Madagascar

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 27,211 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) and Television Malagasy (TVM) have an extensive national network reach; privately owned radio and TV broadcasters in cities and major towns; state-run radio dominates in rural areas; relays of 2 international broadcasters are available in Antananarivo (2019)

Internet country code

.mg

Internet users

total: 2,516,994 | percent of population: 9.8% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: system is above average for the region; competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer; 3G and LTE services available; Telecom service tax raised to 10% (2020) | domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 41 per 100 persons (2019) | international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 68,426 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 10,677,153 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40.57 (2019 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: 1.828 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 2.136 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

-$35 million (2017 est.) | $57 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$4.089 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.425 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Ease of Doing Business Index scores

88.5 (2020)

Economic overview

Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy. After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’état led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup strategy had placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%. Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity.

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - | 3,116.1 (2017 est.) | 3,176.5 (2016 est.) | 3,176.5 (2015 est.) | 2,933.5 (2014 est.) | 2,414.8 (2013 est.)

Exports

$5.272 billion (2019 est.) | $5.06 billion (2018 est.) | $4.839 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products, gems, ilmenite, cobalt, nickel

Exports - partners

France 24.8%, US 16.5%, China 6.7%, Germany 6.5%, Japan 6%, Netherlands 4.7% (2017)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.964 billion (2019 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity) - real

$43.868 billion (2019 est.) | $41.859 billion (2018 est.) | $40.032 billion (2017 est.) | note: data are in 2010 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 67.1% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 15.1% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 8.8% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 31.5% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -33.7% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 24% (2017 est.) | industry: 19.5% (2017 est.) | services: 56.4% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$497 (2019 est.) | $487 (2018 est.) | $478 (2017 est.) | note: data are in 2010 dollars

GDP real growth rate

4.2% (2017 est.) | 4.2% (2016 est.) | 3.1% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving

14.8% of GDP (2017 est.) | 15.4% of GDP (2016 est.) | 11.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.2% | highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Imports

$5.855 billion (2019 est.) | $5.56 billion (2018 est.) | $5.796 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners

China 18.7%, India 9.3%, France 6.4%, South Africa 5.6%, UAE 5.3% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate

5.2% (2017 est.)

Industries

meat processing, seafood, soap, beer, leather, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism, mining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.6% (2019 est.) | 8.6% (2018 est.) | 8.5% (2017 est.)

Labor force

13.4 million (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line

70.7% (2012 est.)

Public debt

36% of GDP (2017 est.) | 38.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $1.076 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.8% (2017 est.) | 1.8% (2016 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.021 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.587 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

74% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

24% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

675,400 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

1.706 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

population without electricity: 17 million (2019) | electrification - total population: 39% (2019) | electrification - urban areas: 64% (2019) | electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

18,880 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Area

total: 587,041 sq km | land: 581,540 sq km | water: 5,501 sq km

Area - comparative

almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Madagascar Print Image Description almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Climate

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Coastline

4,828 km

Elevation

mean elevation: 615 m | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m | highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

Environment - current issues

erosion and soil degredation results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; agricultural fires; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; wildlife preservation (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

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Geography - note

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else

Irrigated land

10,860 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 71.1% (2011 est.) | arable land: 6% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 64.1% (2011 est.) | forest: 21.5% (2011 est.) | other: 7.4% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times

Natural resources

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

Population distribution

most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

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) | etymology: the name, which means "City of the Thousand," was bestowed by 17th century King Adrianjakaking to honor the soldiers assigned to guard the city

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Constitution

history: previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010 | amendments: proposed by the president of the republic in consultation with the cabinet or supported by a least two thirds of both the Senate and National Assembly membership; passage requires at least three-fourths approval of both the Senate and National Assembly and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles, including the form and powers of government, the sovereignty of the state, and the autonomy of Madagascar’s collectivities, cannot be amended

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 | etymology: the name "Madageiscar" was first used by the 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco POLO, as a corrupted transliteration of Mogadishu, the Somali port with which POLO confused the island

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael PELLETIER (since 14 February 2019) | telephone: [261] 20 23 480 00 | embassy: Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo | mailing address: B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo | FAX: [261] 20 23 480 35 or [261] 33 44 328 17

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Eric ANDRIAMIHAJA Robson (since March 2018) | chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 | FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 | consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 21 January 2019) | head of government: Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since 6 June 2018 and re-appointed 19 July 2019) | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 November and 19 December 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president | election results: Andry RAJOELINA elected President in second round; percent of vote - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 55.7%, Marc RAVALOMANANA 44.3% (TIM)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Independence

26 June 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 11 members; addresses judicial administration issues only); High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 9 members); note - the judiciary includes a High Court of Justice responsible for adjudicating crimes and misdemeanors by government officials, including the president | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve 3-year, single renewable terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 7-year terms | subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance

Legal system

civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Antenimieran-Doholona (reestablished on 22 January 2016, following the December 2015 senatorial election) (63 seats; 42 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of municipal, communal, regional, and provincial leaders and 21 appointed by the president of the republic; members serve 5-year terms); note - in 2020 Pres RAJOELINA ordered that the senate now have only 18 seats, 6 of which are appointed by the president, the remaining 12 indirectly elected by an electoral college of municipal, communal, regional, and provincial leaders; opposition parties' boycotted this legislative election National Assembly or Antenimierampirenena (151 seats; 87 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 64 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) | elections: Senate - last held 29 December 2015 (next to be held in 2021) National Assembly - last held on 27 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) | election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HVM 34, TIM 3, MAPAR 2, LEADER-Fanilo 1, independent 2, appointed by the president 21; composition - men 51, women 12, percent of women 19% National Assembly - percent of vote by party -Independent Pro-HVM 18%, MAPAR 17%, MAPAR pro-HVM 16%, VPM-MMM 10%, VERTS 3%, LEADER FANILO 3%, HIARAKA ISIKA 3%, GPS/ARD 7%, INDEPENDENT 9%, TAMBATRA 1%, TIM 13%; composition - men 120, women 31, percent of women 20.5%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 20.1%

National anthem

name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland) | lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA | note: adopted 1959

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

National symbol(s)

traveller's palm, zebu; national colors: red, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Economic liberalism and democratic action for national recovery or LEADER FANILO [Jean Max RAKOTOMAMONJY] FOMBA [Ny Rado RAFALIMANANA] Gideons fighting against poverty in Madagascar (Gedeona Miady amin'ny Fahantrana eto Madagascar) or GFFM [Andre Christian Dieu Donne MAILHOL] Green party or VERTS (Antoko Maintso) [Alexandre GEORGET] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Malagasy aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Malagasy raising together (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] New Force for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'ny Madagasikara) or HVM [Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimanana] Total Refoundation of Madagascar (Refondation Totale de Madagascar) or RTM [Joseph Martin RANDRIAMAMPIONONA] Vanguard for the renovation of Madagascar (Avant-Garde pour la renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA] Young Malagasies Determined (Malagasy: Tanora malaGasy Vonona) or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]and MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA], and IRD (We are all with Andy Rajoelina) [Andry RAJOELINA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Madagascar was one of the last major habitable landmasses on earth settled by humans. While there is some evidence of human presence on the island in the millennia B.C., large-scale settlement began between A.D. 350 and 550 with settlers from present-day Indonesia. The island attracted Arab and Persian traders as early as the 7th century, and migrants from Africa arrived around A.D. 1000. Madagascar was a pirate stronghold during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and served as a slave trading center into the 19th century. From the 16th to the late 19th century, a native Merina Kingdom dominated much of Madagascar. The island was conquered by the French in 1896 who made it a colony; independence was regained 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, 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 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA won a second term in 2006 but, following protests in 2009, handed over power to the military, which then conferred the presidency on the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA, in what amounted to a coup d'etat. Following a lengthy mediation process led by the Southern African Development Community, Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA won a runoff election in December 2013 and was inaugurated in January 2014. In January 2019, RAJOELINA was declared the winner of a runoff election against RAVALOMANANA; both RATSIRAKA and RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA also ran in the first round of the election, which took place in November 2018.

Military and security forces

People's Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force; National Gendarmerie (operates under the Ministry of Defense) (2019)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Peoples Armed Forces (PAF) have approximately 21,500 personnel (12,500 Army; 500 Navy; 500 Air Force; 8,000 Gendarmerie) (2019 est.)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the PAF's inventory consists mostly of ageing Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of second-hand equipment from South Africa and France (2019)

Military expenditures

0.6% of GDP (2019) | 0.6% of GDP (2018) | 0.6% of GDP (2017) | 0.6% of GDP (2016) | 0.6% of GDP (2015)

Military service age and obligation

Madagascar has an all-volunteer military; 18-25 years of age for males; service obligation 18 months; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2018)

Age structure

0-14 years: 38.86% (male 5,278,838/female 5,196,036) | 15-24 years: 20.06% (male 2,717,399/female 2,689,874) | 25-54 years: 33.02% (male 4,443,147/female 4,456,691) | 55-64 years: 4.6% (male 611,364/female 627,315) | 65 years and over: 3.47% (male 425,122/female 509,951) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Madagascar Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Madagascar. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate

29.9 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

26.4% (2018)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

44.3% (2018)

Current Health Expenditure

5.5% (2017)

Death rate

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Demographic profile

Madagascar’s youthful population – just over 60% are under the age of 25 – and high total fertility rate of more than 4 children per women ensures that the Malagasy population will continue its rapid growth trajectory for the foreseeable future. The population is predominantly rural and poor; chronic malnutrition is prevalent, and large families are the norm. Many young Malagasy girls are withdrawn from school, marry early (often pressured to do so by their parents), and soon begin having children. Early childbearing, coupled with Madagascar’s widespread poverty and lack of access to skilled health care providers during delivery, increases the risk of death and serious health problems for young mothers and their babies. Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2013, of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24, more than 40% were married and more than a third had given birth by the age of 18. Although the legal age for marriage is 18, parental consent is often given for earlier marriages or the law is flouted, especially in rural areas that make up nearly 65% of the country. Forms of arranged marriage whereby young girls are married to older men in exchange for oxen or money are traditional. If a union does not work out, a girl can be placed in another marriage, but the dowry paid to her family diminishes with each unsuccessful marriage. Madagascar’s population consists of 18 main ethnic groups, all of whom speak the same Malagasy language. Most Malagasy are multi-ethnic, however, reflecting the island’s diversity of settlers and historical contacts (see Background). Madagascar’s legacy of hierarchical societies practicing domestic slavery (most notably the Merina Kingdom of the 16th to the 19th century) is evident today in persistent class tension, with some ethnic groups maintaining a caste system. Slave descendants are vulnerable to unequal access to education and jobs, despite Madagascar’s constitutional guarantee of free compulsory primary education and its being party to several international conventions on human rights. Historical distinctions also remain between central highlanders and coastal people.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 75.9 | youth dependency ratio: 70.5 | elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 | potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 87.9% of population | rural: 36.3% of population | total: 55.5% of population | unimproved: urban: 12.1% of population | rural: 63.7% of population | total: 44.5% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2018)

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

0.2% (2019 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,400 (2019 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

39,000 (2019 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 37.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 41.5 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 34.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 67.3 years | male: 65.7 years | female: 68.9 years (2020 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 74.8% | male: 77.3% | female: 72.4% (2018)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high (2020) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever | vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever | water contact diseases: schistosomiasis | animal contact diseases: rabies

Major urban areas - population

3.369 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2020)

Maternal mortality rate

335 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

total: 20.3 years | male: 20.1 years | female: 20.5 years (2020 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.5 years (2008/09 est.) | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) | adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.3% (2016)

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

26,955,737 (July 2020 est.)

Population distribution

most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map

Population growth rate

2.39% (2020 est.)

Religions

Christian, indigenous, Muslim

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 42.5% of population | rural: 16.6% of population | total: 26.1% of population | unimproved: urban: 57.5% of population | rural: 83.4% of population | total: 73.9% of population (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years | male: 10 years | female: 10 years (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.78 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 1% | male: 1% | female: 1% (2012 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 38.5% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 4.48% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Disputes - international

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France); the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claims of the Comoros and France (Glorioso Islands, part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands)

Illicit drugs

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

Airports

83 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 26 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 16 (2017) | under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 57 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 38 (2013) | under 914 m: 18 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5R (2016)

Merchant marine

total: 28 | by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 2, other 11 (2019)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 18 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 541,290 (2018) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 16.25 million mt-km (2018)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

Railways

total: 836 km (2018) | narrow gauge: 836 km 1.000-m gauge (2018)

Roadways

total: 31,640 km (2018)

Waterways

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)