# Central Region, Malawi – Districts, Population & Map > Source: https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/ Region · Malawi # Central Region Central Region is a region of Malawi. It had an estimated **8,533,879 people** in 2023 on 35,614 km² (about 240 per km²). Its main town is Lilongwe. It is divided into 10 districts. 3,609 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 963 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 8,533,879people (2023) - 35,614km² - 10districts - 963mapped services ## How many people live in Central Region? Central Region had an estimated **8,533,879 people** in 2023 — 43.1% of Malawi, 2nd of 3 regions. There are 1,046 women for every 1,000 men (below the Malawi figure of 1,064). Spread over 35,614 km², that is about **240 people per km²**, 2nd of 3 regions. 40.1% of people are children under 15 and 3.4% are 65 or older; the median age is about 19 years (it is 19 across Malawi). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 77 children and older people. 0–4 ****1,215,154** 5–9 ****1,133,833** 10–14 ****1,075,127** 15–19 ****959,506** 20–24 ****838,621** 25–29 ****707,084** 30–34 ****590,555** 35–39 ****477,417** 40–44 ****389,809** 45–49 ****307,058** 50–54 ****240,913** 55–59 ****176,376** 60–64 ****133,473** 65–69 ****99,650** 70–74 ****73,600** 75–79 ****52,480** 80–84 ****33,563** 85–89 ****18,367** 90–94 ****8,214** 95+ ****3,079** Source: [Malawi National Statistics Office via OCHA HDX, population 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-mwi). ## Where is Central Region? Central Region lies in [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 2 other regions: [Northern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/) and [Southern Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/southern/). By area it is the largest of 3 regions in Malawi. It covers 38.2% of [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). The centre of Central Region is about 26 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. The centre point is at -13.7439° N, 33.7047° E. Source: [National Statistics Office of Malawi via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-mwi). ## Districts of Central Region District People per km² Area km² Traditional authorities Services [Lilongwe City](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/lilongwe-city/) 1,830,619 4,536 404 58 538 [Lilongwe District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/lilongwe/) 1,162,544 201 5,773 18 116 [Kasungu District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/kasungu/) 950,234 120 7,941 28 43 [Dedza District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/dedza/) 928,094 247 3,756 9 50 [Dowa District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/dowa/) 879,386 287 3,067 9 47 [Ntcheu District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/ntcheu/) 755,748 232 3,251 12 29 [Mchinji District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/mchinji/) 672,578 219 3,070 14 24 [Salima District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/salima/) 551,022 259 2,129 13 81 [Nkhotakota District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/nkhotakota/) 437,163 101 4,309 9 29 [Ntchisi District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/ntchisi/) 366,491 214 1,710 8 6 Source: [National Statistics Office of Malawi via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-mwi); [Malawi National Statistics Office via OCHA HDX, population 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-mwi). ## Largest towns in Central Region - Lilongwe1,115,815 - Kasungu66,152 - Salima41,492 - Dedza34,882 - Nkhotakota31,974 - Mchinji31,592 - Mponela27,681 - Ntcheu23,956 - Chipeni10,553 - Dowa8,047 - Ntchisi7,918 - Chipoka7,212 Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/). Populations as recorded in GeoNames, which may be older than the estimates above. ## Landscape and landmarks of Central Region Named natural and historic features inside Central Region, from the GeoNames gazetteer. ### Water 647 rivers and streams; 7 lakes; 2 dams; 1 reservoir or tank. - Anjanzi - Balitsa - Bawe - Bembe - Bilila - Bilira - Bimbisi - Bisa - Bowi - Buni - Bwanje River - Cabwato - Caluwala - Cambeyo - Cambidzi - Camende - Camphevu - Camsani - Canganjo - Cankhalamu - Casato - Cetsa - Chadumba - Chafumbi …and 633 more. ### Coast and islands 5 islands; 2 headlands; 1 beach; 1 bay. - Grand Beach - Kambiri Point - Maleri Island - Mamkoma