Overview

The Malawi 2022 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report presents Malawi’s second voluntary assessment of progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report outlines the country’s efforts to align national development frameworks, particularly the Malawi 2063 (Mw2063) vision and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP-1), with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It reflects a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach, involving public institutions, civil society, development partners and the private sector. The 2022 VNR highlights progress made since the 2020 review, particularly in poverty reduction, education, health and policy alignment, while acknowledging the severe impact of COVID-19, climate-related disasters and macroeconomic instability. The report demonstrates Malawi’s continued commitment to inclusive growth, resilience-building and strengthened governance systems in pursuit of sustainable development.

Recommendations

Strengthen Domestic Resource Mobilisation: Expand revenue generation and improve public financial management to reduce reliance on external financing.
Scale Up Climate Resilience Investment: Increase funding for climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness systems.
Promote Economic Diversification and Youth Employment: Invest in industrialisation, value addition and SME development to create sustainable employment opportunities.
Expand Social Protection Coverage: Broaden cash transfer programmes and target ultra-poor and climate-affected households more effectively.
Enhance Gender Equality Interventions: Strengthen enforcement of child marriage laws and expand programmes addressing adolescent pregnancy and GBV.
Improve Data Systems and Statistical Capacity: Invest in national statistical systems to close indicator-level gaps and support evidence-based decision-making.
Strengthen Decentralised Service Delivery: Build institutional capacity at district level to improve implementation efficiency and accountability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2022 VNR underscores both the achievements and persistent challenges in Malawi’s SDG implementation journey. While measurable progress has been recorded in areas such as literacy, social protection coverage, maternal health services and policy integration, structural constraints—including high poverty levels, climate vulnerability, fiscal pressures and limited industrial diversification—continue to slow progress. The experience of responding to COVID-19 and climate shocks has reinforced the importance of resilience, coordinated partnerships and strengthened domestic resource mobilisation. Moving forward, accelerated implementation, enhanced data systems and sustainable financing will be essential to meet the 2030 targets. The review ultimately reaffirms Malawi’s determination to leave no one behind while advancing the aspirations of Mw2063 and the global SDG agenda.

SDGs Progress Tracker

Voluntary National Reports

Country Focal Point

Ms. Etta Mmangisa
Secretary for Research and Environmental Affairs
Lilongwe

Location

Government of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi

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No Poverty

Score: 2
Justification	The proportion of Malawians living below the international poverty line of US$1.90 per day increased from 71.4% in 2015 to 73.5% in 2019. Those below the national poverty line marginally declined from 51.5% in 2016 to 50.7% in 2021. Rural poverty stands at 56.6%, compared to 19.2% in urban areas (2021).
Challenges	Urban poverty increased from 17.7% in 2016 to 19.2% in 2021. High population growth, rising living costs, corruption and macroeconomic instability have undermined progress.
Progress/ Solution	Ultra-poverty reduced from 24.5% in 2016 to 20.5% in 2021. Social protection covered 293,522 households (1,284,633 individuals, about 7% of the population) in 2021. The COVID-19 Urban Cash Intervention reached 144,104 beneficiaries.
Unsolved Challenges	Poverty reduction remains slow, and shocks such as COVID-19 pushed an estimated 1.6 million people into temporary poverty. National poverty remains high at 50.7% (2021) and 73.5% below international line (2019), though ultra-poverty declined.

Zero Hunger

Score: 2
Justification	Prevalence of undernourishment declined to 17.3% in 2019, down by 19.8 percentage points since 2000. In 2021/22, 1,496,396 people (8% of the population) required food assistance, a 43% decrease from the previous year.
Challenges	Stunting declined from 55% in 2000 to 35.5% in 2019, yet remains above the regional average of 32.4%. Climate change threatens agricultural productivity.
Progress/ Solution	Maize production increased by about 21% in 2020/21. Irrigated land increased by 22.5% since the last VNR. Community-based nutrition programmes expanded.
Unsolved Challenges	Heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture and limited agricultural extension staff constrain sustainability.

