Malawi lauded on life quality
A global rights think-tank says Malawi is performing better on quality of life than some countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
In its 2021 report, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI)— a grouping of global human rights defenders, academics and researchers— says, when compared to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Malawi is performing better than average on quality of life.
The comparison, which is calculated using income adjusted, looks at rights to food, health, education, housing and work, among other parameters.
According to the HRMI report, Malawi, with a population of 18.6 million and gross domestic product per capita of $412 in 2019, scored 76.7 percent on quality of life against the income adjusted benchmark.
According to HRMI scores, 100 percent indicates that a country is meeting its duty under international human rights law.
But the study says, when measured against the ‘Global best’ benchmark, comparing Malawi to the best-performing countries in the world, Malawi’s score is 44.0 percent, indicating that it has work to do to meet current ‘Global best’ standards for ensuring all people have adequate food, education, healthcare, housing and work.
Meanwhile, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira has said the report offers hope to the country.
“It is clear, from the report, that, if we can manage our resources well, Malawi can do better on the global ranking,” he said.
President Lazarus Chakwera recently told Parliament that his administration was committed to improving everyone’s quality of life.
