Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Malawi
Malawi: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 55.6 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Malawi, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
Malawi recorded 55.6 percent for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in 2023. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.9% on the previous year and up 16.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Malawi peaked at 55.6 percent in 2023 and was at its lowest, 47.7 percent, in 2015.
Malawi ranks 2nd of 125 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 48.74 percent | 47.7 percent | 49.7 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 53.08 percent | 51 percent | 55.6 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 1 South Sudan 63.1 percent compare
- 3 Haiti 45.4 percent compare
- 4 Democratic Republic of Congo 42.5 percent compare
- 5 Liberia 37.1 percent 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 defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Malawi?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Malawi was 55.6 percent in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 55.6 percent in 2023.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.7 percent in 2015.
- How does Malawi rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Malawi ranks 2nd out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Both metrics indicate that someone does not get enough food (in terms of calories) to eat: these metrics should be strongly correlated. Severe food insecurity is measured based on food security questionnaires among households. Undernourishment is based on estimates of actual calorie intake across the population.