{
  "_license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute SKETCH.WORLD (https://sketch.world) and link back if you use this data.",
  "_source": "https://sketch.world/malawi",
  "iso2": "MW",
  "name": "Malawi",
  "slug": "malawi",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-12T18:46:02.829Z",
  "score": 70,
  "verdict": "go-attention",
  "confidence": "high",
  "subscores": {
    "advisoryConsensus": 77.77777777777777,
    "political": 47.74320329498812,
    "policeTrust": 47.073998,
    "health": 76,
    "crime": 96.44802657639985,
    "lgbtq": 20
  },
  "delta7d": 6,
  "advisories": {
    "disagreement": 1,
    "us": {
      "level": 2,
      "label": "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/malawi-travel-advisory.html"
    },
    "uk": {
      "level": 1,
      "summary": "See FCDO advice.",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi"
    },
    "ca": {
      "level": 2,
      "label": "Exercise a high degree of caution",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/malawi"
    }
  },
  "generated": true,
  "regionFlags": [],
  "health": {
    "notices": [
      {
        "title": "Global Measles",
        "level": 1
      }
    ],
    "vaccines": {
      "required": [],
      "recommended": []
    },
    "tapWater": "unknown"
  },
  "entry": {
    "visaNote": "",
    "passportValidityMonths": 0,
    "sources": []
  },
  "scams": [
    {
      "title": "Nightclub pickpocketing",
      "body": "Pickpockets operate in bars and nightclubs. Carry minimal cash and avoid bringing cameras to reduce your risk.",
      "sources": [
        "wikivoyage"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "laws": [
    {
      "title": "Homosexuality prohibition",
      "body": "Homosexuality is prohibited by law. LGBT couples must exercise discretion to avoid arrest and potential sentencing to hard labor.",
      "sources": [
        "wikivoyage"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "streetWisdom": {
    "summary": "",
    "quotes": [],
    "generatedAt": "2026-07-12"
  },
  "localKnowledge": {
    "staySafe": [
      {
        "text": "Malawi has been known for years as \"The Warm Heart of Africa\", and Malawians are known for their friendliness and hospitality."
      },
      {
        "text": "There are a lot of pickpockets operating in nightclubs and bars. Just exercise caution, don't bring too much money and cameras, etc.so don't bring hordes of cash with you."
      },
      {
        "text": "Homosexuality is prohibited by the law, and LGBT couples should exercise discretion when travelling to Malawi."
      },
      {
        "text": "Swimming in water bodies can be dangerous for crocodiles and hippos."
      }
    ],
    "stayHealthy": [
      {
        "text": "As with its neighbouring countries malaria can be a problem."
      },
      {
        "text": "The adult HIV prevalence in the country is at 14% or 1 in 7 adults. Do not have unprotected sex. Do not use injecting drugs."
      },
      {
        "text": "Tap water in major cities like Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu is generally safe."
      },
      {
        "text": "Dogs, cats and other animals can spread rabies."
      }
    ],
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Malawi"
  },
  "recentHeadlines": [],
  "whatChanged": "Malawi’s risk score rose six points to 70 today, so check the US and Canadian level 2 advisories before you book. A global measles notice remains in effect for all travelers.",
  "practical": {
    "plug": [
      "G"
    ],
    "voltage": 230,
    "drivingSide": "left",
    "emergency": {
      "police": "997",
      "ambulance": "998",
      "fire": "999"
    },
    "simAdvice": "",
    "cashVsCard": "",
    "tipping": ""
  },
  "lgbtqLegal": {
    "status": "illegal",
    "summary": "Illegal since 1 July 1891 (as British Central Africa Protectorate) Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment, with or without corporal punishment for men.Up to 5 years imprisonment for women (rarely enforced, repeal proposed)",
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory"
  },
  "receipts": [
    {
      "sourceId": "us-state",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/malawi-travel-advisory.html",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "uk-fcdo",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "ca-gac",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/malawi",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-political",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_PV.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-policeTrust",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_RL.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "cdc-health",
      "url": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "wikivoyage",
      "url": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Malawi",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "reddit",
      "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "unodc",
      "url": "https://data.unodc.org/datareport/hom-victim",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "acled-hdx",
      "url": "https://data.humdata.org/organization/acled",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "lgbtq-legal-wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    }
  ]
}