• Economy highly dependent on agriculture
• Export earnings are very dependent on a small number of commodity products
• Dependence on tobacco which is in decline
• 60% of the population below the poverty line
• Population continues to rise and is expected to increase from the current 10 million by a further 50% by 2015
• Number of orphaned children has reached crisis proportions
• Number of orphaned children increases the risk of child abuse (or exploitation) and neglect when sick
• Extended family system to care for orphans is weakened because of HIV/AIDS
• Older siblings and grandparents have to care for orphaned children
Malawi’s high population growth and density have created pressure on land, water resources and agricultural conditions.