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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mw

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

741 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165

Internet users [time series]

316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 125

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: rudimentary domestic: fixed-line subscribership about 2 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 approaching 15 per 100 persons international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

236,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 122

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.781 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 127

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.254 billion expenditures: $1.351 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 15% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

25.28% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 27.72% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$241 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 -$75 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.005 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $894 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

39 (2004) country comparison to the world: 67

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.572 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Exchange rates [time series]

Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 142.41 (2008 est.), 141.12 (2007), 135.96 (2006), 108.894 (2005), 108.898 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$830 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $721 million (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

South Africa 14.2%, Egypt 9.8%, Zimbabwe 8.6%, US 7.4%, Netherlands 7%, Russia 5.7%, Germany 5.7% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$4.268 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$11.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $10.9 billion (2007 est.) $10.1 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 39.2% industry: 16.8% services: 44% (2008 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 $800 (2007 est.) $700 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

9.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 7.9% (2007 est.) 8.2% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2004)

Imports [time series]

$1.587 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $1.323 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 41.5%, China 7.3%, India 6.1%, Tanzania 5.4%, US 4.1% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Industries [time series]

tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 7.9% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

8.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Labor force [time series]

5.747 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007) $587.2 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - consumption [time series]

8,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Oil - imports [time series]

6,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Population below poverty line [time series]

53% (2004)

Public debt [time series]

49.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 228.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$185 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $217.2 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$11.23 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $406.2 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $361.5 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $250.4 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 99 land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,404 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature

Irrigated land [time series]

560 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 20.68% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 78.14% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

17.3 cu km (2001)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Lilongwe geographic coordinates: 13 59 S, 33 47 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

18 May 1994

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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 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%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Government - note [time series]

no party has a majority in the fractured legislature

Government type [time series]

multiparty democracy

Independence [time series]

6 July 1964 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Dindi NYASULU]; Congress of Democrats or CODE [Ralph KASAMBARA]; 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]; Maravi People's Party [Uladi MUSSA]; National Unity Party or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Rainbow Coalition Party [Beatrice MWALE]; New Republican Party [Gwanda CHAKUWAMBA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Party or RP [Stanley MASAULI]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Bakili MULUZI]; United Democratic Party [Kenedy KALAMBO]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Agri-Ecology Media (agriculture and environmental group); Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development); Human Rights Consultative Committee or HRCC (human rights); Malawi Law Society (human rights and law reform); Malawi Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or MMRD (acts to restore and maintain democracy); Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 3,050,444 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,732,621 females age 16-49: 1,562,107 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 174,044 female: 173,828 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment) (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 123

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve service (2007)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45.8% (male 3,272,790/female 3,258,893) 15-64 years: 51.5% (male 3,696,857/female 3,656,918) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 162,863/female 220,390) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

41.48 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Death rate [time series]

17.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.8% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 44

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

11.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

68,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

930,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 89.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 14 male: 93.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 84.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

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)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 43.82 years country comparison to the world: 216 male: 44.07 years female: 43.57 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.7% male: 76.1% female: 49.8% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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 animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 16.8 years male: 16.8 years female: 16.9 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian

Net migration rate [time series]

NA (2009 est.)

Population [time series]

14,268,711 country comparison to the world: 66 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 2009 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.388% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2004)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.59 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 19% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

32 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

Railways [time series]

total: 797 km country comparison to the world: 102 narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 15,451 km country comparison to the world: 122 paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)

Waterways [time series]

700 km (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 76