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Malawi |
Capital: Lilongwe
Languages: Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)
Currency: Malawian kwacha (MWK)
Background: Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 37% of GDP and 85% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.
PEOPLE
Population: 13,603,181 (July 2007 est.); 15,447,500 (July 2010)
Life expectancy at birth:
2007
Total Population: 42.98 years
Male: 43.35 years
Female: 42.61 years (2007 est.)
2010
Total population: 50.92 years
Male: 50.22 years
Female: 51.64 years (2010 est.)
Age structure:
2007
0-14 years: 46.1% (male 3,143,724/female 3,130,937)
15-64 years: 51.2% (male 3,491,114/female 3,474,209)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 155,954/female 207,243) (2007 est.)
2010
0-14 years: 45.4% (male 3,419,711/female 3,404,726)
15-64 years: 51.9% (male 3,889,065/female 3,915,309)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 172,679/female 227,267) (2010 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.383% (2007 est.); 2.758% (2010 est.)
Population below poverty line: 53% (2004)
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 14.1% (2006 est.); 11.9% (2007 est.)
People living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2006 est.); 930,000 (2007 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total Population: 62.7%
Male: 76.1%
Female: 49.8% (2003 est.)
Refugees and Internally Displaced People: N/A
ECONOMY
Unemployment rate: N/A
Labour force by Occupation: agriculture: 90%; industry and services: 10% (2003 est.)
Agricultural Products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats
Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Exports - Commodities: tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel
Exports - Partners:
South Africa 12.6%, Germany 9.7%, Egypt 9.6%, US 9.5%, Zimbabwe 8.5%, Russia 5.4%, Netherlands 4.4% (2006)
Germany 12.37%, Egypt 8.52%, South Africa 7.67%, Zimbabwe 7.55%, US 7.4%, Russia 6.79%, Netherlands 6.64%, Japan 4.1% (2009)
Imports - Commodities: food, petroleum products, semi manufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - Partners:
South Africa 34.6%, India 8.1%, Zambia 7.8%, US 6.4%, Tanzania 5.8%, Germany 4.6%, China 4.3% (2006)
South Africa 40.15%, China 6.79%, India 6.73%, France 5.03%, Tanzania 4.81%, Mozambique 4.03% (2009)
ENVIRONMENT
Environment - Current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Natural hazards: N/A
Source: CIA World Factbook
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