Discover Fascinating Malawi Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Malawi.
Malawi
Background
๐ Malawi has a fascinating history that dates back to the late 15th century! It was once part of the Kingdom of Maravi, a prosperous kingdom that spread into areas now known as Zambia and Mozambique. ๐ Fast forward to 1889, when the British established the Central African Protectorate. This land was later renamed Nyasaland in 1907, and after many years, it became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964! ๐ฒ๐ผ What a journey! ๐ค๏ธ
Year Malawi became independent
1964
Year Nyasaland was renamed
1907
Year British Protectorate was established
1889
Exports - commodities
Malawi has a rich export palette! ๐โจ In 2022, the country primarily exported tobacco, known for its quality, along with gold, tea, ground nuts, and dried legumes. Each of these commodities plays an important role in Malawi's economy and helps the nation to connect with the world! ๐ฑ๐ฐ
Export Commodities
Tobacco, Gold, Tea, Ground Nuts, Dried Legumes
Exports - partners
๐ Let's explore the export partners of Malawi in 2022! The country traded significantly with a variety of nations. Here's a fun overview of the percentages of exports to different countries:
- UAE: 21% ๐ฆ๐ช
- Belgium: 12% ๐ง๐ช
- Tanzania: 6% ๐น๐ฟ
- Kenya: 5% ๐ฐ๐ช
- South Africa: 5% ๐ฟ๐ฆ
As we can see, the UAE stands out as the largest export partner, followed by Belgium. Isn't that interesting? ๐
Total Export Percentage
49%
Exports Partners of Malawi in 2022
Capital
๐ฒ๐ผ Welcome to Lilongwe! This vibrant city is not only the capital of Malawi but also a hub for culture and government. ๐๏ธ With its green parks and beautiful landscape, itโs a place where nature meets urban life. Enjoy exploring its markets, museums, and the friendly atmosphere! ๐ณโจ
Imports - commodities
๐ Malawi imports a variety of essential commodities to support its economy and meet the needs of its people. In 2022, the main items imported included:
- Refined petroleum ๐
- Fertilizers ๐ฑ
- Crude petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Packaged medicine ๐
- Plastic products ๐๏ธ
These imports are crucial for energy, agriculture, health, and everyday consumer goods. Each category plays a significant role in ensuring that Malawi can continue to grow and support its population!
Climate
Malawi enjoys a sub-tropical climate ๐ฑ, making it a warm and delightful place to experience nature! It has two main seasons:
- Rainy season: From November to May, when the skies open up to nourish the land. This is when you can expect lovely greenery to flourish!
- Dry season: From May to November, where the weather is much drier, letting you enjoy the beautiful outdoors without much worry about getting wet โ๏ธ.
This delightful combination offers a unique climate perfect for various activities and agriculture. ๐ฅฆ๐พ
Executive branch
In Malawi, the Executive branch is headed by President Lazarus CHAKWERA, who has been in office since June 28, 2020. ๐ He serves both as the chief of state and the head of government, which means he holds a pivotal role in leading the country. ๐๏ธ This dual responsibility showcases the level of trust and authority given to him by the people of Malawi!
Current President
Lazarus CHAKWERA
Assumed office date
June 28, 2020
Legislative branch
๐ฒ๐ผ In Malawi, the legislative branch is represented by a unicameral National Assembly. This means there is only one chamber where all the important laws and decisions are made! ๐ The National Assembly consists of 193 seats, making it a crucial part of Malawi's governance. Each seat plays a vital role in representing the people and ensuring their voices are heard in the heart of the nation's democracy! ๐ณ๏ธ
Total seats in National Assembly
193
Natural resources
๐ Malawi is rich in various natural resources that play a crucial role in its economy! Here are some of the key natural resources found in the country:
- Limestone: A valuable resource for construction and industry.
- Arable Land: Perfect for farming and growing crops that feed the population.
