Balaka District

Balaka is a district in the Southern Region of Malawi. The capital is Balaka. The district covers an area of 2,140 km.² and has a population of 438,379.^[1] The district's population is increasing at a rate of 2.3% per annum. Major attractions in Balaka District include the 1,850 Ha estate Toleza Agricultural Enterprises, St. Louis Montfort Catholic Church, the Andiamo Vocational Complex and the Chifundo Artisans' Network.

Location of Balaka District in Malawi

In this district is the town of Nkaya, an important urban center that serves as the junction point of the country's road-rail systems.^[2]

Demographics

At the time of the 2018 Census of Malawi, the distribution of the population of Balaka District by ethnic group was as follows:^[1]

• 36.2% Yao
• 25.2% Lomwe
• 14.2% Ngoni
• 10.0% Chewa
• 6.8%Tumbuka
• 3.3% Sena
• 3.1% Mang'anja
• 0.8% Tonga
• 0.1% Nkhonde
• 0.0% Lambya
• 0.0% Sukwa
• 0.4% Others

Government and administrative divisions

There are four National Assembly constituencies in Balaka:^[3]

1. Balaka Central East
2. Balaka North
3. Balaka South
4. Balaka West