Madagascar - MG - MDG - MAD - Africa

chief of mission: Ambassador Claire PIERANGELO (since 2 May 2022)

embassy: Lot 207A, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo - Madagascar

mailing address: 2040 Antananarivo Place, Washington DC 20521-2040

telephone: [261] 33-44-320-00

FAX: [261] 33-44-320-35

email address and website:
antanACS@state.gov

https://mg.usembassy.gov/

0-14 years: 37% (male 5,507,847/female 5,400,551)

15-64 years: 59.1% (male 8,720,012/female 8,673,880)

65 years and over: 3.9% (2024 est.) (male 532,642/female 617,782)

20 00 S, 47 00 E

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

18-25 years of age for men and women; service obligation 18 months; no conscription; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2023)

Madagascar was one of the last major habitable landmasses on earth to be settled by humans. While there is some evidence of human presence on the island in the millennia B.C., large-scale settlement began between A.D. 350 and 550 with settlers from present-day Indonesia. 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 French conquered the island in 1896 and made it a colony; independence was regained in 1960.

Free presidential and National Assembly elections were held in 1992-93, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing half the country to secede. In 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. He 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. After a lengthy mediation process, Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA won in a runoff and was inaugurated in 2014. In 2019, RAJOELINA was declared the winner against RAVALOMANANA. In 2023, RAJOELINA won another term in an election that most of the opposition boycotted, including RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA and RAVALOMANANA, who claimed it was rigged in favor of RAJOELINA. International observers, however, saw no evidence of systemic fraud, leading the international community to accept the election results.

erosion and soil degradation from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; agricultural fires; water pollution from raw sewage and other organic wastes; wildlife preservation (endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island)

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.5% of GDP (2019 est.)

garments, nickel, vanilla, cloves, gold (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

USA 16%, France 15%, Japan 8%, China 6%, S. Korea 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

rice, sugarcane, cassava, sweet potatoes, milk, bananas, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, maize, potatoes (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Madagascar Armed Forces (aka Armed forces of the Republic of Madagascar); Malagasy Army, Naval Forces (or National Navy), Air Force; Malagasy National Gendarmerie (2024)

note: the National Gendarmerie is separate from the PAF under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for maintaining law and order in rural areas at the village level, protecting government facilities, and operating a maritime police contingent; the National Police under the Ministry of Security is responsible for maintaining law and order in urban areas

revenues: $1.756 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $1.523 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

name: Antananarivo

geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name means "City of the Thousand," from the Malagasy an- (a prefix denoting a place name), tanana (town), and arivo (thousand); in the 17th century, King ADRIANJAKA named the original fortress after the 1,000 soldiers stationed there

refined petroleum, rice, fabric, cotton fabric, wheat (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

4,828 km

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

amendment process: 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

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
4,429.579 (2023 est.)
4,096.116 (2022 est.)
3,829.978 (2021 est.)
3,787.754 (2020 est.)
3,618.322 (2019 est.)

chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 16 December 2023)

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 16 November 2023 (next to be held in November 2028); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president

election results:
2023: Andry RAJOELINA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 59.0%, Siteny Thierry RANDRIANASOLONIAIKO 14.4%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 12.1%, other 14.5%

2018: Andry RAJOELINA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 39.2%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 35.4%, other 25.4%; percent of vote in second round - Andry RAJOELINA 55.7%, Marc RAVALOMANANA 44.3%

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

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

26 June 1960 (from France)

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

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (consists of 11 members; addresses judicial administration issues only); High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 9 members); High Court of Justice (consists of 11 members; addresses cases brought against the president of Madagascar and senior officials for high treason, grave violations of the Constitution, or breach of duties incompatible with the exercise of the presidential mandate)

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, 7-year terms; High Court of Justice members include: first president of the Supreme Court; 2 presidents from the Court of Cassation; 2 presidents from the Court of Appeal; 2 deputies  from the National Assembly; 2 senators from the Senate; 2 members from the High Council for the Defense of Democracy and the State of law

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Court of Cassation; Courts of First Instance; military courts; traditional courts (dina); Trade Court

total: 0 km

agricultural land: 70.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 5.2% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 64.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 21.3% (2022 est.)

other: 8.4% (2022 est.)

