Lilongwe, Malawi … While the U.S. and other Western nations were struggling with a 3, 5, or 10 percent inflation rate, Malawi was experiencing a crippling rate that far exceeded anything the U.S. has seen. In 2024, the inflation rate in Malawi climbed to a staggering 32.2 percent. The rate of inflation for food purchases was even higher, a total of 42.2 percent. The high inflation rate came after a 28.8 percent rate in 2023, according to the National Statistical Office (NSO) in Malawi.
The World Bank’s Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM) estimates the gross domestic product for 2024 at 1.8%, below the population growth rate of 2.6%. Crop production fell from 29 million metric tons in 2021/22 to 19 million tons in 03/04. Major factors were the result of crippling cyclones the past three years and changing weather patterns that stunted and crippled crop production. As a result, 28% of the entire population faces food shortages. In 2024, it was estimated that four out of every ten families were eating less than two meals a day, and three out of ten were going entire days without food. This year promises to be far worse.
Food assistance is critical to the survival of literally millions of people. Contributions to purchase and supply food can be sent to: Malawi Project, 2021 Golfside Drive, Lebanon, Indiana 46052, or through https://www.malawiproject.org/donate/