Moving to Malawi: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

21,916,629

Population - note

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

2.74%

Urban Population

15.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

LILONGWE (capital) 772,000

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Age Structure

46.530000

Median Age

17.300000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

40

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

12.54

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

5.26

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

46.1%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

46.1%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

18.9

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.9

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.020000

Ethnic Groups

Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European

Nationality Noun

Malawian(s)

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Literacy - total population

62.7%

Literacy - male

76.1%

Literacy - female

49.8%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.4%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

11.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

52.780000

Infant Mortality Rate

76.980000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

76.980000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

460

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.02

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.3

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

8.4%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

very high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.3%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

94.600000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

22.300000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

13.8%

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Economic Overview

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries.

The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity.

The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas.

Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues.

The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops.

The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations.

Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017.

In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief.

Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi’s economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm.

The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates.

Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates.

Industries

tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

4%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$28,440,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$1,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

4%

GDP - official exchange rate

$6,388,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 77.5% government
• consumption: 17.4% investment in fixed
• capital: 12.4% investment in
• inventories: 2.7% exports of goods and
• services: 43.5% imports of goods and
• services: -53.5%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

32.9%

GDP by Sector- Industry

17.1%

GDP by Sector- services

50.1%

Industrial Growth Rate

17.3%

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Inflation Rate

8%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Malawian kwacha (MWK)

Currency Name and Code

Kwacha (MWK)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

29.5%

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Labor Force

5,747,000

Major Industries

tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Agriculture Products

• tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses
• groundnuts, Macadamia nuts
• cattle, goats

Population Below Poverty Line

53%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

993,318

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

26%

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Labor Force By Occupation - industry and services

10%

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

90%

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Annual Budget

$1,735,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

208.6%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-1.4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

36.6%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Malawi

Country Name

Malawi

Local - Long

Dziko la Malawi

Local - Short

Malawi

Former Name

British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland

Etymology- history of name

named for the East African Maravi Kingdom of the 16th century; the word "maravi" means "fire flames"

Independence

6 July 1964 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 6 July (1964); note - also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966

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Government Type

presidential republic

Constitution

• history: previous 1953 (pre-independence), 1964, 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995
• amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2017

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Lazarus CHAKWERA (since 28 June 2020); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 3 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• head of government: President Lazarus CHAKWERA (since 28 June 2020); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 3 February 2020)
• cabinet: Cabinet named by the president
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
• election results: 2020: Lazarus CHAKWERA elected president; Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 59.3%, Peter Mutharika (DPP) 39.9%, other 0.8% 2014: Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Peter MUTHARIKA (DPP) 36.4%, Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 27.8%, Joyce BANDA (PP) 20.2%, Atupele MULUZI (UDF) 13.7%, other 1.9%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 21 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - DPP 62, MCP 55, UDF 10, PP 5, other 5, independent 55, vacant 1;
• Composition: men 161, women 32, percent of women 16.6%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; other judges appointed by the president upon 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

Regions or States:

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

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA]
• Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Lazarus CHAKWERA]
• People's Party or PP [Joyce BANDA]
• United Democratic Front or UDF United Transformation Movement or UTM [Saulos CHILIMA]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• 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

Capital Name

Lilongwe

Capital - geographic coordinate

13 58 S, 33 47 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• AU
• 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

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador David YOUNG (since 5 May 2022)
• 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: LilongweConsular@state.gov
• Website: https://mw.usembassy.gov/

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) 721-0270
• FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288
• Email: info@malawiembassy-dc.org
• Website: http://www.malawiembassy-dc.org/

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Total Area

45,747 Square Miles 118,484 Square Kilometers

Land Area

36,324 Square Miles 94,080 Square Kilometers

Water Area

9,422 Square Miles 24,404 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

1,790 Miles 2,881 Kilometers

Border Countries

Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

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Terrain

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

Highest Point

3,002 Meters

Highest Point Location

Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Lowest Point

37 Meters

Lowest Point Location

junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

Natural Resources

limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

Irrigated Land

284 Square Miles 735 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

Malawi has wet and dry seasons.

The wet season is from November to April; the heaviest rainfall occurs between December and March.

The dry season begins in May and lasts until November.

It is hottest just before rains begin.

The capital, Lilongwe (altitude 3,400 feet) is in a high, central plateau area.

The average daily temperature in Lilongwe during October is 84.6°F.

June, July, and August are the coolest months, and nights can be quite chilly when temperatures drop to between 41°F and 57°F.

Frost occasionally occurs in Lilongwe.

During the dry season, particularly September and October, high winds and some dust occur.

The annual mean temperature in Lilongwe is 67.4°F, and the annual rainfall is 31.9 inches.

Nights are generally cool and pleasant in Lilongwe, even during the hottest weather.

Dry season days are generally sunny and warm; rains during the wet season are brief.

The Blantyre area is more mountainous, and its weather more humid.

The climate is also more hot and humid around Lake Malawi.

Terrain

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains

Location

Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique

Total Area

45,747 Square Miles 118,484 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Environment - Current Issues

• deforestation
• land degradation
• water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes
• siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

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Exports

$1,189,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$1,675,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel

Major Imports

food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment

Top Export Partners

South Africa 22%, US 14.7%, Germany 12.2%, Egypt 5.3%, Japan 5.1%, Netherlands 4.7%, Russia 4.1%

Top Import Partners

South Africa 45.1%, Zambia 12.3%, US 5.4%, India 4.1%

Export Partners

South Africa 22%, US 14.7%, Germany 12.2%, Egypt 5.3%, Japan 5.1%, Netherlands 4.7%, Russia 4.1%

Import Partners

South Africa 45.1%, Zambia 12.3%, US 5.4%, India 4.1%

Country Description

Malawi is a developing landlocked country in southern Africa.

Tourist facilities in major cities and in resort areas are steadily improving, but remain limited.

Aging infrastructure and lack of investment have rendered electricity, water supply, and telecommunications unreliable in rural areas.

Safety & Security

Spontaneous civil disturbances and/or demonstrations, primarily related to governance and economic issues can occur on occasion.

U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times.

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Crime

Even though Malawi is known as "the Warm Heart of Africa," crime is common.

Most crimes against Americans involve property.

Residential break-ins are prevalent throughout Malawi and perpetrators of these crimes are usually well-armed and may resort to violence with little provocation.

Petty street crime (robbery and pick-pocketing) is common, and break-ins have also occurred in hotels/lodges throughout the country.

We urge you to avoid traveling on foot at night, especially in urban areas, as armed muggings and assaults have increased.

Specifically, non-Malawians have been targeted in Lilongwe, and several U.S. citizens have been injured.

Even when walking in a large group, city streets should be considered unsafe after dark.

Pedestrians should be cautious even during daylight hours.

Visitors in need of transportation should request that hotel or restaurant management call a taxi or car service.

We recommend you use caution when visiting and/or staying in isolated areas such as Mount Mulanje where the availability of public security forces is limited.

You should take appropriate action to ensure your safety if traveling to remote areas, and never travel alone or at night.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Malawi, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Malawi, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Arrest notifications in host country While some countries will automatically notify the U.S. embassy if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the U.S. embassy as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Malawi are rudimentary and do not meet U.S. standards of medical care.

While all health workers have some degree of English proficiency, communication can still be difficult.

Medications are not consistently available and many U.S. medications are not available at all.

Travelers should bring adequate quantities of medications to last the duration of their stay.

For any major medical problems you should consider obtaining medical treatment in South Africa, where advanced medical care is available.

Diarrhea and other food borne illnesses are a common problem among travelers.

We urge you to avoid tap water, ice cubes, and raw fruits and vegetables.

Bottled water is recommended for drinking and food preparation.

Only food that is well-cooked and served hot should be consumed.

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disorder that is endemic to Malawi.

Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised and should be initiated prior to arriving in Malawi.

Consult your doctor to learn which prophylaxis is best for you, and review possible side effects.

In addition, other measures such as the use of insect repellents and mosquito nets help to reduce the risk of malaria.

