Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Malawi
Malawi: Share of women using modern contraceptive methods was 64.7% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Malawi, 1984–2020
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Malawi recorded 64.7% for share of women using modern contraceptive methods in 2020. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
The figure is up 53.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Malawi peaked at 64.7% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.2%, in 1984.
That places Malawi 22nd out of 113 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 3.2% | — |
| 1992 | 7.4% | +131.2% |
| 1996 | 14.4% | +94.6% |
| 2000 | 26.1% | +81.2% |
| 2004 | 28.1% | +7.7% |
| 2006 | 38.6% | +37.5% |
| 2010 | 42.2% | +9.2% |
| 2014 | 57.4% | +35.9% |
| 2016 | 58.1% | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 64.7% | +11.4% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 64.7% is above the median for low income countries, which is 22.9%, 2.8× the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 64.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.3%, 2.6× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 10.9% | 7.4% | 14.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 30.9% | 26.1% | 38.6% | 3 |
| 2010s | 52.6% | 42.2% | 58.1% | 3 |
| 2020s | 64.7% | 64.7% | 64.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More gender data for Malawi
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 9,494 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.4 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 15,667 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 15,667 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 3.13 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 330,369 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 332,767 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 322,764 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 324,764 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 316,113 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Malawi?
- Share of women using modern contraceptive methods in Malawi was 64.7% in 2020, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 64.7% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of women using modern contraceptive methods recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.2% in 1984.
- How does Malawi rank for share of women using modern contraceptive methods?
- Malawi ranks 22nd out of 113 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of women using modern contraceptive methods rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of women using modern contraceptive methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using modern contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union.