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

legislative structure: bicameral

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 77.3%

male: 78.8%

female: 75.8% (2021)

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

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

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective: Malagasy

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

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

low-income East African island economy; natural resource rich; extreme poverty; return of political stability has helped growth; sharp tax revenue drop due to COVID-19; leading vanilla producer; environmentally fragile

total: 836 km (2018)

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

18 years of age; universal

general assessment: internet service is fast compared to other African countries, and telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators; there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, which arrived in 2023, provides links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well as Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France; a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities, however much of the fiber in country has been installed by Huawei, which also manages data centers for the government; in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office; penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)

domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 56 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

semi-presidential republic

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form: Madagascar

local long form: République de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara

local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara

former: Malagasy Republic

etymology: a variant of the name was first used by 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco POLO when he confused the island with the Somali port of Mogadishu; the transliteration was later adopted as the official name

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

Africa

10,860 sq km (2012)

chief of mission: Ambassador Lantosoa RAKOTOMALALA (since 13 January 2025)

chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525

FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034

email address and website:
madagascar.embassy.dc@gmail.com

https://us-madagascar-embassy.org/

percent of population: 21% (2022 est.)

.mg

$15.79 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

337 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

total: 10 years

male: 10 years

female: 10 years (2018)

urban population: 40.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 4.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

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 (2019)

improved:

urban: 85% of population

rural: 38% of population

total: 56.1% of population

unimproved:

urban: 15% of population

rural: 62% of population

total: 43.9% of population (2020 est.)

name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)

lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA

note: adopted 1959

3.872 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2023)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

0.2 beds/1,000 population

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

19.5 years (2021 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

49.7% (2020)

household consumption: 63.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 22.3% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.6% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 26.9% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -33.9% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

total dependency ratio: 69.3 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 62.7 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 6.6 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 15.1 (2024 est.)

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

most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map

electrification - total population: 36.1% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 71.6%

electrification - rural areas: 10.9%

5R

improved:

urban: 49.2% of population

rural: 22.1% of population

total: 32.6% of population

unimproved:

urban: 50.8% of population

rural: 77.9% of population

total: 67.4% of population (2020 est.)

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

Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar/Malagasy Lutheran Church/Anglican Church 34%, Roman Catholic 32.3%, other Christian 8.1%, traditional/Animist 1.7%, Muslim 1.4%, other 0.6%, none 21.9% (2021 est.)

Malagasy (official) 99.9%, French (official) 23.6%, English 8.2%, other 0.6% (2018 est.)

note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

China 19%, Oman 13%, France 10%, India 8%, South Africa 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 615 m

3.5% of GDP (2021)

the military’s responsibilities include ensuring sovereignty and territorial integrity and protecting Madagascar’s maritime domain, particularly against piracy, drug trafficking, and smuggling; it also assists the Gendarmerie with maintaining law and order in rural areas, largely in areas affected by banditry, cattle rustling, and criminal groups; the military has a history of having influence in domestic politics and a lack of accountability; members of the Army and the Gendarmerie were arrested for coup plotting as recently as 2021; its closest defense partners have been India and Russia, although France has provided some training and China has sought to strengthen security ties; Madagascar's small Navy has traditionally looked to India for assistance with maritime security (2024)

estimated 13,000 personnel (12,000 Army; 500 Navy; 500 Air Force); estimated 10,000 Gendarmerie (2024)

the military's inventory consists mostly of older or secondhand weapons and equipment originating from countries such as France, South Africa, the UAE, the UK, and the former Soviet Union (2024)

