2014 Edition

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. 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, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party (PP). Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Area

118,484 sq km 94,080 sq km 24,404 sq km

total

118,484 sq km

water

24,404 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

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

highest point

Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

lowest point

junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Law of the Sea

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.36 cu km/yr (11%/4%/86%) 99.86 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

99.86 cu m/yr (2005)

total

1.36 cu km/yr (11%/4%/86%)

Geographic coordinates

13 30 S, 34 00 E

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

Irrigated land

735 sq km (2006)

Land boundaries

2,881 km Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

border countries

Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

total

2,881 km

Land use

30.38% 1.1% 68.52% (2011)

arable land

30.38%

other

68.52% (2011)

permanent crops

1.1%

Location

Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

17.28 cu km (2011)

Age structure

46.9% (male 4,056,810/female 4,100,841) 20.2% (male 1,748,919/female 1,765,212) 27.1% (male 2,329,952/female 2,371,274) 3.1% (male 256,034/female 280,997) 2.7% (male 206,923/female 260,506) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

46.9% (male 4,056,810/female 4,100,841)

15-24 years

20.2% (male 1,748,919/female 1,765,212)

25-54 years

27.1% (male 2,329,952/female 2,371,274)

55-64 years

3.1% (male 256,034/female 280,997)

65 years and over

2.7% (male 206,923/female 260,506) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

41.8 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

993,318 26 % (2006 est.)

percentage

26 % (2006 est.)

total number

993,318

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

13.8% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

46.1% (2010)

Death rate

8.74 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

93.3 % 87 % 6.3 % 16 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.3 %

potential support ratio

16 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

93.3 %

youth dependency ratio

87 %

Drinking water source

urban: 94.6% of population rural: 83.2% of population total: 85% of population urban: 5.4% of population rural: 16.8% of population total: 15% of population (2012 est.)

rural

16.8% of population

total

15% of population (2012 est.)

urban

5.4% of population

Education expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2011)

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%

Health expenditures

8.4% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

10.8% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

45,600 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,129,800 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

48.01 deaths/1,000 live births 54.94 deaths/1,000 live births 40.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

40.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

48.01 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Chichewa (common), Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chilomwe, Chinkhonde, Chingoni, Chisena, Chitonga, Chinyakyusa, Chilambya

Life expectancy at birth

59.99 years 58.04 years 61.97 years (2014 est.)

female

61.97 years (2014 est.)

total population

59.99 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 74.8% 81.1% 68.5% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

68.5% (2010 est.)

male

81.1%

total population

74.8%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

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

Major urban areas - population

LILONGWE (capital) 772,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

460 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

16.3 years 16.2 years 16.4 years (2014 est.)

female

16.4 years (2014 est.)

male

16.2 years

total

16.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.9 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Malawian(s) Malawian

adjective

Malawian

noun

Malawian(s)

Net migration rate

0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.3% (2008)

Physicians density

0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

17,377,468 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 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

3.33% (2014 est.)

Religions

Christian 82.6%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5% (2008 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 22.3% of population rural: 8% of population total: 10.3% of population urban: 77.7% of population rural: 92% of population total: 89.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

92% of population

total

89.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

77.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2011)

female

11 years (2011)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

0.99 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.66 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

15.7% of total population (2011) 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

15.7% of total population (2011)

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

Capital

Lilongwe 13 58 S, 33 47 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 58 S, 33 47 E

name

Lilongwe

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

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 2013 (2013)

Country name

Republic of Malawi Malawi Dziko la Malawi Malawi British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland

conventional long form

Republic of Malawi

conventional short form

Malawi

former

British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland

local long form

Dziko la Malawi

local short form

Malawi

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jeanine E. JACKSON (since 11 September 2011) 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi [265] (1) 773-166 [265] (1) 770-471

chief of mission

Ambassador Jeanine E. JACKSON (since 11 September 2011)

embassy

16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3

FAX

[265] (1) 770-471

mailing address

P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

telephone

[265] (1) 773-166

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Stephen Dick Tennyson MATENSE (since 10 September 2010) 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 721-0270 [1] (202) 721-0288

chancery

2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Stephen Dick Tennyson MATENSE (since 10 September 2010)

FAX

[1] (202) 721-0288

telephone

[1] (202) 721-0270

Executive branch

President Arthur Peter MUTHARIKA (since 31 May 2014); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 31 May 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Arthur Peter MUTHARIKA (since 31 May 2014); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 31 May 2014) 26-32-member Cabinet named by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019) Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Peter MUTHARIKA 36.4%, Lazarus CHAKWERA 27.8%, Joyce BANDA 20.2%, Atupele MULUZI 13.7%, other 1.9%

cabinet

26-32-member Cabinet named by the president

chief of state

President Arthur Peter MUTHARIKA (since 31 May 2014); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 31 May 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Peter MUTHARIKA 36.4%, Lazarus CHAKWERA 27.8%, Joyce BANDA 20.2%, Atupele MULUZI 13.7%, other 1.9%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019)

head of government

President Arthur Peter MUTHARIKA (since 31 May 2014); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 31 May 2014)

