Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi
Malawi: Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location was 49.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
49.2%
Change on year
down 0.0%
World rank
209th
of 249 countries
All-time high
49.2%
in 2022
All-time low
9.4%
in 2000
Years of data
25
2000–2024
Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi stood at 49.2%.
That represents a change of up 54.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi peaked at 49.2% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 9.4%, in 2000.
Malawi ranks 209th of 249 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 9.4% | — |
| 2001 | 9.4% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 9.4% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 9.4% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 9.4% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 11.6% | +24.4% |
| 2006 | 13.9% | +19.6% |
| 2007 | 16.2% | +16.3% |
| 2008 | 18.4% | +14.0% |
| 2009 | 20.7% | +12.2% |
| 2010 | 23.0% | +10.9% |
| 2011 | 25.2% | +9.8% |
| 2012 | 27.4% | +8.9% |
| 2013 | 29.6% | +8.1% |
| 2014 | 31.9% | +7.5% |
| 2015 | 34.1% | +6.9% |
| 2016 | 36.3% | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 38.5% | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 40.6% | +5.7% |
| 2019 | 42.8% | +5.3% |
| 2020 | 45.0% | +5.0% |
| 2021 | 47.1% | +4.8% |
| 2022 | 49.2% | +4.5% |
| 2023 | 49.2% | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 49.2% | -0.0% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 49.2% is above the median for low income countries, which is 31.8%, 1.5× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 49.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 40.9%, 1.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12.8% | 9.4% | 20.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 32.9% | 23.0% | 42.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 48.0% | 45.0% | 49.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More environment data for Malawi
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -0.9153 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -0.8098 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.254 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.07 °C (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 3.65 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 5.3 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi?
- Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location in Malawi was 49.2% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 49.2% in 2022.
- What is the lowest proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.4% in 2000.
- How does Malawi rank for proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location?
- Malawi ranks 209th out of 249 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 54.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).