which took place on 3-23 September 2018. The population of Malawi was counted as 17,563,749 – an increase of 4,534,251 (34.8%) over the 2008 census.[1]

Preliminary results from the 2018 census were released to the public in December 2018 and final results in May 2019, from the National Statistical Office of Malawi website. The next Malawian census is set to be held in September 2028.

Projections

The 2018 projected population of Malawi was 17,931,637 based on the medium variant of projections based on the 2008 census.[2] The actual enumerated population was 17,563,749 which was about 98% the size of the 2018 projection.[2]

Results

Population and dwellings

Population counts for regions of Malawi. All figures are for the census de jure population count.

Region Population %
Southern 7,750,629 44.13
Central 7,523,340 42.83
Northern 2,289,780 13.04
Malawi Malawi 17,563,749 100
  • Resident population count was 17,563,749, up 4,534,251 from the 2008 census.[1]
    • There are 8,521,460 males in Malawi (48.52% of the population) and 9,042,289 females (51.48% of the population).[1]
  • On average, the population grew by around 2.9% per year since the 2008 census – slightly higher than the annual average growth between 1998 and 2008, which was 2.8%.[1]

Birthplace

In 2018, 17,506,538 people (99.67%) were born in Malawi, with 57,211 (0.33%) born abroad.[1]

Birthplace Responses Change from 2008
Number % Number pp
Malawi 17,506,538 99.67 Increase 4,538,143 Increase 0.06
Abroad 57,211 0.33 Increase 5,687 Decrease 0.06
Zambia 12,127 0.07 Increase 6,355 Increase 0.03
Mozambique 5,349 0.03 Decrease 13,671 Decrease 0.12
Zimbabwe 2,875 0.02 Decrease 1,567 Decrease 0.01
South Africa 1,736 0.01 Increase 297 Decrease 0.00
Tanzania 1,252 0.01 Decrease 1,235 Decrease 0.01
United Kingdom 862 0.00 Decrease 742 Decrease 0.01
Other 33,010 0.19 Increase 16,220 Increase 0.06
Total 17,563,749 100 – –

Ethnicity

The 2018 census asked a question on ethnicity for the first time and the five largest ethnic groups were Chewa (34.4%), Lomwe (18.9%), Yao (13.3%), Ngoni (10.4%), and Tumbuka (9.2%).[1]

Data is for the population that stated their ethnicity.[1]

Ethnic group Population %
Chewa 6,020,945 34.39
Lomwe 3,302,634 18.87
Yao 2,321,763 13.26
Ngoni 1,819,347 10.39
Tumbuka 1,614,955 9.23
Sena 670,908 3.83
Mang'anja 559,887 3.2
Nyanja 324,272 1.85
Tonga 310,031 1.77
Nyakyusa 174,430 1
Lambya 106,769 0.61
Sukwa 93,762 0.54
Other 186,319 1.06
Total 17,506,022 100

Religion

According to the 2018 census, 77.3% of the population identified as being Christian, 13.8% as Muslim, 2.1% identified as having no religion, 1.1% as having traditional religions, and 5.6% had other religions.[1]

Religious affiliation Population %
Christian 13,581,623 77.33
 Roman Catholic 3,028,435 17.24
 Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 2,498,969 14.23
 Seventh-day Adventist/Baptist/Apostolic 1,644,829 9.36
 Pentecostal 1,332,420 7.59
 Anglican 410,633 2.34
 Other Christian 4,666,337 26.57
Islam 2,426,754 13.82
Irreligion 376,784 2.15
Traditional 186,284 1.06
Buddhism 5,506 0.03
Hinduism 3,211 0.02
Other 983,587 5.6
Total 17,563,749 100

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "2018 Population and Housing Census Main Report" (PDF). Malawi National Statistical Office. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b "2008 Malawi Population and Housing Census Population Projections Thematic Report" (PDF). Malawi National Statistical Office. Retrieved 26 January 2020.