Share of the population using the Internet in Malawi
Malawi: Share of the population using the Internet was 19.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population using the Internet in Malawi, 1990–2024
Source: World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2024, share of the population using the internet in Malawi stood at 19.0%. That is the highest value across all 29 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.4% on the previous year and up 225.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population using the internet in Malawi peaked at 19.0% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1990.
Malawi ranks 193rd of 208 countries on this measure, 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 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 4 |
| 2000s | 0.5% | 0.1% | 1.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.0% | 2.3% | 11.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.6% | 13.9% | 19.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 190 Samoa 21.2% compare
- 191 Mozambique 20.5% compare
- 192 Democratic Republic of Congo 19.7% compare
- 194 Papua New Guinea 18.8% compare
- 195 Madagascar 18.7% compare
- 196 Sudan 18.6% compare
More science & technology data for Malawi
- Scientific and technical journal articles 377.51 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 15.00 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 69.26 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 69.26 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 1 (2016)
- Patent applications, residents 3 (2016)
- Number of people using the Internet 3.07 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 0.0864 per 100 people (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions 18,707 (2024)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people, by download speed 0.08 per 100 population (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population using the internet in Malawi?
- Share of the population using the internet in Malawi was 19.0% in 2024, according to World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population using the internet recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 19.0% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of the population using the internet recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1990.
- How does Malawi rank for share of the population using the internet?
- Malawi ranks 193rd out of 208 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the population using the internet rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 225.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database - International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population using the Internet. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population who used the Internet in the last three months.