Africa :: Malawi

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## Introduction ::Malawi

Background:
Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in May 2009. As president, he oversaw some economic improvement in his first term, but was accused of economic mismanagement and poor governance in his second term. He died abruptly in April 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president, Joyce BANDA. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

## Geography ::Malawi

Location:
Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 100 land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,404 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain:
narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Natural resources:
limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 30.38% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 68.52% (2011)
Irrigated land:
735 sq km (2006)
Total renewable water resources:
17.28 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.36 cu km/yr (11%/4%/86%) per capita: 99.86 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth

## People and Society ::Malawi

Nationality:
noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups:
Chewa 32.6%, Lomwe 17.6%, Yao 13.5%, Ngoni 11.5%, Tumbuka 8.8%, Nyanja 5.8%, Sena 3.6%, Tonga 2.1%, Ngonde 1%, other 3.5%
Languages:
Chichewa (official) 57.2%, Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)
Religions:
Christian 82.7%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5% (1998 census)
Population:
16,777,547 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.7% (male 3,754,206/female 3,738,521) 15-24 years: 20.6% (male 1,723,098/female 1,725,326) 25-54 years: 28.5% (male 2,422,642/female 2,364,137) 55-64 years: 3.6% (male 269,058/female 327,158) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 192,928/female 260,473) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 17.3 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.74% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Birth rate:
39.98 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Death rate:
12.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Urbanization:
urban population: 15.7% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Blantyre 856,000; LILONGWE (capital) 821,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
18.9 note: Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
460 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 22
Infant mortality rate:
total: 76.98 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 10 male: 80.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.78 years country comparison to the world: 210 male: 51.95 years female: 53.62 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.26 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
46.1% (2010)
Health expenditures:
6.6% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 97
Physicians density:
0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 80% of population total: 83% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 20% of population total: 17% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 49% of population rural: 51% of population total: 51% of population unimproved: urban: 51% of population rural: 49% of population total: 49% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
11% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
920,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
51,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
4.3% (2008) country comparison to the world: 168
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
13.8% (2010) country comparison to the world: 55
Education expenditures:
5.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 57
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.8% male: 81.1% female: 68.5% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
total number: 993,318 percentage: 26 % (2006 est.)

## Government ::Malawi

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi local long form: Dziko la Malawi local short form: Malawi former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland
Government type:
multiparty democracy
Capital:
name: Lilongwe geographic coordinates: 13 58 S, 33 47 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Independence:
6 July 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
Constitution:
18 May 1994
Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal
International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joyce BANDA (since 7 April 2012); Vice President Khumbo Hastings KACHALI (since 11 April 2012); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; former President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA died on 5 April 2012, Vice President Joyce BANDA was subsequently sworn in on 7 April 2012 head of government: President Joyce BANDA (since 7 April 2012); Vice President Khumbo Hastings KACHALI (since 11 April 2012) cabinet: 36-member Cabinet named by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3%; note - MUTHARIKA passed away on 5 April 2012 and was succeeded by then vice president Joyce BANDA
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; other judges appointed by the president upon recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, which regulates judicial officers; judges serve until age 65 subordinate courts: High Court; magistrate courts; Industrial Relations Court; district and city traditional or local courts
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Godfrey SHAWA] Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA] Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO] Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA] Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [George MNESA] New Labour Party or NLP [Friday JUMBE] New Republican Party [Gwanda CHAKUWAMBA] People's Party or PP [Joyce BANDA] People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Mark Katsonga PHIRI] People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO] United Democratic Front or UDF [Atupele MULUZI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development) Human Rights Consultative Committee or HRCC (human rights) Malawi Economic Justice Network or MEJN (pro economic growth, development, government accountability) Malawi Law Society (an umbrella organization of all lawyers in Malawi) Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen D. Tennyson MATENJE chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeanine E. JACKSON embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] (1) 773-166 FAX: [265] (1) 770-471
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered on the black band; black represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle for freedom, and green the color of nature; the rising sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africa
National anthem:
name: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi) lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA note: adopted 1964