Good Health

Score: 2
Justification	Skilled birth attendance increased from 90% in 2016 to 96.8% in 2021. Under-five mortality declined from 63 per 1,000 live births (2016) to 56 per 1,000 (2021).
Challenges	Neonatal mortality only slightly reduced from 27 per 1,000 (2016) to 26 per 1,000 (2019). Drug stockouts and distance to facilities remain barriers.
Progress/ Solution	Malaria incidence reduced from 386 per 1,000 (2015) to 361 per 1,000 (2021). Malaria deaths declined from 23 per 100,000 (2015) to 13 per 100,000 (2021). HIV incidence among ages 15–49 dropped from 0.28 (2018) to 0.19 (2021).
Unsolved Challenges	Unmet need for family planning among unmarried women aged 15–19 remains high at 71.5%. Skilled birth attendance increased to 96.8% (2021) and malaria deaths reduced, but neonatal mortality progress is slow.

Quality Education

Score: 3
Justification	Reading proficiency increased from 66.4% in 2016 to 74.3% in 2021, reflecting improvements in foundational literacy outcomes. Primary school completion reached 56% in 2020, indicating moderate gains in retention. The expansion of Early Childhood Development centres has contributed to better school readiness. Policy reforms under the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP-1) strengthened sector coordination. Increased public investment in teacher recruitment supported learning outcomes. Despite progress, overall attainment levels remain below desired national benchmarks.
Challenges	Secondary school completion remains low at 22.1% in 2020, highlighting significant dropout rates beyond primary education. The Gender Parity Index declined from 0.97 in 2020 to 0.94 in 2021, partly due to COVID-19 disruptions. School closures between 2020 and 2021 intensified inequalities in access to remote learning. Inadequate classroom infrastructure and teaching materials remain prevalent. Rural schools continue to experience overcrowding. Learning losses during the pandemic period have yet to be fully recovered.
Progress/ Solution	Thousands of teachers have been recruited to reduce staffing gaps. New Teacher Training Colleges have been constructed to strengthen professional capacity. The abolition of secondary school tuition fees improved access for vulnerable learners. Digital learning initiatives were introduced during COVID-19 to sustain continuity. Curriculum reforms aligned education delivery with national development priorities. Infrastructure development programmes are ongoing under MIP-1.
Unsolved Challenges	High pupil-teacher ratios continue to undermine instructional quality. Infrastructure for learners with special educational needs remains limited. Completion rates at secondary level remain far below primary levels. Funding gaps constrain expansion of tertiary education. Rural-urban disparities in educational resources persist. Sustained financing is required to consolidate gains made since 2016.

Gender Equality

Score: 2
Justification	Nearly two out of five women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, demonstrating the persistence of child marriage. One in five young women has experienced sexual violence. Gender disparities continue to affect education, employment and health outcomes. Women’s participation in economic activities remains constrained by social norms. Harmful cultural practices limit empowerment opportunities. Gender inequality remains a structural development challenge.
Challenges	Teenage pregnancies increased during the 2020–2021 COVID-19 school closures, reversing earlier gains. Gender-based violence cases rose during lockdown periods. Limited access to reproductive health services affects adolescent girls. Poverty exacerbates vulnerability among young women. Legal enforcement mechanisms remain uneven across districts. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms continue to shape household decision-making.
Progress/ Solution	The legal age of marriage was amended to 18 years in 2017, strengthening child protection frameworks. Gender-based violence prevention and response initiatives have expanded nationwide. Awareness campaigns targeting traditional leaders were intensified. Women’s empowerment programmes under MIP-1 promote participation in economic activities. Institutional mechanisms to mainstream gender in public policy have been reinforced. Community-level advocacy structures have been strengthened.
Unsolved Challenges	Child marriage and adolescent pregnancy rates remain high. Women’s economic dependency persists in rural areas. Limited access to productive assets constrains empowerment. Representation of women in leadership positions requires further improvement. Social norms remain resistant to rapid transformation. Sustainable behavioural change interventions are still required.

Water & Sanitation

Score: 2
Justification	Access to improved water sources and handwashing facilities increased according to 2021 national data. Rural water supply infrastructure expanded through borehole construction. Sanitation campaigns promoted community-led total sanitation approaches. Improved hygiene practices were encouraged during COVID-19. National monitoring systems have been strengthened. Progress reflects incremental improvements in service coverage.
Challenges	Long distances to water points remain common in rural communities. Seasonal water shortages affect reliability of supply. Sanitation facilities remain inadequate in some districts. Population growth exerts pressure on existing systems. Maintenance funding remains insufficient. Climate variability affects groundwater recharge.
Progress/ Solution	Expansion of boreholes improved rural access. Rehabilitation of non-functional water points has been prioritised. Sanitation programmes enhanced community awareness. Public-private partnerships support service delivery. Capacity-building for district water offices has increased. Hygiene promotion campaigns were intensified during the pandemic.
Unsolved Challenges	Sustainability of infrastructure remains weak due to maintenance gaps. Financing constraints hinder large-scale upgrades. Rural-urban disparities persist. Wastewater treatment infrastructure is limited. Climate resilience of water systems requires strengthening. Long-term investment planning remains essential.

