2014 Edition

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 over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA handing 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 (SADC), Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA defeated RAVALOMANANA's favored candidate Jean-Louis ROBINSON in a presidential runoff and was inaugurated in January 2014. Most international observers, while noting some irregularities, declared polls to be a credible reflection of the Malagasy public's will.

Area

587,041 sq km 581,540 sq km 5,501 sq km

total

587,041 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

Indian Ocean 0 m Maromokotro 2,876 m

highest point

Maromokotro 2,876 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 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

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 none of the selected 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)

16.5 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%) 1,010 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

1,010 cu m/yr (2005)

total

16.5 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%)

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

5.96% 1.02% 93.02% (2011)

arable land

5.96%

other

93.02% (2011)

permanent crops

1.02%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

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

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Total renewable water resources

337 cu km (2011)

Age structure

40.7% (male 4,765,523/female 4,685,298) 20.6% (male 2,394,146/female 2,384,564) 31.3% (male 3,635,506/female 3,629,204) 4.2% (male 466,263/female 503,375) 3.1% (male 334,533/female 403,514) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

40.7% (male 4,765,523/female 4,685,298)

15-24 years

20.6% (male 2,394,146/female 2,384,564)

25-54 years

31.3% (male 3,635,506/female 3,629,204)

55-64 years

4.2% (male 466,263/female 503,375)

65 years and over

3.1% (male 334,533/female 403,514) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

33.12 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,827,423 28 % data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

percentage

28 %

total number

1,827,423

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

36.8% (2004)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

39.9% (2008/09)

Death rate

6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

81.4 % 76.3 % 5.1 % 19.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.1 %

potential support ratio

19.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

81.4 %

youth dependency ratio

76.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 78.2% of population rural: 35.4% of population total: 49.6% of population urban: 21.8% of population rural: 64.6% of population total: 50.4% of population (2012 est.)

rural

64.6% of population

total

50.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

21.8% of population

Education expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

6,200 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

58,800 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

44.88 deaths/1,000 live births 48.86 deaths/1,000 live births 40.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

40.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

44.88 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

65.2 years 63.77 years 66.67 years (2014 est.)

female

66.67 years (2014 est.)

total population

65.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 64.5% 67.4% 61.6% (2009 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

61.6% (2009 est.)

male

67.4%

total population

64.5%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

ANTANANARIVO (capital) 1.987 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19.2 years 19 years 19.4 years (2014 est.)

female

19.4 years (2014 est.)

male

19 years

total

19.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.5 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008-09 est.)

Nationality

Malagasy (singular and plural) Malagasy

adjective

Malagasy

noun

Malagasy (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

1.6% (2008)

Physicians density

0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

23,201,926 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

2.62% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 19.2% of population rural: 11.3% of population total: 13.9% of population urban: 80.8% of population rural: 88.7% of population total: 86.1% of population (2012 est.)

rural

88.7% of population

total

86.1% of population (2012 est.)

urban

80.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 10 years (2012)

female

10 years (2012)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.28 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

2.3% 1.7% 2.8% (2005)

female

2.8% (2005)

total

2.3%

Urbanization

32.6% of total population (2011) 4.73% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.73% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

32.6% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Antananarivo 18 55 S, 47 31 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 55 S, 47 31 E

name

Antananarivo

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010 (2012)

Country name

Republic of Madagascar Madagascar Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara Madagascar/Madagasikara Malagasy Republic

conventional long form

Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form

Madagascar

former

Malagasy Republic

local long form

Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara

local short form

Madagascar/Madagasikara

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eric WONG note - also accredited to Comoros Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo [261] (23) 480 00/01 [261] (23) 480 35

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eric WONG note - also accredited to Comoros

embassy

Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo

FAX

[261] (23) 480 35

mailing address

B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone

[261] (23) 480 00/01

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA (since 20 June 1011) 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 [1] (202) 265-3034 New York

chancery

2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA (since 20 June 1011)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 265-3034

telephone

[1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526

Executive branch

President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014) Prime Minister Roger Laurent Christophe KOLO, M.D. (since 11 April 2014) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON 46.5% 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; a power-sharing agreement established a 15-month transition period to conclude with a general election in 2010, which failed to occur; a subsequent agreement aimed for an early 2013 election - the first round was held on 25 October 2013 and the second on 20 December 2013

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014)

election results

Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON 46.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Roger Laurent Christophe KOLO, M.D. (since 11 April 2014)

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

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 (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, 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

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 Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve single-renewable, 3-year terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 6-year terms Courts of Appeal; provincial and city tribunals

highest court(s)

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)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve single-renewable, 3-year terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 6-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; provincial and city tribunals

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (33 seats; 22 elected from each of the 22 regions; the remaining 11 appointed by the president; members to serve six-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (151 seats in the December 2013 election; reduced from 160 seats to 127 seats by an April 2007 national referendum - never used; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2017); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections scheduled for late 2013 after repeated delays National Assembly - percent of vote by party - Party of Andry Rajoelina 17.3%, Ravalomannana Movement 10.8%, Vondrona Politika 8.2%, independents and others 63.7%; seats by party - Party of Andry Rajoelina 49, the Ravalomannana Movement 20, Malagasy Miara Mianinga 13, independents 25, seats with delayed elections 4, other 40

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - Party of Andry Rajoelina 17.3%, Ravalomannana Movement 10.8%, Vondrona Politika 8.2%, independents and others 63.7%; seats by party - Party of Andry Rajoelina 49, the Ravalomannana Movement 20, Malagasy Miara Mianinga 13, independents 25, seats with delayed elections 4, other 40

elections

National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2017); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections scheduled for late 2013 after repeated delays

National anthem

"Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland) Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA adopted 1959

lyrics/music

Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA

name

"Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Political parties and leaders

AVANA Party [Jean-Louis ROBINSON] Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Manasse ESOAVELOMANDROSO] Green Party or Parti Vert [Sarah Georget RABEHARISOA] I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Judged by Your Work or AVI [Norbert RATSIRAHONANA] Malagasy Miara-Miainga or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] Malagasy Tonga Saina or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Movement for Democracy in Madagascar or MDM [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO] New Force for Madagascar of FIDIO [Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA] Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON] Socialist and Democratic Party for the Unity of Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO] Union Party or Tambatra [Pety RAKOTONIAINA] Young Malagasies Determined or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]

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

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$2.113 billion $2.356 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$2.356 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$2.113 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.) NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

44% (31 December 2013 est.) 56.25% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.945 billion (2013 est.) -$1.989 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$3.361 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.116 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.5 (2001) 38.1 (1999)

Economy - overview

After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization that has been undermined since the start of the political crisis. 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 boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US; however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010 and a sharp fall in textile production. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. The current political crisis, which began in early 2009, has dealt additional blows to the economy. Tourism dropped more than 50% in 2009 compared with the previous year, and many investors are wary of entering the uncertain investment environment. Growth was slow during 2010 to 2013 although expansion in mining and agricultural sectors is expected to contribute to more growth in 2014. International organizations and foreign donors are expected to resume development aid to Madagascar once RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA appoints a new government.

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 2,227.8 (2013 est.) 2,195 (2012 est.) 2,090 (2010 est.) 1,956.2 (2009) 1,654.78 (2008)

Exports

$644.4 million (2013 est.) $592.1 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

France 23.4%, China 6.6%, US 6.6%, Singapore 5.9%, Canada 5.5%, Germany 5.4%, Indonesia 5.3%, India 5.2%, South Africa 4.5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

84% 12.7% 14% 0% 24.7% -35.3% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

24.7%

government consumption

12.7%

household consumption

84%

imports of goods and services

-35.3%

investment in fixed capital

14%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

27.3% 16.4% 56.3% (2013 est.)

agriculture

27.3%

industry

16.4%

services

56.3% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,000 (2013 est.) $1,000 (2012 est.) $1,000 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2013 est.) 1.9% (2012 est.) 1.8% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.53 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$22.03 billion (2013 est.) $21.47 billion (2012 est.) $21.06 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

-3.7% of GDP (2013 est.) -5.8% of GDP (2012 est.) -7.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.2% 34.7% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

34.7% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

2.2%

Imports

$2.794 billion (2013 est.) $2.755 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners

China 17.7%, France 12.4%, South Africa 5.3%, India 5.1%, Mauritius 5%, Bahrain 4.7%, Kuwait 4.6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.8% (2013 est.) 6.4% (2012 est.)

Labor force

9.504 million (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

50% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.249 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.191 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.163 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.357 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.663 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.245 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.839 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.492 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.843 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.126 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

65.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

34.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

430,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

1.211 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,480 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

365 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

12,120 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 (2007)

Internet country code

.mg

Internet hosts

38,392 (2012)

Internet users

319,900 (2009)

Telephone system

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 combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons country code - 261; landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2010)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons

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

international

country code - 261; landing point for the EASSy, SEACOM, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

143,700 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.564 million (2012)

Airports

83 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

16

over 3,047 m

1

total

26

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

18 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

38

total

57

Merchant marine

cargo 1 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

1 (unknown 1) (2010)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

major seaport(s)

Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

Railways

854 km 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

854 km

Roadways

34,476 km 5,613 km 2,886 km (2010)

total

34,476 km

unpaved

2,886 km (2010)

Waterways

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

4,900,729 4,909,061 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,909,061 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,900,729

Manpower fit for military service

3,390,071 3,682,180 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,682,180 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,390,071

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

248,184 246,769 (2010 est.)

female

246,769 (2010 est.)

male

248,184

Military branches

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

People's Armed Forces

Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie

Military expenditures

0.69% of GDP (2012) 0.73% of GDP (2011) 0.69% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male-only voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation is 18 months for military or equivalent civil service; 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits and 35 years of age for those with military experience (2012)

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

Trafficking in persons

Madagascar is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; poor Malagasy women hired as domestic workers in Lebanon and Kuwait are vulnerable to abuse by recruitment agencies and employers; an increasing number of Malagasy men were victimized by labor trafficking abroad in 2012; Malagasy children are subjected to domestic servitude, prostitution, forced begging, and forced labor within the country, often with the complicity of family members; coastal cities have child sex tourism trades, with Malagasy men being the main clients Tier 2 Watch List - Madagascar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; law enforcement authorities have made a significant increase in efforts in 2012, resulting in 30 trafficking-related prosecutions and two convictions; public officials complicity in human trafficking, however, remains a significant problem; the government has failed to identify and refer victims to protective services and has not supported NGO-run care facilities; the government also has not engaged any Middle Eastern governments regarding the protection of and legal remedies for Malagasy workers exploited abroad (2013)

current situation

Madagascar is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; poor Malagasy women hired as domestic workers in Lebanon and Kuwait are vulnerable to abuse by recruitment agencies and employers; an increasing number of Malagasy men were victimized by labor trafficking abroad in 2012; Malagasy children are subjected to domestic servitude, prostitution, forced begging, and forced labor within the country, often with the complicity of family members; coastal cities have child sex tourism trades, with Malagasy men being the main clients

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Madagascar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; law enforcement authorities have made a significant increase in efforts in 2012, resulting in 30 trafficking-related prosecutions and two convictions; public officials complicity in human trafficking, however, remains a significant problem; the government has failed to identify and refer victims to protective services and has not supported NGO-run care facilities; the government also has not engaged any Middle Eastern governments regarding the protection of and legal remedies for Malagasy workers exploited abroad (2013)