As we celebrate the Day of the African Child, we are reminded of the immense potential that lies within Malawi’s youngest citizens. With over half of the population aged under 18, it is clear that the investments we make in our children’s lives today will profoundly impact the resilience and economic strength of our country for decades to come.
When a nation neglects to allocate sufficient resources to children, it undermines long-term development. Investment in children is not a cost. It is the most potent driver of economic growth, social equity and national resilience.
Encouragingly, the national dialogues around child-centered investment are gaining momentum and recent budget discussions highlight a growing awareness of the need to prioritise children’s wellbeing.
The proportion of the government budget allocated to essential social services is set to increase from 31 percent in 2024/25 to 33.4 percent in 2025/26.
Despite the ever-tightening fiscal space, this demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting investments in human capital.
Among the key social sectors, education receives
the largest allocation, at 16.6 percent of the 2025/26 budget (up from 14.8 percent in 2024/25)), followed by health (9.5 percent, up from 9.2 percent), social protection (3.8 percent up from 3.7percent) and water and sanitation (3.5 percent up from 3.4 per cent).
However, with 27 percent of the budget allocated for public debt service costs, available spending for social sectors is under pressure, with worrying implications for service delivery to children.
For instance, the allocation to public debt servicing remains the largest expenditure item in the national budget for the fourth consecutive year and over the past two fiscal years, the government has spent more on servicing public debt than on education and health combined.
Countries that underinvest in children, particularly in early education, nutrition and healthcare, miss out on a generational opportunity for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Malawi is facing significant economic challenges
that have made life harder for many families. The real value of household income has decreased, resulting in deeper poverty and increased inequality.
By the end of 2025, it is estimated that about 75.4 percent of the population—15.8
million people—will be living below the new international poverty line of $3 (K5 253) per day. This is one of the highest poverty rates in the world.
Additionally, the number of children e x p e r i e n c i n g multiple hardships increased from 60.5 percent in 2016 to 69.6 percent in 2020.
Addressing this complex situation is not just about spending more, but also investing s t r a t e g i c a l l y , ensuring resources reach the children and communities who need them most.
It is a chain reaction, starting w i t h q u a l i t y early childhood programmes that lead to better school p e r f o rma n c e , improved health outcomes, higher earning potential and a more engaged citizenry in adulthood.
A chi ld who is wel l-nourished, emotional ly supported, healthy, included and educated grows into an adult who contributes meaningfully to society and drives economic growth.
Even for those deemed the most economically vulnerable, evidence from the Social Cash Transfer Programme shows that recipients can use the cash transfers productively to generate a multiplier of 2.94, meaning each kwacha transferred leads to an increase in overall spending of K2.94.
To achieve the Malawi 2063, investing in children’s health, education and protection is an essential collective duty.
With bold and carefully considered policy adaptations regarding the macroeconomic environment, improvements in the effectiveness of public expenditures and ensuring adequate social sector i nvestments alongside the productive sectors of agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing, there is great potential for sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
This economic future does not have to be a distant reality, but one that can be shaped today in classrooms, clinics and communities across Malawi.
Nations that lead in global competitiveness consistently prioritize spending on children. Investing in the next generation is not just a moral imperative. It is one of the smartest investments we can make
