Malawi’s youth boom a blessing

In 2017, the United Nations’ special magazine called Africa Renewal, asked: Is Africa’s huge number of young people a blessing or a curse? It warns that Africa has more young people than any other continent, but just having many young people is not enough. A youth bulge only becomes a blessing if countries invest in their young citizens, giving them good health, education, skills, jobs and a voice in making decisions.

If neglected, the youth bulge can become a curse. Without jobs and hope, many may get into trouble, feel angry and flee their countries. Over 60 percent of the population is below 35—and that is a lot of young energy, fresh ideas and future workers.

However, a 2025 Afrobarometer survey shows that at least half of Malawian youth remain jobless even though they are looking for employment. Only three in every 100 have full-time jobs and half have thought about leaving the country to find a better life elsewhere. The UN magazine warns that when young people sit idle with no opportunities, a country can become unstable.

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In Malawi, this danger is growing daily as young people are mostly invisible in spaces where important decisions are made. A journalist once asked: “Do we have any members of Parliament (MPs) aged under 35. If yes, what specific agenda are they pushing for the youth, the country’s largest age group?” In the 2025-2030 cohort of Parliament, out of 223 MPs, only 21 are 35 or younger.

Young people must be at the table when the country is planning its future. The newly formed Parliamentary Youth Caucus is a good step, but the group requires official status, a budget or the power to bring real change. It remains weak like a student council that can talk, but cannot make any real decisions.

Besides, many Malawians, both old and young, still believe that old people make better leaders. This mentality underrates the youth, telling them to wait for their turn. Political parties make it difficult for young aspirants as they prefer older, wealthy candidates for elected positions.

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