2019 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 presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he won the presidency in 1994; he won re-election in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in 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 in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in 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 2012 and was succeeded by vice president, Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the 2014 election. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Area

Land

94,080 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

Highest Point

Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Lowest Point

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

Mean Elevation

779 m

Environment Current Issues

deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations; negative effects of climate change (extreme high temperatures, changing precipatation pattens)

Environment International Agreements

Party To

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

Signed But Not Ratified

Law of the Sea

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

740 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

Border Countries

Mozambique 1498 km, Tanzania 512 km, Zambia 847 km

Total

2,857 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

59.2% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

38.2% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

1.4% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

19.6% (2011 est.)

Forest

34% (2011 est.)

Other

6.8% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

none (landlocked)

Natural Hazards

flooding; droughts; earthquakes

Natural Resources

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

Population Distribution

population density is highest south of Lake Nyasa

Terrain

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

Age Structure

0 14 Years

46.17% (male 4,560,940 /female 4,600,184)

15 24 Years

20.58% (male 2,023,182 /female 2,059,765)

25 54 Years

27.57% (male 2,717,613 /female 2,752,983)

55 64 Years

3% (male 284,187 /female 310,393)

65 Years And Over

2.69% (male 234,776 /female 298,537) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

40.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

11.8% (2015)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

59.2% (2015/16)

Current Health Expenditure

9.8% (2016)

Death Rate

7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

Malawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi’s fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. Reduced plot sizes and increasing vulnerability to climate change, further threaten the sustainability of Malawi’s agriculturally based economy and will worsen food shortages. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.Historically, Malawians migrated abroad in search of work, primarily to South Africa and present-day Zimbabwe, but international migration became uncommon after the 1970s, and most migration in recent years has been internal. During the colonial period, Malawians regularly migrated to southern Africa as contract farm laborers, miners, and domestic servants. In the decade and a half after independence in 1964, the Malawian Government sought to transform its economy from one dependent on small-scale farms to one based on estate agriculture. The resulting demand for wage labor induced more than 300,000 Malawians to return home between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s. In recent times, internal migration has generally been local, motivated more by marriage than economic reasons.

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

5.7 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

17.4 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

91 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

85.3 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

89.1% of population

Improved Total

90.2% of population

Improved Urban

95.7% of population

Unimproved Rural

10.9% of population

Unimproved Total

9.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

4.3% of population

Education Expenditures

4% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic Groups

Chewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign .3% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

9.2% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

13,000 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

1 million (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

35.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

48.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

42.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

64.3 years

Male

60.2 years

Total Population

62.2 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

55.2% (2015)

Male

69.8%

Total Population

62.1%

Major Infectious Diseases

Animal Contact Diseases

rabies (2016)

Degree Of Risk

very high (2016)

Food Or Waterborne Diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

Vectorborne Diseases

malaria and dengue fever (2016)

Water Contact Diseases

schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

1.075 million LILONGWE (capital), 905,000 Blantyre-Limbe (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

349 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

16.8 years

Male

16.5 years

Total

16.6 years (2018 est.)

Mother's Mean Age at First Birth

18.9 years (2015/16 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Malawian

Noun

Malawian(s)

Net Migration Rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

5.8% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

19,842,560 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

3.31% (2018 est.)

Religions

Protestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

39.8% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

41% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

47.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

60.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

59% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

52.7% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

11 years (2011)

Male

11 years

Total

11 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

0.99 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

0.98 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.99 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.92 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.79 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.02 male(s)/female

Total Population

0.98 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

5.43 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

10.6% (2017 est.)

Male

6.7%

Total

8.5%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

4.19% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

17.2% of total population (2019)

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

Geographic Coordinates

13 58 S, 33 47 E

Name

Lilongwe

Time Difference

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

Citizenship

Citizenship By Birth

no

Citizenship By Descent Only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi

Dual Citizenship Recognized

no

Residency Requirement For Naturalization

7 years

Constitution

Amendments

proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty and territory of the state, fundamental constitutional principles, human rights, voting rights, and the judiciary, requires majority approval in a referendum and majority approval by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2017 (2018)

History

previous 1953 (preindependence), 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Republic of Malawi

Conventional Short Form

Malawi

Etymology

named for the East African Maravi Kingdom of the 16th century; the word "maravi" means "fire flames"

Former

British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland

Local Long Form

Dziko la Malawi

Local Short Form

Malawi

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Robert SCOTT (since 6 August 2019)

Embassy

16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3

Fax

265 (0) 1770471

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

Telephone

265 (0) 1773166

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

Chancery

2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Edward Yakobe SAWERENGERA (since 16 September 2016)

Fax

[1] (202) 721-0288

Telephone

[1] (202) 721-0270

Executive Branch

Cabinet

Cabinet named by the president

Chief Of State

President Arthur Peter MUTHARIKA (since 31 May 2014); Vice President Everton CHIMULIRENJI (since 28 May 2019; note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

Election Results

Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Peter MUTHARIKA (DPP) 38.6%, Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 35.4%, Saulos CHILIMA (UTM) 20.2%, Atupele MULUZI (UDF) 4.7%, other 3.1%

Elections Appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)

Head Of Government

President Arthur Peter MUTHARIKA (since 31 May 2014); Vice President Everton CHIMULIRENJI (since 28 May 2019)

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

presidential republic

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, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

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 the 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

Description

unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - DPP 62, MCP 55, UDF 10, PP 5, other 5, independent 55, vacant 1; composition - men 161, women 32, percent of women 16.6%

Elections

last held on 21 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA

Name

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

National Holiday

Independence Day, 6 July (1964); note - also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966

National Symbol S

lion; national colors: black, red, green

Political Parties And Leaders

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA] Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Lazarus CHAKWERA] Peoples Party or PP [Joyce BANDA] United Democratic Front or UDF [Atupele MULUZI] United Transformation Movement or UTM [Saulos CHILIMA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

Expenditures

1.567 billion (2017 est.)

