View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2012 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.mw

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1,099 (2012) country comparison to the world: 171

Internet users [time series]

716,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 109

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

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

173,500 (2011) country comparison to the world: 129

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

3.952 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 116

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: $1.089 billion expenditures: $1.373 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-6.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Central bank discount rate [time series]

15% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 9 15% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

24.1% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 23.8% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$683.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 -$758.5 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.214 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.051 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

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

39 (2004) country comparison to the world: 69

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 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 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. 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 year, suspended general budget support for Malawi in 2011 due to a negative IMF review and governance issues.

Exchange rates [time series]

Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 239 (2012 est.) 156.93 (2011 est.) 150.49 (2010 est.) 141.14 (2009) 142.41 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$860 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $945.1 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Canada 12.4%, Zimbabwe 8.9%, Germany 8.8%, South Africa 6.4%, US 6.1%, Russia 6%, Egypt 5%, UK 4.2%, China 4.1% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$4.49 billion (2012 est.)

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

$14.58 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $13.98 billion (2011 est.) $13.4 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

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

agriculture: 29.6% industry: 16.9% services: 53.5% (2012 est.)

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

$900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 221 $900 (2011 est.) $900 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

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

4.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 4.3% (2011 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$1.752 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $1.722 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

food, petroleum products, semi-manufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment

Imports - partners [time series]

South Africa 31%, India 10.6%, Zambia 9.4%, China 8.7%, Tanzania 5.7%, US 5.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8.2% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

18.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 7.6% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

23.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Labor force [time series]

5.747 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.384 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 103 $1.363 billion (31 December 2010) $1.383 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

53% (2004)

Public debt [time series]

47.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 32.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$315.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $213.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.382 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $1.92 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

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

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.224 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $2.042 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$655.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $866.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

24.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

1.358 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.614 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

5.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

94.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 212

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

299,500 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - production [time series]

1.736 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

12,060 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

7,209 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 100 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; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth

Irrigated land [time series]

590 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, west and north of Mozambique

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 58 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 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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: 46-member Cabinet named by the president (For more information visit theWorld 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

multiparty democracy

Independence [time series]

6 July 1964 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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

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]

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi) lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA note: adopted 1964

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. 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. 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 3,514,809 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,132,909 females age 16-49: 2,043,925 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 183,683 female: 183,028 (2010 est.)

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

Malawi Defense Forces (MDF): Army (includes Air Wing, Marine Unit) (2012)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 111

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 reserve service (2007)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44.9% (male 3,670,266/ female 3,654,732) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 4,275,510/ female 4,283,564) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 187,461/ female 251,511) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

40.42 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

15.5% (2006) country comparison to the world: 53

Death rate [time series]

12.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.2% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 97

Ethnic groups [time series]

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%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

11% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

51,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

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

920,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

4.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 141

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 79.02 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 10 male: 83.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 74.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

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)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 52.31 years country comparison to the world: 209 male: 51.5 years female: 53.13 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.8% male: 81.1% female: 68.5% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

Blantyre 856,000; LILONGWE (capital) 821,000 (2009)

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)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

460 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 22

Median age [time series]

total: 17.3 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.4 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.019 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

16,323,044 (July 2012 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

Population growth rate [time series]

2.758% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Religions [time series]

Christian 82.7%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5% (1998 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 51% of population rural: 57% of population total: 56% of population unimproved: urban: 49% of population rural: 43% of population total: 44% of population

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

total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2007)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.35 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 20% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 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]

31 (2012) country comparison to the world: 114

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 [time series]

total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 11 (2012)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

Railways [time series]

total: 797 km country comparison to the world: 99 narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 15,451 km country comparison to the world: 120 paved: 6,956 km unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)

Waterways [time series]

700 km (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) (2010) country comparison to the world: 76