World · permanent entity record · MI

Malawi

Thirty-second orientation

Malawi at a glance

Capital: Lilongwe; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 22,216,120; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 118,484 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Malawian(s); adjective: Malawian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: English (official), Chewa (dominant), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Malawi through time

1964-12-01
Admitted to the United Nations
Malawi became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	22,216,120World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 21,763,309 (2024 est.) male: 10,674,594 female: 11,088,715CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-13

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $14.9 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $672; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 67.6 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 17.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 15.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 19.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Lilongwe; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 118,484 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 22,216,120; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Malawian kwachas (MWK); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: English (official), Chewa (dominant), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Malawian(s); adjective: Malawian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1964-12-01; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Protestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: black, red, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: lion; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) · 9,849 ft (3,002 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique · 121 ft (37 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-13Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-13 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Malawi shares its name with the Chewa word for flames and is linked to the Maravi people from whom the Chewa language originated. The Maravi settled in what is now Malawi around 1400, during one of the later waves of Bantu migration across central and southern Africa. A powerful Maravi kingdom established around 1500 reached its zenith around 1700, when it controlled what is now southern and central Malawi and portions of neighboring Mozambique and Zambia. The kingdom eventually declined because of destabilization from the escalating global trade in enslaved people. In the early 1800s, widespread conflict in southern Africa displaced various ethnic Ngoni groups, some of which moved into Malawi and further undermined the Maravi. Members of the Yao ethnic group -- which had long traded with Malawi from Mozambique -- introduced Islam and began to settle in Malawi in significant numbers in the mid-1800s, followed by members of the Lomwe ethnic group. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Nyasa in the mid-1800s, and in 1891, Britain declared a protectorate called British Central Africa over what is now Malawi. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907, and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland -- including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe -- from 1953 to 1963 before gaining independence as Malawi in 1964. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA served as prime minister at independence and then as president when the country became a republic in 1966. He later instituted one-party rule under his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and was declared president for life. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI of the United Democratic Front party became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he defeated BANDA at the polls in 1994; he won reelection in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA was elected in 2004 and reelected to a second term in 2009. He died abruptly in 2012 and was succeeded by Vice President Joyce BANDA. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the election in 2014. Peter MUTHARIKA was reelected in a disputed election in 2019 that resulted in countrywide protests. The courts ordered a new election, and in 2020, Lazarus CHAKWERA of the MCP was elected president. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Geography20 fields

Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Area: total : 118,484 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,404 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Land boundaries: total: 2,857 km border countries (3): Mozambique 1,498 km; Tanzania 512 km; Zambia 847 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Elevation: highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m mean elevation: 779 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 64.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 42.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 19.6% (2023 est.) forest: 22.4% (2023 est.) other: 13.4% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Irrigated land: 740 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Tanzania) - 22,490 salt water lake(s): Lake Chilwa - 1,040 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population distribution: population density is highest south of Lake Nyasa, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Natural hazards: flooding; droughts; earthquakes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Nyasa, about 580 km (360 mi) long, is the country's most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

People and Society35 fields

Population: total: 21,763,309 (2024 est.) male: 10,674,594 female: 11,088,715; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Ethnic groups: Chewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign 0.3% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Languages: English (official), Chewa (dominant), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao note: Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects; Nkhonde and Nyakyusa are mutually intelligible dialects; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Religions: Protestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.7% (male 4,080,567/female 4,132,710) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 6,217,761/female 6,487,273) 65 years and over: 3.9% (2024 est.) (male 376,266/female 468,732); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 71.3 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 64.6 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 15 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Median age: total: 19.4 years (2025 est.) male: 20 years female: 20.6 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population growth rate: 2.16% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Birth rate: 28.04 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Death rate: 3.57 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Net migration rate: -2.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population distribution: population density is highest south of Lake Nyasa, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 18.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.276 million LILONGWE (capital), 1.031 million Blantyre-Limbe (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.1 years (2015/16 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 225 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 36.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.4 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73 years (2024 est.) male: 69.9 years female: 76.1 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.65 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 85.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 68.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 71.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 14.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 31.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 28.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Health expenditure: 7.4% of GDP (2021) 3.3% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Physician density: 0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 87.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 73.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 75.8% of population (2022 est.) urban: 12.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 26.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 24.2% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 2.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Tobacco use: total: 6.3% (2025 est.) male: 11.7% (2025 est.) female: 1.4% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.6% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 62.1% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 7.5% (2020) women married by age 18: 37.7% (2020) men married by age 18: 7% (2020); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Education expenditure: 2.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 16% national budget (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Literacy: total population: 70.2% (2020 est.) male: 78.6% (2020 est.) female: 62.7% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years (2021 est.) male: 10 years (2021 est.) female: 10 years (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of fish spawning grounds; high temperatures and changing precipitation patterns; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 64.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 42.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 19.6% (2023 est.) forest: 22.4% (2023 est.) other: 13.4% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 18.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.265 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 65,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.2 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 18.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.298 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9.6% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 143.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 47.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.166 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Total renewable water resources: 17.28 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: 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 etymology: named for the Maravi people who inhabited the area since the 14th century; the word maravi means "flames"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Capital: name: Lilongwe geographic coordinates: 13 58 S, 33 47 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after the Lilongwe River that flows through the city; the origin of the river's name is unclear; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Administrative divisions: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Legal system: mixed system of English common law and customary law; Supreme Court of Appeal reviews legislative acts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Constitution: history: previous 1953 (pre-independence), 1964, 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995 amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty and territory of the state, fundamental constitutional principles, human rights, voting rights, and the judiciary, requires majority approval in a referendum and majority approval by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Peter MUTHARIKA (since 4 October 2025) head of government: President Peter MUTHARIKA (since 4 October 2025) cabinet: Cabinet named by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: September 2030 election results: 2025: Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote- Peter MUTHARIKA (DPP) 56.8%, Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 33.0%, Dalitso KABAMBE (UTM) 3.95, Atupele MULUZI (UDF) 1.92%, Joyce BANDA (PP) 1.61%, other 2.72% 2020: Lazarus CHAKWERA elected president; Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 59.3%, Peter Mutharika (DPP) 39.9%, other 0.8% expected date of next election: September 2030 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Assembly legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 229 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/16/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) (78); Malawi Congress Party (MCP) (52); Independents (73); Other (21) percentage of women in chamber: 21.4% expected date of next election: September 2025; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Judicial branch: 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 on the 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Political parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP Malawi Congress Party or MCP People's Party or PP United Democratic Front or UDF United Transformation Movement or UTM; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Esme Jynet CHOMBO (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 451- 0409 email address and website: malawidc@aol.com Home | Malawi Embassy USA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Jonathan FISCHER (since 8 August 2025) embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 mailing address: 2280 Lilongwe Place, Washington DC 20521-2280 telephone: [265] (0) 177-3166 FAX: [265] (0) 177-0471 email address and website: LilongweConsular@state.gov https://mw.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964) note: also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Flag: description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green, with a rising red sun centered on the black band meaning: black stands for ethnic groups, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, and green for nature; the sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National symbol(s): lion; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National color(s): black, red, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (O God, Bless Our Land of Malawi) lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA history: adopted 1964; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Lake Malawi National Park (n); Chongoni Rock-Art Area (c); Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Economy30 fields