Clean Energy

Score: 2
Justification	Electricity access remains low nationally, with rural electrification continuing under government programmes. Biomass remains the dominant energy source for households. Access expansion is guided by national energy policies. Infrastructure investments have increased grid connectivity. Energy demand continues to rise. Renewable energy potential remains largely untapped.
Challenges	Heavy reliance on biomass contributes to deforestation. Limited grid coverage constrains rural development. Financing constraints delay renewable expansion. Power outages affect productivity. Foreign exchange shortages hinder equipment imports. High connection costs limit affordability.
Progress/ Solution	The Malawi Electricity Access Project expanded grid connections. Rural electrification initiatives improved community access. Off-grid solar solutions were promoted. Institutional reforms aimed at improving energy sector governance were implemented. Investment partnerships were strengthened. Policy alignment supports sustainable energy development.
Unsolved Challenges	Renewable energy adoption remains limited by financing gaps. Energy generation capacity remains below demand. Rural coverage expansion requires substantial capital. Maintenance and grid stability issues persist. Private sector investment remains constrained. Long-term diversification of energy sources is needed.

Decent Work

Score: 2
Justification	Economic growth slowed to 0.8% during the COVID-19 period, reflecting pandemic shocks. Youth unemployment remains high. The informal sector dominates employment. External shocks weakened productivity. Inflationary pressures affected household incomes. Economic recovery remains gradual.
Challenges	Macroeconomic instability and foreign exchange shortages constrain growth. Rising public debt limits fiscal space. Climate shocks affect agricultural output. Private sector confidence remains fragile. Limited industrial diversification hampers resilience. Population growth increases labour market pressure.
Progress/ Solution	Exchange rate devaluation and fiscal reforms were implemented in 2022 to stabilise the economy. Policy adjustments aim to restore macroeconomic balance. SME support initiatives have been introduced. Investment promotion efforts were intensified. Economic recovery strategies were aligned with Mw2063. Reform momentum continues.
Unsolved Challenges	Job creation remains insufficient for the growing youth population. Structural transformation is slow. Inflation affects real wages. Export diversification remains limited. Public debt sustainability remains a concern. Inclusive growth remains a priority.

Industry & Infrastructure

Score: 2
Justification	Manufacturing’s contribution to GDP remains modest. Infrastructure expansion has continued under national plans. Road networks are being rehabilitated. Digitalisation initiatives are underway. Innovation ecosystems remain emerging. Industrial productivity growth is gradual.
Challenges	Limited industrial diversification constrains competitiveness. Access to finance for SMEs remains limited. Technological adoption is uneven. Infrastructure gaps persist in rural areas. High production costs reduce export competitiveness. Skills shortages affect industrial growth.
Progress/ Solution	Road rehabilitation projects expanded by 2022. Early warning systems were digitised. Infrastructure investment increased under MIP-1. ICT initiatives were promoted. Industrial policy reforms were introduced. Public investment prioritised connectivity.
Unsolved Challenges	Private sector productivity remains low. Technological upgrading is slow. Access to industrial finance remains limited. Regional value chain integration is modest. Infrastructure maintenance requires sustained funding. Innovation financing gaps persist.

Inequality

Score: 2
Justification	Limited progress has been recorded in reducing inequalities. The poverty gap between rural (56.6% in 2021) and urban (19.2% in 2021) areas remains significant. Income disparities persist across regions. Social exclusion affects vulnerable populations. Gender and age disparities remain evident. Inequality reduction remains a core development objective.
Challenges	Urban-rural disparities persist. Access to services remains uneven. Youth and women face labour market constraints. Social protection coverage remains limited relative to need. Regional development imbalances continue. Structural inequities remain entrenched.
Progress/ Solution	Social protection programmes targeted ultra-poor households. Cash transfer coverage expanded in response to COVID-19. Policy frameworks emphasise inclusive development. Vulnerable groups are prioritised under Mw2063. Institutional coordination has improved. Monitoring mechanisms have strengthened.
Unsolved Challenges	Income inequality remains persistent. Coverage gaps in social assistance remain. Rural service delivery requires strengthening. Fiscal constraints limit redistribution capacity. Economic shocks disproportionately affect the poor. Long-term inclusive growth strategies are required.

