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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.mg

Internet users [time series]

total: 17 million | percent of population: 73.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

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 | domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons | 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 [time series]

total subscriptions: 250,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 9 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

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 (manioc, tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.375 billion | expenditures: $2.741 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

Central bank discount rate [time series]

5% (31 December 2010) | country comparison to the world: 75

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

61% (31 December 2014 est.) | 58.98% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 1

Current account balance [time series]

-$240 million (2014 est.) | -$1.714 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Debt - external [time series]

$3.63 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $3.282 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

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

47.5 (2001) | 38.1 (1999) | country comparison to the world: 25

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

$864.8 million (2014 est.) | $721.2 million (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

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 [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$10.6 billion (2014 est.)

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

$33.87 billion (2014 est.) | $32.89 billion (2013 est.) | $32.11 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 120

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

agriculture: 28.1% | industry: 17.4% | services: 54.5% (2014 est.)

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

$1,400 (2014 est.) | $1,400 (2013 est.) | $1,400 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 218

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

3% (2014 est.) | 2.4% (2013 est.) | 3% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Gross national saving [time series]

12.9% of GDP (2014 est.) | 10.4% of GDP (2013 est.) | 10.8% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.2% | highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Imports [time series]

$2.742 billion (2014 est.) | $2.681 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners [time series]

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 [time series]

6.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.1% (2014 est.) | 5.8% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Labor force [time series]

12.15 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

50% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.005 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $905.1 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Stock of broad money [time series]

$2.787 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $2.494 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

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]

$1.822 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.638 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$1.611 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.588 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

21.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 153

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA% | 3.6% (2012 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

2.886 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.246 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

74% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

25.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

512,200 kW (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - production [time series]

1.34 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

2.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

20,140 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

365 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

12,120 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 587,041 sq km | land: 581,540 sq km | water: 5,501 sq km | country comparison to the world: 47

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: 16.5 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%) | per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2005)

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]

agricultural land: 71.1% | arable land 6%; permanent crops 1%; permanent pasture 64.1% | forest: 21.5% | other: 7.4% (2011 est.)

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 | volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times

Natural resources [time series]

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, 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 (2011)

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]

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

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 Robert T. YAMATE (since 13 January 2015); note - also accredited to Comoros | embassy: Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo | mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo | telephone: [261] (23) 480 00/01 | FAX: [261] (23) 480 35

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA (since 20 June 2011) | chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 | FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014) | head of government: Prime Minister Jean RAVELONARIVO (since 17 January 2015) | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister | 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 | 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% | 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 (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; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

26 June 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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) | 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 | 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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland) | lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA | note: adopted 1959

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

National symbol(s) [time series]

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

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

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 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 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 4,900,729 | females age 16-49: 4,909,061 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 3,390,071 | females age 16-49: 3,682,180 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 248,184 | female: 246,769 (2010 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]

0.69% of GDP (2012) | 0.73% of GDP (2011) | 0.69% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 119

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

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 [time series]

32.61 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 1,827,423 | percentage: 28% | note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

39.9% (2008/09)

Death rate [time series]

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 80.3% | youth dependency ratio: 75.2% | elderly dependency ratio: 5.1% | potential support ratio: 19.5% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.7% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 150

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]

0.29% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

3,200 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

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

39,100 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

4.2% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 158

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 43.67 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 47.59 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 39.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47

Languages [time series]

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 65.55 years | male: 64.09 years | female: 67.05 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 64.7% | male: 66.7% | female: 62.6% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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 | animal contact disease: rabies (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

ANTANANARIVO (capital) 2.61 million (2015)

Median age [time series]

total: 19.4 years | male: 19.2 years | female: 19.5 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) | adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

4.6% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 187

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population [time series]

23,812,681 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Population growth rate [time series]

2.58% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 21

Religions [time series]

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

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 10 years | male: 11 years | female: 10 years (2012)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.2 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 2.3% | male: 1.7% | female: 2.8% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 35.1% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 4.69% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 21,475 (floods in 2015) (2015)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

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)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

83 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 65

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 26 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 | 914 to 1,523 m: 16 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 57 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 38 | 18 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 | by type: cargo 1 | registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 152

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

Railways [time series]

total: 836 km | narrow gauge: 836 km 1.000-m gauge (2014) | country comparison to the world: 97

Roadways [time series]

total: 34,476 km | paved: 5,613 km | unpaved: 28,863 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 92

Waterways [time series]

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011) | country comparison to the world: 79