Malawi faces the triple threat of HIV/AIDS, lack of sustainable food sources and weak governance. Ranking 165 out of 177 countries on the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index, it has the fifth lowest gross domestic product in the world. According to a recent assessment, poverty continues to be widespread in this African nation. There has been little or no progress in reducing this poverty or inequality since 1988. Half of the population lives below the poverty line. HIV/AIDS prevalence is very high and health indicators are among the poorest in the world. At the current rate, it will require tremendous effort to change these conditions. Today:
- 44 percent of preschoolers’ growth is stunted due to chronic, widespread malnutrition;
- mrality for children under 5-years-old is 133 per 1,000 live births;
- life expectancy is only 42 years of age;
- despite enrollment rates of 80 and 84 percent, primary school completion rates are 26 percent and 16 percent for boys and girls respectively.