If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, or up to one-year after returning home, you should seek prompt medical attention and tell your doctor your travel history and what anti-malarial medications you have been taking.

Schistosomiasis (also known as Bilharzia) is present in most lakes and rivers in Malawi, including Lake Malawi.

We recommends against swimming, wading or bathing in fresh water.

HIV infection is endemic in the Malawian population.

Please take appropriate precautions to limit the risk of transmission through blood or sexual contact.

Traffic Safety

While in Malawi, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Malawi's principal highways are generally in good condition, although safety hazards include the lack of road shoulders, frequent potholes, pedestrians, bicyclists and livestock.

Secondary roads are in poor repair and may be impassable to all but four-wheel drive vehicles during the rainy season (November-April).

Public transportation, consisting primarily of minibuses, is unreliable and accidents are common.

Modern coach buses are increasingly common on the main cross-country routes.

Fuel supply, both diesel and gasoline, is often erratic, and travelers should plan accordingly.

Given Malawi's high road accident rate, you should drive defensively and avoid road travel outside cities at night.

Road support networks for stranded drivers do not exist.

Police roadblocks are common and properly documented drivers usually pass quickly and without incident.

If you intend to remain in Malawi for an extended period of time you are expected to obtain a locally-issued driver's license.

Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of death among travelers to Malawi due to atypical road hazards.

There are no medical facilities that provide comprehensive emergency care comparable to U.S. standards.

Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

You should always wear your seat belt when available, try travel in well-maintained vehicles, insist that the drivers maintain a safe speed, and avoid travelling after dark.

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Airports - total

32

Airports with Paved Runways

7

Railways

495 Miles 797 Kilometers

Roadways- total

9,600 Miles 15,450 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

4,319 Miles 6,951 Kilometers

Waterways

435 Miles 700 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

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Telephones

175,000

Cell Phones

1,051,000

Internet Users

139,500

Internet Country Code

.mw

Internet Hosts

870

Broadcast Media

• radio is the main broadcast medium
• state-run radio has the widest geographic broadcasting reach, but about a dozen privately owned radio stations broadcast in major urban areas
• the single TV network is government-owned
• relays of multiple international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• assessment: rudimentary; privatization of Malawi Telecommunications (MTL), a necessary step in bringing improvement to telecommunications services, completed in 2006
• domestic: limited fixed-line subscribership of about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services are expanding but network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership about 25 per 100 persons
• international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,572,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,690,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

12,060

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Anthem Lyrics

1.

Mlungu dalitsani Malawi, Mumsunge m'mtendere.

Gonjetsani adani onse, Njala, nthenda, nsanje.

Lunzitsani mitima yathu, Kuti tisaope.

Mdalitse Mtsogo leri na fe, Ndi Mai Malawi. 2.

Malawi ndziko lokongola, La chonde ndi ufulu, Nyanja ndi mphepo ya m'mapiri, Ndithudi tadala.

Zigwa, mapiri, nthaka, dzinthu, N'mphatso zaulere.

Nkhalango, madambo abwino.

Ngwokoma Malawi. 3.

O!

Ufulu tigwirizane, Kukweza Malawi.

Ndi chikondi, khama, kumvera, Timutumikire.

Pa nkhondo nkana pa mtendere, Cholinga n'chimodzi.

Mai, bambo, tidzipereke, Pokweza Malawi.

Anthem Lyrics English

1.

O God bless our land of Malawi, Keep it a land of peace.

Put down each and every enemy, Hunger, disease, envy.

Join together all our hearts as one, That we be free from fear.

Bless our leader, each and every one, And Mother Malawi. 2.

Our own Malawi, this land so fair, Fertile and brave and free.

With its lakes, refreshing mountain air, How greatly blest are we.

Hills and valleys, soil so rich and rare, Give us a bounty free.

Wood and forest, plains so broad and fair, All-beauteous Malawi. 3.

Freedom ever, let us all unite To build up Malawi.

With our love, our zeal and loyalty, Bringing our best to her.

In time of war, or in time of peace, One purpose and one goal.

Men and women serving selflessly In building Malawi.