Madagascar

• 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

• periodic cyclones;
• drought;
• and locust infestation

volcanism:

Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in recorded history

• 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

noun:

Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective:

Malagasy

total:

20.5 years (2025 est.)

male:

21.1 years

female:

21.5 years

• 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

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.)

total:

38.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male:

40.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female:

34 deaths/1,000 live births

total population:

68.8 years (2024 est.)

male:

67.3 years

female:

70.3 years

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:

24.1% (2025 est.)

male:

40.2% (2025 est.)

female:

8.2% (2025 est.)

women married by age 15:

12.7% (2021)

women married by age 18:

38.8% (2021)

men married by age 18:

11.2% (2021)

• erosion and soil degradation from deforestation and overgrazing;
• desertification;
• agricultural fires;
• water pollution from raw sewage and other organic wastes;
• wildlife preservation

urban population:

40.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization:

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

municipal solid waste generated annually:

3.769 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled:

9.2% (2022 est.)

municipal:

395 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial:

161.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural:

13 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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

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

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

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

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:

12/11/2020

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:

5/29/2024

parties elected and seats per party:

IRMAR (10); MALAGASY MIARA-MIAINGA (2)

percentage of women in chamber:

11.1%

expected date of next election:

31 December 2026

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

• Group of Young Malagasy Patriots (Groupe des Jeunes Malgaches Patriotes) or GJMP
• I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM
• Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina coalition or IRD
• Malagasy Aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS
• Malagasy Tia Tanindrazana or MATITA or ANGADY
• Movement for Democracy in Madagascar (Mouvement pour la Démocratie à Madagascar) or MDM
• Rally for Democratic Socialism (Rassemblement pour Socialisme Démocratique - Nouveau) or RPSD Vaovao
• Young Malagasies Determined (Tanora Malagasy Vonona) or TGV

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:

[email protected]; https://us-madagascar-embassy.org/

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:

[email protected]; https://mg.usembassy.gov/

description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green, with a vertical white band on the left side

meaning:

red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, and white for purity

title:

"Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (O Our Beloved Fatherland)

lyrics/music:

Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA

history:

adopted 1959

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)

• 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

agriculture:

22.5% (2024 est.)

industry:

22.8% (2024 est.)

services:

46.4% (2024 est.)

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

total:

5.4% (2024 est.)

male:

5.3% (2024 est.)

female:

5.4% (2024 est.)

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

consumption:

472,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports:

472,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves:

150 million metric tons (2023 est.)

total subscriptions:

3,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:

(2023 est.) less than 1

• 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)

total:

34,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:

(2023 est.) less than 1

total:

836 km (2018)

narrow gauge:

836 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge

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

• 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women;
• service obligation 18 months;
• conscription available in times of national emergency or war (2025)

• 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 influence in domestic politics and seized control of the government in October 2025;
• security relationships have included France, India, and Russia;
• Madagascar's small Navy has traditionally looked to India for assistance with maritime security (2025)

refugees:

1,256 (2024 est.)

IDPs:

9,868 (2024 est.)