Malawi

People

Most Malawians are of Bantu origin. The largest ethnic group is the Chewa. Approximately 80 per cent of the population are Christian and 13 per cent Muslim. The remainder mostly follow traditional beliefs. About 85 per cent of the population live in rural villages.

History

The first Westerners to visit Malawi were Portuguese merchants, slave traders, British explorers, such as Dr Livingstone, and missionaries. Malawi was under British rule between 1891 and 1964. For three decades after independence, it was ruled by a single-party under the leadership of Dr Hastings Banda. The first multi-party elections were held in 1994. Since then, the Government has brought changes such as free and compulsory primary education, freedom of the press and an anti-corruption campaign.

Geography

A small, landlocked country, Malawi is at the southern end of Africa's Great Rift Valley. Lake Nyasa (or Lake Malawi) is the country's most prominent physical feature and is some 580km long. Malawi has a sub-tropical climate, with cooler temperatures in the mountains. There are two seasons â€" a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October.

Economy

Tobacco makes up half of Malawi's exports. Tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products and apparel are also exported. Falling prices of commodities, such as tobacco and tea, have decreased small farmers' incomes. The high cost of airfreight and difficulties transporting goods to ports in neighbouring countries are significant export barriers. Malawi's economy depends on substantial inflows of foreign aid, especially to combat food shortages. The country has received significant debt relief.

Agriculture

Most families rely on agriculture; crops include maize, beans, rice, cassava and groundnuts. Pressure from the expanding population has decreased farm sizes; 40 per cent of farms are smaller than half a hectare. Droughts, heavy rains and crop failures mean many families can not produce enough to eat.

Education

Children enrol in school from age 6. The Government introduced free primary education in 1994, but there were not enough schools or teachers to absorb the large number of students who enrolled. Untrained teachers were recruited as a temporary measure; three-quarters of these have since been trained. Every primary school teacher has a class of at least 55 pupils and some classes are still held outdoors. Education can be of poor quality and many students repeat levels or drop out. Secondary schooling is expensive â€" only 25 per cent of children study at this level.

HIV and AIDS

AIDS is the leading cause of death for the most productive age group (15 - 49 years). Adult HIV prevalence remains stable at 14 per cent. More than 550,000 children have lost one or both parents and many more children have been made vulnerable. In 2004, the Government announced a programme to tackle HIV and AIDS and began to provide free anti-retroviral medicines for people.

Health

Around one-third of the total population is malnourished and the growth of half of the children under 5 is stunted due to the effects of malnutrition. Under-5 mortality has decreased significantly during recent years, but Malawi still has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. Poor sanitation and lack of safe water cause diarrhoea and cholera. Malaria is also common. The health system is struggling to deal with HIV and AIDS. There are few rural clinics and health professionals, with many trained nurses attracted to higher paying jobs overseas.

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