Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi
Malawi: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 10,657 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
10,657 tonnes
Change on year
up 16.5%
World rank
140th
of 220 countries
All-time high
21,918 tonnes
in 1999
All-time low
61.93 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi is 10,657 tonnes, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 16.5% on the previous year and up 58.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi peaked at 21,918 tonnes in 1999 and was at its lowest, 61.93 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Malawi 140th out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 61.93 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 61.95 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 61.96 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 61.98 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 62 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 62.02 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 62.03 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 62.05 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 62.07 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 62.09 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 62.1 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 62.12 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 62.14 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 62.15 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 62.17 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 62.19 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 62.2 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 62.22 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 62.24 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 62.26 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 62.27 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 62.29 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 62.31 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 62.32 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 62.34 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 62.36 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 62.37 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 62.39 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 62.41 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 62.42 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 62.44 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 62.46 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 62.47 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 62.49 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 62.51 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 62.52 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 62.54 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 62.55 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 62.57 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 62.59 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 62.6 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 62.62 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 62.64 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 62.65 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 62.67 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 62.68 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 62.7 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 62.72 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 62.73 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 62.75 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 62.76 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 62.78 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 62.79 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 62.81 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 62.83 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 62.84 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 62.86 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 62.87 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 62.89 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 62.9 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 62.92 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 62.97 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 63.01 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 63.06 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 63.11 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 63.15 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1816 | 63.2 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1817 | 63.25 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1818 | 63.29 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 63.34 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1820 | 63.39 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1821 | 63.43 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1822 | 63.48 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1823 | 63.53 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1824 | 63.57 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1825 | 63.62 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1826 | 63.67 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1827 | 63.71 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1828 | 63.76 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1829 | 63.81 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1830 | 63.85 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1831 | 63.9 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1832 | 63.95 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1833 | 63.99 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1834 | 64.04 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1835 | 64.09 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 64.13 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1837 | 64.18 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1838 | 64.22 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1839 | 64.27 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1840 | 64.32 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1841 | 64.36 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1842 | 64.41 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1843 | 64.46 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1844 | 64.5 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1845 | 64.55 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1846 | 64.59 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1847 | 64.64 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1848 | 64.69 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1849 | 64.73 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1850 | 64.78 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1851 | 64.91 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1852 | 65.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1853 | 65.17 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1854 | 65.3 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1855 | 65.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1856 | 65.58 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1857 | 65.72 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1858 | 65.86 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1859 | 66.09 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1860 | 67.75 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1861 | 69.45 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1862 | 71.2 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1863 | 72.99 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1864 | 74.82 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1865 | 76.7 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1866 | 78.63 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1867 | 80.6 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1868 | 82.63 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1869 | 84.7 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1870 | 86.83 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1871 | 97.24 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1872 | 99.49 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1873 | 101.8 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1874 | 104.16 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1875 | 106.58 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1876 | 109.06 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1877 | 111.6 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1878 | 114.2 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1879 | 116.87 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1880 | 119.61 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1881 | 122.42 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1882 | 125.29 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1883 | 128.24 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1884 | 131.26 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1885 | 134.36 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1886 | 137.53 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1887 | 140.79 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1888 | 144.12 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1889 | 147.54 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1890 | 145.64 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1891 | 149.52 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1892 | 153.51 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1893 | 157.6 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1894 | 161.82 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1895 | 166.15 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1896 | 170.6 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1897 | 175.18 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1898 | 179.88 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1899 | 184.72 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1900 | 189.69 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1901 | 194.81 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1902 | 214.12 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1903 | 235.42 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1904 | 258.92 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1905 | 217.07 tonnes | -16.2% |
