Region: Eastern Africa

Capital: Lilongwe

Population: 11 906 855 (July 2004 est.)

Surface area: 118 484 square km

Currency: kwacha

GDP per capita: $600 (2003 est.)

Historic 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, which came into full effect the following year. Current President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after the previous president was unable to amend the constitution to permit another term, has struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who still leads their shared political party.

Anti-corruption efforts have led to several high-level arrests but no convictions. Increasing corruption, population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, and HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.

Economy – overview:
The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for nearly 40% of GDP and 88% of export revenues in 2001. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. In November 2002 the World Bank approved a $50 million drought recovery package, which is to be used for famine relief. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for over 50% of exports.

United Nations Membership date: 1 December 1964

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations
600 Third Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, N.Y. 10016
Telephone: 212-949-0180, 0181, 0182
Fax: 212-599-5021