Word 97, 482 KB) 
Adode Acrobat 4, 261 KB) This page contains the text of the 2001 Guide to Statistical Sources, which is a comprehensive catalogue of official statistical data published in Malawi by various government institutions. The Guide is also available for download in Word 97 or Adobe Acrobat 4 formats:
Word 97, 482 KB) Adode Acrobat 4, 261 KB) Dissemination of Statistical Information
Arrangement of entries in this Guide
Agriculture, Forestry, & Fisheries
Statistical Publications of Regional Organisations
Miscellaneous Unpublished Statistics
The purpose of this Guide is to help users easily identify sources of official statistics in Malawi.
This first edition was compiled by Ernest Titus Matewele during a Malawi Library Association (MALA) course. The objective of the project was to compile a booklet giving official statistical data sources in Malawi. This will also be used to establish electronic user guides on the National Statistical Office website, and to document available statistical data sources. The Guide will be updated annually.
The compilation of this guide was made possible through the assistance of a number of people from various government ministries, departments and other organisations. Appreciation and gratitude is extended to all the people who gave their time to attend to the enquiries for statistical related information.
Additions, corrections, and any other comments will be very welcome, so that future editions may be improved.
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AIDS CD-ROM CSR DFID DFRU HIV HMIS IFPRI ILO ISCO ISIC MDHS MKAPH MSE NACP NEC NSO NSSA SADC SDA UK USA |
Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome Compact Disk-Read Only Memory Centre for Social Research Department for International Development Department of Fisheries Research Unit Human Immunodeficiency Virus Health Management Information System International Food Policy Research Institute International Labour Organisation International Standard Classification of Occupations International Standard Industrial Classification Malawi Demographic and Health Survey Malawi Knowledge Attitudes and Practices in Health Survey Micro and Small Enterprise National Aids Control Program National Economic Council National Statistical Office National Sample Survey of Agriculture Southern African Development Community Social Dimension of Adjustments United Kingdom United States of America |
The National Statistical Office was established after independence in 1964, and operates through the 1967 Statistics Act for the collection, compilation, analysis, abstraction and publication of statistical information on a wide range of topics.
The statistical system of Malawi is partly decentralised. Although the National Statistical Office is mandated to collect and compile all major statistics, many other government departments collect and compile statistics relevant to their situation. However the National Statistical Office takes a coordinating role in the collection and compilation of statistics, to try and minimise redundancy, omission and inconsistencies and duplication.
Statistics that are collected by the National Statistical Office, Government Ministries and Departments are called official statistics. These statistics are usually the result of censuses, surveys or administrative records.
The primary method used to disseminate official statistics is through paper based printed publications. These are often reports of surveys, or regular publications consisting of statistics routinely collected on a regular basis.
Increasingly, a number of official statistics are also disseminated electronically, using diskettes, CD-ROMs and the Internet. The National Statistical Office also publishes most data on this web site.
A further development, which is in progress, is the establishment of a statistical data bank, containing time series, tabulated data and unprocessed survey records. The purpose is to establish a reliable national statistical resource and archive for users.
The entries of this guide have been arranged using the broad subject areas of General Statistics; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Employment and Earnings; Demography and Social; Transport; Other; Regional; and Unpublished Statistics.
Entries in the "Other" category may not be purely statistical reports, but have been included because they may provide information on methodology and analysis, and records of proceedings of statistical related seminars.
Unpublished statistics have been included because some statistical data is available from administrative records of some other government departments, but there are no arrangements currently in place for publication. The data mentioned is available for use by the general public upon request from the relevant source.
In all cases, contact information for the sources mentioned in the guide are given at in the "contacts" section. If users experience problems contacting sources directly, they are invited to contact the National Statistical Office who will be able to help.
The entries in this guide provide title details, a short description, source ministry or department responsible, frequency (if applicable), and price in Malawi Kwacha. In this edition, the date of the most recent publication has not been given for regular reports; please contact the data source for this information.
The prices indicated in this guide were up to date at November 2001 and are subject to change without notice. Please note that prices quoted do not include postage and handling fees. More information on prices, postage and handling should be obtained from the data source.
Pamphlet containing summary data taken from the Monthly Statistical Bulletin, Quarterly Statistical Bulletin and Statistical Yearbook.
