Photo: Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malawi: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Malawi is placed 58th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 56.83 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 95.63 (2024).
Share
Energy
58th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malawi on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
56.83
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Malawi: 56.83. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 56.83 Malawi
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 129.41 · Tanzania 343.89 · Zambia 125.76
95.63
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Malawi: 95.63. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 97.07 Uganda
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 83.43 · Tanzania 32.92 · Zambia 87.47
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
36.6
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 95th of 99 by World Energy Council
Malawi: 36.6. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 65.3 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 40.4 · Tanzania 39.9 · Zambia 41.8
02Over time
Which way Malawi is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi fell from 97.52 in 2000 to 56.83 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2024 56.8 433.7 2023 56.8 452.7 2022 56.8 476.3 2021 56.8 469.0 2020 33.1 482.0 2019 53.9 488.2 2018 144.8 500.4 2017 29.3 506.3 2016 67.0 521.9 2015 66.4 524.8 2014 64.5 522.3 2013 68.8 508.8 2012 68.8 525.4 2011 68.0 521.4 2010 69.3 515.5 2009 76.0 533.6 2008 75.3 517.2 2007 91.1 535.3 2006 100.0 537.5 2005 97.4 521.4 2004 93.2 523.1 2003 82.4 543.1 2002 93.8 551.3 2001 91.8 559.3 2000 97.5 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
MalawiWorld median
Malawi rose from 90.08 in 2000 to 95.63 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Malawi World median 2024 95.63 32.062 2023 95.63 28.000 2022 95.63 28.881 2021 95.63 28.286 2020 99.43 27.125 2019 96.11 26.296 2018 81.77 25.505 2017 100.00 24.023 2016 93.95 22.218 2015 94.01 21.915 2014 94.47 21.151 2013 93.66 21.593 2012 93.66 19.869 2011 93.91 18.584 2010 93.75 18.572 2009 92.81 17.886 2008 92.94 15.923 2007 90.51 15.586 2006 89.17 15.392 2005 89.54 16.438 2004 90.48 16.445 2003 92.37 16.339 2002 90.63 13.826 2001 90.98 14.023 2000 90.08 15.612
03In context
Malawi beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Malawi and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malawi | 58th | 56.83 | 95.63 | 36.6 |
 Zambia | 63rd | 125.76 | 87.47 | 41.8 |
 Mozambique | 67th | 129.41 | 83.43 | 40.4 |
 Tanzania | =98th | 343.89 | 32.92 | 39.9 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Malawi in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malawi is ahead of the world, and behind
26 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Malawi does better than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.210.0873.21No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0.087 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 206th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
RISE Clean Cooking Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 29.727529.72▲ Improved since 2013
Malawi: 75 · world median 29.72 · Clean cooking policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 80.69; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7381.0012.738No real change since 2014
Malawi: 1.001 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3295.6337.32▲ Improved since 2014
Malawi: 95.63 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 14th of 162 · derived.
RISE Electricity Access Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 65.6780.7665.67▲ Improved since 2013
Malawi: 80.76 · world median 65.67 · Electricity access policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 9.471 to 90.47; higher is better.
Position 7th of 56 · derived.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2638.0433.26▲ Improved since 2013
Malawi: 38.04 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Behind the world median6
Statistics on which Malawi does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7726.425.77No earlier reading
Malawi: 26.4 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 87th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8535.2824.85No earlier reading
Malawi: 35.28 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2324.0748.23▲ Improved since 2013
Malawi: 24.07 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2790.5465.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 0.546 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1006.4100▼ Worsened since 2014
Malawi: 6.4 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10015.6100No real change since 2014
Malawi: 15.6 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8592.3512.85Moved since 2014
Malawi: 92.35 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.6014.273No earlier reading
Malawi: 4.601 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.1090.144Moved since 2014
Malawi: 0.109 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0070.077No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0.007 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Malawi: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Malawi: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0490.5463.049Moved since 2014
Malawi: 0.546 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Malawi: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0-1.0930Moved since 2014
Malawi: -1.093 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Malawi: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250525No earlier reading
Malawi: 0 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.51.36249.5No real change since 2014
Malawi: 1.362 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
No current reading for Malawi
Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2023). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Malawi’s 15 topics
Energy is Malawi’s 2nd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 22nd of 1864/4 keys
- Energy58th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties88th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 118th of 1944/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 124th of 1844/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 125th of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge141st of 1982/4 keys
- Digital & Technology146th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 140th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital159th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 160th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing182nd of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation161st of 1764/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality150th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Malawi can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Uganda3rd2/3 keysThis page
Malawi58th3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Malawi on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Malawi rank on energy?
Malawi is placed 58th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Malawi?
56.83 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Malawi?
95.63 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Malawi compare with Tanzania on energy?
Tanzania is placed joint 98th of 165, and Malawi 58th. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: Tanzania 343.89, Malawi 56.83; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: Tanzania 32.92, Malawi 95.63; World Energy Trilemma Index: Tanzania 39.9, Malawi 36.6.
How have Malawi’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 97.52 in 2000 to 56.83 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 90.08 in 2000 to 95.63 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Malawi?
No current reading is published for Malawi on Primary Schools with Electricity. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 26 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Malawi’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Malawi (banner) — Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malawi: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malawi/energy