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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 25,062 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)

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: 1,151,563 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 4.7% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: system is above average for the region; competition among the four mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market and helped the service to be less expensive for the consumer; LTE services available (2017) | domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 35 per 100 persons (2017) | 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); possible IOX cable in 2019 and Africa-1 cable in 2020 providing addidtional links and international cable systems (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 68,792 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 8,730,499 (2017 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2017 est.)

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: 1.828 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 2.136 billion (2017 est.)

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

-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

9.5% (31 December 2017) | 8.3% (31 December 2016)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

60% (31 December 2017 est.) | 60% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$35 million (2017 est.) | $57 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$4.089 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $3.425 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

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

41 (2012) | 42.7 (2010)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. 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 bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy. After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’état led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup 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 market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%. Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity.

Exchange rates [time series]

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - | 3,116.1 (2017 est.) | 3,176.5 (2016 est.) | 3,176.5 (2015 est.) | 2,933.5 (2014 est.) | 2,414.8 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$2.29 billion (2017 est.) | $2.26 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products, gems, ilmenite, cobalt, nickel

Exports - partners [time series]

France 24.8%, US 16.5%, China 6.7%, Germany 6.5%, Japan 6%, Netherlands 4.7% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$11.5 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

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

$39.85 billion (2017 est.) | $38.25 billion (2016 est.) | $36.72 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 67.1% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 15.1% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 8.8% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 31.5% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -33.7% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 24% (2017 est.) | industry: 19.5% (2017 est.) | services: 56.4% (2017 est.)

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

$1,600 (2017 est.) | $1,500 (2016 est.) | $1,500 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

4.2% (2017 est.) | 4.2% (2016 est.) | 3.1% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

14.8% of GDP (2017 est.) | 15.4% of GDP (2016 est.) | 11.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$2.738 billion (2017 est.) | $2.427 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners [time series]

China 18.7%, India 9.3%, France 6.4%, South Africa 5.6%, UAE 5.3% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5.2% (2017 est.)

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]

8.3% (2017 est.) | 6.7% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

13.4 million (2017 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

Population below poverty line [time series]

70.7% (2012 est.)

Public debt [time series]

36% of GDP (2017 est.) | 38.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $1.076 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.045 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $849.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

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

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

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$2.345 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $1.746 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$1.045 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $849.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

15.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.8% (2017 est.) | 1.8% (2016 est.)

Energy

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

4.021 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.587 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

74% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

24% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

675,400 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.706 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 19.5 million (2013) | electrification - total population: 15% (2013) | electrification - urban areas: 37% (2013) | electrification - rural areas: 4% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

18,880 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 587,041 sq km | land: 581,540 sq km | water: 5,501 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

almost four times the size of Georgia; 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 [time series]

mean elevation: 615 m | elevation extremes: 0 m lowest point: Indian Ocean | 2876 highest point: Maromokotro

Environment - current issues [time series]

erosion and soil degredation results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; agricultural fires; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; wildlife preservation (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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else

Irrigated land [time series]

10,860 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 71.1% (2011 est.) | arable land: 6% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 64.1% (2011 est.) | forest: 21.5% (2011 est.) | 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 | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | contiguous zone: 24 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

Population distribution [time series]

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

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, 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)

Citizenship [time series]

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 [time series]

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

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 | 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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stuart R. WILSON (since 2 April 2018) | embassy: Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo | mailing address: B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo | telephone: [261] 20 23 480 00 | FAX: [261] 20 23 480 35 or [261] 33 44 328 17

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Eric ANDRIAMIHAJAMANANIRINA Robson (since 28 March 2018) | chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 | FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 | consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014) | head of government: Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since 6 June 2018) | 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 25 October and 20 December 2013 (next to be held on 7 November and 19 December 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president | 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% | 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]

semi-presidential 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 courts: 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 3-year, single renewable 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: bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of: 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) 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) | elections: Senate - last held 29 December 2015 (next to be held in 2021) National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2019) | election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 3, MAPAR 2, LEADER-Fanilo 1, independent 2, appointed by the president 21 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.%, 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

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 [Jean-Louis ROBINSON] Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER-Fanilo [Manasse ESOAVELOMANDROSO] Green Party/Parti Vert or AMHM [Sarah Georget RABEHARISOA] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Liberal Democrat Party (Parti Liberal Democrate) or PLD [Sarah RABEHARISOA] Malagasy Awaken Party (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Malagasy Starting Together Party (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] National Unity, Freedom, and Development or FFF [Benjamin RADAVIDSON Andriamparany] New Forces for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'i Madagasikara) or HVM [Rivo RAKOTOVAO] Parti Hiaraka Isika or PHI [Albert Camille VITAL] Pillar for the Renovation of Madagscar Party (Avant-garde pour la Renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA] 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 Party (Miaraka amin'i Andry RAJOELINA) or MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military and Security

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

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, Navy, Air Force (2018)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.53% of GDP (2017) | 0.59% of GDP (2016) | 0.6% of GDP (2015) | 0.65% of GDP (2014) | 0.68% of GDP (2013)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

Madagascar has an all-volunteer military; 18-25 years of age for males; service obligation 18 months; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2018)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 39.55% (male 5,119,804 /female 5,037,438) | 15-24 years: 20.23% (male 2,608,996 /female 2,587,745) | 25-54 years: 32.42% (male 4,160,278 /female 4,166,538) | 55-64 years: 4.45% (male 560,072 /female 581,963) | 65 years and over: 3.35% (male 390,094 /female 470,682) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Africa :: Madagascar Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Madagascar. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

31 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

39.8% (2012/13)

Death rate [time series]

6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic profile [time series]

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 [time series]

total dependency ratio: 80.1 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 75 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 19.6 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.1% of GDP (2013)

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]

0.3% (2017 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,600 (2017 est.)

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

35,000 (2017 est.)

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

3% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 40.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 43.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | female: 36.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 66.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 65.1 years (2018 est.) | female: 68.2 years (2018 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high (2016) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016) | vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever (2016) | water contact diseases: schistosomiasis (2016) | animal contact diseases: rabies (2016)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

3.058 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 19.9 years | male: 19.7 years | female: 20.1 years (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

5.3% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population [time series]

25,683,610 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

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 [time series]

2.46% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

Christian, indigenous religionist, Muslim

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 11 years (2014) | male: 11 years (2014) | female: 10 years (2014)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.95 children born/woman (2018 est.)

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

total: 1% (2012 est.) | male: 1% (2012 est.) | female: 1% (2012 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 37.2% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 4.48% annual rate of change (2015-20 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: 246,842 (cyclone in 2017) (2017)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

83 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 26 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 16 (2017) | under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

5R (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 28 (2017) | by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 3, other 10 (2017)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 3 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11 (2015) | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 546,946 (2015) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 30,512,607 mt-km (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 836 km (2018) | narrow gauge: 836 km 1.000-m gauge (2018)

Roadways [time series]

total: 37,476 km (2010) | paved: 6,103 km (2010) | unpaved: 31,373 km (2010)

Waterways [time series]

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)