Revenues

1.356 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

31 December 2016

24%

31 December 2017

16%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

44.11%

31 December 2017

38.1%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$744 million

2017

-$591 million

Debt External

31 December 2016

$1.5 billion

31 December 2017

$2.102 billion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2004

39

2010

46.1

Economy Overview

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops.The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief.Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi’s economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm. The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates. Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates.

Exchange Rates

2013

424.9

2014

499.6

2015

713.85

2016

720.1

2017

731.69

Currency

Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$1.361 billion

2017

$1.42 billion

Exports Commodities

tobacco (55%), dried legumes (8.8%), sugar (6.7%), tea (5.7%), cotton (2%), peanuts, coffee, soy (2015 est.)

Exports Partners

Zimbabwe 13.1%, Mozambique 11.8%, Belgium 10.7%, South Africa 6.3%, Netherlands 5%, UK 4.7%, Germany 4.3%, US 4.2% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

27.9% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

16.3% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

84.3% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-43.8% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

15.3% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

28.6% (2017 est.)

Industry

15.4% (2017 est.)

Services

56% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$6.24 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$1,200

2016

$1,200

2017

$1,200

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$21.08 billion

2016

$21.56 billion

2017

$22.42 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

3%

2016

2.3%

2017

4%

Gross National Saving

2015

2.8% of GDP

2016

-2.8% of GDP

2017

3.9% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

37.5% (2010 est.)

Lowest 10

2.2%

Imports

2016

$2.277 billion

2017

$2.312 billion

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

South Africa 20.7%, China 14.2%, India 11.6%, UAE 7%, Netherlands 4.4% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

1.2% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

21.7%

2017

12.2%

Labor Force

7 million (2013 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

76.9%

Industry

4.1%

Services

19% (2013 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

31 December 2015

$101.9 million

31 December 2016

$8.643 million

31 December 2017

$18.97 million

Population Below Poverty Line

50.7% (2010 est.)

Public Debt

2016

60.3% of GDP

2017

59.2% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$585.7 million

31 December 2017

$780.2 million

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$534 million

31 December 2017

$632.4 million

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

NA

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

2015

$142.5 million

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$1.049 billion

31 December 2017

$1.161 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$534 million

31 December 2017

$632.4 million

Taxes And Other Revenues

21.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2013

20.4%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

1.082 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification Rural Areas

4% (2016)

Electrification Total Population

11% (2016)

Electrification Urban Areas

42% (2016)

Population Without Electricity

17 million (2017)

Electricity Consumption

1.321 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

1% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

93% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

6% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

375,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

1.42 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

4,769 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

Total

9,220

Broadcast Media

radio is the main broadcast medium; privately owned Zodiak radio has the widest national broadcasting reach, followed by state-run radio; numerous private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns around the country; the largest TV network is government-owned, but at least 4 private TV networks broadcast in urban areas; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)

Internet Country Code

.mw

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

9.6% (July 2016 est.)

Total

1,785,369

Telephone System

Domestic

limited fixed-line subscribership less than 1 per 100 households; mobile-cellular services are expanding but network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership approaching 40 per 100 households (2018)

General Assessment

rudimentary; 2 fixed-line and 3 mobile-cellular operators govern the market; some mobile services to rural areas; in a resolution to discourage crime the regulatory has imposed SIM card registration since 2018; 50 licensed ISPs; DSL services are available; LTE services are available (2018)

International

country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

17,337

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

40 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

7,772,503

Airports

32 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

2 (2017)

914 To 1 523 M

4 (2017)

Over 3 047 M

1 (2017)

Total

7 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

11 (2013)

Total

25 (2013)

Under 914 M

13 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

7Q (2016)

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

5,467 mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

6,010 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

2 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

1 (2015)

Ports And Terminals

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba (Lake Nyasa)

Railways

Narrow Gauge

767 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)

Total

767 km (2014)

Roadways

Paved

4,074 km (2015)

Total

15,452 km (2015)

Unpaved

11,378 km (2015)

Waterways

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

Military And Security Forces

Malawi Defense Force (MDF): Army (includes Air Wing, Marine Unit); note - a 2017 amendment to Malawi’s Defense Force Act established a separate Army, Air Force, and Maritime Force within the MDF, but these services have yet to develop independent budgets, chains of command, and training institutions (2019)

Military Expenditures

2014

0.82% of GDP

2015

0.63% of GDP

2016

0.64% of GDP

2017

0.76% of GDP

2018

0.85% of GDP

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

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

27,531 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 8,752 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,606 (Rwanda) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2019)