Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-15 08:45:22
Afrobarometer’s Round Nine survey has recently revealed that a majority of Malawians are dissatisfied with the government’s management of the economy. The report highlights that most Malawians hold a negative outlook on the direction the country is heading, although there are some individuals who remain optimistic about potential improvements. The findings of the report, conducted by the Centre for Social Research under the leadership of Joseph Chunga, shed light on the economic sentiments and lived experiences of Malawian citizens.
The survey indicates that an overwhelming 82 percent of citizens believe that the economic conditions in the country have worsened over the past year. One of the most pressing unmet needs identified by the respondents is a reliable cash income, with a staggering 93 percent reporting instances where they had to go without income at least once in the previous year. Additionally, 63 percent of respondents stated that they experienced this shortfall “many times” or “always”.
The report underscores the urgency of addressing economic concerns, as the majority of citizens prioritize improvements in this area. A vast majority of Malawians, amounting to 89 percent, believe that the country is currently heading in the wrong direction. Moreover, negative assessments of the economic situation are pervasive, with 85 percent of respondents characterizing it as either “fairly bad” or “very bad”, and 74 percent expressing similar sentiments about their personal living conditions.
Looking ahead, only 16 percent of Malawians are optimistic about a potential improvement in the next 12 months, while a significant 63 percent anticipate a further deterioration. The report also reveals that 37 percent of respondents experienced high levels of lived poverty in the past year, with an additional 38 percent facing moderate levels of poverty.
Among the key issues prioritized by Malawians for government intervention, the management of the economy emerges as the most pressing concern. The report emphasizes that negative perceptions of the economic conditions and personal living standards are consistent across various demographic groups. While younger citizens are less likely than their older counterparts to view their personal living conditions negatively, they demonstrate a comparable level of pessimism towards the national economy.
According to the report’s findings, only a minuscule four percent of citizens reported being free from lived poverty, indicating that the majority of Malawians have faced shortages in basic necessities such as cash income, food, medical care, and cooking oil. The disparities highlighted in the survey underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the economic challenges faced by Malawian citizens.
In conclusion, the Afrobarometer survey offers a comprehensive analysis of the economic sentiments and lived experiences of Malawians, highlighting the prevailing dissatisfaction with the current state of the economy. As citizens prioritize improvements in economic management, policymakers are urged to take decisive action to address the pressing needs identified in the report and work towards fostering a more prosperous future for the people of Malawi.
Read the original article on The Times
