Malawi

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa Mutharika, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, Mutharika has overseen substantial economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.

Population (1): 13,931,831

Religions (1): Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)

HIV/AIDS 2003 estimates (1):
Adult prevalence rate: 14.2%
People living with HIV/AIDS: 900,000
HIV/AIDS deaths: 84,000

Life expectancy in years (2): 40

Annual per capita GNI U.S dollars (3): $170.00

Total number of orphans (4): 950,000

Education:
Children completing primary school (5): Male – 40%; Female – 37%
Children enrolled in secondary school (6): Male – 31%; Female – 25%

Number of physicians per 100,000 people (7): 2

(1) CIA – The World Factbook
(2) (5) (6) Source: State of the World Population 2007
(3) Source: World Bank World Development Indicator Database, 1 July 2007, 2006 estimates
(4) Sources: UNICEF Africa’s OVCs affected by AIDS 2005
(7) WHO Human Resources for Health

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Aerial view of the Rafiki Village Malawi

ROS serving in Malawi

Donna and Ed Bland
Elin and Paul Klauke
Portland and John Mithen
Deb Needham
Darlene and David Schaffer

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