Malawi

D

Education

In the early 1990s about 1.4 million students attended primary schools. However, after the government made primary education in Malawi free, enrollment increased dramatically. In the 2000 school year 2.7 million students attended 4,841 primary schools. In an effort to reduce overcrowding, the government has recruited more than 20,000 new teachers. Enrollment in secondary schools remains low, however, with only 33 percent of secondary school-aged children attending. The University of Malawi at Zomba (founded in 1964) and its affiliated institutions had 4,600 students in 2002–2003.

IV

Economy

Malawi is primarily an agricultural country, with 54 percent of its working force engaged in farming, fishing, and forestry. The nation has traditionally been self-sufficient in food, but malnutrition among children was a serious problem as the 1990s began. The principal crops are corn, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, and peanuts. Major exports include tobacco, tea, sugar, and peanuts. A growing fishing industry, producing for domestic needs, is centered at Nkhotakota on the western shore of Lake Malawi. In 2004 the catch was 57,196 metric tons. Major manufactures, principally for domestic consumption, include processed food, chemical products, textiles, and beverages. The national budget for 1992 included revenues of $416 million and expenditures of $498 million. Many Malawians work as migratory laborers in South Africa and other countries.

A

Energy

Some 98 percent of Malawi’s electricity is produced by hydroelectric facilities. In 2003 Malawi generated 1,296 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

B

Currency and Foreign Trade

The unit of currency in Malawi is the kwacha, consisting of 100 tambala (118.40 kwacha equal U.S.$1; 2005 average). Currency is issued by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, established in 1965.

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In 2003 the value of exports was $457 million. Imports, which typically consist of manufactured goods, fertilizers, machinery, motor vehicles, textiles, and petroleum, were valued at $724 million. Malawi’s principal trading partners for exports are South Africa, Germany, Japan, the United States, and Mozambique; chief partners for imports are South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

C

Transportation and Communications

With the completion of a line from Salima to Mchinji on the Zambian border in 1980, Malawi owns 797 km (495 mi) of operated railroad track. Total road mileage in 1999 was 28,400 km (17,647 mi), of which only a small portion was paved or gravel surfaced. Passenger and freight traffic on Lake Malawi is extensive. Air Malawi provides domestic as well as international service.

In 1996 Malawi had 5 daily newspapers, with a combined circulation of 25,000. The Daily Times, published in Blantyre, is the most widely read daily newspaper. The government operates the postal and telegraph service. Radio transmitters are located in Blantyre and Lilongwe. The country has an estimated 8 telephone mainlines and 501 radios for every 1,000 inhabitants.

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