Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 118,484 sq km
country comparison to the world: 100
land: 94,080 sq km
water: 24,404 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,881 km
border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 30.38%
permanent crops: 1.1%
other: 68.52% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
735 sq km (2006)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.28 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.36 cu km/yr (11%/4%/86%)
per capita: 99.86 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Malawian(s)
adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), Chichewa (common), Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chilomwe, Chinkhonde, Chingoni, Chisena, Chitonga, Chinyakyusa, Chilambya
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 82.6%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5% (2008 est.)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 94.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 87.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.2 %
potential support ratio: 16.1 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17.3 years
male: 17.2 years
female: 17.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.74% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.98 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 15.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Blantyre 856,000; LILONGWE (capital) 821,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.9
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
460 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 24
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 52.78 years
country comparison to the world: 210
male: 51.95 years
female: 53.62 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.26 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.1% (2010)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 56
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
920,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 168
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.8% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 55
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 57
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 74.8%
male: 81.1%
female: 68.5% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 993,318
percentage: 26 % (2006 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
multiparty democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Lilongwe
geographic coordinates: 13 58 S, 33 47 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 July 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Godfrey SHAWA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi)
lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA
note: adopted 1964
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.11 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.118 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 29%
industry: 19.2%
services: 51.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.747 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 90%
industry and services: 10% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 31.9% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 70
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $1.032 billion
expenditures: $1.358 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-7.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 9
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.4% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$457.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.382 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.128 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.384 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 104
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-315.1 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.224 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Canada 10.6%, Zimbabwe 9.3%, Germany 7.3%, South Africa 6.6%, Russia 6.5%, US 6.1%, China 4.2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.151 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food, petroleum products, semi-manufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Africa 27%, China 16.6%, India 8.7%, Zambia 8.5%, Tanzania 5.1%, US 4.3% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$246 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.354 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.973 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.835 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
287,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
99.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
200 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 160
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12,060 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,059 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 167
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
956,900 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
227,300 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 126
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.42 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 117
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.mw
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,099 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 171
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
716,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 109
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 113
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 25
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m:
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 797 km
country comparison to the world: 99
narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15,450 km
country comparison to the world: 120
paved: 6,951 km
unpaved: 8,499 km (2011)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
700 km (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 76
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lake port(s): Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Malawi Defense Forces (MDF): Army (includes Air Wing, Marine Unit) (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years reserve service (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 3,514,809 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 2,132,909
females age 16-49: 2,043,925 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 183,683
female: 183,028 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.93% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 321