Sustainable Cities

Score: 2
Justification	The 2022 VNR notes limited comprehensive national data for full assessment of SDG 11 indicators. Rapid urbanisation continues to reshape Malawi’s demographic profile. Growth in informal settlements is increasing pressure on housing and service delivery systems. Urban centres face expanding infrastructure deficits. Disaster risks are heightened in densely populated settlements. Sustainable urban planning remains central to Mw2063 implementation.
Challenges	Urban poverty remains significant, with 19.2% of the urban population living below the national poverty line in 2021. Informal settlements often lack adequate sanitation, drainage and waste management systems. Infrastructure development has not kept pace with population growth. Municipal financing remains constrained. Climate-related shocks exacerbate vulnerabilities in urban areas. Data gaps hinder comprehensive monitoring of urban sustainability indicators.
Progress/ Solution	Urban planning frameworks have been integrated into national development strategies under MIP-1. Local authorities are strengthening land-use planning mechanisms. Infrastructure investment programmes are ongoing in selected urban councils. Disaster risk reduction has been mainstreamed into planning processes. Policy coordination between national and local government has improved. Urban resilience considerations are being aligned with broader climate adaptation strategies.
Unsolved Challenges	Reliable urban sustainability data systems remain limited. Informal settlement upgrading requires significant investment. Affordable housing shortages persist. Waste management infrastructure remains inadequate. Institutional capacity at local authority level needs strengthening. Long-term urban financing mechanisms remain underdeveloped.

Responsible Consumption

Score: 2
Justification	The 2022 VNR indicates limited national data for comprehensive measurement of SDG 12 indicators. Resource consumption patterns continue to exert pressure on natural systems. Waste generation in urban areas is increasing. Environmental sustainability has been integrated into national planning frameworks. Policy alignment under MIP-1 incorporates environmental safeguards. However, monitoring mechanisms remain underdeveloped.
Challenges	Waste management systems remain weak across municipalities. Recycling infrastructure is minimal. Industrial resource efficiency remains limited. Enforcement of environmental regulations is inconsistent. Public awareness of sustainable consumption practices is still developing. Institutional coordination for circular economy initiatives remains limited.
Progress/ Solution	Environmental policies have been incorporated into MIP-1 implementation structures. Environmental impact assessments are required for major projects. Public awareness campaigns promote sustainable practices. Cross-sector coordination has improved at national level. Regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable production are in place. Integration of environmental sustainability into development planning has strengthened.
Unsolved Challenges	Monitoring and enforcement capacity remains limited. Investment in recycling and waste processing infrastructure is insufficient. Data systems for tracking material consumption are underdeveloped. Industrial compliance varies across sectors. Sustainable production incentives require expansion. Behavioural change towards responsible consumption remains gradual.

Climate Action

Score:2
Justification	In 2022, Cyclones Ana and Gombe affected around 200,000 households, demonstrating Malawi’s high climate vulnerability. Frequent floods and droughts continue to undermine agricultural productivity. Climate variability affects food security and livelihoods. Disaster-related losses strain public finances. Climate change remains a cross-cutting development threat. Adaptation and resilience have become national priorities.
Challenges	Recurrent floods and prolonged dry spells reverse development gains. Pest infestations linked to climatic variability affect crops. Rural households remain highly exposed to climate shocks. Limited climate financing constrains adaptation scale-up. Infrastructure resilience remains inadequate. Early warning coverage, while improving, is not universal.
Progress/ Solution	Early warning systems have been digitised to enhance preparedness. Climate-smart agriculture practices have been expanded. Disaster risk reduction has been mainstreamed into sector planning. Community resilience initiatives are being implemented. Coordination mechanisms for climate response have strengthened. Integration of climate considerations into Mw2063 has improved policy coherence.
Unsolved Challenges	Climate financing gaps remain substantial. Adaptation investments fall short of estimated needs. Rural infrastructure resilience requires strengthening. Insurance mechanisms remain limited. Long-term mitigation strategies require further scaling. Capacity at district level remains uneven.