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

Government type

multiparty democracy

Independence

6 July 1964 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges) 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 High Court; magistrate courts; Industrial Relations Court; district and city traditional or local courts

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

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

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 19 May 2009 (next to be held 20 May 2014) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4

elections

last held on 19 May 2009 (next to be held 20 May 2014)

National anthem

"Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi) Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA adopted 1964

lyrics/music

Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA

name

"Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi)

National holiday

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

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Godfrey SHAWA] Chipani Cha Fuko or CCP [Davis KATSONGA PHIRI] Christian Liberation Party or CONU [Sylvester CHABUKA] Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA] Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Lazarus CHAKWERA] Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA] Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [George MNESA] National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Loveness GONDWE] National Salvation Front or NASAF [James NYONDO] Nthanda Congress Party or NCP [Dr. Chakhumbila KHAILA] 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] Umodzi Party or UP [John CHISI] United Democratic Front or UDF [Atupele MULUZI] United Independent Party or UIP [Helen SINGH]

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)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.347 billion $1.4 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$1.4 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$1.347 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

15% (31 December 2009) 15% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

29.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 32.4% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$280.1 million (2013 est.) -$315.1 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.556 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.354 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2004)

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. Between 2005 and 2009 President BANDA'S government exhibited improved financial discipline under the guidance of Finance Minister Goodall GONDWE and signed a three year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) worth $56 million. The government 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 has fallen continuously for several years and in 2013 amounted to just 13% of GDP. 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

Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 342.1 (2013 est.) 249.11 (2012 est.) 150.49 (2010 est.) 141.14 (2009) 142.41 (2008)

Exports

$1.427 billion (2013 est.) $1.224 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

73.6% 20.7% 13% 1.9% 29.2% -38.4% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

29.2%

government consumption

20.7%

household consumption

73.6%

imports of goods and services

-38.4%

investment in fixed capital

13%

investment in inventories

1.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

29.4% 18.9% 51.7% (2013 est.)

agriculture

29.4%

industry

18.9%

services

51.7% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$900 (2013 est.) $900 (2012 est.) $900 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2013 est.) 1.9% (2012 est.) 4.3% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.683 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$15.02 billion (2013 est.) $14.3 billion (2012 est.) $14.04 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

8.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 8.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3% 31.9% (2004)

highest 10%

31.9% (2004)

lowest 10%

3%

Imports

$2.42 billion (2013 est.) $2.151 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Africa 27%, China 16.6%, India 8.7%, Zambia 8.5%, Tanzania 5.1%, US 4.3% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

26.9% (2013 est.) 21.4% (2012 est.)

Labor force

5.747 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

90% 10% (2003 est.)

agriculture

90%

industry and services

10% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$753.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $1.384 billion (31 December 2011) $NA (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

53% (2004)

Public debt

50.8% of GDP (2013 est.) 62.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$364.2 million (31 December 2013 est.) $246 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.494 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.153 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.243 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.128 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$585.3 million (31 December 2013 est.) $457.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

956,900 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

200 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.835 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

99.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

287,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

1.973 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

12,060 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,059 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

radio is the main broadcast medium; privately-owned Zodiac radio has the widest national broadcasting reach, followed by state-run radio; about a dozen private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns around the country; the largest TV network is government-owned, but two private TV networks now broadcast in urban areas and more plan to begin broadcasting in 2014; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2014)

Internet country code

.mw

Internet hosts

1,099 (2012)

Internet users

716,400 (2009)

Telephone system

rudimentary; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006 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 country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

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

general assessment

rudimentary; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006

international

country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

227,300 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.42 million (2012)

Airports

32 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

4 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

13 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

11

total

25

Ports and terminals

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

lake port(s)

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

Railways

797 km 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

797 km

Roadways

15,450 km 6,951 km 8,499 km (2011)

total

15,450 km

unpaved

8,499 km (2011)

Waterways

700 km (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

3,514,809 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,514,809 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

2,132,909 2,043,925 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,043,925 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,132,909

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

183,683 183,028 (2010 est.)

female

183,028 (2010 est.)

male

183,683

Military branches

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

Malawi Defense Forces (MDF)

Army (includes Air Wing, Marine Unit) (2012)

Military expenditures

0.93% of GDP (2012) 0.79% of GDP (2011) 0.93% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; high school equivalent required for enlisted recruits and college equivalent for officer recruits; initial engagement is 7 years for enlisted personnel and 10 years for officers (2014)

Disputes - international

dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lake