2015 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 election 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, 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.

Area

land

581,540 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

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

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)

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

arable land 6%; permanent crops 1%; permanent pasture 64.1%

agricultural land

71.1%

forest

21.5%

other

7.4% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

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

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

0-14 years

40.45% (male 4,856,231/female 4,775,025)

15-24 years

20.53% (male 2,450,164/female 2,439,035)

25-54 years

31.56% (male 3,760,230/female 3,755,775)

55-64 years

4.24% (male 488,315/female 521,690)

65 years and over

3.22% (male 347,151/female 419,065) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

32.61 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

note

data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

percentage

28%

total number

1,827,423

Contraceptive prevalence rate

39.9% (2008/09)

Death rate

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

5.1%

potential support ratio

19.5% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

80.3%

youth dependency ratio

75.2%

Drinking water source

urban: 81.6% of population

rural: 35.3% of population

total: 51.5% of population

urban: 18.4% of population

rural: 64.7% of population

total: 48.5% of population (2015 est.)

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

4.2% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.29% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,200 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

39,100 (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

female

39.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

47.59 deaths/1,000 live births

total

43.67 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

female

67.05 years (2015 est.)

male

64.09 years

total population

65.55 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

62.6% (2015 est.)

male

66.7%

total population

64.7%

Major infectious diseases

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) 2.61 million (2015)

Median age

female

19.5 years (2015 est.)

male

19.2 years

total

19.4 years

Nationality

adjective

Malagasy

noun

Malagasy (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.6% (2014)

Physicians density

0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

23,812,681 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.58% (2015 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 18% of population

rural: 8.7% of population

total: 12% of population

urban: 82% of population

rural: 91.3% of population

total: 88% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

10 years (2012)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

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

0.94 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 (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.2 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

2.8% (2005 est.)

male

1.7%

total

2.3%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.69% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

35.1% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

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

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert T. YAMATE (since 13 January 2015); 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

chancery

2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA (since 20 June 2011)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-3034

telephone

[1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014)

election results

Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president; percent of vote in second round - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (FIDO) 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON (AVANA) 46.5%

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 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Jean RAVELONARIVO (since 17 January 2015)

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; 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

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 (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 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); 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 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

description

unicameral National Assembly or Antenimierampirenena (151 seats; 87 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 64 directly elected in two-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - MPAR 17.3%, MR 10.8%, VPM MMM 8.2%, independent and other 63.7%; seats by party - MPAR 49, MR 20, VPM MMM 13, PHI 5, other 35, independent 25, seats with delayed elections 4

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 held in 2013 after repeated delays

National anthem

lyrics/music

Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA

name

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

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

AVANA Party [Jean-Louis ROBINSON]

Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery/LEADER Fanilo or LF [Manasse ESOAVELOMANDROSO]

Green Party/Parti Vert or AMHM [Sarah Georget RABEHARISOA]

National Unity, Freedom, and Development or FFF [Andriamparany Benjamin RADAVIDSON]

New Force for Madagascar or FIDIO [Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA]

Parti Hiaraka Isika or PHI [Albert Camille VITAL]

Party of Andry Rajoelina or MPAR [Andry RAJOELINA]

Pillar of Madagascar or AIM [Andry RAKOTOVAO]

Ravlomanana Movement or MR [Marc RAVALOMANANA]

Sambo Fiaran'i Noe or SFN

Union Party or Tambatra [Pety RAKOTONIAINA]

Vondrona Politika Miara dia Malagasy Miara Miainga or VPM MMM [Milavonjy ANDRIASY]

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

expenditures

$2.741 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$2.375 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

61% (31 December 2014 est.)

58.98% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$240 million (2014 est.)

-$1.714 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$3.63 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$3.282 billion (31 December 2013 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 until the onset of a political crisis , which lasted from 2009-2013 . The free market strategy had previously 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 in 2000; 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, a sharp fall in textile production, and a loss of more than 100,000 jobs; Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 following the democratic election of a new President the previous year. 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 the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. Many investors remain wary of investing for fear of a return to political instability in the country and because of weaknesses in the business environment. Expansion in mining and agricultural sectors contributed to growth in 2014. International organizations and foreign donors resumed development aid to Madagascar after RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA appointed a new government in mid-2014, however full-scale assistance will require further policy reforms, particularly on addressing rampant corruption.

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -

2,393.5 (2014 est.)

2,206.9 (2013 est.)

2,195 (2012 est.)

2,025.1 (2011 est.)

2,090 (2010 est.)

Exports

$864.8 million (2014 est.)

$721.2 million (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

France 17.7%, US 8.8%, Belgium 6.8%, Netherlands 6.4%, South Africa 5.7%, Japan 5.4%, South Korea 5%, China 4.8%, Germany 4.5% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

30.1%

government consumption

13.3%

household consumption

84.1%

imports of goods and services

-43.3%

investment in fixed capital

15.9%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

28.1%

industry

17.4%

services

54.5% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,400 (2014 est.)

$1,400 (2013 est.)

$1,400 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2014 est.)

2.4% (2013 est.)

3% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.6 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$33.87 billion (2014 est.)

$32.89 billion (2013 est.)

$32.11 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

12.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

10.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

10.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

34.7% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

2.2%

Imports

$2.742 billion (2014 est.)

$2.681 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners

China 20.6%, France 10.6%, Algeria 6.3%, India 5.4%, Bahrain 5%, Mauritius 4.6%, South Africa 4.2%, Kuwait 4% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.1% (2014 est.)

5.8% (2013 est.)

Labor force

12.15 million (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

50% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.005 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$905.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.787 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.494 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.822 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.638 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.611 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.588 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

3.6% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.886 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

1.246 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

74% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

25.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

512,200 kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

1.34 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

20,140 bbl/day (2013 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 users

percent of population

73.5% (2014 est.)

total

17 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)

Telephone system

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 - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

250,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

39 (2014 est.)

total

9 million

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)

Airports

83 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

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

by type

cargo 1

registered in other countries

1 (unknown 1) (2010)

total

1

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

narrow gauge

836 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

total

836 km

Roadways

paved

5,613 km

total

34,476 km

unpaved

28,863 km (2010)

Waterways

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

4,909,061 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,900,729

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

3,682,180 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,390,071

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

21,475 (floods in 2015) (2015)

Trafficking in persons

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, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are vulnerable to abuse by recruitment agencies and employers; Malagasy men experience forced labor aboard Chinese-flagged fishing vessels in South Africa’s territorial waters; Malagasy children, mostly from rural areas, are subjected to domestic servitude, prostitution, forced begging, and forced labor within the country, often with the complicity of family members; child sex tourism continues to increase, especially in coastal cities, 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; the first seven convictions under the 2007 anti-trafficking law were secured in 2013; no government employees were investigated, despite widespread corruption and the alleged official complicity in human trafficking; authorities lacked formal procedures to identify victims among vulnerable groups and did not systematically provide or refer victims to NGOs for care; the government did not engage with the Lebanese Government regarding the protection of and legal remedies for exploited Malagasy workers but began discussions with Saudi and Kuwaiti officials (2014)