Background: Madagascar was one of the last major habitable landmasses on earth 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 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, 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 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. In January 2019, RAJOELINA was declared the winner of a runoff election against RAVALOMANANA; both RATSIRAKA and RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA also ran in the first round of the election, which took place in November 2018.

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E

Map reference: Africa

Area
Total: 587,041 km²
Land: 581,540 km²
Water: 5,501 km²
Rank: 48
Comparative: almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 4,828 km

Maritime claims
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

Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Elevation
Mean elevation: 615 m
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

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

Land use
Agricultural land: 71.1% (2011 est.)
Forest: 21.5% (2011 est.)
Other: 7.4% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land: 10,860 km² (2012)

Natural hazards: periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestationvolcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times

Geography
Note: 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

Population
Distribution rank: population distribution map: 26,955,737 (July 2020 est.)
Rank: 53
Growth rate: 2.39% (2020 est.)
Growth rate rank: 26
Below poverty line: 70.7% (2012 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)
Adjective: Malagasy

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

Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Religions: Christian, indigenous, Muslim

Demographic profile: 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.

Age structure
0-14 years: 38.86% (male 5,278,838/female 5,196,036)
15-24 years: 20.06% (male 2,717,399/female 2,689,874)
25-54 years: 33.02% (male 4,443,147/female 4,456,691)
55-64 years: 4.6% (male 611,364/female 627,315)
65 years and over: 3.47% (male 425,122/female 509,951) (2020 est.)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 75.9
Youth dependency ratio: 70.5
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.5
Potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.)

Median age
Total: 20.3 years
Male: 20.1 years
Female: 20.5 years (2020 est.)
Rank: 193

Population growth rate: 2.39% (2020 est.)
Rank: 26

Birth rate: 29.9 births/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 32

Death rate: 6.2 deaths/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 154

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 87

Population distribution
Rank: population distribution map

Urbanization
Urban population: 38.5% of total population
Note: (2015-20 est.)
Rate of urbanization: 4.48% annual rate of change

Major urban areas
Population: 3.369 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2020)

Environment
Current issues: 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 agreements 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
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

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

Infant mortality rate
Total: 37.8 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 41.5 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 34.1 deaths/1000 live births (2020 est.)
Rank: 41

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 67.3 years
Male: 65.7 years
Female: 68.9 years (2020 est.)
Rank: 182

Total fertility rate: 3.78 children born/woman (2020 est.)
Rank: 34

Contraceptive prevalence rate: 44.3% (2018)

Drinking water source
Urban: 12.1% of population
Rural: 63.7% of population
Total: 44.5% of population (2017 est.)

Current health expenditure: 5.5% (2017)

Physicians density: 0.18 physicians/1000 population (2014)

Hospital bed density: 0.2 beds/1000 population (2010)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 57.5% of population
Rural: 83.4% of population
Total: 73.9% of population (2017 est.)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2019 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 104
People living with hivaids: 39,000 (2019 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 68
Deaths: 1400 (2019 est.)
Deaths rank: 52

Major infectious diseases
Degree of risk: very high (2020)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Animal contact diseases: rabies

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 5.3% (2016)
Rank: 180

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 26.4% (2018)
Rank: 12

Education expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2018)
Rank: 141

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 74.8%
Male: 77.3%
Female: 72.4% (2018)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 10 years
Male: 10 years
Female: 10 years (2018)

Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar
Conventional short form: Madagascar
Local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikani 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

Government type: semi-presidential republic

Capital
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, which means 'City of the Thousand,' was bestowed by 17th century King Adrianjakaking to honor the soldiers assigned to guard the city

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

Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

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

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

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship
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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 21 January 2019)
Head of government: Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since 6 June 2018 and re-appointed 19 July 2019) 
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister 
Electionsappointments: 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 7 November and 19 December 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president
Election results: Andry RAJOELINA elected President in second round; percent of vote - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 55.7%, Marc RAVALOMANANA 44.3% (TIM)

Judicial branch
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, 7-year terms
Subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance

Political parties and leaders: Economic liberalism and democratic action for national recovery or LEADER FANILO [Jean Max RAKOTOMAMONJY]FOMBA [Ny Rado RAFALIMANANA]Gideons fighting against poverty in Madagascar (Gedeona Miady amin'ny Fahantrana eto Madagascar) or GFFM [Andre Christian Dieu Donne MAILHOL]Green party or VERTS (Antoko Maintso) [Alexandre GEORGET]I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]Malagasy aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA]Malagasy raising together (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO]New Force for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'ny Madagasikara) or HVM [Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimanana]Total Refoundation of Madagascar (Refondation Totale de Madagascar) or RTM [Joseph Martin RANDRIAMAMPIONONA]Vanguard for the renovation of Madagascar (Avant-Garde pour la renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA]Young Malagasies Determined (Malagasy: Tanora malaGasy Vonona) or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]and MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA], and IRD (We are all with Andy Rajoelina) [Andry RAJOELINA]

International organization participation: 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

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Eric ANDRIAMIHAJA Robson (since March 2018)
In the us chancery: 2,374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 265-5,525
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 265-3,034
In the us consulate: New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Michael PELLETIER (since 14 February 2019)
From the us telephone: [261] 20 23 480 00
From the us embassy: Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo
From the us mailing address: B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
From the us FAX: [261] 20 23 480 35 or [261] 33 44 328 17

Flag description: 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

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

National anthem
Name: Ry Tanindraza nay malala o (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
Lyricsmusic: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
Note: adopted 1959

Real gdp purchasing power parity
Real:
Real note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 69

Real gdp per capita:
Note: data are in 2010 dollars
Rank: 222

Gross national saving:
Rank: 138

Gdp composition by end use
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
Agriculture: 24% (2017 est.)
Industry: 19.5% (2017 est.)
Services: 56.4% (2017 est.)

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

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

Industrial production growth rate: 5.2% (2017 est.)
Rank: 54

Labor force: 13.4 million (2017 est.)
Rank: 40

Unemployment rate:
Rank: 18

Population below poverty line: 70.7% (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: 2.2%
Highest 10: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Budget
Revenues: 1.828 billion (2017 est.)
Expenditures: 2.136 billion (2017 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 123

Taxes and other revenues: 15.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Rank: 185

Public debt:
Rank: 148

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices:
Rank: 191

Current account balance:
Rank: 77

Exports:
Rank: 114
Partners: France 24.8%, US 16.5%, China 6.7%, Germany 6.5%, Japan 6%, Netherlands 4.7% (2017)
Commodities: coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products, gems, ilmenite, cobalt, nickel

Imports:
Rank: 132
Commodities: capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Partners: China 18.7%, India 9.3%, France 6.4%, South Africa 5.6%, UAE 5.3% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Rank: 124

Debt external:
Rank: 139

Exchange rates:

Electricity
Access population without electricity: 17 million (2019)
Access electrification total population: 39% (2019)
Access electrification urban areas: 64% (2019)
Access electrification rural areas: 23% (2019)
Production: 1.706 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Production rank: 142
Consumption: 1.587 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Consumption rank: 147
Exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Exports rank: 163
Imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Imports rank: 169
Installed generating capacity: 675,400 kW (2016 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 136
Generation sources fossil fuels: 74% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 96
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 134
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 24% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 80
Generation sources other renewable sources: 2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 141

Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 167
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 158
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 158
Crude oil proven reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 162

Refined petroleum
Products production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products production rank: 170
Products consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Products consumption rank: 147
Products exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products exports rank: 175
Products imports: 18,880 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products imports rank: 125

Natural gas
Production: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Production rank: 163
Consumption: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Consumption rank: 169
Exports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Exports rank: 144
Imports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Imports rank: 151
Proven reserves: 0 m³ (1 January 2012 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 164

Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 4.021 million Mt (2017 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 138

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 68,426 (2019 est.)
Fixed lines rank: 150
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 10,677,153
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40.57 (2019 est.)
Mobile cellular rank: 83

Broadcast media: 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)

Internet
Country code: .mg
Users total: 2,516,994
Users percent of population: 9.8% (July 2018 est.)
Users rank: 109

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 27,211 (2018 est.)
Rank: 144

Military expenditures:
Rank: 143

Military and security forces: People's Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force; National Gendarmerie (operates under the Ministry of Defense) (2019)

Military service age and obligation: 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)

National air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 18
Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 541,290 (2018)
Annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 16.25 million
Note: mt-km (2018)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5R (2016)

Airports: 83 (2013)
Rank: 66
With paved runways total: 26 (2017)
With paved runways over 3047 m: 1 (2017)
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2 (2017)
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 6 (2017)
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 16 (2017)
With paved runways under 914 m: 1 (2017)
With unpaved runways total: 57 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (2013)
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 38 (2013)
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 18 (2013)

Railways
Total: 836 km (2018)
Narrow gauge: 836 km
Note: 1.000-m gauge (2018)
Rank: 96

Roadways
Total: 31,640 km (2018)
Rank: 96

Waterways: 600 km
Note: (432 km navigable) (2011)
Rank: 79

Merchant marine
Total: 28
By type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 2, other 11 (2019)
Rank: 136

Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

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