Mchinji Population 2026
Mchinji has a population of 31,592, making it the #13 biggest city in 🇲🇼 Malawi, located in Central Region. Roughly 0.1% of Malawi's population lives here. It is about 35× smaller than Lilongwe, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
31,592
Rank in Malawi
#13
Coordinates
13.80°S, 32.88°E
~1,186 m elevation · Africa/Blantyre
Distance to capital (Lilongwe)
100 km
62 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Central Region
Cities near Mchinji
FAQ
What is the population of Mchinji?
Mchinji has a population of 31,592 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #13 biggest city in Malawi.
What region is Mchinji in?
Mchinji is located in Central Region, Malawi.
Is Mchinji the capital of Malawi?
No, the capital of Malawi is Lilongwe, about 100 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.