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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

2.565 million (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

system is above average for Africa domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

96,000 (1988 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (repeaters 36)

Televisions [time series]

260,000 (1992 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues : $250 million expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1991 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes

Debt - external [time series]

$4.4 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $454 million (1992-96)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Madagascar suffers from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 33% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing. Growth in output in 1992-95 averaged only 1.4%, less than half the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee demand, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. Formidable obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential; the extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

208,000 kW (1991)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

36 kWh (1992)

Electricity - production [time series]

450 million kWh (1991)

Exchange rates [time series]

Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 3,950 (November 1996), 3,974.9 (August 1996), 4,265.6 (1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992)

Exports [time series]

total value: $493 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products (1995 est.) partners : France 41%, US, Japan, Italy (1995)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $12.1 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture : 33% industry: 15% services: 52% (1996 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $880 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.5% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $612 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities : intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% (1995 est.) partners: France 40%, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, US (1995)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.8% (1993 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

47% (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 4.9 million by occupation : agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.) note: 175,000 workers (3.6% of the total work force) earn money wages; 4,725,000 workers receive no monetary wage (of these, 91% are engaged in subsistence agriculture)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Climate [time series]

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Coastline [time series]

4,828 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to : Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

10,870 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures : 41% forests and woodland: 40% other: 14% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

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 [time series]

periodic cyclones

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

19 August 1992 by national referendum

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON embassy : 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Didier RATSIRAKA; (since 10 February 1997) note - President Albert ZAFY impeached by the High Constitutional Court on 5 September 1996; Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY served as interim president until the election of President RATSIRAKA and then retired from the office of prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Pascal RAKOTOMAVO (since 21 February 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly election results: percent of the popular vote for president - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (UNDD) 49.3%; percent of the National Assembly vote for prime minister - NA

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[261] (2) 234-539

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

26 June 1960 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate or Senat (two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment; members serve four-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (138 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 16 June 1993 (next to be held 3 August 1997) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8 note: the Senate has never been established because the regional assemblies have not been formed and are not expected to be formed before late in 1997, following a national referendum on a new constitution

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Antananarivo

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Committee of Living Forces or CFV, an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy or UNDD [Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY, president], Support Committee for Democracy and Development in Madagascar or CSDDM [Francisque RAVONY, president], Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD, Congress Party for Madagascar Independence-Renewal or AKFM-Fanavaozana [Richard ANDRIAMANJATO, president], and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and religious groups; Association of United Malagasys or Famima [Didier RATSIRAKA, leader]; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development or CSCD [Guy Willy RAZANAMASY]; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar or PMDM/MFM, formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power [Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA]; Rally for Social Democracy or RPSD [Evariste MARSON, president]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM; Federalist Movement

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$29 million (1994)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1% (1994)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,204,200 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males: 1,903,268 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 136,216 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45% (male 3,188,839; female 3,114,958) 15-64 years : 52% (male 3,608,508; female 3,680,574) 65 years and over: 3% (male 228,230; female 240,518) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

42.26 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.1 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

92 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), Malagasy (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 52.53 years male : 51.4 years female: 53.7 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 88% female : 73% (1990 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

14,061,627 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.82% (1997 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.83 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

105 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 58 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 31 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 45 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 49,837 km paved: 5,731 km unpaved : 44,106 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,624 GRT/28,621 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1996 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Railways [time series]

total : 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)

Waterways [time series]

of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes