Madagascar

Internet country code

.mg

Internet hosts

27,807 (2009) country comparison to the world: 93

Internet users

316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 124

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)

Telephone system

general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed; have added new fixed lines since 2005 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

164,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.835 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 88

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)

Agriculture - products

coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Budget

revenues: $1.612 billion expenditures: $2.05 billion (2008 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 45% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$1.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 -$807 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$2.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $4.6 billion (2002)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 33 38.1 (1999)

Economy - overview

Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.

Electricity - consumption

971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 1,654.78 (2008 est.), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006), 2,003 (2005), 1,868.9 (2004)

Exports

$1.254 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.095 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products

Exports - partners

France 38.9%, US 20.3%, Germany 5% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.463 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.18 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $18.86 billion (2007 est.) $17.76 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 26.2% industry: 15.2% services: 58.5% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $1,000 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 6.2% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 41.5% (2005)

Imports

$2.419 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.944 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners

China 20.1%, Bahrain 8.7%, France 6.3%, South Africa 5.7%, US 4.9%, India 4.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Industries

meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 10.3% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Labor force

9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - exports

364.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - imports

16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Oil - production

84.57 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Population below poverty line

50% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$982.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $846.7 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$820.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $767.5 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$1.217 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $1.161 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$667.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $577.4 million (31 December 2007)

Area

total: 587,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 46 land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,501 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Climate

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Coastline

4,828 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

Environment - current issues

soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%) per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Geography - note

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

Irrigated land

10,860 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005)

Location

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath

Natural hazards

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation

Natural resources

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Total renewable water resources

337 cu km (1984)

Administrative divisions

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Capital

name: Antananarivo geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

passed by referendum 19 August 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara former: Malagasy Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jocelyn Bertin RADIFERA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Monja Roindefo ZAFITSIMIVALO (since 18 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009 note:: on 17 March 2009, democratically elected President Marc RAVALOMANANA stepped down handing the government over to the military, which in turn conferred the presidency on opposition leader and Antananarivo mayor Andry RAJOELINA, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Government type

republic

Independence

26 June 1960 (from France)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Legal system

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third of seats appointed by the president; to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 23 September 2007 (next to be held in late 2010); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Political parties and leaders

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests due to increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established. Elections are expected in the fall of 2010.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 4,443,341 females age 16-49: 4,441,124 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 3,150,043 females age 16-49: 3,404,988 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 236,500 female: 235,994 (2009 est.)

Military branches

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 136

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male-only compulsory military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2008)

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.5% (male 4,523,033/female 4,460,473) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 5,483,684/female 5,557,098) 65 years and over: 3% (male 280,677/female 348,591) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

38.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Death rate

8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 144

Ethnic groups

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Infant mortality rate

total: 54.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 47 male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 62.89 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 60.93 years female: 64.91 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Median age

total: 18 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.2 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate

NA (2009 est.)

Population

20,653,556 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Population growth rate

3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Religions

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Urbanization

urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

Airports

89 (2009) country comparison to the world: 66

Airports - with paved runways

total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 8 country comparison to the world: 120 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2008)

Ports and terminals

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Railways

total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 98 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 69 paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)

Waterways

600 km country comparison to the world: 80 note: 432 km navigable (2008)