Economic overview: low-income East African economy; primarily agrarian; investing in human capital; urban poverty increasing due to COVID-19; high public debt; endemic corruption and poor property rights; poor hydroelectric grid; localized pharmaceutical industry; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $35.425 billion (2024 est.) $34.789 billion (2023 est.) $34.143 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 1.8% (2024 est.) 1.9% (2023 est.) 0.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2024 est.) $1,600 (2023 est.) $1,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $11.009 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 32.2% (2024 est.) 28.8% (2023 est.) 21% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 32.4% (2024 est.) industry: 16% (2024 est.) services: 44.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Agricultural products: sweet potatoes, cassava, maize, sugarcane, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, pumpkins/squash, plantains (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 2.1% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Labor force: 8.602 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2024 est.) 5.1% (2023 est.) 5.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 6.8% (2024 est.) male: 6.4% (2024 est.) female: 7.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Population below poverty line: 50.7% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38.5 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 31% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Remittances: 1.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Budget: revenues: $2.208 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $3.523 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Public debt: 55.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 13.5% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Current account balance: -$2.276 billion (2023 est.) -$2.218 billion (2022 est.) -$1.918 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exports: $1.526 billion (2023 est.) $1.487 billion (2022 est.) $1.587 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exports - partners: Germany 11%, India 7%, Zimbabwe 6%, South Africa 5%, USA 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exports - commodities: tobacco, tea, dried legumes, soybean meal, raw sugar (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Imports: $3.995 billion (2023 est.) $3.834 billion (2022 est.) $3.768 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Imports - partners: China 17%, South Africa 16%, UAE 12%, India 7%, Tanzania 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fertilizers, plastics, garments, postage stamps/documents (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $594.498 million (2020 est.) $846.84 million (2019 est.) $766.155 million (2018 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Debt - external: $2.269 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 1,161.094 (2023 est.) 949.039 (2022 est.) 805.9 (2021 est.) 749.527 (2020 est.) 745.541 (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 14% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 54% electrification - rural areas: 5.6%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 731,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 1.585 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 19.938 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 231.785 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 92.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Coal: production: 3,000 metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 19,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 801.999 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 1.792 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 5,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 15 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 69 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Broadcast media: radio is the main broadcast medium; privately owned Zodiak radio has the widest national reach, followed by state-run radio; numerous private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns; the largest TV network is state-owned, but at least 4 private TV networks broadcast in urban areas; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Internet country code: .mw; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 18% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 17,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Transportation3 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 7Q; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Airports: 27 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Railways: total: 767 km (2014) narrow gauge: 767 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Malawi Defense Force (MDF): Malawi Army (Land Forces), Malawi Maritime Force (MMF), Malawi Air Force (MAF), Malawi National Service (MNS) Ministry of Homeland Security: Malawi Police Service (2025) note: the MDF reports directly to the president as commander in chief; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 10,000 active Malawi Defense Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the MDF's inventory is comprised of mostly older or secondhand armaments originating from such countries as China, France, Israel, South Africa, and the UK (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military deployments: 750 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source
Military - note: the MDF’s primary responsibility is external security; it is also tasked as necessary with providing support to civilian authorities during emergencies, supporting the Police Service, protecting national forest reserves, and participating in regional peacekeeping missions, as well as assisting with infrastructure development; key areas of concern include border security, regional conflict, and international terrorism; the MDF participates in exercises with foreign partners and contributes regularly to African Union and UN peace support operations; Malawi contributes regularly to African Union and UN peace support operations the MDF was established in 1964 from elements of the Kings African Rifles (KAR), a British colonial regiment raised from Great Britain's various possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s; the KAR conducted both military and internal security functions within the colonial territories, and served outside the territories during the World Wars (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 56,659 (2024 est.) IDPs: 135,728 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-13 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Malawi at a glance

Malawi through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile