definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68.9%
male: 75.5%
female: 62.5% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 152
Government ::Madagascar
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form: Madagascar
local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara
former: Malagasy Republic
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Antananarivo
geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Independence:
26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution:
passed by referendum 17 November 2010; promulgated 11 December 2010 (2010)
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Albert Camille VITAL (since 18 December 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held on 4 May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, JeanLAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%,Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, EliaRAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note -RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009
note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections in 2010; as of December 2009 the agreement had not been fully implemented
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the members appointed by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third appointed by the president; members to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held on 23 September 2007 (next to be held on 16 March 2011); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or HauteCour Constitutionnelle
Political parties and leaders:
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [PierrotRAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM[Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action forNational Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; FihaonanaParty or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [MarcRAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD[Evariste MARSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eulalie N. RAVELOSOA
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT
embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101
mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity
National anthem:
name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
note: adopted 1959
Economy ::Madagascar
Economy - overview:
After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization that has been undermined since the start of the political crisis. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. However, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. Former President RAVALOMANANA worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. The current political crisis which began in early 2009 has dealt additional blows to the economy. Tourism dropped more than 50% in 2009, compared with the previous year, and many investors are wary of entering the uncertain investment environment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$20.73 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $20.42 billion (2009 est.)
$20.63 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.33 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 -1% (2009 est.)
7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $1,000 (2009 est.)
$1,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 16.7%
services: 56.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51
Population below poverty line:
50% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 41.5% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 32 38.1 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
34.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
45% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 45% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.233 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.228 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.012 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.994 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $997.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Industries:
meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - production:
1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - consumption:
971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Oil - consumption:
21,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - exports:
365 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Oil - imports:
16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Current account balance:
-$600 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 -$561 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.412 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.309 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products
Exports - partners:
France 28.9%, US 20.49%, Germany 5.89%, China 4.36% (2009)
Imports:
$1.958 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $1.893 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners:
China 12.99%, Thailand 11.93%, Bahrain 7.1%, France 6.89%, US 4.13% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.038 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $1.136 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.973 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $2.261 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 2,062.5 (2010), 1,956.21 (2009), 1,654.78 (2008), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006)
Communications ::Madagascar
Telephones - main lines in use:
181,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.997 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 86
Telephone system:
general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have been adding fixed line connections since 2005
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 30 per 100 persons
international: country code - 261; SEACOM undersea fiber-optic cable and the Lion undersea cable connecting to Reunion and Mauritius; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) and Television Malagasy (TVM) have an extensive national network reach; privately-owned radio and TV broadcasters in cities and major towns; state-run radio predominates in rural areas; relays of 2 international broadcasters are available in Antananarivo (2007)
Internet country code:
.mg
Internet hosts:
27,606 (2010) country comparison to the world: 99
Internet users:
319,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127
Transportation ::Madagascar
Airports:
84 (2010) country comparison to the world: 67
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 57
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 35
under 914 m: 20 (2010)
Railways:
total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 98 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 70 paved: 7,617 km
unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)
Waterways:
600 km country comparison to the world: 80 note: 432 km navigable (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 country comparison to the world: 124 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)
Military ::Madagascar
Military branches:
People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, andAeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age for male-only voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,745,274
females age 16-49: 4,750,188 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,268,291
females age 16-49: 3,541,256 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 242,334
female: 241,359 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 134
Transnational Issues ::Madagascar
Disputes - international:
claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France); the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claims of the Comoros and France (Glorioso Islands, part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Malawi (Africa)
Introduction ::Malawi
Background:
Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after a failed attempt by the previous president to amend the constitution to permit another term, struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2005. As president, MUTHARIKA has overseen economic improvement but because of political deadlock in the legislature, his minority party has been unable to pass significant legislation, and anti-corruption measures have stalled. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the spread of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in May 2009.
Geography ::Malawi
Location:
Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 118,484 sq km country comparison to the world: 99 land: 94,080 sq km
water: 24,404 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 2,881 km
border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain:
narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Natural resources:
limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use:
arable land: 20.68%
permanent crops: 1.18%
other: 78.14% (2005)
Irrigated land:
560 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
17.3 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.01 cu km/yr (15%/5%/80%)
per capita: 78 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
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-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature
People ::Malawi
Population:
15,447,500 country comparison to the world: 64 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 (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.4% (male 3,419,711/female 3,404,726)
15-64 years: 51.9% (male 3,889,065/female 3,915,309)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 172,679/female 227,267) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.1 years
male: 17 years
female: 17.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.758% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Birth rate:
41.28 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Death rate:
13.69 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 91
Urbanization:
urban population: 19% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.015 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 11 male: 87.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 79.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 50.92 years country comparison to the world: 211 male: 50.22 years
female: 51.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.51 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
11.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
930,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
68,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Malawian(s)
adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups:
Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde,Asian, European
Religions:
Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)
Languages:
Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 62.7%
male: 76.1%
female: 49.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 9 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4.2% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 101
Government ::Malawi
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Malawi
conventional short form: Malawi
local long form: Dziko la Malawi
local short form: Malawi
former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland
Government type:
multiparty democracy
Capital:
name: Lilongwe
geographic coordinates: 13 59 S, 33 47 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa,Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe),Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, NkhataBay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo,Zomba
Independence:
6 July 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
Constitution:
18 May 1994
Legal system:
based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004)
cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014)
election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA 66%, John TEMBO 30.7%, other 3.3%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPP 114, MCP 26, UDF 17, independents 32, other 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Dindi NYASULU]; Congress ofDemocrats or CODE [Ralph KASAMBARA]; Democratic Progressive Party orDPP [Bingu wa MUTHARIKA]; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO];Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo KALUA]; Malawi Forum forUnity and Development or MAFUNDE [George MNESA]; Maravi People'sParty [Uladi MUSSA]; National Unity Party or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; NewRainbow Coalition Party [Beatrice MWALE]; New Republican Party[Gwanda CHAKUWAMBA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [AlekeBANDA]; People's Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO];Republican Party or RP [Stanley MASAULI]; United Democratic Front orUDF [Bakili MULUZI]; United Democratic Party [Kenedy KALAMBO]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Agri-Ecology Media (agriculture and environmental group); Council for NGOs in Malawi or CONGOMA (human rights, democracy, and development); Human Rights Consultative Committee or HRCC (human rights); Malawi Law Society (human rights and law reform); Malawi Movement for the Restoration of Democracy or MMRD (acts to restore and maintain democracy); Public Affairs Committee or PAC (promotes democracy, development, peace and unity)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC,UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen D. Tennyson MATENJE
chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. BODDE
embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3
mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
telephone: [265] (1) 773 166
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), black, and green; a white sun disc is centered on the black band, its surrounding 45 white rays extend partially into the red and green bands; black represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle for freedom, and green the color of nature; the sun represents Malawi's economic progress since attaining independence
National anthem:
name: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi)
lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA
note: adopted 1964
Economy ::Malawi
Economy - overview:
Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture, which has benefited from fertilizer subsidies since 2006, accounts for more than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. In December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. The government faces many challenges including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened. Since 2005 President MUTHARIKA'S government has exhibited improved financial discipline under the guidance of Finance Minister Goodall GONDWE and signed a three year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility worth $56 million with the IMF. Improved relations with the IMF lead other international donors to resume aid as well. The government has announced infrastructure projects that could yield improvements, such as a new oil pipeline, for better fuel access, and the potential for a waterway link through Mozambican rivers to the ocean, for better transportation options. Since 2009, however, Malawi experienced some setbacks, including a general shortage of foreign exchange, which has damaged its ability to pay for imports, and fuel shortages that hinder transportation and productivity. Investment fell 23% in 2009. The government has failed to address barriers to investment such as unreliable power, water shortages, poor telecommunications infrastructure, and the high costs of services.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$13.51 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $12.69 billion (2009 est.)
$11.79 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.035 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 7.6% (2009 est.)
9.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 219 $800 (2009 est.)
$800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.4%
industry: 21.7%
services: 44.9% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.747 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 90%
industry and services: 10% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
53% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 31.9% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2004) country comparison to the world: 69
Investment (gross fixed):
27.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Public debt:
40.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 44.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 8.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
15% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 21 15% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
25.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 25.28% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$626.5 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 151 $580.3 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$1.434 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $1.233 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $1.515 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.771 billion (31 December 2008)
$587.2 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats
Industries:
tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate:
17.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Electricity - production:
1.69 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - consumption:
1.572 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Oil - consumption:
8,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Oil - imports:
6,960 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Current account balance:
-$315 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 -$332 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$1.189 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $912 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
tobacco 53%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel
Exports - partners:
Germany 12.37%, Egypt 8.52%, South Africa 7.67%, Zimbabwe 7.55%, US 7.4%, Russia 6.79%, Netherlands 6.64%, Japan 4.1% (2009)
Imports:
$1.675 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $1.502 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - partners:
South Africa 40.15%, China 6.79%, India 6.73%, France 5.03%,Tanzania 4.81%, Mozambique 4.03% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$301 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $163.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.213 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.166 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 151.65 (2010), 141.14 (2009), 142.41 (2008), 141.12 (2007), 135.96 (2006)
Communications ::Malawi
Telephones - main lines in use:
175,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 129
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.4 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 126
Telephone system:
general 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 15 per 100 persons
international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
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 television network is government-owned; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.mw
Internet hosts:
870 (2010) country comparison to the world: 167
Internet users:
716,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 109
Transportation ::Malawi
Airports:
32 (2010) country comparison to the world: 112
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 12 (2010)
Railways:
total: 797 km country comparison to the world: 102 narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 15,451 km country comparison to the world: 121 paved: 6,956 km
unpaved: 8,495 km (2003)
Waterways:
700 km; (on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River) (2010) country comparison to the world: 76
Ports and terminals:
Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba
Military ::Malawi
Military branches:
Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; standard obligation is 2 years of active duty and 5 years of reserve service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,402,724 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,048,900
females age 16-49: 1,960,258 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 177,376
female: 176,905 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 118
Transnational Issues ::Malawi
Disputes - international:
disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Malaysia (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Malaysia
Background:
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to expansion in manufacturing, services, and tourism.
Geography ::Malaysia
Location: