Malawi
Free
68
100
| PR Political Rights | 30 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 38 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
65
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Malawi holds regular elections and has undergone multiple transfers of power between political parties. Freedom of speech, expression, and association are for the most part respected, though individual violations continue to be reported. Corruption is rife, police brutality is common, and discrimination and violence toward women, members of minority groups, and people with albinism remain problems.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2026. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see the reports from the 2024 and 2025 editions of Freedom in the World.
A1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 4.004 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 3 to 4 because the presidential election was competitive and credible and was followed by a peaceful transfer of power.
A2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 3.003 4.004 |
A3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 3.003 4.004 |
B1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 3.003 4.004 |
B2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 4.004 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 3 to 4 because the main opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party, won a plurality of seats in the National Assembly in competitive and credible elections.
B3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 3.003 4.004 |
B4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 3.003 4.004 |
C1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 3.003 4.004 |
C2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 1.001 4.004 |
C3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 3.003 4.004 |
D1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 2.002 4.004 |
D2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 4.004 4.004 |
D3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 4.004 4.004 |
D4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 3.003 4.004 |
E1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 3.003 4.004 |
E2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 2.002 4.004 |
E3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 3.003 4.004 |
F1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 3.003 4.004 |
F2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 2.002 4.004 |
F3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 2.002 4.004 |
F4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 2.002 4.004 |
G1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 2.002 4.004 |
G2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 2.002 4.004 |
G3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 2.002 4.004 |
Score Change: The score improved from 1 to 2 because the government has taken steps to raise awareness and address gender-based violence and child abuse including by establishing victim support units at police stations and amending the Penal Code to add a gender-inclusive definition of underage victims of sexual assault.
G4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 2.002 4.004 |
Country Facts
-
Population
20,410,000 -
Global Freedom Score
68 100 free -
Internet Freedom Score
61 100 partly free