Source: NationalStatistical Office
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Contains comprehensive and systematic summary of socio-economic basic statistics.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Annual
Price: K300
Contains latest indicators on consumer prices, agriculture products, government finance, monthly exchange rates, index of industrial production, transport and external trade.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Monthly
Price: Free
Contains detailed historical data for the series presented in the Monthly Statistical Bulletin, plus some statistics reported quarterly.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Quarterly
Price: K50
Provides latest data on consumer price indices and inflation rates.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Monthly
Price: Free
Report of a survey carried out jointly between the NSO and MOA and provides information on smallholder agriculture sub-sector of the rural economy which operates under the customary land tenure system.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: As conducted
Price: K165
Aims at disseminating information on food security and nutrition useful for short and long term planning and intervention.
Source: National Economic Council
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
A quarterly bulletin providing information on the current and projected food situation in Malawi at national, sub-national and household level.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture
Frequency: Quarterly
Price: Free
Provides data on prices of all horticultural products throughout the country.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture
Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Yearly
Price: Free
Provides information on rainfall pattern, irrigation policy, smallholder crop production, cash crops, livestock, fish, market prices, inputs and credit facility.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Survey conducted every 10 years to collect and provide basic agricultural data for estimation of national aggregates of crop production; monitoring the effects of agricultural extension programmes and establishment of priorities and formulation of socio-economic policy in smallholder sub-sector. Report in 4 Volumes:
Provides information on smallholder farm population and units of labour, household head characteristics, hired-labour and household off-farm economic activities.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K165
Provides information on cropping pattern, yield and production of various crops and crop husbandry practices.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K165
Presents information on livestock numbers by type and change in stock during the past 12 months of the survey.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K100
Contains information on health of household members, employment status of household head, migration and assets.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K340
Data on retail prices for crops and livestock at selected markets throughout the country.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture
Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Yearly
Price: Free
Provides more current data and abstracts of statistical information covering the broad field of Malawian resources like forestry, energy affairs, geological surveys, mining and environment.
Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Presents a synoptic account of the status of the more important fish stocks in all Malawi’s major aquatic systems. Statistical tables on fish catch and effort, stock and production.
Source: Department of Fisheries Research Unit
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Fold out leaflet providing summary data on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
Provides comprehensive information of the findings of the 2000 MDHS which covered topics on malaria control, adult and maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, women’s status, fertility preferences, marriage and sexual activity, maternal and child health, contraception, full birth history and socio-economic data.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
The Malawi Demographic and Health Survey is implemented by the NSO and is designed as a nationally representative sample survey which collects and provides information on fertility trends, family planning knowledge and use, early childhood mortality, various indicators of maternal and child health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS, adult and maternal mortality and malaria control programme activities.
Presents provisional figures of results of the 2000 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
Presents results of a survey conducted on a sample basis to obtain data on total disabled persons, relationship to head of household, incidence and severity of disability, support and economic activity.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K500
Provides a summary of findings of 1996 MKAPH. Contains data on contraceptive prevalence, immunisations, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and is used for monitoring programmes in the Ministry of Health.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
Provides benchmark data for child spacing programme in Malawi. Data include fertility, actual and preferred birth intervals, desire for additional children, nutritional status of children, desired family size, mortality, use of maternal and child health services, household facilities.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: On application
Provides information on the indicators that measure Malawi’s progress in reaching the end-of-decade goals. Gives a comprehensive picture of general well being of children in Malawi. Report compiled by National Statistical Office, NEC and CSR.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
Contains data on population estimates and other demographic indicators, quality and quantity of health units, outpatient attendances by cause, age and district, child immunisation and contraceptive acceptors by age and parity.
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Frequency: Annual
Price: K200
Presents results of a survey on activities associated with the health situation of villages. Points out indicators for monitoring progress towards the achievement of Health for all by the year 2000
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Price: Free
Health statistical reference information presented in the form tables by either tabulating by region or district
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Technical document presenting routine special sample survey in Malawi related to health.
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Price: Free
Provides a summary of situation analysis on demographic health information system, analysis, accuracy and quality of data and health in Malawi.
