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) (2010)
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
227,300 (2012) country comparison to the world: 126
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
4.42 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 117
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: $1.032 billion expenditures: $1.358 billion (2012 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-7.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
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]
32.4% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 23.8% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance [time series]
$-315.1 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $-764.7 million (2011 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$1.354 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.202 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: 70
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 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.
Exchange rates [time series]
Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 249.11 (2012 est.) 156.93 (2011 est.) 150.49 (2010 est.) 141.14 (2009) 142.41 (2008)
Exports [time series]
$1.224 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.531 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel
Exports - partners [time series]
Canada 10.6%, Zimbabwe 9.3%, Germany 7.3%, South Africa 6.6%, Russia 6.5%, US 6.1%, China 4.2% (2012)
Fiscal year [time series]
1 July - 30 June
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$4.118 billion (2012 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$14.11 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $13.85 billion (2011 est.) $13.27 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 75.9% government consumption: 21% investment in fixed capital: 13.6% investment in inventories: 2% exports of goods and services: 29.1% imports of goods and services: -41.6% (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 29% industry: 19.2% services: 51.8% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 $900 (2011 est.) $800 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
1.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 4.3% (2011 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.)
Gross national saving [time series]
8.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 1.9% of GDP (2011 est.) 9.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2004)
Imports [time series]
$2.151 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $2.63 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
food, petroleum products, semi-manufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - partners [time series]
South Africa 27%, China 16.6%, India 8.7%, Zambia 8.5%, Tanzania 5.1%, US 4.3% (2012)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
0.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Industries [time series]
tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
21.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 7.6% (2011 est.)
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]
$1.384 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 104 $1.363 billion (31 December 2010) $1.383 billion (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line [time series]
53% (2004)
Public debt [time series]
62.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 40.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$246 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $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]
$1.128 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $2.042 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$457.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $866.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
25.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Unemployment rate [time series]
NA%
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
956,900 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Crude oil - production [time series]
200 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - consumption [time series]
1.835 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
99.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
287,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - production [time series]
1.973 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 167
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
12,060 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
6,059 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Geography
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: 1.36 cu km/yr (11%/4%/86%) per capita: 99.86 cu m/yr (2005)
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]
735 sq km (2006)
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: 30.38% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 68.52% (2011)
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]
NA
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]
17.28 cu km (2011)
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
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
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]
previous 1953 (preindependence), 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995; amended several times, last in 2005 (2007)
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 (since 11 September 2011) 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 Dick Tennyson MATENSE (since 10 September 2010) 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: 36-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]
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
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)
National holiday [time series]
Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
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)
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 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.
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]
0.8% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 146
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 (2012)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
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.)
Birth rate [time series]
39.98 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]
total number: 993,318 percentage: 26 % (2006 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
13.8% (2010) country comparison to the world: 55
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
46.1% (2010)
Death rate [time series]
12.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 94.1 % youth dependency ratio: 87.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 6.2 % potential support ratio: 16.1 (2013)
Drinking water source [time series]
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.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
5.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 57
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]
8.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 56
Hospital bed density [time series]
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
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.)
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: 52.78 years country comparison to the world: 210 male: 51.95 years female: 53.62 years (2013 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 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 dengue fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
Blantyre 856,000; LILONGWE (capital) 821,000 (2009)
Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]
460 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 24
Median age [time series]
total: 17.3 years male: 17.2 years female: 17.4 years (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
18.9 note: Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian
Net migration rate [time series]
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
4.3% (2008) country comparison to the world: 168
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Population [time series]
16,777,547 (July 2013 est.) 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
Population growth rate [time series]
2.74% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Religions [time series]
Christian 82.7%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5% (1998 census)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
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.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2011)
Sex ratio [time series]
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.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
5.26 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 15.7% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 4.2% 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]
32 (2013) country comparison to the world: 113
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 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 13 (2013)
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: 15,450 km country comparison to the world: 120 paved: 6,951 km unpaved: 8,499 km (2011)
Waterways [time series]
700 km (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) (2010) country comparison to the world: 76