2017 Edition

Background

Madagascar was one of the last major landmasses on earth to be colonized by humans. The earliest settlers from present-day Indonesia arrived between A.D. 350 and 550. 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, 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 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.

Area

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

land

581,540 sq km

total

587,041 sq km

water

5,501 sq km

Area - comparative

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

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

elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point

Maromokotro 2,876 m

mean elevation

615 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

71.1% arable land 6%; permanent crops 1%; permanent pasture 64.1% 21.5% 7.4% (2011 est.)

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

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

Population - distribution

most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Age structure

39.87% (male 5,035,160/female 4,952,909) 20.34% (male 2,556,130/female 2,538,644) 32.12% (male 4,022,698/female 4,025,038) 4.38% (male 535,300/female 560,932) 3.3% (male 374,770/female 452,580) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

39.87% (male 5,035,160/female 4,952,909)

15-24 years

20.34% (male 2,556,130/female 2,538,644)

25-54 years

32.12% (male 4,022,698/female 4,025,038)

55-64 years

4.38% (male 535,300/female 560,932)

65 years and over

3.3% (male 374,770/female 452,580) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

31.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

39.9% (2008/09)

Death rate

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 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

80.1 5.1 19.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.1

potential support ratio

19.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

80.1

youth dependency ratio

75

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.)

rural

64.7% of population

total

48.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

18.4% of population

Education expenditures

2.1% of GDP (2013)

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

3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,600 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

31,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

41.2 deaths/1,000 live births 45 deaths/1,000 live births 37.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

37.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

45 deaths/1,000 live births

total

41.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

66.3 years 64.7 years 67.8 years (2017 est.)

female

67.8 years (2017 est.)

male

64.7 years

total population

66.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 64.7% 66.7% 62.6% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

62.6% (2015 est.)

male

66.7%

total population

64.7%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

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)

Maternal mortality rate

353 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

19.7 years 19.5 years 19.9 years (2017 est.)

female

19.9 years (2017 est.)

male

19.5 years

total

19.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

note

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 (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.3% (2016)

Physicians density

0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

25,054,161 (July 2017 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

Population growth rate

2.5% (2017 est.)

Religions

Christian, indigenous religionist, Muslim

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.)

rural

91.3% of population

total

88% of population (2015 est.)

urban

82% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 10 years (2014)

female

10 years (2014)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

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

0.95 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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.03 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

2.6% 2.2% 3% (2012 est.)

female

3% (2012 est.)

male

2.2%

total

2.6%

Urbanization

36.4% of total population (2017) 4.47% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.47% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

36.4% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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)

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen no unknown

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

previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010 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 (2017)

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 (2017)

history

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

Country name

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

conventional long form

Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form

Madagascar

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

former

Malagasy Republic

local long form

Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara

local short form

Madagascar/Madagasikara

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert T. YAMATE (since 14 January 2015); note - also accredited to Comoros Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo [261] 20 23 480 00 [261] 20 23 480 35 or [261] 33 44 328 17

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert T. YAMATE (since 14 January 2015); note - also accredited to Comoros

embassy

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

FAX

[261] 20 23 480 35 or [261] 33 44 328 17

mailing address

B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone

[261] 20 23 480 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA (since 20 June 2011) 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-5525 [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 2011)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 265-3034

telephone

[1] (202) 265-5525

Executive branch

President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014) Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly SOLONANDRASANA (since 13 April 2016); Prime Minister Jean RAVELONARIVO (since 17 January 2015) resigned 8 April 2016 Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister 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 25 October and 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (HVM) 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON (AVANA) 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 Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (HVM) 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 25 October and 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 Olivier Mahafaly SOLONANDRASANA (since 13 April 2016); Prime Minister Jean RAVELONARIVO (since 17 January 2015) resigned 8 April 2016

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

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

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); 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

bicameral; consists of the Senate or Antenimieran-Doholona (dissolved following the 2009 coup and reestablished in December 2015) (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 6-year terms)and the 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 4-year terms) National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2017); Senate - last held 29 December 2015 (next to be held in 2021) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - MAPAR 17.3%, MR 10.8%, VPM MMM 8.2%, PHI 3.8%, AMHM 3.5%, LEADER-Fanilo 2.8%, FFF 1.6%, AIM 1.0%, SFN 0.3%, independent and other 50.6%; seats by party - MAPAR 49, MR 20, VPM MMM 13, PHI 5, AMHM 2, LEADER-Fanilo 5, FFF 2, AIM 2, SFN 2, other 22, independent 25, seats with delayed elections 4; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 3, MAPAR 2, LEADER-Fanilo 1, independent 2; appointed by the President 21

description

bicameral; consists of the Senate or Antenimieran-Doholona (dissolved following the 2009 coup and reestablished in December 2015) (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 6-year terms)and the 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 4-year terms)

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - MAPAR 17.3%, MR 10.8%, VPM MMM 8.2%, PHI 3.8%, AMHM 3.5%, LEADER-Fanilo 2.8%, FFF 1.6%, AIM 1.0%, SFN 0.3%, independent and other 50.6%; seats by party - MAPAR 49, MR 20, VPM MMM 13, PHI 5, AMHM 2, LEADER-Fanilo 5, FFF 2, AIM 2, SFN 2, other 22, independent 25, seats with delayed elections 4; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 3, MAPAR 2, LEADER-Fanilo 1, independent 2; appointed by the President 21

elections

National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2017); Senate - last held 29 December 2015 (next to be held in 2021)

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)

note

adopted 1959

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

National symbol(s)

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

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 [Manasse ESOAVELOMANDROSO] Green Party/Parti Vert or AMHM [Sarah Georget RABEHARISOA] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagaskara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] National Unity, Freedom, and Development or FFF [Benjamin RADAVIDSON Andriamparany] New Forces for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'i Madagaskara) or HVM [Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA] Parti Hiaraka Isika or PHI [Albert Camille VITAL] Pillar of Madagascar or AIM [Andry RAKOTOVAO] Ravalomanana Movement or MR Sambo Fiaran'i Noe or SFN Union Party or Tambatra [Pety RAKOTONIAINA] Vondrona Politika Miara dia Malagasy Miara Miainga or VPM MMM [Milavonjy ANDRIASY] With the President Andry RAJOELIN (Miaraka Amin'ny Prezida Andry Rajoelina) or MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN 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

$1.196 billion $1.604 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$1.604 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.196 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.3% (31 December 2016) 8.7% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

62% (31 December 2016 est.) 60% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$75 million (2016 est.) $-67.4 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$3.425 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.985 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

41 (2012) 46.9 (2001)

Economy - overview

Madagascar is a free market economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The economy faces long-term challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment. 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 bushfire and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. 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 to 2013. The free market 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 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. In November 2015, the IMF approved a Rapid Credit Facility to Madagascar worth about $42.1 million to help the government meet its balance of payments needs. The IMF judged that Madagascar had demonstrated satisfactory performance on macroeconomic performance and structural reforms, and in mid-2016 approved another $304 million extended credit facility for the country. GDP growth is expected around 2.8% per year in 2016-17, due to underperformance in agriculture.

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 3,176.5 (2016 est.) 3,176.5 (2015 est.) 2,933.5 (2014 est.) 2,414.8 (2013 est.) 2,195 (2012 est.)

Exports

$2.196 billion (2016 est.) $2.185 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

France 23.5%, US 12.8%, Germany 8.3%, China 6.3%, Japan 5%, Netherlands 4.3%, South Korea 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

74.9% 12.1% 16.5% 0% 32.5% -36% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

32.5%

government consumption

12.1%

household consumption

74.9%

imports of goods and services

-36% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

16.5%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

24% 15.7% 60.2% (2016 est.)

agriculture

24%

industry

15.7%

services

60.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,500 (2016 est.) $1,500 (2015 est.) $1,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.2% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) 3.3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$37.5 billion (2016 est.) $35.54 billion (2015 est.) $34.1 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

16% of GDP (2016 est.) 11.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 15.3% of GDP (2014 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

$2.857 billion (2016 est.) $2.688 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners

China 21.2%, France 6.9%, India 6.5%, UAE 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, South Africa 5% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

4.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.7% (2016 est.) 7.4% (2015 est.)

Labor force

12.61 million (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

70.7% (2012 est.)

Public debt

42.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 35.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.184 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $832 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.793 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.243 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$6.461 billion (2014 est.) $6.462 billion (2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.746 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.645 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$849.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $1.375 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

12.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.1% (2016 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

1.402 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

73.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

24.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

m 668,200 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

1.508 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

19,500,000 15% 37% 4% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

4% (2013)

electrification - total population

15%

electrification - urban areas

37%

population without electricity

19,500,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

15,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

15,230 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 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

1,151,563 4.7% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

4.7% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,151,563

Telephone system

system is above average for the region; competition among the three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 45 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) (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 45 per 100 persons

general assessment

system is above average for the region; competition among the three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market

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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

148,585 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

148,585

Telephones - mobile cellular

10,411,721 43 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

43 (July 2016 est.)

total

10,411,721

Airports

83 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

18 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

38

total

57

under 914 m

18 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5R (2016)

Merchant marine

cargo 1 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

by type

cargo 1

registered in other countries

1 (unknown 1) (2010)

total

1

National air transport system

546,946 30,512,607 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

30,512,607 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

546,946

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

11

number of registered air carriers

3

Ports and terminals

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

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

836 km 836 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

836 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

total

836 km

Roadways

37,476 km 6,103 km 31,373 km (2010)

paved

6,103 km

total

37,476 km

unpaved

31,373 km (2010)

Waterways

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)

Military branches

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, Navy, Air Force (2014)

People's Armed Forces

Intervention Force, Development Force, Navy, Air Force (2014)

Military expenditures

0.59% of GDP (2016) 0.6% of GDP (2015) 0.65% of GDP (2014) 0.68% of GDP (2013) 0.69% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male-only mix of voluntary and conscripted military service; women are not conscripted but can volunteer for all services except the Navy; 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 (2017)

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

246,842 (cyclone in 2017) (2017)

IDPs

246,842 (cyclone in 2017) (2017)