Female labor force by age in Malawi
Malawi: Female labor force by age was 144,346 people in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
144,346 people
Change on year
up 1.4%
World rank
50th
of 188 countries
All-time high
229,069 people
in 2007
All-time low
138,193 people
in 1998
Years of data
35
1990–2024
Female labor force by age in Malawi, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2024, female labor force by age in Malawi stood at 144,346 people.
The figure is up 1.4% on the previous year and down 12.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force by age in Malawi peaked at 229,069 people in 2007 and was at its lowest, 138,193 people, in 1998.
That places Malawi 50th out of 188 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Female labor force by age in Malawi, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 156,118 people | — |
| 1991 | 155,294 people | -0.5% |
| 1992 | 156,118 people | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 152,880 people | -2.1% |
| 1994 | 147,575 people | -3.5% |
| 1995 | 141,498 people | -4.1% |
| 1996 | 139,876 people | -1.1% |
| 1997 | 138,844 people | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 138,193 people | -0.5% |
| 1999 | 146,016 people | +5.7% |
| 2000 | 160,740 people | +10.1% |
| 2001 | 174,696 people | +8.7% |
| 2002 | 187,659 people | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 200,204 people | +6.7% |
| 2004 | 212,691 people | +6.2% |
| 2005 | 224,775 people | +5.7% |
| 2006 | 228,631 people | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 229,069 people | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 221,769 people | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 209,596 people | -5.5% |
| 2010 | 198,330 people | -5.4% |
| 2011 | 187,710 people | -5.4% |
| 2012 | 180,151 people | -4.0% |
| 2013 | 172,406 people | -4.3% |
| 2014 | 164,795 people | -4.4% |
| 2015 | 157,111 people | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 149,229 people | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 141,852 people | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 141,833 people | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 142,033 people | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 143,530 people | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 142,691 people | -0.6% |
| 2022 | 141,187 people | -1.1% |
| 2023 | 142,326 people | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 144,346 people | +1.4% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 144,346 people is above the median for low income countries, which is 82,039 people, 1.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 144,346 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 79,623 people, 1.8× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 147,241 people | 138,193 people | 156,118 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 204,983 people | 160,740 people | 229,069 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 163,545 people | 141,833 people | 198,330 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 142,816 people | 141,187 people | 144,346 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More work & labour data for Malawi
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4409 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4183 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 1.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 4.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,360 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 28,345 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 30,321 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 28,820 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 59,141 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force by age in Malawi?
- Female labor force by age in Malawi was 144,346 people in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force by age recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 229,069 people in 2007.
- What is the lowest female labor force by age recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 138,193 people in 1998.
- How does Malawi rank for female labor force by age?
- Malawi ranks 50th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female labor force by age rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed).