Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49) in Malawi
Malawi: Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49) was 65.6% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Malawi, 1984–2020
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Malawi recorded 65.6% for contraceptive prevalence, any method in 2020. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
The figure is up 42.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, contraceptive prevalence, any method in Malawi peaked at 65.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 6.9%, in 1984.
Malawi ranks 34th of 116 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 6.9% | — |
| 1992 | 13.0% | +88.4% |
| 1996 | 21.9% | +68.5% |
| 2000 | 30.6% | +39.7% |
| 2004 | 32.5% | +6.2% |
| 2006 | 41.0% | +26.2% |
| 2010 | 46.1% | +12.4% |
| 2014 | 58.6% | +27.1% |
| 2016 | 59.2% | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 65.6% | +10.8% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 65.6% is above the median for low income countries, which is 28.1%, 2.3× the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 65.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 28.5%, 2.3× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.4% | 13.0% | 21.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 34.7% | 30.6% | 41.0% | 3 |
| 2010s | 54.6% | 46.1% | 59.2% | 3 |
| 2020s | 65.6% | 65.6% | 65.6% | 1 |
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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 6,399 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0718 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is contraceptive prevalence, any method in Malawi?
- Contraceptive prevalence, any method in Malawi was 65.6% in 2020, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest contraceptive prevalence, any method recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 65.6% in 2020.
- What is the lowest contraceptive prevalence, any method recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.9% in 1984.
- How does Malawi rank for contraceptive prevalence, any method?
- Malawi ranks 34th out of 116 countries with data for 2020.
- Is contraceptive prevalence, any method rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Contraceptive prevalence, any method (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Contraceptive prevalence, any method is the percentage of married women ages 15-49 who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, any method of contraception (modern or traditional). Modern methods of contraception include female and male sterilization, oral hormonal pills, the intra-uterine device (IUD), the male condom, injectables, the implant (including Norplant), vaginal barrier methods, the female condom and emergency contraception. Traditional methods of contraception include rhythm (e.g., fertility awareness based methods, periodic abstinence), withdrawal and other traditional methods.