Life Below Water

Score: 2
Justification	The VNR reports increased aquaculture production following the promotion of modern practices. Fisheries remain an important livelihood source. Inland water bodies support food security and employment. Aquaculture expansion contributes to income diversification. Sustainable management of aquatic resources remains essential. However, comprehensive data coverage remains limited.
Challenges	Overfishing pressures persist in major water bodies. Illegal fishing practices undermine sustainability. Climate variability affects fish stocks. Limited enforcement capacity constrains regulation. Pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems. Resource management coordination remains fragmented.
Progress/ Solution	Promotion of aquaculture has increased fish catch and economic value. Training programmes support modern fish farming techniques. Policy frameworks encourage sustainable fisheries management. Community-based fisheries management structures have been strengthened. Value chain improvements have been introduced. Institutional coordination has improved.
Unsolved Challenges	Enforcement of sustainable fisheries regulations requires strengthening. Monitoring systems remain limited. Investment in aquaculture infrastructure remains constrained. Climate resilience strategies for fisheries require scaling. Data collection needs enhancement. Long-term sustainability of fish stocks remains a concern.

Life on Land

Score: 3
Justification	Approximately four-fifths of Malawians rely on forests for energy, primarily through biomass. Deforestation continues at significant rates. Land degradation affects agricultural productivity. Biodiversity conservation remains critical for ecosystem stability. Environmental pressures are closely linked to poverty. Restoration efforts have gained national attention.
Challenges	Rapid deforestation persists due to charcoal production and agricultural expansion. Soil erosion reduces land productivity. Wildlife habitats face encroachment. Enforcement of environmental regulations remains inconsistent. Alternative household energy options remain limited. Population growth intensifies land pressure.
Progress/ Solution	The National Land Restoration Strategy targets restoration of 4.5 million hectares of degraded land. Reforestation initiatives have been expanded. Community forestry management structures have been promoted. Environmental conservation awareness campaigns are ongoing. Integration of land restoration into MIP-1 has strengthened coordination. Institutional frameworks for biodiversity protection are operational.
Unsolved Challenges	Alternative energy sources remain insufficient to reduce biomass dependency. Financing for large-scale restoration is limited. Monitoring of forest cover change requires improvement. Enforcement capacity remains uneven. Climate change exacerbates land degradation. Sustainable land management practices require wider adoption.

Peace & Justice

Score: 2
Justification	The VNR indicates that comprehensive data for some SDG 16 indicators remain limited. Governance reforms have been prioritised under Mw2063. Institutional strengthening remains central to development implementation. Public sector accountability frameworks have been enhanced. Legal reforms have supported transparency. Rule of law remains foundational to sustainable development.
Challenges	Corruption cases persist despite reforms. Public trust in institutions requires continued strengthening. Access to justice remains uneven, particularly in rural areas. Case backlogs affect judicial efficiency. Institutional capacity gaps remain. Data systems for governance indicators require improvement.
Progress/ Solution	The Access to Information Act has been operationalised. The National Anti-Corruption Strategy has strengthened accountability mechanisms. Oversight institutions have enhanced enforcement activities. Public sector reforms have improved coordination. Civic participation mechanisms have been promoted. Institutional reforms align with broader governance objectives.
Unsolved Challenges	Institutional capacity constraints persist at decentralised levels. Sustained political commitment is required. Judicial resource gaps remain. Monitoring systems need strengthening. Public awareness of legal rights remains uneven. Long-term governance reforms require continued support.

Partnerships

Score: 3
Justification	Alignment of MIP-1 to the SDGs stands at 98.53% at goal level, 72.19% at target level, and 53.48% at indicator level, demonstrating strong policy integration. Development cooperation remains vital for implementation. Coordination mechanisms support multi-stakeholder engagement. External financing plays a significant role. Institutional frameworks promote alignment. Partnerships underpin SDG delivery.
Challenges	Rising public debt and financing gaps constrain implementation capacity. Dependence on external support increases vulnerability to global shocks. Domestic resource mobilisation remains limited. Data system strengthening requires investment. Coordination across sectors can be improved. Fiscal space remains constrained.
Progress/ Solution	Pillar and Enabler Coordination Groups have been established to enhance implementation. Development partner engagement remains active. Institutional coordination across ministries has improved. Monitoring frameworks align with SDG targets. Capacity-building initiatives support data systems. Policy coherence has strengthened since the last review.
Unsolved Challenges	Sustainable financing beyond donor support remains critical. Domestic revenue mobilisation requires expansion. Long-term debt sustainability remains a concern. Data gaps persist at indicator level. Private sector partnership mobilisation remains limited. Stronger multi-level coordination is needed for accelerated SDG delivery.