- Hydropower: A renewable energy source harnessed from rivers and lakes.
- Unexploited Deposits of Uranium: Potential resource for future energy needs ๐ก.
- Coal: Used for energy production and industrial processes.
- Bauxite: The primary ore for aluminum, an essential material in many industries.
Each of these resources contributes to Malawi's growth and sustainability! ๐ฑ
Natural resources present in Malawi
6
Economic overview
๐ Malawi's Economy at a Glance!
Malawi is a low-income economy located in East Africa. The country relies heavily on agriculture, making it primarily agrarian. ๐
๐พ
- Investing in Human Capital: Malawi is working hard to enhance its people's skills and education!
- Urban Poverty: ๐จ Due to the challenges brought on by COVID-19, urban poverty has been on the rise.
- Public Debt: The country is facing high levels of public debt, which can make future investments tricky.
- Corruption & Property Rights: Endemic corruption and weak property rights are hurdles that Malawi is striving to overcome.
- Electricity Issues: The country struggles with a poor hydroelectric grid, which affects energy supply.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: ๐ฒ๐ผ Malawi has a localized pharmaceutical industry, contributing to health care but still needing improvement to meet demand.
These factors paint a picture of a nation facing challenges while also making efforts to invest in its people and resources! ๐ฑ
Economic Status
Low-income
Agriculture Focus
Primarily agrarian
Urban Poverty Trend
Increasing due to COVID-19
Public Debt Status
High
Corruption Level
Endemic
Property Rights
Poor
Hydroelectric Grid Condition
Poor
Pharmaceutical Industry
Localized
Government type
๐ Malawi is a presidential republic! This means that the President of Malawi is both the head of state and the head of government. It's a system where citizens have the power to vote for their leaders. How cool is that? ๐ณ๏ธ
Government System
Presidential Republic
Ethnic groups
Ethnic Groups in Malawi ๐ฒ๐ผ
In Malawi, the ethnic landscape is beautifully diverse! ๐ Hereโs a breakdown of the different ethnic groups that make up this vibrant country:
- 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%
- Others: 2.2%
- Foreign: 0.3%
These percentages showcase how many people belong to each group, giving a glimpse into Malawi's rich cultural heritage! ๐ With the Chewa making up the largest portion, we can see a variety of traditions and histories celebrated across the country.
Let's visualize this data! ๐
Total Ethnic Groups Represented
12
Largest Ethnic Group
Chewa 34.3%
Smallest Ethnic Group
Foreign 0.3%
Ethnic Group Distribution in Malawi (2018)
Religions
In Malawi, the religious landscape is quite diverse and vibrant! ๐ Hereโs a breakdown of the various beliefs:
- Protestant: 33.5% โ๏ธ
- Church of Central Africa Presbyterian: 14.2%
- Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist: 9.4%
- Pentecostal: 7.6%
- Anglican: 2.3%
- Roman Catholic: 17.2% โ๏ธ
- Other Christian: 26.6% โ๏ธ
- Muslim: 13.8% โช๏ธ
- Traditionalist: 1.1% ๐ฟ
- Other: 5.6% ๐
- None: 2.1% ๐ซ
This data is from 2018, and it shows how various faiths coexist in this beautiful country! ๐
Percentage of Protestant Christians
33.5%
Percentage of Roman Catholics
17.2%
Percentage of Muslims
13.8%
Percentage of Traditionalists
1.1%
Percentage of Individuals with No Religion
2.1%
Religion Distribution in Malawi (2018)
Languages
In Malawi, a beautiful country in Southeast Africa, languages are a big part of its culture! ๐โจ The official language is English, which means you'll hear it in government and schools. But there's more! The most commonly spoken language is Chewa, making it the dominant one in daily conversations. ๐ฃ๏ธ๐ฌ
Hereโs a look at some of the other languages you might hear as you travel around Malawi: Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, and Yao. This rich tapestry of languages shows how diverse and vibrant Malawi's culture is! ๐๐
Languages Spoken in Malawi
Imports - partners
๐ Malawi has a diverse range of import partners! In 2022, the percentages of imports from different countries showcased a colorful mosaic of trade relationships. Check out the top five partners and their contributions:
- South Africa: 20% ๐ฟ๐ฆ
- China: 15% ๐จ๐ณ
- UAE: 11% ๐ฆ๐ช
- India: 6% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- Kuwait: 5% ๐ฐ๐ผ
Isn't it interesting to see how much Malawi relies on these countries for its imports? ๐ Each partner plays a vital role in providing goods and services to the nation!
