Malawi Internet Users
Individuals using the Internet IT.NET.USER.ZS
Malawi's internet users was 22.29% in 2025, ranked 179th globally. This represents a 23.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Malawi's internet users stood at 22.29% in 2025, a rise of +4.31% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 22.29% by 2025. Malawi ranked 179th globally.
Malawi’s share of the population using the internet has risen from an absolute zero in 1990 to 22.29 percent in 2025, placing the country 179th in the world and marking the all‑time peak for the 29‑year series. The expansion reflects gradual infrastructure development, mobile‑broadband diffusion and modest reductions in service costs, yet the level remains below regional peers such as Mozambique at 24.04 percent and Sierra Leone at 23.05 percent. The early years of the series show no recorded users, a trough that coincides with the nascent stage of global connectivity and limited national telecommunications capacity. Since the mid‑2000s, annual growth has accelerated, driven by the rollout of 4G networks and increased reliance on digital services for education and commerce. Continued investment in fiber‑optic backbones, policy incentives for competition and broader affordability initiatives could sustain the upward trajectory, potentially narrowing the gap with neighboring countries over the next decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Internet Users | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 24.00% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 22.29% | - | - |
| 2025 | 22.29% | +4.31% | #179 |
| 2023 | 17.99% | +0.94% | #176 |
| 2022 | 17.05% | −0.42% | #177 |
| 2021 | 17.47% | +3.57% | #173 |
| 2020 | 13.90% | +2.84% | #178 |
| 2019 | 11.06% | +2.26% | #179 |
| 2018 | 8.80% | +1.80% | #168 |
| 2017 | 7.00% | +0.70% | #196 |
| 2016 | 6.30% | +0.30% | #192 |
| 2015 | 6.00% | +0.17% | #188 |
| 2014 | 5.83% | +0.78% | #186 |
| 2013 | 5.05% | +0.70% | #178 |
| 2012 | 4.35% | +1.02% | #180 |
| 2011 | 3.33% | +1.07% | #182 |
| 2010 | 2.26% | +1.19% | #185 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malawi matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2016. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw internet users improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's internet users was 22.29% in 2025. Ranked 179th globally. This represents a 23.9% increase from the previous year.
Malawi's internet users peaked at 22.29% in 2025.
The lowest internet users in Malawi was 0.00% in 1990.
Malawi ranks 179th globally in internet users as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is IT.NET.USER.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malawi's internet users is projected to reach 22.29% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The internet users of Malawi in 2025 was 22.29%. This ranks 179th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_internet-users,
title = {Malawi Internet Users},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/internet-users/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}