Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi
Malawi: Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 was 8.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi, 2000–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of adults.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi is 8.9%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 3.3% on the previous year and down 30.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi peaked at 24.3% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 8.9%, in 2024.
That places Malawi 141st out of 167 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % of adults | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 24.3% | — |
| 2005 | 19.5% | -19.8% |
| 2007 | 17.9% | -8.2% |
| 2010 | 15.7% | -12.3% |
| 2015 | 12.8% | -18.5% |
| 2020 | 10.4% | -18.8% |
| 2022 | 9.6% | -7.7% |
| 2023 | 9.2% | -4.2% |
| 2024 | 8.9% | -3.3% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 8.9% is below the median for low income countries, which is 10.1%, 88% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 8.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.9%, 90% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 20.6% | 17.9% | 24.3% | 3 |
| 2010s | 14.2% | 12.8% | 15.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 9.5% | 8.9% | 10.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More health data for Malawi
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8368 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9312 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 856.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 6,399 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.61 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0714 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.63 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi?
- Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 in Malawi was 8.9% in 2024, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 24.3% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.9% in 2024.
- How does Malawi rank for share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022?
- Malawi ranks 141st out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022 rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in 2000 vs. 2022. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated percentage of adults (15 years and older) who currently use tobacco. This includes all forms of tobacco use, such as smoking, chewing or snuffing, but excludes products that do not contain tobacco, such as e-cigarettes.