Share of the population with access to basic services in Malawi
Malawi: Share of the population with access to basic services was 15.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population with access to basic services in Malawi, 1992–2024
Source: Data compiled from multiple sources by the World Bank – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2024, share of the population with access to basic services in Malawi stood at 15.6%.
That represents a change of up 31.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population with access to basic services in Malawi peaked at 18.0% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 1993.
That places Malawi 212th out of 214 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.0% | 1.6% | 4.3% | 8 |
| 2000s | 6.2% | 3.7% | 8.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.8% | 7.4% | 18.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.2% | 11.5% | 15.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 209 Niger 21.3% compare
- 210 Burundi 20.1% compare
- 211 Central African Republic 18.2% compare
- 213 Chad 13.4% compare
- 214 South Sudan 5.4% compare
More reference data data for Malawi
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0372 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.606 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.3659 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.9529 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.5269 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 1,313 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population with access to basic services in Malawi?
- Share of the population with access to basic services in Malawi was 15.6% in 2024, according to Data compiled from multiple sources by the World Bank – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population with access to basic services recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 18.0% in 2018.
- What is the lowest share of the population with access to basic services recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 1993.
- How does Malawi rank for share of the population with access to basic services?
- Malawi ranks 212th out of 214 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the population with access to basic services rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Data compiled from multiple sources by the World Bank – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population with access to basic services. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 33 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Access to electricity means having an electricity source that can provide very basic lighting, and charge a phone or power a radio for 4 hours per day.