The 2024 International Monetary Funds(IMF) World Happiness report has shown that , Malawians are becoming increasingly disillusioned with their quality of life and amid socio-economic hardships.
It is hard in such circumstances to find a smiling face. The unhappiness is worsened by the fact that Malawians know that they deserve better, but they are not getting what they deserve.
In terms of the self-evaluation score, Malawi has dropped from 3.71 last year to 3.42 this year based on data collected from 2021-23.
The score means that Malawians believe that their quality of life is on average 3.42 percent of their perceived ideal state.
Reacting to the report, catholic University Economist Greenson Nyirenda said the rising cost of living in the past year is one of the variables that contributed to the drop.
“The cost of living has been steadily rising and we also had the devaluation last year. Unfortunately, personal incomes have not changed that much and people cannot afford the same basket of goods as before”, he said.
Jubilee Tizifa, a former University of Malawi Sociologist, said people were inclined to be dissatisfied with the economic conditions in the country.
“Feelings of distress or unhappiness are bound to be there when people feel they deserve better than what they have got. Look at unemployment, we have graduates who are not yet employed. This creates feelings of distress when the same people see people who are not as educated or as skilled as them getting well-paying jobs” she said.
The report noted that illness, injury or death of an income earning member of the household, experience of job loss and the theft of cash or property were some of the factors associated with depression.
To mitigate with the effects of depression, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Mental Health Chiwoza Bandawe said people should look out for strange or abnormal behavior in people who are distress.
“People who are depressed or suicidal may become more withdrawn, may threaten to commit suicide, hand-outs gifts or bid some kind of farewell to people they are close to. When this happens ask people to seek a professional help”, he said.
Economist Derrick Thom urged the government to promote sustainable economic growth by creating jobs, supporting small and medium enterprises and investing in Agriculture.
“Expanding coverage to vulnerable population, improving programme effectiveness and promoting financial literacy are crucial steps. By prioritilising both economic growth and social protection, Malawi can build a brighter future for its citizen”, he said.
But Nyirenda said the government may be limited on the support it provides because its social protection programme may pile pressure on the budget.
In an interview, Malawi Economic Justice Network Executive Director Bertha Phiri urged the government to prioritise industrialization to create more economic opportunities to mitigate rising cases of depression.
Currently, inflation is hovering at 33.4 percent while the kwacha is trading at k1751 in authorized dealer banks, factors that have pushed up the cost of living.
