Malawi

Republic of MalawiDziko la Malawi

multiparty democracyIndependence 6 July 1964 (from UK)

Malawi as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 135 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalLilongwe, UTC+2

Position13 30 S, 34 00 E

Area118,480 sq km

LocationSouthern Africa, east of Zambia

Populationas each edition published it

13.93 million July 2008 est. · 9.16m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.39% 2008 est. · -0.95% in 1993

Median ageyears

16.8 years 2008 est. · 16.4 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

43.45 years 2008 est. · 40.48 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.67 children per woman 2008 est. · 7.7 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

90.55 deaths per 1,000 live births 2008 est. · 130 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$800 2007 est. · $200 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

8% 2007 est. · -7.7% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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. Current 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.

As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Geography

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

20 fields

Land useshare of 118,480 sq km

arable land 20.68%permanent crops 1.18%other 78.14% (2005)irrigated 560 sq km (2003)

Area

118,480sq km

land: 94,080 sq kmwater: 24,400 sq kmslightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Coastline

0km

(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Highest point

3,002m

Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje)lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

Land boundaries

2,881km

border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Location

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Geographic coordinates

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Map references

Africa

Climate

sub-tropical;
rainy season (November to May);
dry season (May to November)

Terrain

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

Natural resources

limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

Total renewable water resources

17.3 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total:: 1.01 cu km/yr (15%/5%/80%)
per capita:: 78 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

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

People

22 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)

159,450

65 and over2.7%

213,756

3,592,073

15-6451.4%

3,563,840

3,208,112

0-1446%

3,194,600

MaleFemale

Population

13,931,831

growth rate: 2.39% (2008 est.)

Note

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 (July 2008 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)

Birth

41.79Death

17.89

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2008 est.)43.45

43.74 · 43.15Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)90.55

94.69 · 86.35Literacy (2003 est.)62.7%

76.1% · 49.8%

TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2008 est.)16.8

16.7 · 16.8School life expectancy years (2004)9

10 · 9

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Religions(1998 census)

Christian 79.9%Muslim 12.8%other 3%none 4.3% (1998 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

14.2%

(2003 est.)

Net migration rate

NA (2008 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.01 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population:: 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.67 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

900,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

84,000 (2003 est.)

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 plague
water contact disease:: schistosomiasis (2008)

Nationality

noun:: Malawian(s)
adjective:: Malawian

Ethnic groups

Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European

Languages

Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)

Education expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2003)

Government

Multiparty democracy; President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004); President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004)

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Presidential electionpercent of vote

35.9%

Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 35.9%John TEMBO 27.1%Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA 25.7%Brown MPINGANJIRA 8.7%Justin MALEWEZI 2.5%election last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2009)

National Assembly, 192 seats, elected 20 May 2004one dot, one seat

MCP 56UDF 49independents 39RP 15others 25vacancies 8

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 59 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 (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba

Independence

6 July 1964 (from UK)

National holiday

Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)

Constitution

18 May 1994

Legal system

based on English common law and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004)
cabinet:: 46-member Cabinet named by the president
elections:: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2009)
election results:: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 35.9%, John TEMBO 27.1%, Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA 25.7%, Brown MPINGANJIRA 8.7%, Justin MALEWEZI 2.5%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2009)
election results:: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCP 56, UDF 49, independents 39, RP 15, others 25, vacancies 8

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Appeal;
High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission);
magistrate's courts

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy or AFORD;
Congress for National Unity or CONU;
Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Bingu wa 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];
Mgwirizano Coalition or MC [Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA] (coalition of MAFUNDE, MDP, MGODE, NUP, PETRA, PPM, RP);
Movement for Genuine Democratic Change or MGODE [Sam Kandodo BANDA];
National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Brown MPINGANJIRA];
National Unity Party or NUP [Harry CHIUME];
People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA];
People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO];
Republican Party or RP [Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA];
United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Agri-Ecology Media (agriculture and environmental group);
Malawi Law Society (human rights);
Malawi Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or MMRD (acts to restore and maintain democracy);
National Democratic Alliance or NDA (acts to restore democracy; Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Hawa NDILOWE
chancery:: 1029 Vermont Avenue, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:: [1] (202) 721-0270
FAX:: [1] (202) 721-0288

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Peter W. BODDE
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 in the black band

Government - note

no party has a majority in the fractured legislature

Economy

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries.

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GDP, purchasing power parity

$10.59billion

(2007 est.)official exchange rate: $3.538 billion (2007 est.)

GDP per capita, PPP

$800

(2007 est.)

Real growth rate

(2007 est.)industrial production growth: 4.4% (2007 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

7.9%

(2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2007 est.)

agriculture 37.8%industry 18.1%services 44.1% (2007 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

10%

South Africa

36.1%

11.7%

Germany

9.2%

Egypt

India

8.5%

8.2%

Zimbabwe

7.3%

6.1%

Tanzania

6.1%

5.8%

Russia

China

4.9%

4.5%

Netherlands

Exports $604 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)Imports $866 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)(2007)

Budget

Revenues

$1.128 billionExpenditures

$1.185 billion (2007 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production

1.13 billion (2006 est.)Electricity consumption

1.051 billion (2006 est.)

Economy - overview

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for more than 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 December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. Malawi will now begin a consultative process to develop a five-year program before funding can begin.

In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. 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.

In 2005, President MUTHARIKA championed an anticorruption campaign. Since 2005 President MUTHARIKA'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. Improved relations with the IMF lead other international donors to resume aid as well.

Labor force

4.5 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:: 90%
industry and services:: 10% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2004)

Investment (gross fixed)

8.4% of GDP (2007 est.)

Public debt

50.6% of GDP (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

15% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

27.72% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$361.5 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$250.4 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit

$406.2 million (31 December 2007)

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,160 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

6,788 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Current account balance

-$318 million (2007 est.)

Exports

$604 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel

Imports

$866 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$217.2 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external

$894 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Currency (code)

Malawian kwacha (MWK)

Exchange rates

Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 141.12 (2007), 135.96 (2006), 108.894 (2005), 108.898 (2004), 97.433 (2003)

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

1.051 million

(2007)

Internet users

107

(2008)

Fixed lines

175,200

(2007) · country code .mw

Telephone system

general assessment:: rudimentary
domestic:: fixed-line subscribership about 1 per 100 persons;
privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006;
mobile-cellular services are expanding but cellular network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas;
mobile cellular subscribership roughly 8 per 100 persons
international:: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus one shortwave station on standby) (2001)

Television broadcast stations

1 (2001)

Internet users

139,500 (2007)

Transportation

7 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

over 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

Paved 6Unpaved 33

Networkskm

Roadways

15,451Railways

797Waterways

700 (2007)

Roadways: paved: 6,956 km · unpaved: 8,495 km (2003) · Railways: narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2006) · Waterways: (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River)