This paper examines the ethnic differentials in fertility in Malawi using data from the 2000 Malawi Demographic and
Health survey. Fertility was estimated for each ethnic group using various procedures and multiple regressions were
employed in order to understand factors responsible for ethnic differentials in fertility in the country. Although all
ethnic groups in Malawi exhibit high fertility (TFR in excess of 5) the existing differentials are such that the Chewa
and Sena (TFR in excess of 7) could be said to exhibit high fertility whereas the Nkonde, Tumbuka, Tonga and Lomwe
could be categorized as having low fertility and the rest of the ethnic groups in Malawi could be categorized as
moderate. The results of regression analyses are consistent with cultural hypothesis since significant fertility
differentials remain even after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables. Policy implications and
recommendations for future directions in fertility research and family planning programme in Malawi are discussed