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Price: Free
Presents data on HIV/syphilis sero-prevalence in women attending antenatal clinics, estimates of national HIV sero-prevalence and suggests future HIV and syphilis sero-surveillance in Malawi
Source: Ministry of Health and Population/NACP
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Provides a broad policy direction with information on status on health facilities and equipment, human resources and support structures.
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Price: K300
Presents a review of annual performance of health indicators collection and compilation from all districts in Malawi.
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Comprehensive report of all health related indicators in Malawi.
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Frequency: Quarterly
Price: Free
Presents data from school census by enrolment, class, type of school, year, sex, equipment, teacher, student’s mother language textbooks and teacher’s guides.
Source: Ministry of Education
Frequency: Annual
Price: K150 (US$10)
Population and Housing Census is a major undertaking of the National Statistical Office. The Malawi government conducts a census once every ten years and the first pre-independence census took place in 1891 and the last in 1956. Data collection varies depending with the situation of the particular time. The last post independence census was conducted in 1998.
Presents summary data on population size, age-sex composition and growth rates.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K80
Comprehensive results of the 1998 population and housing census. Provides total population and growth rates among other data (Note: Also available on CD-ROM)
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K800
Presents preliminary findings of the 1987 Population and housing census. It covers data only on population characteristics.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
Presents a summary of stock and condition of housing and population characteristics.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
Presents detailed statistical data on population size and growth, spatial distribution and density, fertility, rural and urban residence, age-sex distribution, mortality, education and literacy.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
Contains information related to activity status, occupation and industry of all persons aged years and over.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
This volume provides data on internal migration rates, rural/urban migration, and sex-age distribution of migrants and non-migrants.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
Presents housing data on main type of materials used for construction of wall, roof and floor and number of rooms.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
Presents an analysis of levels, trends and demographic parameters for Malawi. Useful for population projections.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K200
Provides demographic variables for a particular district, village/place, population by age, sex, education qualification, literacy, source of drinking water, toilet facility and housing characteristics. (Reports available for 24 districts)
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K10
Presents results of the first housing survey to be conducted in Malawi covering rural and urban areas. Contains data on various characteristics of housing.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: On application
A survey conducted on behalf of the Malawi Housing Corporation to obtain relevant data on the potential market for construction of houses in the intermediate traditional housing areas of the two cities.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: On application
Response to data needs at district level for planning and development projects. Contains data on housing characteristics, education, disabled persons, orphans, child labour, family planning, water and sanitation and rubbish disposal.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K150
Response to data needs at district level for planning and development projects. Contains data on housing characteristics, education, disabled persons, orphans, child labour, family planning, water and sanitation and rubbish disposal.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K150
Response to data needs at district level for planning and development projects. Contains data on housing characteristics, education, disabled persons, orphans, child labour, family planning, water and sanitation and rubbish disposal.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K150
Response to data needs at district level for planning and development projects. Contains data on housing characteristics, education, disabled persons, orphans, child labour, family planning, water and sanitation and rubbish disposal.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K150
This annual survey gives a quantitative description of large-scale economic activities in the economy. Looks at their production and employment characteristics, profitability level, acquisition and financial claims in different sectors.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K300
Compiled in line with IMF recommendation BOP manual and contains information sourced from surveys carried out by the National Statistical Office mainly BOP survey, Annual Statement of External Trade and Tourism Statistics
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K100
A useful data source for national accounts which combines statistical data on government accounts from Ministry of Finance and Agriculture and major economic surveys carried out by the National Statistical Office to present the status of the national accounts.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K400
A comprehensive report on a survey carried out to provide a complete and integrated data set to arrive at a better understanding of households in poverty; serve a much broader set of applications on policy issues and estimates household expenditure patterns.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K850
Report on a nation wide survey conducted to provide information on production and cost structure which enables estimation of value added in the medium business sector, and historical set-up, capital, credit, environment and employment of medium scale enterprises.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K500
Report on a nation wide survey conducted to provide information on production and cost structure which enables estimation of value added in the medium business sector, and historical set-up, capital, credit, environment and employment of medium scale enterprises.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K500
Provides valuable information on expenditure patterns incomes and the socio-economic characteristics of households in Malawi. The data is very useful for updating weights for consumer price indices and other types of economic activities
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: K300
Results of a survey conducted by Ebony Consulting International, the National Statistical Office, Kadale Consultants and Wadonda Consult on behalf of the Department for International Development (DFID) (UK). Provides an overview of the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) that has often been missed by conventional surveys. Contains complete and detailed understanding and an insight of current status of MSE.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
Contains detailed tables presenting a trade profile for imports and exports between Malawi and other countries. Data classification is by Harmonized System
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Annual
Price: K750
Budget document providing information that spells out missions of ministries/departments and expected output for the government financial year. Contains detailed figures to item level intended to support financial operations of ministries and departments
Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Provides annual consolidated synopsis of the budget accounts on the performance of the government in terms of resource mobilization and utilization. Released in parliament on budget presentation day.
Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
Frequency: Annual
Price: K500
Contains the information in Vol. I in more detail, breaking down each ministry by vote, cost centre programme, sub-programme and sub-item. In this volume the picture is extended for further understanding
Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
Frequency: Annual
Price: K500
Government budget document providing a comprehensive summary of the budget documents presented before parliament. Contains summaries of revised estimates of revenues and expenditure for a current financial year and draft estimates for the forthcoming two years.
Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
Frequency: Annual
Price: K500
Very useful budget document which provides summarized data on world economic outlook, macroeconomic performance, external trade and commodity markets, agriculture, transport, energy, tourism, employment and social services poverty alleviation, banking and finance, development programme and public finance.
Source: National Economic Council
Frequency: Annual
Price: K750
A single volume report that summarises government financial statistics. Data in the report is sourced from government budget documents and final audited accounts.
Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
Price: K150
Presents a reviewed analysis of financial performance of the government. Data is divided into four main sections: money and credit, public finance, balance of payments and international economic situation and production and prices.
Source: Reserve Bank of Malawi
Frequency: Quarterly
Price: Free
Provides data on operations and performance of the central bank, economic and financial developments, the Malawi economy and has a statistical section with tables on banking system, other financial institutions, government finance, balance of payments, national accounts and other economic indicators.
Source: Reserve Bank of Malawi
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Presents an analysis of major economic indicators of the government
Source: Reserve Bank of Malawi
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
This profile provides information on poverty and poverty trends in Malawi. It assesses the level and distribution of poverty in the country and highlights the correlations between the wealth or poverty status of individuals and their educational, health and economic characteristics
Source: National Economic Council
Price: Free
Provides information on visitor’s reason for entry, country of permanent residence, type of accommodation, sex and average expenditure for non-residents.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Annual
Price: K70
Provides data on redundancies, strikes, stoppages, lockouts, trade unions, associations and membership.
Source: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Presents results of the Quarterly Employment Enquiry whose objective is to collect data on employment and earnings. Data classification is by International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) that classifies data by industry
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Annual
Price: K150
Provides data on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of all household members covered during the survey period
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: On application
Report of the October Enquiry (ILO questionnaires sent out in October sourcing information on wages, salaries and normal hours of work for specified occupations).
Source: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
This bulletin presents statistics related to industries (classified by ISIC) and occupations (classified by International Standard Classification of Occupation (ISCO)). Data related to all aspects of labour included is: employment, unemployment, vacancies, earnings, wages, labour complaints, prosecutions and industrial accidents and strikes.
Source: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
Presents statistics of expatriate workers in Malawi with temporary employment permits. Includes data on skills, qualifications, experience, sex and age. Determines training priorities for Malawians.
Source: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
Frequency: Biennial
Price: Free
Presents data on aircraft movement, freight handled and passenger traffic for Chileka Airport and Lilongwe International Airport
Source: Department of Civil Aviation
Frequency: Annual
Price: On application
Presents data on the structure and performance of minibus establishments in Malawi.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: K750
Contains statistics on the road network, traffic counts, motor vehicle registration and accidents, civil aviation and rail and lake system.
Source: National Statistical Office
Frequency: Annual
Price: K70
Provides a comprehensive account of total road network. Gives special emphasis on length, width and completion dates of bitumen road network.
Source: National Economic Council
Price: On application
Presents data performance of all transport modes as regards the number of passengers carried, the amount of freight traffic handled for both domestic and international traffic. Also provides information on the financial performance of road, lake, rail and air transport.