severe localized food insecurity: due to the effects of extreme weather events and slow economic recovery - according to the latest May 2022 analysis, the prevalence of food insecurity in the southern regions is projected to peak at 2.1 million people by December 2022 until at least March 2023; overall, the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance by the end of 2022 is expected to be about 30 percent higher compared to the peak number in 2021; the poor food security situation is mainly the consequence of six consecutive poor agricultural seasons that culminated in very tight food supplies for rural households and curbed incomes from crop sales; high rates of poverty and increased prices of essential food commodities, combined with a high reliance on market supplies due to low harvests for own consumption, are also contributing to the high rates of food insecurity across the southern regions (2022)

municipal: 400 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 160 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 13 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,768,759 tons (2016 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 16.02 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 3.91 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 10.14 megatons (2020 est.)

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, Madagascar was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/madagascar/

total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (n); Ambohimanga Royal Hill (c); Atsinanana Rainforests  (n)

women married by age 15: 12.7%

women married by age 18: 38.8%

men married by age 18: 11.2% (2021 est.)

consumption: 472,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 472,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 150 million metric tons (2023 est.)

fossil fuels: 64.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 31.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

1.71 (2024 est.)

60.1% (2023 est.)

2.44% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.55% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.02% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

total ports: 13 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 2

very small: 11

ports with oil terminals: 5

key ports: Andoany, Antsiranana, Antsohim Bondrona, Iharana, Mahajanga, Maintirano, Manakara, Mananjary, Maroantsetra, Morondava, Toamasina, Tolanaro, Toliara

chamber name: National Assembly (Antenimierampirenena)

number of seats: 163 (all directly elected)

electoral system: mixed system

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 5/29/2024

parties elected and seats per party: Isika Rehetra Miaraka Amin’i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) (84); Firaisankina (22); Independents (50); Other (7)

percentage of women in chamber: 14.1%

expected date of next election: May 2029

chamber name: Senate (Antenimierandoholona)

number of seats: 18 (12 indirectly elected; 6 appointed)

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 12/11/2020

parties elected and seats per party: IRMAR (10); MALAGASY MIARA-MIAINGA (2)

percentage of women in chamber: 11.1%

expected date of next election: December 2025

16.061 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total: 5.5% (2023 est.)

male: 5.4% (2023 est.)

female: 5.6% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 21.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 21.1 years

female: 21.5 years

$3.991 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

392 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

$2.632 billion (2023 est.)
$2.16 billion (2022 est.)
$2.335 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

36% of GDP (2017 est.)

3.47 children born/woman (2024 est.)

3.06% (2023 est.)
3.19% (2022 est.)
3.42% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 29,452,714 (2024 est.)

male: 14,760,501

female: 14,692,213

3.936 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.057 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total : 587,041 sq km

land: 581,540 sq km

water: 5,501 sq km

9.36% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$51.265 billion (2023 est.)
$49.388 billion (2022 est.)
$47.488 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

93 (2025)

total: 37.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 40.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 34 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 25.4 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 70 (2022 est.)

9.87% (2023 est.)
8.16% (2022 est.)
5.81% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$829.376 million (2022 est.)
-$721.953 million (2021 est.)
-$623.653 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$1,600 (2023 est.)
$1,600 (2022 est.)
$1,600 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 34,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

total: 27.8% (2020 est.)

male: 42.7% (2020 est.)

female: 12.8% (2020 est.)

5.3% (2016)

1.816 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

27.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 759,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 2.506 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 139 million kWh (2023 est.)

total: 29 (2023)

by type: general cargo 16, oil tanker 2, other 11

22.6% (2021)

$6.041 billion (2022 est.)
$4.769 billion (2021 est.)
$3.718 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$4.689 billion (2022 est.)
$3.362 billion (2021 est.)
$2.589 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

total subscriptions: 3,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

total: 0.89 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total population: 68.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 67.3 years

female: 70.3 years

3.8% (2023 est.)
4% (2022 est.)
5.74% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

2.91% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 22.6% (2023 est.)

industry: 22.4% (2023 est.)

services: 44.7% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

4.34% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

3.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

2.18% (2024 est.)