Capital of Malawi: Lilongwe
The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe. Malawi sits in Africa, has a population of 20,405,317, and uses the MWK. Official languages include English, Chichewa.
Quick facts
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~20,405,317
- Area: 118,484 km²
- Population density: 172 people per km²
- Official languages: English, Chichewa
- Currency: MWK
- ISO code: MW
How big is Malawi?
By population, Malawi ranks 62nd in the world, holding roughly 0.26% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 98th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Malawi has 172 people per square kilometre, which is about 2.9 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Malawi is the 21th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Malawi in population are Zambia (20,017,675) and Romania (19,659,267).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Eritrea (117,600 km²) and North Korea (120,538 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.
Malawi uses the MWK, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Malawi in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Malawi belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Malawi and a page on the flag of Malawi.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Malawi?
The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe.
What is the population of Malawi?
About 20,405,317, making it the 62nd most populous country in the world.
How big is Malawi?
118,484 square kilometres, ranking 98th by land area, at a density of 172 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Malawi use?
The MWK, which no other country uses.