Much of eastern Malawi is taken up by Lake Nyasa (also called Lake Malawi), a large freshwater lake lined with beaches that lies in East Africa’s Great Rift Valley. In the west the land rises—quite steeply in the far north—to forested plateaux. Malawi has a tropical climate; it is hot and humid for much of the year with a warm, rainy season between November and April. High on the plateaux, temperatures are cooler. Malawi is one of the least developed countries in Africa. It is highly dependent on agriculture—especially tobacco—but suffers from frequent crop failures. However, the Malawian government has put in place programmes to improve the nation’s economy, education and health. The number of people living in poverty—and the nation’s dependence on foreign aid—are slowly decreasing.

People

Around nine major tribes live in Malawi. Several of them are descended from Bantu people who migrated from West Africa starting around 3000 years ago. Malawi takes its name from the Maravi, a people who arrived in the region 600 years ago. One group settled west of Lake Nyasa: their descendants today are the Chewa, Malawi’s largest ethnic group. Another group of Maravi settled in the south: their descendants are the Nyanja. Malawi has suffered from conflicts between different ethnic groups, but today most people live peacefully side by side.

​​​​​​​Around 9 out of 10 people in Malawi live in the countryside. Their houses are usually built with mud walls and thatched roofs. Inside are bamboo mats for sleeping on, and pots and pans to cook with. Outside, many families grow maize and vegetables, and tend cattle or goats.

Economy

Agriculture is the country’s main industry, employing 80% of the workforce. Most of Malawi’s foreign income comes from tobacco, which is grown on plantations in the central uplands. However, the world demand for tobacco is diminishing, so Malawi’s government is encouraging farmers to grow different crops, such as spices. Tea, also grown in the warm, wet highlands, is another major cash crop. A combination of natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, has led to frequent crop failures and food shortages, and Malawi needs thousands of tonnes of food aid each year. Since 2006, a government programme to help farmers buy fertilizer has been a huge boost to farming.

The life expectancy of someone born in Malawi is about 67 years old. Around 38 out of every 1000 babies born are likely to die before their first birthday. In addition, Malawi has been badly hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic: at least 10% of adults are living with the disease. Other infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, typhoid and malaria, are common. The key reasons for Malawi’s healthcare problems are lack of hospitals, clinics and trained healthcare workers (such as doctors and nurses). The government and international organizations are working towards improving the shortfall.

Facts about Malawi

Population 21,240,689 (2024 estimate)

Area 118,480 sq km (45,745 sq miles)

Highest point Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3002 m (9849 ft)

Capital Lilongwe (population 1,122,000)

Other major cities Blantyre (800,264), Mzuzu (221,272), Zomba (105,013)

Languages Chichewa and English (official languages), Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka

Religions Christian 82%, Muslim 13%, traditional religions and other 5%

Ethnicity Chewa 33%, Lomwe 17%, Yao 13%, Ngoni 12%, Tumbuka 9%, Nyanja 6%, Sena 4%, Tonga 2%, Ngonde 1%, other 3%

Currency Kwacha (MWK)

Chief exports Tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products