# Northern Region, Malawi – Districts, Population & Map

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/

Region · Malawi 

# Northern Region

Northern Region is a region of Malawi. It had an estimated **2,532,270 people** in 2023 on 27,147 km² (about 93 per km²). Its main town is Mzuzu. It is divided into 7 districts. 2,500 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 400 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 2,532,270people (2023)
- 27,147km²
- 7districts
- 400mapped services

## How many people live in Northern Region?

Northern Region had an estimated **2,532,270 people** in 2023 — 12.8% of Malawi, the least populous of 3 regions. There are 1,069 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Malawi figure of 1,064). Spread over 27,147 km², that is about **93 people per km²**, the least densely populated of 3 regions.

39.8% of people are children under 15 and 3.8% 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 ****352,677**

5–9 ****329,823**

10–14 ****325,510**

15–19 ****295,924**

20–24 ****249,818**

25–29 ****203,077**

30–34 ****168,170**

35–39 ****134,362**

40–44 ****111,301**

45–49 ****90,793**

50–54 ****73,431**

55–59 ****56,527**

60–64 ****43,882**

65–69 ****33,140**

70–74 ****24,751**

75–79 ****17,816**

80–84 ****11,446**

85–89 ****6,184**

90–94 ****2,688**

95+ ****953**

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 Northern Region?

Northern Region lies in [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). It borders 1 other region: [Central Region](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/central/). By area it is the smallest of 3 regions in Malawi. It covers 29.1% of [Malawi](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/). The centre of Northern Region is about 324 km in a straight line from Lilongwe, the capital. The centre point is at -11.0540° N, 33.7740° 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 Northern Region

District People per km² Area km² Traditional authorities Services 

[Mzimba District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/mzimba/) 1,017,701 97 10,477 13 39 

[Karonga District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/karonga/) 405,552 119 3,418 7 78 

[Nkhatabay District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/nkhatabay/) 309,673 74 4,184 14 65 

[Mzuzu City](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/mzuzu-city/) 273,018 1,870 146 15 105 

[Chitipa District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/chitipa/) 256,197 59 4,337 11 46 

[Rumphi District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/rumphi/) 254,134 56 4,560 14 56 

[Likoma District](https://wherepedia.org/malawi/northern/likoma/) 15,995 789 20 2 11 

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 Northern Region

- Mzuzu249,564
- Karonga69,486
- Mzimba29,432
- Rumphi25,216
- Chitipa20,011
- Nkhata Bay16,099
- Likoma7,683
- Livingstonia5,552
- Chisumulu4,000
- Chikupizga Village50

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 Northern Region

Named natural and historic features inside Northern Region, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

967 rivers and streams; 4 waterfalls; 3 lakes; 1 dam.

- Bala
- Bale
- Banga
- Belele
- Bentu
- Bichi
- Bindi
- Bogolo
- Bowoyo Stream
- Bula
- Bulala
- Bumba
- Bundi
- Bungulo
- Bunyako
- Camavi
- Canthula Stream
- Chahumba Stream
- Chakakamuka
- Chakupimba
- Chalipweteka
- Chamaji
- Chamaliwa
- Chamaluza Stream

…and 951 more.

### Coast and islands

18 headlands; 3 bays; 2 islands; 1 lagoon.

- Cape Manulo
- Chiguluwindi Point
- Chirwi Point
- Chisi Point
- Chisumulu Island
- Kalikale Point
- Likoma Island
- Lion Point
- Lipala Point
- Madimba Bay
- Makulawe Point
- Mbako Point
- Mbuzi Point
- Mkukuti Point
- Msuli Point
- Mulale Lagoon
- Ndomo Point
- Nkhata Bay
- Nkhoso Point
- Phowo Point
- Rukuru Point
- Sanga Point
- Wina Point
- Yofu Bay

### Hills and mountains

321 hills; 157 mountains; 4 peaks; 1 valley.

