Madagascar

Republic of MadagascarRepublique de Madagascar

republicIndependence 26 June 1960 (from France)

Madagascar as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 82 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalAntananarivo

Area587,040 sq km

LocationSouthern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of

Populationas each edition published it

13.86 million July 1995 est. · 11.8m in 1990

Population growth% a year

3.18% 1995 est. · 3.2% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 17.4 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

54.45 years 1995 est. · 53.52 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

6.62 children per woman 1995 est. · 6.9 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

86.9 deaths per 1,000 live births 1995 est. · 97 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$790 1994 est. · $200 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2.8% 1994 est. · 1% in 1993

Geography

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

14 fields

Land useshare of 587,040 sq km

arable land 4%permanent crops 1%meadows and pastures 58%forest and woodland 26%other 11%irrigated 9,000 sq km (1989 est.)

Area

587,040sq km

land area: 581,540 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Coastline

4,828km

land boundaries: 0 kmcontiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobathexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Location

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

International disputes

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)

Climate

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Natural resources

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish

Environment

current issues:: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing;
desertification;
surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes;
several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
natural hazards:: periodic cyclones
international agreements:: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Note

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

People

15 fields

Population

13,862,325

(July 1995 est.)growth rate: 3.18% (1995 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1995 est.)

Birth

44.82Death

12.99Net migration

Male · female(1995 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years54.45

52.47 · 56.48

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy80%

88% · 73%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 52%Christian 41%Muslim 7%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 47% (female 3,231,647; male 3,265,715)
15-64 years:: 50% (female 3,511,699; male 3,413,564)
65 years and over:: 3% (female 225,205; male 214,495) (July 1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate

86.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Nationality

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

Ethnic divisions

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

Labor force

total workers:: 4.9 million
workers not receiving money wages:: 4.7 million (96% of total labor force); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculture
wage earners:: 175,000 (3.6% of total work force)
wage earners by occupation:: agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)

Government

Republic; President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993); Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August 1993)

22 fields

Legislature, 138 seatsone dot, one seat

CFV coalition 76PMDM/MFM 16CSCD 11Famima 10RPSD 7various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10others 8

Names

conventional long form:: Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form:: Madagascar
local long form:: Republique de Madagascar
local short form:: Madagascar
former:: Malagasy Republic

Administrative divisions

6 provinces; Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary

Legal system

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993);
election last held on 10 February 1993 (next to be held 1998);
results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD), 67%;
Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33%
head of government:: Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August 1993)
cabinet:: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister

Senate (Senat)

two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional assemblies;
the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment;
decentralization and formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997

National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)

elections last held on 16 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)

Political parties and leaders

Committee of Living Forces (CFV), an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD), Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM), Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar (GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal (AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and religious groups;
Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar (PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA;
Confederation of Civil Societies for Development (CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY;
Association of United Malagasys (Famima);
Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA

Other political or pressure groups

National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM); Federalist Movement

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO
chancery:: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526
consulate(s) general:: New York

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission:: Ambassador Dennis P. BARRETT
embassy:: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
mailing address:: B. P. 620, Antananarivo
telephone:: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18

FAX

[261] (2) 345-39

Flag

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Economy

19 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$790

(1994 est.)

Real growth rate

2.8%

(1994 est.)industrial production growth: growth rate 3.8% (1993 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP

Inflation, consumer prices

35%

(1994 est.)

External debt

$4.3billion

(1993 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$250 millionExpenditures

$265 million (1991 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $180 million

Installed generating capacity, 220,000 kW

Electricity production

560 millionElectricity consumption per capita

40 (1993)

Overview

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 30% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of total export earnings.

Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1991 it accounted for only 13% of GDP. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports.

Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential.

National product

GDP - purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Exports

$240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)

commodities:: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products
partners:: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia

Imports

$510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)

commodities:: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%
partners:: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands

Industries

agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries, tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum

Agriculture

accounts for 31% of GDP;
cash crops - coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa;
food crops - rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts;
cattle raising widespread;
almost self-sufficient in rice

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption

Economic aid

recipient:: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million;
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.125 billion;
Communist countries (1970-89), $491 million

Currency

1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates

Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 3,718.0 (November 1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991), 1,454.6 (December 1990)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Transportation

6 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 138 in all

over 3,047 m

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

1,524 to 2,438 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

40,000Railroads

1,020

Highways: paved: 4,694 km · unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 811 km; other earth 34,495 km (est.) · Railroads: narrow gauge: 1,020 km 1.000-m gauge

Railroads

total:: 1,020 km
narrow gauge:: 1,020 km 1.000-m gauge

Highways

total:: 40,000 km
paved:: 4,694 km
unpaved:: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 811 km; other earth 34,495 km (est.)

Inland waterways

of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes

Ports

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Port Saint-Louis, Toamasina, Toliaria

Merchant marine

total:: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,261 GRT/28,193 DWT
ships by type:: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2

Communications

3 fields

Telephone system

NA telephones; above average system

local:: NA
intercity:: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links
international:: submarine cable to Bahrain; 1 earth station for Indian Ocean INTELSAT

Radio

broadcast stations:: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
radios:: NA

Television

broadcast stations:: 1 (repeaters 36)
televisions:: NA

Defense Forces

Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, | Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), | Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

3 fields

Branches

Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment

Manpower availability

males age 15-49 3,027,156;
males fit for military service 1,800,127;
males reach military age (20) annually 130,071 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.3% of GDP (1991) MALAWI

Central Intelligence Agency. “Madagascar.” The World Factbook 1995. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/madagascar/1995.

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