## Economy ::Malawi

Economy - overview:
Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture, which has benefited from fertilizer subsidies since 2006, accounts for one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. In December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. The government faces many challenges including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. Since 2005 President BANDA'S government has exhibited improved financial discipline under the guidance of Finance Minister Goodall GONDWE and signed a three year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility worth $56 million with the IMF. The government has announced infrastructure projects that could yield improvements, such as a new oil pipeline for better fuel access, and the potential for a waterway link through Mozambican rivers to the ocean for better transportation options. Since 2009, however, Malawi has experienced some setbacks, including a general shortage of foreign exchange, which has damaged its ability to pay for imports, and fuel shortages that hinder transportation and productivity. Investment fell 23% in 2009, and continued to decline in 2010. The government has failed to address barriers to investment such as unreliable power, water shortages, poor telecommunications infrastructure, and the high costs of services. Donors, who provided an average of 36% of government revenue in the past five years, suspended general budget support for Malawi in 2011 due to a negative IMF review and governance issues.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.5 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $14.23 billion (2011 est.) $13.64 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.212 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 4.3% (2011 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 $900 (2011 est.) $900 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 29% industry: 19.2% services: 51.8% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
5.747 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
53% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2004) country comparison to the world: 70
Investment (gross fixed):
13.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Budget:
revenues: $1.032 billion expenditures: $1.358 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
24.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-7.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Public debt:
61.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 40.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
21.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 7.6% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
15% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 9 15% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
32.4% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 23.8% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$457.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $866.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$1.382 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $1.92 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.128 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $2.042 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.384 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 104 $1.363 billion (31 December 2010) $1.383 billion (31 December 2009)
Agriculture - products:
tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats
Industries:
tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate:
0.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Current account balance:
-$683.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 -$758.5 million (2011 est.)
Exports:
$1.193 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $1.263 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel
Exports - partners:
Canada 9.8%, Zimbabwe 9.5%, Germany 6.7%, South Africa 6.3%, Russia 6%, US 5.7%, Egypt 5.3% (2012)
Imports:
$1.901 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $1.923 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food, petroleum products, semi-manufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - partners:
South Africa 26.5%, China 16.2%, Zambia 9.1%, India 8.5%, Tanzania 5.5%, US 4.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$245.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $213.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.365 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.202 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 249.11 (2012 est.) 156.93 (2011 est.) 150.49 (2010 est.) 141.14 (2009) 142.41 (2008)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

## Energy ::Malawi

Electricity - production:
1.736 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption:
1.614 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
299,500 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
5.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
94.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
12,060 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Refined petroleum products - imports:
7,209 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.358 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

## Communications ::Malawi

Telephones - main lines in use:
173,500 (2011) country comparison to the world: 129
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.952 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 116
Telephone system:
general assessment: rudimentary; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006 domestic: limited fixed-line subscribership of about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services are expanding but network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
radio is the main broadcast medium; state-run radio has the widest geographic broadcasting reach, but about a dozen privately owned radio stations broadcast in major urban areas; the single TV network is government-owned; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.mw
Internet hosts:
1,099 (2012) country comparison to the world: 171
Internet users:
716,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 109

## Transportation ::Malawi

Airports:
31 (2012) country comparison to the world: 114
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 11 (2012)
Railways:
total: 797 km country comparison to the world: 99 narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 15,451 km country comparison to the world: 120 paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)
Waterways:
700 km (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) (2010) country comparison to the world: 76
Ports and terminals:
Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

## Military ::Malawi

Military branches:
Malawi Defense Forces (MDF): Army (includes Air Wing, Marine Unit) (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years reserve service (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,514,809 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,132,909 females age 16-49: 2,043,925 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 183,683 female: 183,028 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 146

## Transnational Issues ::Malawi

Disputes - international:
disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

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