Country Profile: Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, bordered by Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the east and south. With a population of approximately 21.8 million, it is characterized by a youthful demographic, where nearly 38% of the population is under 15 years old. The economy is primarily agrarian, heavily reliant on agriculture, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP. Malawi's political system is a presidential republic, having transitioned from decades of one-party rule to a multi-party system in the 1990s.
Geography
Malawi features a sub-tropical climate and is known for its narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains and some mountainous areas. The terrain is marked by Lake Malawi, one of the largest lakes in Africa, which is rich in biodiversity.
- Total area: 118,484 sq km
- Major lake: Lake Malawi spans 22,490 sq km
- Highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) rises to 3,002 m
- Natural resources: Includes limestone, hydropower, and arable land
- Population density: Highest south of Lake Nyasa
People and Society
The population of Malawi is ethnically diverse, with the largest groups being the Chewa, Lomwe, and Yao. English is the official language, while several local languages are widely spoken.
- Total population: 21,763,309 (2024 est.)
- Urban population: 18.3% of total
- Median age: 20.3 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy rate: 70.2% (2020 est.)
- Life expectancy: 73 years (2024 est.)
Economy
Malawi's economy is primarily low-income and agrarian, with challenges such as high public debt, corruption, and urban poverty. The nation is working towards improving human capital and investing in its agricultural sector.
- Real GDP: $35.425 billion (2024 est.)
- GDP per capita: $1,600 (2024 est.)
- Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2024 est.)
- Agriculture's contribution: 32.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
- Population below the poverty line: 50.7% (2019 est.)
Government
Malawi operates as a presidential republic with a legal system that combines English common law and customary law. The political landscape includes multiple parties, with recent elections highlighting the transition to a more democratic governance structure.
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Government type: Presidential republic
- Legislative branch: Unicameral National Assembly with 229 seats
- Suffrage: Universal from 18 years
- Independence: Achieved on 6 July 1964
Military and Security
The Malawi Defense Force (MDF) is responsible for national security and external defense. The military also engages in peacekeeping missions and supports civilian authorities during emergencies.
- Active personnel: Estimated 10,000 in the MDF (2025 est.)
- Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
- Recent deployments: 750 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2025)
- Service age: 18-30 for voluntary military service
Energy
The country's energy consumption is predominantly sourced from hydroelectricity, which constitutes a significant part of its electricity generation capacity. Access to electricity remains limited, especially in rural areas.
- Electrification rate: 14% of total population (2022 est.)
- Installed generating capacity: 731,000 kW (2023 est.)
- Electricity consumption: 1.585 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- Hydroelectricity: Makes up 92.2% of total generating capacity (2023 est.)
Environment
Malawi faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution due to agricultural runoff and industrial waste. It is a signatory to numerous international environmental agreements.
- Major environmental issues: Deforestation and land degradation
- Urban population: 18.3% with a 4.41% annual rate of urbanization (2020-25 est.)
- Total renewable water resources: 17.28 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,763,309 | 2024 estimate |
| Area | 118,484 sq km | Total area |
| GDP | $35.425 billion | 2024 purchasing power parity estimate |
| Energy consumption | 1.585 billion kWh | 2023 |
| Birth rate | 26.6 births/1,000 population | 2024 estimate |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 2024 estimate |
| Life expectancy | 73 years | 2024 estimate |
| Literacy rate | 70.2% | 2020 estimate |
| Total fertility rate | 3.19 children born/woman | 2024 estimate |
| Urban population | 18.3% | 2023 estimate |
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