Country Facts and Statistics
Malawi
Population:
13,931,831 (less than 3% of the population is over 65 years old)
Location:
Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Government:
Multi-party democracy
Official name: Republic of Malawi
President: Bingu wa Mutharika
Capital: Lilongwe
Independence Day: July 6, 1964 (from UK)
Religions:
Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)
Language:
Malawi has two official languages: English and Chichewa. However, Chichewa is more widely spoken in villages as English is only used commercially.
Natural Resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, uranium, coal, and bauxite
Exports: tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel
Currency: Malawi Kwacha (MKW); USD equivalent = 160 kwachas (2008)
Population below the Poverty Line: 53% (2004)
Education:
In Malawi, primary school is free; whereas secondary school is not. Typical secondary school fees: $50–$250 per term (3 terms). Literacy Rate: (definition: age 15 and over can read and write) total population: 62.7%, male: 76.1%, female: 49.8% (2003 est.)
Health:
Malawi has been ravaged by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and death has become an everyday occurrence. Of the 13.6 million people who live in Malawi, over 10% are young children who have been orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS, famine, malaria or a number of treatable diseases. It is not uncommon to see coffin shops alongside roads and in the villages.
Infant mortality: about 91/1,000 births
Births per woman: about 6
Life expectancy: about 40 years
Physicians per 1,000 people: 0
Health Expenditures per capita: $19
People living with HIV/AIDS: 900,000 (2003)
Climate:
Malawi is an inland African country with a tropical climate. The lower elevations are covered with dense rainforests and occupied by a variety of exotic wildlife. Mid-April to August is the dry, cool season (with cold nights).
Other Facts:
Internet Users: 139,500 people
Telephone landlines: 175,200
Cell Phones: 1 million (2007)
Airports: 39
Airports with paved runways: 6
Environmental Issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution; sewage; industrial wastes
Staple Food: Nsima (ground maize) and rice
All facts and information stated has been taken from: www.CIA.gov, www.worldbank.org and www.state.gov.