Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CHAVEAS embassy : address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] 783 166 FAX: [265] 780 471
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Economy
Economy - overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 45% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental problems of deforestation and erosion.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.5 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 45% industry: 30% services: 25% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 83.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 3.5 million by occupation : agriculture 86%, wage earners 14% (1990 est.)