• Malawi:
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Malawi - Society

Population: 13,925,000 (2007); Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa but with only 17% living in towns, one of the least urbanised; 50% lives in the southern region, only 11% in the north; growth 3.7% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.1% p.a. 1990–2004; birth rate (2005) 44 per 1,000 people (56 in 1970); life expectancy 41 years.

The largest ethnic group is the Chewa, whose ancestors came from the Congo. Other groups are the Ngoni, from northern Natal, and the Yao, from Mozambique.

Religion: Christians (Protestants 55%, Roman Catholics 20%), Muslims 20%; the Ngoni are predominantly Christians, while many of the Yao people are Muslims.

Language: Chichewa is the national language and widely spoken. English is the official language. Chitumbuka is spoken in the north.

Media: The Daily Times and The Nation/Weekend Nation are dailies; Malawi News is weekly, and Boma Lathu monthly in Chichewa.

Radio is the principal source of information for Malawians and the state-owned Radio Malawi Broadcasting Corporation runs the national radio stations, Radio One and Radio Two. Radio Maria is a Roman Catholic radio station. BBC World Service is available on FM in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

Television Malawi began broadcasting in March 1999 – every evening, initially to main population centres. There are four TV sets (2002), two personal computers (2004) and five internet users (2006) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 6% of GDP in 2002/03. There are eight years of compulsory education starting at age six. The primary and secondary net enrolment ratios are 95% and 24%, respectively (2005). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 62:1 and for secondary 46:1. The school year starts in January.

Tertiary education is provided at the University of Malawi (including College of Medicine, Bunda College of Agriculture and The Malawi Polytechnic), Mzuzu University (since 1999) and University of Livingstonia (2003). Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 24% (2006).

Health: 73% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 62% in urban areas have adequate sanitation facilities (2004/2005).

Malaria, dysentery, bilharzia, measles, tuberculosis and hepatitis are common. There has been a successful campaign against leprosy. Infant mortality was 79 per 1,000 live births in 2005 (205 in 1960).

Since the 1990s, the incidence of HIV/AIDS has been among the highest in the world and AIDS treatment continues to make very heavy demands on health resources. At the end of 2005, 12.5% of people age 15 and over were HIV positive.

Communications: Country code 265. Mobile phone coverage is good in urban areas and there are roaming agreements with many international mobile phone companies.

Internet connections are available in business centres in hotels and there are some internet cafes.

There are eight main telephone lines and 33 mobile phones per 1,000 people (2006).

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, John Chilembwe Day (15 January), Martyrs’ Day (3 March), Labour Day (early May), Freedom Day (14 June), Republic Day (6 July), Mothers’ Day (second Monday in October), Arbour Day (12 December), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Easter Monday.