Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi

Malawi: Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method was 64.7% in 2020. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2020)
64.7%
World rank
22nd
of 113 countries
All-time high
64.7%
in 2020
All-time low
3.2%
in 1984
Years of data
10
1984–2020

Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi, 1984–2020

02040601984200220201984: 3.2 % of married women ages 15-491992: 7.4 % of married women ages 15-491996: 14.4 % of married women ages 15-492000: 26.1 % of married women ages 15-492004: 28.1 % of married women ages 15-492006: 38.6 % of married women ages 15-492010: 42.2 % of married women ages 15-492014: 57.4 % of married women ages 15-492016: 58.1 % of married women ages 15-492020: 64.7 % of married women ages 15-49

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

In 2020, contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi stood at 64.7%. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.

The figure is up 53.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi peaked at 64.7% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.2%, in 1984.

Malawi ranks 22nd of 113 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi, year by year

Annual values for Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method (% of married women ages 15-49) in Malawi, 1984 to 2020.
Year % of married 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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 19 Zimbabwe 65.8% compare
  2. 20 Belgium 65.4% compare
  3. 21 Lesotho 65.3% compare
  4. 23 Australia 64.7% compare
  5. 24 Dominican Republic 62.0% compare
  6. 25 Estonia 60.9% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More health data for Malawi

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi?
Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi was 64.7% 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 modern method recorded in Malawi?
The highest recorded value was 64.7% in 2020.
What is the lowest contraceptive prevalence, any modern method recorded in Malawi?
The lowest recorded value was 3.2% in 1984.
How does Malawi rank for contraceptive prevalence, any modern method?
Malawi ranks 22nd out of 113 countries with data for 2020.
Is contraceptive prevalence, any modern method 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 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 modern method (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method in Malawi. Statizoid, drawing on 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. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/contraceptive-prevalence-any-modern-method-percent-of-married-women-ages-15-49/malawi/

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About this data

Indicator
Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method (% of married women ages 15-49)
Unit
% of married women ages 15-49
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
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

Contraceptive prevalence, any modern method is the percentage of married women ages 15-49 who are practicing, or whose sexual partners are practicing, at least one modern method of contraception. 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.