MALAWI AT A GLANCE – august, 2008

Demographic Factors   - source NSO

Total population (2007)

13.2 million

Lilongwe

1.346 million

Blantyre

0.809 million

Mzuzu

0.610 million

Zomba

0.546 million

Population Density  (2007)

104 per square km.

Population growth – National – (2007)

1.9%

Annual Growth Rate (Lilongwe)

2.9%

Annual Growth Rate (Blantyre)

2.9%

Annual Growth Rate

(Mzuzu including Mzimba)

3.1%

Annual Growth Rate (Zomba)

1.9%

Life Expectancy

39.1 years

Literacy Rate

58%

TRADE AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Real GDP growth (2008) 

7.4%

Real GDP growth (2007)

7.9%

Exports (FOB) - (2007)

US$ 704.6 million

Imports (CIF) – (2007)

US$ 1,272.4 million

Visible Balance (2007)

US$ - 567.8 million

Currency

Malawi Kwacha  (MK)
US$ 1.00=MK 142.00 (July, 2008)

Corporate tax rate

30%

Inflation rate (May 2008)

7.9%

Inflation rate (June 2008)

8.6%

Annual Inflation Rate (2007)

7.9%

Annual Inflation Rate (2006)

13.9%

Interest Rates (from 1 November 2007)

15% down from 17.5%

GDP composition

2005

2006

2007

Agriculture

28.3%

29.5%

30.6%

Construction

4.4%

4.6%

4.7%

Manufacturing

9.6%

9.3%

9.2%

Financial and Professional Services

11.1%

11.3%

11.4%

Transport and Storage

4.1%

4.1%

3.9%

Information and Communication

2.9%

2.9%

2.8%

Mining and Quarrying

1.6%

1.1%

1.0%