Economic Overview
Landlocked malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. the economy is predominately agricultural with about 85% of the population living in rural areas. agriculture accounts for more than 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 december 2007, the us granted malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the millennium challenge corporation (mcc) initiative. malawi will now begin a consultative process to develop a five-year program before funding can begin. in 2006, malawi was approved for relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (hipc) program. 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. in 2005, president mutharika championed an anticorruption campaign. since 2005 president mutharika'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. improved relations with the imf lead other international donors to resume aid as well.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Government Type
Multiparty democracy
Population
13,931,831
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 (july 2008 est.)
Location
Southern africa, east of zambia
Area
Total: 118,480 sq km
land: 94,080 sq km
water: 24,400 sq km
Slightly smaller than pennsylvania
Country Aliases
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
Capital
Name: lilongwe
geographic coordinates: 13 59 s, 33 47 e
time difference: utc+2 (7 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time)
Military Service
18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve service (2007)
International Disputes
Disputes with tanzania over the boundary in lake nyasa (lake malawi) and the meandering songwe river remain dormant
Sources: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
