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PEOPLE

Language
Chewa and English are the official languages, but several Bantu languages other than Chewa are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population

2009	15.3 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007	13.5 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006	13.4 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2005	13.2 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2004	12.9 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2003	12.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2002	12.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2001	11.9 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2000	11.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
36.6 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
Maravi (including Chewa, Nyanja, Tonga and Tumbuka) 58 percent, Lomwe 18 percent, Yao 13 percent, Ngoni 7 percent
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
Many people follow traditional religions, but also belong to Christian (50 percent) and Muslim (20 percent) communities.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population

2007	18.1 percent	U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006	17.6 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2005	17.2 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2004	16.7 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2003	16.3 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2002	15.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2001	15.5 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2000	15.1 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1961
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
90 (2007)
Source: UNESCO

Percentage of population under 15

2005	47.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	47.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	47.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	46.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	45.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	46.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT +2

Climate description
Tropical in lower regions with high temperatures throughout the year and high humidity in the rainy season from November to March; cooler in the mountains with heavier rainfall in January and February

Currency
Kwacha

Telephone dialling code
(+) 265

Driving (left/right)
Left

STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy

2005	46.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	39.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	39.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	37.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	38.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	40.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male

2005	46.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	40.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	39.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	37.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	37.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	40.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female

2005	46.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	39.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	39.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	38.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	39.1 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	39.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality

2007	71 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	76 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	79 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	110 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	112 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	114 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	114 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	117 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five

2007	111 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	120 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	125 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	175 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	178 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	330 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	188 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel

1997-2005	56 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004	61 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003	61 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	56 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	56 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	56 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality

2005	1100 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000	1800 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)

2005	164	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	166	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	165	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	165	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	162	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	163	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)

2000-2007	21 percent	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006	19 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005	22 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004	22 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003	22 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	25 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	25 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	25 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population

2003-2005	29 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average	35 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average	34 percent	FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water

2006	76 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	73 percent	UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002	67 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	57 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation

2006	60 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	61 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002	46 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	76 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Literacy - average

2004	No data available percent
2003	64.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	61.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	61.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	60.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male

2004	No data available percent
2003	74.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	75.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	75.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	74.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female

2004	No data available percent
2003	54.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	48.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	47.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	46.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones

2008	12 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	12 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	9 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	8 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers

2008	120 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	73 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	44 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	31 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	17 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	11 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Internet users

2008	22 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	10 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	3 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	1 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)

2008	115 (joint)	Transparency International 2008
2007	118 (joint)	Transparency International 2007
2006	105 (joint)	Transparency International
2005	97 (joint)	Transparency International
2004	90 (joint)	Transparency International
2003	83 (joint)	Transparency International
2002	68 (joint)	Transparency International
2001	61 (joint)	Transparency International
2000	43 (joint)	Transparency International

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day

1990-2005	20.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	41.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	41.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002	No data available percent
1990-2001	41.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method

2007	250 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	230 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	220 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	220 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	180 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	150 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	140 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	150 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP

2007	3.6 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	3.2 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	2.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	2.6 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	2.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	2.7 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	1.7 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	1.7 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth

2006	7.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005	2.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004	5.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003	6.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002	-4.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001	-5.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000	1.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation

2007	7.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	17.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	15.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	14.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	8.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	72.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	25.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	30.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
2.9 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
31.8 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

HEALTH

Physicians

2000-2004	2 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	2 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	No data available per 100,000 people
1990-2002	No data available per 100,000 people

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)

2007	11.9 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006	12.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005	12.3 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004	12.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003	12.8 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases

2007	346 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2006	368 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2005	391 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2004	405 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2003	410 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2002	416 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2001	414 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2000	425 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009

CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here

2008	106	UNHCR
2007	97	UNHCR
2006	113	Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005	101	UNHCR
2004	94	UNHCR
2003	59	UNHCR
2002	48	UNHCR
2001	25	UNHCR
2000	33	UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here

2008	4175	UNHCR
2007	2929	UNHCR
2006	3943	UNHCR
2005	4240	UNHCR
2004	3682	UNHCR
2003	3202	UNHCR
2002	2166	UNHCR
2001	6200	UNHCR
2000	3900	UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate

	No data available

No data available

Landmine casualties per year

2004	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003	4	Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent (2004)

Percentage of GDP spent on education

2002-2005	5.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004	6.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2000-2002	6.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001	4.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000	4.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health

2004	9.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004	3.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002	4.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001	2.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	3.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

PEOPLE

USEFUL INFORMATION

STANDARD OF LIVING

ECONOMY & AID

HEALTH

CONFLICT & MIGRATION

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