Lilongwe, Malawi
Capital city · Population 1.1M
Lilongwe is the capital and the largest city in Malawi with a population of approximately 1,115,815 people as of 2026. This makes it the 477th largest city in the world, accounting for 5.38% of Malawi's total population of 20.7M. Lilongwe is classified as a major city and operates in the Africa/Blantyre timezone. The average annual temperature is 21.5°C with 520 mm of rainfall per year. The city sits at an elevation of 1,057 meters above sea level.
Population
1,115,815
Global Rank
#477
Country Rank
#1
% of Malawi
5.38%
Avg Temperature
21.5°C
Annual Rainfall
520 mm
Elevation
1,057 m
Timezone
Africa/Blantyre
Lilongwe on the Map
Climate in Lilongwe
Lilongwe's warmest month is Dec and the coldest is Jun. The wettest month is Jan with 183 mm of rainfall.
Average Monthly Temperature
Monthly Rainfall
Malawi at a Glance
Country Population
20,734,262
Capital
Lilongwe
Region
Eastern Africa
Major Cities
4
GDP per Capita
$523
Life Expectancy
67.3 years
Urban Population
17.3%
Growth Rate
0.03%
Other Major Cities in Malawi
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities to Lilongwe with over 100,000 people
| City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Chipata | 327,059 | 128 km |
| Lichinga | 281,341 | 173 km |
| Mandimba | 118,922 | 205 km |
| Zomba | 118,440 | 228 km |
| Blantyre | 902,588 | 241 km |
| Tete | 357,000 | 244 km |
| Mzuzu | 249,564 | 279 km |
| Gurúè | 168,971 | 382 km |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lilongwe?
The population of Lilongwe, Malawi is approximately 1,115,815 people, making it the 477th largest city in the world and the 1st largest in Malawi.
Is Lilongwe the capital of Malawi?
Yes, Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi.
What is the climate like in Lilongwe?
Lilongwe has an average annual temperature of 21.5°C and receives 520 mm of rainfall per year. The warmest month is Dec and the coldest is Jun.
What timezone is Lilongwe in?
Lilongwe is in the Africa/Blantyre timezone.