Karonga Population 2026
Karonga has a population of 69,486, making it the #5 biggest city in 🇲🇼 Malawi, located in Northern Region. Roughly 0.3% of Malawi's population lives here. It is about 16× smaller than Lilongwe, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
69,486
Rank in Malawi
#5
Coordinates
9.93°S, 33.93°E
~486 m elevation · Africa/Blantyre
Distance to capital (Lilongwe)
449 km
279 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Northern Region
| City | Population | Rank in Malawi |
|---|---|---|
| Mzuzu | 249,564 | #3 |
| Mzimba | 29,432 | #15 |
| Rumphi | 25,216 | #17 |
| Chitipa | 20,011 | #20 |
| Nkhata Bay | 16,099 | #23 |
Cities near Karonga
- Chitipa20,011 people · ~77 km away
- Rumphi25,216 people · ~121 km away
- Mzuzu249,564 people · ~171 km away
- Nkhata Bay16,099 people · ~190 km away
- Mzimba29,432 people · ~222 km away
- Nkhotakota31,974 people · ~335 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Karonga?
Karonga has a population of 69,486 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #5 biggest city in Malawi.
What region is Karonga in?
Karonga is located in Northern Region, Malawi.
Is Karonga the capital of Malawi?
No, the capital of Malawi is Lilongwe, about 449 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.