| 1906 | 243.41 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1907 | 243.23 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1908 | 248.61 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1909 | 261.06 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1910 | 242.45 tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1911 | 254.56 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1912 | 262.9 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1913 | 268.2 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1914 | 279.57 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1915 | 285.89 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1916 | 298.52 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1917 | 298.53 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 321.77 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1919 | 319.01 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1920 | 315.49 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1921 | 315.8 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1922 | 313.59 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1923 | 308.85 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1924 | 319.26 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1925 | 319.57 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1926 | 340.34 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1927 | 338.14 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1928 | 351.08 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1929 | 358.98 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1930 | 367.13 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1931 | 420.29 tonnes | +14.5% |
| 1932 | 423.19 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1933 | 423.58 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1934 | 421.44 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1935 | 421.82 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1936 | 427.26 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1937 | 433.44 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1938 | 441.89 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1939 | 445.29 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1940 | 446.67 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1941 | 455.44 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1942 | 529.03 tonnes | +16.2% |
| 1943 | 539.62 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1944 | 550.21 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1945 | 543.32 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1946 | 556.89 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1947 | 570.41 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1948 | 581.4 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1949 | 597.44 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1950 | 1,272 tonnes | +112.9% |
| 1951 | 1,609 tonnes | +26.5% |
| 1952 | 1,744 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1953 | 1,895 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1954 | 2,027 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1955 | 2,206 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1956 | 2,589 tonnes | +17.3% |
| 1957 | 2,640 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1958 | 2,882 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1959 | 2,825 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1960 | 2,884 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1961 | 2,932 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1962 | 3,053 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1963 | 3,076 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1964 | 2,919 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1965 | 3,063 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1966 | 3,538 tonnes | +15.5% |
| 1967 | 3,104 tonnes | -12.3% |
| 1968 | 3,196 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 3,046 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1970 | 3,551 tonnes | +16.6% |
| 1971 | 4,179 tonnes | +17.7% |
| 1972 | 4,495 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1973 | 4,726 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1974 | 4,731 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1975 | 5,112 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1976 | 5,171 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1977 | 5,149 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1978 | 5,358 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1979 | 5,487 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 5,660 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 5,180 tonnes | -8.5% |
| 1982 | 4,652 tonnes | -10.2% |
| 1983 | 4,544 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1984 | 4,406 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1985 | 4,520 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 4,598 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1987 | 4,732 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1988 | 4,868 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1989 | 5,042 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 10,655 tonnes | +111.3% |
| 1991 | 9,833 tonnes | -7.7% |
| 1992 | 10,698 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1993 | 11,505 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1994 | 12,060 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1995 | 12,561 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1996 | 13,710 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1997 | 15,361 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1998 | 15,927 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1999 | 21,918 tonnes | +37.6% |
| 2000 | 8,264 tonnes | -62.3% |
| 2001 | 7,836 tonnes | -5.2% |
| 2002 | 8,374 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 2003 | 8,461 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 9,135 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 2005 | 7,178 tonnes | -21.4% |
| 2006 | 7,441 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 2007 | 7,554 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2008 | 7,216 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 2009 | 6,990 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2010 | 7,770 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 2011 | 6,906 tonnes | -11.1% |
| 2012 | 6,747 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 2013 | 7,596 tonnes | +12.6% |
| 2014 | 7,203 tonnes | -5.2% |
| 2015 | 7,248 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 7,212 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 8,020 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 2018 | 8,456 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 2019 | 8,648 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 8,705 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 9,145 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 2022 | 10,657 tonnes | +16.5% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 10,657 tonnes is above the median for low income countries, which is 10,657 tonnes, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 10,657 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13,590 tonnes, 78% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | +112.9% | 597.44 tonnes | 1,272 tonnes |
| 1990 | +111.3% | 5,042 tonnes | 10,655 tonnes |
| 2000 | -62.3% | 21,918 tonnes | 8,264 tonnes |
| 1999 | +37.6% | 15,927 tonnes | 21,918 tonnes |
| 1951 | +26.5% | 1,272 tonnes | 1,609 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 62.01 tonnes | 61.93 tonnes | 62.09 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 62.18 tonnes | 62.1 tonnes | 62.26 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 62.35 tonnes | 62.27 tonnes | 62.42 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 62.51 tonnes | 62.44 tonnes | 62.59 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 62.68 tonnes | 62.6 tonnes | 62.75 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 62.83 tonnes | 62.76 tonnes | 62.9 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 63.13 tonnes | 62.92 tonnes | 63.34 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 63.6 tonnes | 63.39 tonnes | 63.81 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 64.06 tonnes | 63.85 tonnes | 64.27 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 64.52 tonnes | 64.32 tonnes | 64.73 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 65.39 tonnes | 64.78 tonnes | 66.09 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 75.95 tonnes | 67.75 tonnes | 84.7 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 104.78 tonnes | 86.83 tonnes | 116.87 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 133.12 tonnes | 119.61 tonnes | 147.54 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 164.46 tonnes | 145.64 tonnes | 184.72 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 230.64 tonnes | 189.69 tonnes | 261.06 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 283.14 tonnes | 242.45 tonnes | 321.77 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 328.11 tonnes | 308.85 tonnes | 358.98 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 422.53 tonnes | 367.13 tonnes | 445.29 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 537.04 tonnes | 446.67 tonnes | 597.44 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 2,169 tonnes | 1,272 tonnes | 2,882 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 3,081 tonnes | 2,884 tonnes | 3,538 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 4,796 tonnes | 3,551 tonnes | 5,487 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 4,820 tonnes | 4,406 tonnes | 5,660 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 13,423 tonnes | 9,833 tonnes | 21,918 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 7,845 tonnes | 6,990 tonnes | 9,135 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,581 tonnes | 6,747 tonnes | 8,648 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,502 tonnes | 8,705 tonnes | 10,657 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More energy & mining data for Malawi
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 7.18 % change on previous year (2024)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fuel imports 16.5% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Malawi was 10,657 tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 21,918 tonnes in 1999.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 61.93 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Malawi rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Malawi ranks 140th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 58.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is an air pollutant formed from the burning of fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal. SO₂ is one of the main chemicals that forms acid rain.