Island - Mbenji Island - Mosque Bay - Nakantenga Island - Namalenje Island - Namikombe Point ### Hills and mountains 260 hills; 135 mountains; 3 peaks. - Dedza Mountain · 2,173 m - Mlunduni Hill · 2,006 m - Chongoni Mountain · 1,860 m - Kumba · 1,831 m - Dzonze Hill · 1,809 m - Kangoli Hill · 1,791 m - Mnanda · 1,770 m - Mbisa Hill · 1,746 m - Mchinji · 1,742 m - Mkhoma Hill · 1,742 m - Nesaka · 1,732 m - Banda Hill · 1,717 m - Ciwawo Hill · 1,706 m - Cibenthu Hill · 1,664 m - Dzenza Hill · 1,659 m - Mpunzi Mountain · 1,652 m - Chenje Hill · 1,645 m - Kongwe Hill · 1,644 m - Ntsala Hill · 1,644 m - Kumbamchenga · 1,634 m - Silamwezi Hill · 1,631 m - Chigwenembe Hill · 1,627 m - Mnodza Hill · 1,625 m - Ntchisi Mountain · 1,617 m …and 374 more. ### Forests and nature 22 forest reserves; 3 forests; 3 wildlife reserves. - African Parks Camp Staff Houses - Bangwe Forest Reserve - Bunda Forest Reserve - Chawa Forest Reserve - Chimvua Local Authority Forest - Chongoni Forest Reserve - Dedza Mountain Forest Reserve - Diampwe Local Authority Forest - Dwambazi Forest Reserve - Dzalanyama Forest Reserve - Dzenza Forest Reserve - Dzunje Forest Reserve - Fort Alston Forest Reserve - Kaombe Forest Reserve - Kasungu National Park - Kongwe Forest Reserve - Lingadzi Forest Reserve - Lisungwe Local Authority Forest - Mchinji Forest Reserve - Mndilandsadzu Forest Reserve - Mua Forest Reserve - Mua Livulezi Forest Reserve - Mvai Forest Reserve - Nalikule Forest Reserve …and 4 more. ### History 1 ruin; 1 fort. - Aq’anjo - Fort Mlangeni ### Estates 114 estates. - Agra Estate - Binda Estate - Bua Estate - Bua Estate - Bunda Estate - C D C Estates - C D C Estates - Chagumukile Estate - Chamatowo Estate - Chamwabvi Estate - Chasato Estate - Chaudre Estate - Chaudris Estate - Chikombe Estate - Chikumbuso Estate - Chikumbuso Estate - Chikyara Estate - Chima Estate - Chimaliro Estate - Chimaliro Estate - Chimbwazi Estate - Chimwamkango Estate - Chimwemwe Estate - Chingaliwa Estate …and 90 more. ### Getting around 9 bridges; 7 airfields; 4 airports; 2 railway stations. - Balakas - Bilila Station - Bua Bridge - Dedza - Dwambazi Bridge - Dwangwa Airport - Kanete Bridge - Kasangadzi Bridge - Kasangadzi Bridge (possible location) - Kasungu Airport - Lifupa - Lilongwe International Airport - Linthipe River M5 Bridge - Lisasadzi Bridge - Liwaladzi Bridge - Mponongo - Mtakataka - Nsipe-M1 Bridge - Ntchisi - Old Lilongwe Airport - Penga Penga Station - Salima Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/). Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate. ## Weather in Central Region and the best time to visit In Central Region, the warmest month is Nov (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jul (16 °C). About 1,071 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (290 mm) and the driest Jun (2 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **April to November**. - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Month Average °C Rain mm Jan 22 290 Feb 21 222 Mar 21 168 Apr 20 47 May 18 8 Jun 16 2 Jul 16 2 Aug 19 2 Sep 22 4 Oct 24 11 Nov 25 68 Dec 23 245 Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/). ## Hospitals, banks and other services in Central Region Places mapped inside Central Region in open map data, by type. - Hospitals86 - Banks53 - ATMs7 - Petrol pumps131 - Hotels193 - Shopping malls16 - Schools194 - Colleges and universities63 - Pharmacies16 - Restaurants173 - Police stations23 - Dental clinics8 Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/). Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown. ## Quick answers - Where is Central Region?In Malawi - What is the population of Central Region?8,533,879 (2023 estimate) - What is the median age in Central Region?About 19 years (2023 estimate) - What is the population density of Central Region?About 240 people per km² - What borders Central Region?Northern Region and Southern Region - What is the largest town in Central Region?Lilongwe - How many reservoirs and tanks are in Central Region?1 named in GeoNames - What is the highest point in Central Region?Dedza Mountain (2,173 m, GeoNames elevation model) - What is the best time to visit Central Region?April to November - How many hospitals are in Central Region?86 mapped - How many banks are in Central Region?53 mapped - How many ATMs are in Central Region?7 mapped - How many petrol pumps are in Central Region?131 mapped - What is the P-code of Central Region?MW2 (OCHA common operational dataset)