Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Malawi
Malawi: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 1,739 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Malawi, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for wildfire area burned by land cover type in Malawi is 1,739 hectares, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 92.9% on the previous year and down 86.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in Malawi peaked at 19,555 hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 321.99 hectares, in 2002.
Malawi ranks 39th of 225 countries on this measure, in the top 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5,605 hectares | 321.99 hectares | 11,914 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 10,866 hectares | 686.91 hectares | 19,555 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,186 hectares | 901.57 hectares | 9,102 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
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 wildfire area burned by land cover type in Malawi?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Malawi was 1,739 hectares in 2024, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 19,555 hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 321.99 hectares in 2002.
- How does Malawi rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- Malawi ranks 39th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 86.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Wildfire area burned by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of other land types burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes wetlands, urban areas, snow and ice, bare ground, and water bodies.