Source: National Economic Council
Frequency: Annual
Price: On application
Contains detailed methodology that was used in deriving a new series of national accounts. The handbook points out possible areas for further improvement of the national accounts when resources become available.
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
Reports on papers for deliberations and presents summary tables on economic and agricultural surveys
Source: National Statistical Office
Price: Free
An analysis of the Malawi Integrated Household Survey, 1997-98
Provides a multivariate analysis that extends the analysis of the poverty profile. Answers how particular variables affects poverty conditional on the level of other potential determinants of poverty. (Analysis was done jointly by the National Statistical Office, NEC and IFPRI based in the USA)
Source: National Statistical Office/National Economic Council/IFPRI
Frequency: Free
(3 Volumes presenting detailed analysis on household characteristics, fertility and mortality).
Vol. I – Survey Description and Background Characteristics.
Vol. II – Fertility, Family Size Preferences and Child Spacing
Vol. III – Mortality and Maternal and Child Health
Source: Ministry of Health and Population
Frequency: Free
Provides summary statistical tables and country profiles of member states.
Source: SADC
Frequency: Annual
Price: Free
This section contains information that is available for use by the general public but it is not published. The information can be obtained from relevant source upon request.
Defilement and rape cases; mob justice; abortions; suicide by hanging or poisoning.
Case statistics and workload management.
Number of driving licences by class; number of vehicles by make and type.
List of training institutions; training statistics for post secondary; number of people leaving the civil service; total number of civil servants; number of volunteers and experts; and gender analysis/composition.
Number of boreholes sunk in a year; water levels; borehole depth/yield (ability to supply water measured by volume/time)
Violence against women; number of women with access to loans; women empowerment; number of women employed.
Please note that the international dialling code for Malawi is 265, which should be used as a prefix if dialling from outside Malawi. Telephone numbers are given without the international code.
Commissioner for Census and Statistics
National Statistical Office Headquarters
P.O. Box 333, Zomba, Malawi
Telephone:524 377
Fax: 525 130
Email: enquiries@statistics.gov.mw
Web: www.nso.malawi.net
Commissioner
Telephone:525 110
Cellphone:960 601
Email: cmachinjili@statistics.gov.mw
Deputy Commissioner
Telephone 525 363
Cellphone:960 602
Email: mkanyuka@statistics.gov.mw
Assistant Commissioner (Agriculture)
Telephone:525 184
Email: agriculture@statistics.gov.mw
Assistant Commissioner (Demography)
Telephone:525 062
Cellphone:960 604
Email: jndawala@statistics.gov.mw
demography@statistics.gov.mw
Acting Assistant Commissioner (Economics)
Telephone:525 230
Cellphone:869 081
Email: lchikoti@statistics.gov.mw or economics@statistics.gov.mw
Assistant Commissioner (Publications)
Telephone:525 135
Cellphone:960 605
Email: smphedwa@statistics.gov.mw
publications@statistics.gov.mw
Regional Statistical Office (South)
P.O. Box 30352, Chichiri, Blantyre 3
Telephone:651 477
Email: enquiries@statistics.gov.mw
Regional Statistical Office (Central)
P.O. Box 301, Lilongwe
Telephone:756 179
Email: lilongwe@statistics.gov.mw
Regional Statistical Office (North)
P.O. Box 290, Mzuzu
Telephone:332 136
Email: mzuzu@statistics.gov.mw
Planning Division
P.O. Box 30134, Capital City, Lilongwe 3
Telephone:789 033
Fax: 789 218/789 380
Email: agric-infotech@sdnp.org.mw
Education Planning Division
Private Bag 328, Capital City, Lilongwe 3
Telephone: 789 422/161
Fax: 788 064
Statistics Section
P.O. Box 30049, Capital City, Lilongwe 3
Telephone: 789 355
Fax: 789 173
Email: finance@malawi.finance.gov.mw
Health Management Information Unit
P.O. Box 30377, Capital City, Lilongwe 3
Telephone: 789 400/402
Fax: 789 431/788 403
Email: chrismoyo@malawi.net
Statistics Unit
Private Bag 344, Capital City, Lilongwe 3
Telephone: 773 277
Fax: 773 805
Email: labour@malawi.net