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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mg

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

27,807 (2009) country comparison to the world: 93

Internet users [time series]

316,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 124

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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; have added new fixed lines since 2005 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile telephone density about 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

164,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 130

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.835 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 88

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.612 billion expenditures: $2.05 billion (2008 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

45% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 3 45% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 -$807 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.023 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $4.6 billion (2002)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 33 38.1 (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. 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 have boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

971.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.045 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Exchange rates [time series]

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 1,654.78 (2008 est.), 1,880 (2007), 2,161.4 (2006), 2,003 (2005), 1,868.9 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$1.254 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.095 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

France 38.9%, US 20.3%, Germany 5% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$9.463 billion (2008 est.)

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

$20.18 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $18.86 billion (2007 est.) $17.76 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

agriculture: 26.2% industry: 15.2% services: 58.5% (2008 est.)

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

$1,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $1,000 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

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

7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 6.2% (2007 est.) 5% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 41.5% (2005)

Imports [time series]

$2.419 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.944 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners [time series]

China 20.1%, Bahrain 8.7%, France 6.3%, South Africa 5.7%, US 4.9%, India 4.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

9.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 10.3% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

26.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Labor force [time series]

9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Oil - consumption [time series]

20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - exports [time series]

364.9 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - imports [time series]

16,940 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Oil - production [time series]

84.57 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Population below poverty line [time series]

50% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$982.3 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $846.7 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$820.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 111 $767.5 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$1.217 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $1.161 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$667.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 104 $577.4 million (31 December 2007)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 587,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 46 land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,501 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 endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island

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

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%) per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)

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]

10,860 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Total renewable water resources [time series]

337 cu km (1984)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Antananarivo geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

passed by referendum 19 August 1992

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara former: Malagasy Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Jocelyn Bertin RADIFERA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Monja Roindefo ZAFITSIMIVALO (since 18 March 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 December 2006 (next to be held in October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009 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, who will head the High Transition Authority; a power-sharing agreement reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections

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]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third of seats appointed by the president; to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 23 September 2007 (next to be held in late 2010); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

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

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]

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

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 [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 due to increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established. Elections are expected in the fall of 2010.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 4,443,341 females age 16-49: 4,441,124 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 3,150,043 females age 16-49: 3,404,988 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 236,500 female: 235,994 (2009 est.)

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

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

Military expenditures [time series]

1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 136

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-25 years of age for male-only compulsory military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43.5% (male 4,523,033/female 4,460,473) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 5,483,684/female 5,557,098) 65 years and over: 3% (male 280,677/female 348,591) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

38.14 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Death rate [time series]

8.14 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 144

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

14,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 54.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 47 male: 59.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 62.89 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 60.93 years female: 64.91 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 18 years male: 17.8 years female: 18.2 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate [time series]

NA (2009 est.)

Population [time series]

20,653,556 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Population growth rate [time series]

3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.14 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 29% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova 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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

89 (2009) country comparison to the world: 66

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 8 country comparison to the world: 120 by type: cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Railways [time series]

total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 98 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 69 paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)

Waterways [time series]

600 km country comparison to the world: 80 note: 432 km navigable (2008)