Adoption of communication technologies in Malawi
Malawi: Adoption of communication technologies was 4,869 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adoption of communication technologies in Malawi, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, adoption of communication technologies in Malawi stood at 4,869.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and down 74.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Malawi peaked at 227,295 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 3,500, in 1960.
Malawi ranks 191st of 212 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3,500 | — |
| 1961 | 3,500 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 3,500 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 3,500 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 3,500 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 3,900 | +11.4% |
| 1966 | 3,900 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 3,900 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 3,900 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 3,900 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 6,000 | +53.8% |
| 1971 | 6,000 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 6,000 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 6,000 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 6,000 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 8,700 | +45.0% |
| 1976 | 9,540 | +9.7% |
| 1977 | 10,727 | +12.4% |
| 1978 | 11,792 | +9.9% |
| 1979 | 13,164 | +11.6% |
| 1980 | 14,555 | +10.6% |
| 1981 | 15,438 | +6.1% |
| 1982 | 16,445 | +6.5% |
| 1983 | 17,100 | +4.0% |
| 1984 | 18,233 | +6.6% |
| 1985 | 19,856 | +8.9% |
| 1986 | 21,228 | +6.9% |
| 1987 | 22,466 | +5.8% |
| 1988 | 23,600 | +5.0% |
| 1989 | 25,960 | +10.0% |
| 1990 | 26,640 | +2.6% |
| 1991 | 28,564 | +7.2% |
| 1992 | 30,804 | +7.8% |
| 1993 | 32,767 | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 33,081 | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 34,338 | +3.8% |
| 1996 | 35,471 | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 36,754 | +3.6% |
| 1998 | 37,371 | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 41,562 | +11.2% |
| 2000 | 46,444 | +11.7% |
| 2001 | 54,607 | +17.6% |
| 2002 | 73,100 | +33.9% |
| 2003 | 85,000 | +16.3% |
| 2004 | 93,000 | +9.4% |
| 2005 | 102,724 | +10.5% |
| 2006 | 130,000 | +26.6% |
| 2007 | 175,209 | +34.8% |
| 2008 | 111,333 | -36.5% |
| 2009 | 111,333 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 152,108 | +36.6% |
| 2011 | 173,481 | +14.1% |
| 2012 | 227,295 | +31.0% |
| 2013 | 33,569 | -85.2% |
| 2014 | 18,963 | -43.5% |
| 2015 | 14,462 | -23.7% |
| 2016 | 11,234 | -22.3% |
| 2017 | 17,337 | +54.3% |
| 2018 | 14,992 | -13.5% |
| 2019 | 13,101 | -12.6% |
| 2020 | 12,465 | -4.9% |
| 2021 | 12,410 | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 9,456 | -23.8% |
| 2023 | 4,808 | -49.2% |
| 2024 | 4,869 | +1.3% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 4,869 is below the median for low income countries, which is 44,127, 11% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 4,869 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 9% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies in Malawi changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | -85.2% | 227,295 | 33,569 |
| 2023 | -49.2% | 9,456 | 4,808 |
| 1970 | +53.8% | 3,900 | 6,000 |
| 2017 | +54.3% | 11,234 | 17,337 |
| 2014 | -43.5% | 33,569 | 18,963 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3,700 | 3,500 | 3,900 | 10 |
| 1970s | 8,392 | 6,000 | 13,164 | 10 |
| 1980s | 19,488 | 14,555 | 25,960 | 10 |
| 1990s | 33,735 | 26,640 | 41,562 | 10 |
| 2000s | 98,275 | 46,444 | 175,209 | 10 |
| 2010s | 67,654 | 11,234 | 227,295 | 10 |
| 2020s | 8,802 | 4,808 | 12,465 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More reference data data for Malawi
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1596 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.09 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3426 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5353 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.6012 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 4.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 16.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.87 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Malawi?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Malawi was 4,869 in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 227,295 in 2012.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,500 in 1960.
- How does Malawi rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Malawi ranks 191st out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 74.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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