- Nganda · 2,606 m
- Ndembera · 2,522 m
- Vitumbi · 2,521 m
- Mwenembwe · 2,494 m
- Mpopoti · 2,485 m
- Nthakati · 2,478 m
- Chejara · 2,422 m
- Chelinda · 2,422 m
- Khowa · 2,419 m
- Masengowe Hill · 2,406 m
- Kalabwe · 2,398 m
- Milanji · 2,393 m
- Chosi · 2,379 m
- Kasaramba Hill · 2,364 m
- Nguyi Ya Msaka · 2,349 m
- Nchenachena Hill · 2,319 m
- Kapirizungu · 2,314 m
- Makunguluwe · 2,314 m
- Domwe · 2,308 m
- Sangule · 2,288 m
- Chisavya · 2,262 m
- Kawozya · 2,230 m
- Bangwa · 2,224 m
- Bangwa Hill · 2,224 m

…and 459 more.

### Forests and nature

31 forest reserves; 2 wildlife reserves; 1 forest; 1 nature reserve; 1 park.

- Bunganya Forest Reserve
- Chanthasha Forest Reserve
- Chanthulwa Forest Reserve
- Chimaliro Forest Reserve
- Chinthi Proposed Forest Reserve
- Chisasira Forest Reserve
- Chombe Proposed Forest Reserve
- Ighembe Forest Reserve
- Kalwe Forest Reserve
- Kaningina Forest Reserve
- Karonga South Escarpment Forest Reserve
- Kasimba Forest Reserve
- Kawiya Forest Reserve
- Lwafwa Forest Reserve
- Mafinga Hills Protected Area
- Matipa Forest Reserve
- Mbula Proposed Forest Reserve
- Mkuwazi Forest Reserve
- Mpelekezi Forest Reserve
- Mtangatanga Forest Reserve
- Mughese Forest Reserve
- Mukwazi Forest Reserve
- Musisi Forest Reserve
- Ngara Forest Reserve

…and 12 more.

### History

1 ancient site.

- Ncherenge

### Estates

43 estates; 2 tea estates; 1 rubber estate.

- Bluegum Plantations
- Chamalo Estate
- Chilumba Estate
- Chimwemwe Estates
- Chombe Tea Estate
- Diele Estate
- Estate Number 16
- Estate Number S17
- Heŵe Estate
- Kalanga Estate
- Kamata Estate
- Kamwanjiwa Estate
- Kapirisisi Estate
- Kapombe Estate
- Katonthobolo Estate
- Katoto Estate
- Kavinkana Estate
- Kawalazi Estate
- Kawalazi Estate
- Kawiya Tea Estate
- Kazuni Estate
- Khuyu Estates Limited Block A
- Khuyu Estates Limited Block B
- Khuyu Estates Limited Block C

…and 22 more.

### Getting around

5 bridges; 4 airports; 3 airfields.

- Chambo Bridge
- Chelinda Airport
- Chitipa
- Kabwafu
- Kalwe Bridge
- Karonga Airport
- Kaseya Bridge
- Likoma Island Airport
- Mzimba
- Mzuzu Airport
- Songwe M1 Bridge
- South Rukuru M1 Bridge

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 Northern Region and the best time to visit

In Northern Region, the warmest month is Nov (average 24 °C) and the coolest is Jul (15 °C). About 1,275 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (279 mm) and the driest Aug (4 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **May to November**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 21 279 

Feb 21 220 

Mar 20 228 

Apr 19 135 

May 17 27 

Jun 15 12 

Jul 15 9 

Aug 17 4 

Sep 20 5 

Oct 23 23 

Nov 24 88 

Dec 22 245 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Northern Region

Places mapped inside Northern Region in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals38
- Banks31
- ATMs5
- Petrol pumps34
- Hotels95
- Shopping malls2
- Schools97
- Colleges and universities19
- Pharmacies1
- Restaurants56
- Police stations21
- Dental clinics1

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 Northern Region?In Malawi
- What is the population of Northern Region?2,532,270 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in Northern Region?About 19 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of Northern Region?About 93 people per km²
- What borders Northern Region?Central Region
- What is the largest town in Northern Region?Mzuzu
- What is the highest point in Northern Region?Nganda (2,606 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Northern Region?May to November
- How many hospitals are in Northern Region?38 mapped
- How many banks are in Northern Region?31 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Northern Region?5 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Northern Region?34 mapped
- What is the P-code of Northern Region?MW1 (OCHA common operational dataset)