Environment and Population in Malawi: Implications on National Development

Emma Heneine, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Nurudeen Alhassan, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Nyovani Madise, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

As Malawi’s population grows at an exponential rate, natural resources are being strained and reaching their limit. This is particularly evident in rural areas where 84% of the population lives. In fact, reliance on biomass for energy, coupled with increased demand for settlements and agriculture, is leading to high rates of deforestation, the highest in Southern Africa. And as climate change leads to more extreme weather, the effects of exploitative environmental practices will be exacerbated. Such population and environmental realities, therefore, pose a threat to Malawi’s sustainable development. This paper will explore the intersection of population and environment in Malawi and its implications on sustainable development—a priority of Malawi’s government. Methods will include a desk review of relevant literature, evidence synthesis and secondary analyses of data. This paper will fill an evidence gap on the state of the environment in Malawi, providing corresponding policy and programme recommendations.