Unic Press UK: Malawi, with circa 21.2 million people and situated in southeastern Africa, has been named country of the year by The Economist.
Making a reference to the people of the country overcoming a grossly rigged election, The Economist said:
“The vote-count was rigged with correction fluid on the tally sheets. Foreign observers cynically approved it anyway. Malawians launched mass protests against the ‘Tipp-Ex election’. Malawian judges turned down suitcases of bribes and annulled it.”
Further information about Malawi as recorded in the factbook of the Central Intelligence Agency read: “Malawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi’s fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.”
