A majority of Malawians believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, citing corruption and economic challenges as major concerns, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey. While some improvements in public sentiment were noted compared to previous years, the findings highlight widespread dissatisfaction with governance and economic management.
The survey, conducted by the Center for Social Research at the University of Malawi, found that 76% of respondents feel the country is heading in the wrong direction, a slight improvement from 89% in 2022. This reflects a persistent but slightly diminished pessimism among citizens.
When asked about government performance, Malawians gave low marks for economic management. Only a minority praised efforts to stabilize prices, narrow income gaps, or create jobs.
“Citizens think the government is not doing well in its efforts to manage the economy, keep prices stable, create jobs, and narrow income gaps,” the report notes. However, the government received higher approval ratings for providing water services, reliable electricity, and addressing educational needs.
Corruption remains a top issue for Malawians, with 68% saying it has increased over the past year. Alarmingly, over half of respondents believe corruption has “increased a lot.”
Only 29% think the government is performing well in fighting corruption, suggesting public trust in anti-corruption efforts is critically low. The report highlights that despite efforts to address governance issues, “close to two-thirds think corruption has increased over the past year,” raising concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies.
Malawians also expressed frustrations with rising inequality and insufficient job creation, underscoring economic hardships faced by many households. This sentiment comes as the cost of living continues to climb, further widening income gaps.
Many citizens feel these economic challenges are exacerbated by corruption, which they perceive as siphoning resources away from essential public services and development programs. The lack of significant progress in these areas appears to have eroded confidence in the government’s ability to bring meaningful change.
As Malawi heads toward the 2025 general elections, the Afrobarometer survey reveals a fragmented political landscape. None of the political parties appear poised to achieve the 50%+1 majority required to win outright.
If elections were held today, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would lead with 43% support, followed by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) at 29%. This outcome suggests that coalition-building will be essential for any party to secure leadership, emphasizing the importance of alliances in shaping the country’s next government.
This scenario places coalition politics at the forefront, raising questions about how partnerships will be forged and the compromises parties will need to make to address citizens’ concerns.
With voters increasingly focused on governance and economic challenges, coalition agreements will likely need to prioritize tackling corruption, addressing inequality, and driving meaningful development to gain public confidence.
In a promising display of civic engagement, 84% of Malawians who are eligible to vote said they “will definitely vote” in the 2025 general elections. The Afrobarometer report paints a complex picture of Malawi as it heads into this pivotal election year.
While public confidence in some areas of governance has improved, widespread dissatisfaction with economic conditions and corruption remains a major obstacle. With voter engagement at an all-time high, there is hope that a new mandate from the electorate could usher in a renewed focus on addressing these pressing issues.
For more details, visit Afrobarometer or follow the survey on #VoicesAfrica.
