Malawi has a population of approximately 18 million people, 52 percent are considered to be living in poverty. Eighty-four percent of Malawi’s population live in rural areas (NSO 2019), the vast majority working as smallholder farmers depending primarily on self-sufficiency in maize production for survival. There are approximately 847 000 people aged 60 and over, which represents approximately 4 percent of the population but is set to increase to 6 percent by 2050. Almost 98 percent of Malawi’s older adults have no access to a pension, the Social Cash Transfer Programme, targeted to the very poor and labour-constrained households, is expected to closely align with old age. Nevertheless, it’s reach is limited.

Our team in Malawi is led by Dr. Jesman Chintsyana, Senior Lecturer, Sociology and Population Studies Department, University of Malawi. Dr. Chintsyana is working with a team of 10 researchers in four sites in the North and South of Malawi.