Total Percentage from Top Partners
57%
Malawi's Import Partners in 2022
Population
๐ Malawi is home to a lively population of 21,763,309 people! That's a lot of smiles and cultures coming together in one amazing place. Let's dive into some fun facts about the population!
Total Population
21,763,309
Area
๐ Welcome to Malawi! This beautiful country has a total area of 118,484 sq km. Let's break it down to see what makes up this area:
- ๐๏ธ Land Area: 94,080 sq km
- ๐ง Water Area: 24,404 sq km
Malawi is known for its stunning landscapes and rich water bodies, including the famous Lake Malawi! ๐๐๏ธ
Total Area
118484 sq km
Land Area
94080 sq km
Water Area
24404 sq km
Malawi Area Breakdown
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a look at Malawi's Real GDP (purchasing power parity) over the past few years! It's like a snapshot of the country's economic health, showing how much money is flowing in. Here are the estimated values for 2021 to 2023:
- 2021: $34.386 billion
- 2022: $34.703 billion
- 2023: $35.238 billion
As you can see, thereโs been a steady increase in GDP, which is great news for Malawi! ๐โจ
This growth indicates that the economy is getting stronger, and that's something to celebrate! ๐
GDP in 2023
35.238 billion USD
GDP in 2022
34.703 billion USD
GDP in 2021
34.386 billion USD
Malawi's Real GDP (PPP) Over Time
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita for Malawi! This figure gives us an idea of how much money each person would have if we divided the country's total GDP by its population. It's a great way to understand the economic well-being of the citizens.
In Malawi, the Real GDP per capita is estimated to be $1,700 for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023! ๐ This shows a steady state of the economy over these years.
Knowing the GDP per capita helps us compare Malawi's wealth with other countries and understand its economic progress over time. Let's visualize that data! ๐
Real GDP per capita of Malawi (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Malawi has been engaged in some interesting trade activities! Hereโs a look at the countryโs total imports over the past few years:
- In 2020, imports were valued at $3.373 billion.
- In 2021, they slightly increased to $3.768 billion.
- For 2022, imports are estimated to reach $3.706 billion.
This data shows how Malawi's imports have fluctuated over the years! ๐ Isn't it fascinating to see how trade impacts the economy?
Total Imports in 2022
$3.706 billion
Total Imports in 2021
$3.768 billion
Total Imports in 2020
$3.373 billion
Malawi's Total Imports Over Time
Exports
๐ Let's take a look at the exports of Malawi over the last few years! The country has seen some fluctuations in its export values, which is super interesting! Here's how much Malawi exported in the millions of dollars:
- 2020: $1.308 billion
- 2021: $1.587 billion
- 2022: $1.487 billion
This data shows how Malawi's exports have changed year by year! ๐๐ฐ
Total Exports in 2022
$1.487 billion
Total Exports in 2021
$1.587 billion
Total Exports in 2020
$1.308 billion
Malawi Exports Over Years
Population growth rate
๐ Malawi is experiencing a population growth rate of 2.22% as of the year 2024! This means that for every 100 people living in Malawi, about 2.22 more will be added each year! Such a vibrant growth reflects the dynamic changes happening in this beautiful country. ๐
Population growth rate for Malawi in 2024
2.22%