SDGs World Progress: Moderately Off-Track

SDGs World Progress: Off-Track

Country Challenges

High Poverty Levels: Poverty remains widespread, with 50.7% living below the national poverty line in 2021 and 73.5% below the international poverty line in 2019. Rural areas are disproportionately affected.
Climate Vulnerability: Cyclones Ana and Gombe in 2022 affected around 200,000 households, highlighting Malawi’s exposure to climate shocks and disaster-related losses.
Macroeconomic Instability: Economic growth slowed to 0.8% during COVID-19, while rising debt, inflation and foreign exchange shortages constrained fiscal space.
Youth Unemployment and Limited Industrialisation: The economy remains largely informal, with limited diversification and insufficient job creation for the growing youth population.
Gender Inequality and Social Vulnerabilities: Nearly two out of five women aged 20–24 were married before 18, and teenage pregnancies increased during school closures (2020–2021).
Infrastructure and Service Delivery Gaps: Secondary school completion remains low at 22.1% (2020), electricity access is limited, and rural water and sanitation infrastructure require expansion.
Data and Monitoring Constraints: Alignment at indicator level stands at 53.48%, reflecting gaps in data availability and statistical capacity for SDG monitoring.

World Challenges

Country Lessons Learned

Strong Policy Alignment Accelerates Implementation: Aligning MIP-1 to the SDGs at 98.53% goal level demonstrates the importance of integrating global goals into national frameworks.
Social Protection Mitigates Shock Impacts: Cash transfer programmes covering over 293,522 households helped cushion vulnerable populations during COVID-19.
Climate Adaptation Must Be Mainstreamed: Integrating disaster risk reduction and digitised early warning systems strengthens resilience against climate shocks.
Legal Reforms Support Social Transformation: Raising the legal marriage age to 18 years in 2017 demonstrates how legislative action can address harmful practices.
Multi-Stakeholder Coordination Is Essential: Pillar and Enabler Coordination Groups improved cross-sectoral collaboration and policy coherence.
Incremental Progress Requires Sustained Investment: Improvements in literacy (66.4% in 2016 to 74.3% in 2021) show that consistent sector investment yields measurable gains.

World Lessons Learned

Country Contribution

2016–2021: Reading proficiency increased from 66.4% to 74.3%: This reflects measurable improvement in foundational literacy outcomes, demonstrating sustained investment in primary education quality and teacher development.
2020: Primary school completion reached 56%: Despite systemic constraints and COVID-19 disruptions, Malawi maintained progress in primary education retention and access.
2016–2021: Ultra-poverty declined from 24.5% to 20.5%: This reduction indicates the positive impact of targeted social protection and poverty alleviation interventions.
2021: Social protection programmes covered 293,522 households (1,284,633 individuals, about 7% of the population): This expansion strengthened safety nets for vulnerable groups, particularly during the COVID-19 period.
2019: Prevalence of undernourishment declined to 17.3%, a reduction of 19.8 percentage points since 2000: This demonstrates long-term progress in improving food security and nutrition outcomes.
2020/2021: Maize production increased by approximately 21%: Agricultural productivity improvements supported national food security resilience.
2015–2021: Malaria incidence reduced from 386 per 1,000 populations to 361 per 1,000: This reflects strengthened public health interventions and expanded access to preventive services.
2015–2021: Malaria deaths declined from 23 per 100,000 populations to 13 per 100,000: Sustained health system responses contributed to reduced mortality rates.
2016–2021: Skilled birth attendance increased from 90% to 96.8%: This improvement signifies enhanced maternal health service coverage nationwide.
2017: Legal age of marriage amended to 18 years: This legislative reform strengthened child protection and aligned national law with international human rights standards.
2022: Cyclones Ana and Gombe response supported approximately 200,000 affected households: National disaster response mechanisms demonstrated improved coordination and emergency preparedness.
2022: Economic reforms, including exchange rate devaluation and fiscal adjustments, implemented to stabilise the macroeconomic environment: These reforms aimed to restore economic balance following growth slowdown to 0.8% during COVID-19.
2022: Alignment of MIP-1 to the SDGs reached 98.53% at goal level, 72.19% at target level, and 53.48% at indicator level: This high degree of policy integration demonstrates strong national ownership of the 2030.

Malawi