Urban area over the long-term in Malawi
Malawi: Urban area over the long-term was 699.6 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
699.6 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
109th
of 202 countries
All-time high
699.6 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0001 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Malawi, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban area over the long-term in Malawi is 699.6 km² per grid cell, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.3% on the previous year and up 54.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Malawi peaked at 699.6 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0001 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Malawi 109th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Malawi, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | +260.0% |
| 1200 | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | +250.0% |
| 1300 | 0.0042 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1400 | 0.0141 km² per grid cell | +237.5% |
| 1500 | 0.0469 km² per grid cell | +233.3% |
| 1600 | 0.1523 km² per grid cell | +224.7% |
| 1700 | 0.4796 km² per grid cell | +214.9% |
| 1710 | 0.6899 km² per grid cell | +43.9% |
| 1720 | 0.916 km² per grid cell | +32.8% |
| 1730 | 1.17 km² per grid cell | +28.2% |
| 1740 | 1.47 km² per grid cell | +24.9% |
| 1750 | 1.8 km² per grid cell | +22.5% |
| 1760 | 2.16 km² per grid cell | +20.5% |
| 1770 | 2.57 km² per grid cell | +18.9% |
| 1780 | 3.02 km² per grid cell | +17.5% |
| 1790 | 3.52 km² per grid cell | +16.3% |
| 1800 | 4.05 km² per grid cell | +15.3% |
| 1810 | 4.63 km² per grid cell | +14.3% |
| 1820 | 5.25 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1830 | 5.92 km² per grid cell | +12.7% |
| 1840 | 6.62 km² per grid cell | +11.9% |
| 1850 | 7.37 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1860 | 7.71 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1870 | 8 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1880 | 8.25 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1890 | 8.75 km² per grid cell | +6.1% |
| 1900 | 8.78 km² per grid cell | +0.3% |
| 1910 | 8.78 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 8.78 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 10.28 km² per grid cell | +17.0% |
| 1940 | 12.34 km² per grid cell | +20.1% |
| 1950 | 15.42 km² per grid cell | +25.0% |
| 1951 | 15.97 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1952 | 16.56 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1953 | 17.19 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1954 | 17.86 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1955 | 18.56 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1956 | 19.29 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1957 | 20.06 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1958 | 20.87 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1959 | 21.72 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1960 | 22.62 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1961 | 23.56 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1962 | 24.56 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1963 | 25.61 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1964 | 26.71 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1965 | 27.87 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1966 | 29.07 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1967 | 31.03 km² per grid cell | +6.7% |
| 1968 | 33.23 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1969 | 35.62 km² per grid cell | +7.2% |
| 1970 | 38.24 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1971 | 40.97 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1972 | 44.01 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1973 | 47.37 km² per grid cell | +7.6% |
| 1974 | 51.1 km² per grid cell | +7.9% |
| 1975 | 55.2 km² per grid cell | +8.0% |
| 1976 | 59.25 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1977 | 63.78 km² per grid cell | +7.6% |
| 1978 | 67.52 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1979 | 71.03 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1980 | 74.55 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1981 | 77.63 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 80.59 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1983 | 84.1 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1984 | 89.14 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1985 | 96.42 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1986 | 103.65 km² per grid cell | +7.5% |
| 1987 | 113.29 km² per grid cell | +9.3% |
| 1988 | 124.46 km² per grid cell | +9.9% |
| 1989 | 134.61 km² per grid cell | +8.1% |
| 1990 | 141.91 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1991 | 150.48 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1992 | 155.96 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1993 | 159.71 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1994 | 164.1 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 170.98 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1996 | 178.14 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1997 | 188 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1998 | 200.04 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1999 | 213.17 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 2000 | 226.52 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 237.56 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 2002 | 248.79 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 2003 | 260.36 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2004 | 272.5 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 2005 | 285.41 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 299.15 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 313.67 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 2008 | 328.9 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 2009 | 344.75 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 354.77 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2011 | 373.52 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 2012 | 392.66 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 412.2 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 432.14 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2015 | 452.48 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 473.2 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 494.31 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2018 | 515.82 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2019 | 537.7 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2020 | 559.98 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2021 | 586.84 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2022 | 614.24 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 2023 | 642.17 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2024 | 670.62 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 2025 | 699.6 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 699.6 km² per grid cell is below the median for low income countries, which is 889.43 km² per grid cell, 79% of the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 699.6 km² per grid cell is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 733.88 km² per grid cell, 95% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +260.0% | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 0.0003 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +250.0% | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 0.0012 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +242.9% | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 0.0042 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +237.5% | 0.0042 km² per grid cell | 0.0141 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +233.3% | 0.0141 km² per grid cell | 0.0469 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +224.7% | 0.0469 km² per grid cell | 0.1523 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 0.0003 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0042 km² per grid cell | 0.0042 km² per grid cell | 0.0042 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.0141 km² per grid cell | 0.0141 km² per grid cell | 0.0141 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.0469 km² per grid cell | 0.0469 km² per grid cell | 0.0469 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.1523 km² per grid cell | 0.1523 km² per grid cell | 0.1523 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 0.4796 km² per grid cell | 0.4796 km² per grid cell | 0.4796 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 0.6899 km² per grid cell | 0.6899 km² per grid cell | 0.6899 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 0.916 km² per grid cell | 0.916 km² per grid cell | 0.916 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 1.17 km² per grid cell | 1.17 km² per grid cell | 1.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 1.47 km² per grid cell | 1.47 km² per grid cell | 1.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 1.8 km² per grid cell | 1.8 km² per grid cell | 1.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 2.16 km² per grid cell | 2.16 km² per grid cell | 2.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 2.57 km² per grid cell | 2.57 km² per grid cell | 2.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 3.02 km² per grid cell | 3.02 km² per grid cell | 3.02 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 3.52 km² per grid cell | 3.52 km² per grid cell | 3.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 4.05 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 4.63 km² per grid cell | 4.63 km² per grid cell | 4.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 5.25 km² per grid cell | 5.25 km² per grid cell | 5.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 5.92 km² per grid cell | 5.92 km² per grid cell | 5.92 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 6.62 km² per grid cell | 6.62 km² per grid cell | 6.62 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 7.37 km² per grid cell | 7.37 km² per grid cell | 7.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 7.71 km² per grid cell | 7.71 km² per grid cell | 7.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 8 km² per grid cell | 8 km² per grid cell | 8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 8.25 km² per grid cell | 8.25 km² per grid cell | 8.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 8.75 km² per grid cell | 8.75 km² per grid cell | 8.75 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 8.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 10.28 km² per grid cell | 10.28 km² per grid cell | 10.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 12.34 km² per grid cell | 12.34 km² per grid cell | 12.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 18.35 km² per grid cell | 15.42 km² per grid cell | 21.72 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 27.99 km² per grid cell | 22.62 km² per grid cell | 35.62 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 53.85 km² per grid cell | 38.24 km² per grid cell | 71.03 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 97.84 km² per grid cell | 74.55 km² per grid cell | 134.61 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 172.25 km² per grid cell | 141.91 km² per grid cell | 213.17 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 281.76 km² per grid cell | 226.52 km² per grid cell | 344.75 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 443.88 km² per grid cell | 354.77 km² per grid cell | 537.7 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 628.91 km² per grid cell | 559.98 km² per grid cell | 699.6 km² per grid cell | 6 |
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 urban area over the long-term in Malawi?
- Urban area over the long-term in Malawi was 699.6 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 699.6 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0001 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Malawi rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Malawi ranks 109th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 54.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.