|
MALAWI AT A GLANCE
Introduction
 Malawi is a country located on the
hinterland in Southern Central Africa bordered by Tanzania to the north,
Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the south-west.
History
The country was a former British
colony and became independent on 6th July, 1964, with Dr
Hastings Kamuzu Banda as first President of the Republic. After 29 years
of a one Party State, Malawians unanimously voted for a multi party
system of Government in a referendum held on the 14th of June
1993. Mr Bakili Muluzi became President in the new dispensation after in
the 1994 General Elections.
Demographic Factors
|
Area: |
118000 sq km |
| Population: |
estimated at 13 million |
| Administrative divisions: |
27 districts |
| Capital City: |
Lilongwe |
| Other urban localities: |
Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba |
|
Lilongwe |
1.346 million |
| Blantyre |
0.809 million |
| Mzuzu |
0.610 million |
| Zomba |
0.546 million |
| Population
Density |
104 per km2 |
| Population
Growth Rate (National) |
2.0% |
| Annual Growth
Rate (Lilongwe) |
2.9% |
|
Annual Growth Rate (Blantyre) |
2.9% |
| Annual Growth
Rate (Mzuzu including Mzimba) |
3.1% |
| Annual Growth
Rate (Zomba) |
1.9% |
| Life
Expectancy |
39.1 years |
| Literacy |
58% |
| Urbanization |
13% |
Climate:
| Temperature |
Normally
warm, cold in winter |
| Rainfall |
600-3,000
mm per annum |
TRADE AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS
| Real GDP
Growth (2003) |
4.4% |
|
Visible Trade Balance (2002) |
US$ - 320.03 million |
|
External Debt (2002) |
US$ - 2,473.3 million |
|
Currency (Kwacha) (1st
May 2004) |
US$ 1.00 = MK 109.00 |
|
Corporate tax rate (from 1st
July 2001) |
30% |
|
Inflation rate (January 2004) |
10.1% |
|
Inflation rate (February 2004) |
10.2% |
|
Inflation rate (March 2004) |
10.7% |
|
Annual inflation rate (2003) |
9.6% |
Composition of GDP 2002
|
Agriculture |
38% |
|
Distribution |
22.4% |
|
Manufacturing |
10.8% |
|
Financial and Professional
Services |
8.4% |
|
Transport and Communication |
4.6% |
|
Mining and Quarrying |
1.3% |
|
Trade (2002) |
|
|
Exports (FOB) |
US$ 421.1 million |
|
Imports (FOB) |
US$ 572.3 million |
Major Exports:
Tobacco,
Tea, Groundnuts, Sugar, Coffee, Rice, Apparel, Pulses.
Major Exports Destinations:
The
EU (United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany, Portugal, Belgium, The
Netherlands, France, Ireland) SADC (South Africa, Zimbabwe),
COMESA (Kenya, Egypt, Mozambique, Zambia) United States of America,
Japan.
Major Imports:
Major
petroleum products, fertilizers, iron or steel, electrical, machinery,
equipment, pharmaceutical products, dairy products, mineral fuels.
Major Import Sources:
EU
(UK & Germany) SADC (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia) COMESA
(Mozambique) Japan, United States of America, Australia.
Official language: English,
but Chichewa formerly known as Nyanja is widely spoken countrywide
Major Political Parties:
Malawi Congress Party (MCP), United
Democratic Front (UDF) Democratic People’s Party (DPP) - the party in
government, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) and the People’s Progressive
Movement (PPM)
Head of State and
Government:
H.E. Dr Bingu wa
Mutharika
Membership
United Nations (UN) African Union
(AU), Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Diplomatic representation
Accredited to the United Kingdom of
Great Britain on a residential basis in London. The mission is also
accredited on a non-residential basis to Denmark, Iceland, Ireland,
Norway, and Sweden.
High Commissioner:
H.E. Dr Francis Moto |
