Malawi: Introduction

Capital: Lilongwe

Population

Total Population: 20,405,317

Natural Increase: 2.6%

Density: 211 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 18.0%

Ethnic Origins: The country is made up of several ethnic groups: the Chewa (about 34%), Lomwe (19%), Yao (13%), Ngoni (10%), Tumbuka (9%), Nyanja (6%), as well as a range of other ethnic groups (including Asians and Europeans) accounting for about 9% of the total population. (National Statistical Office of Malawi)

Official Language: English and Chichewa

Other Languages Spoken: Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chisena, Chilomwe, Chitonga

Business Language(s): English

Religion: Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, Others 7.3%.

Local Time:

It is %T:%M %A In Lilongwe

Exchange Rate on :

National Currency: Malawi Kwacha (MWK)

Country Overview

Area: 118,480 km²

Type of State: Malawi is a presidential republic.

Type of Economy: Low-income economy.
A very poor landlocked country which depends on international aid; agriculture remains the main sector of activity.

HDI*: 0.445/1

HDI (World Rank): 173/188

Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, is an Indicator Which Synthesizes Several Data Such as Life Expectancy, Level of Education, Professional Careers, Access to Culture etc.

Telecommunication

Telephone Code:
To call from Malawi, dial 00
To call Malawi, dial +265

Internet Suffix: .mw

Telephone Lines: 1.4 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 4.4 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 9.8% of the Population

Foreign Trade in Figures

Foreign Trade Indicators	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Imports of Goods (million USD)	2,892	2,678	3,073	1,586	1,560
Exports of Goods (million USD)	899	771	1,009	900	880
Imports of Services (million USD)	459	584	591	1,330	n/a
Exports of Services (million USD)	373	442	462	417	n/a

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation, Latest data available.

See the latest updates in the Country Profile for Malawi.

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