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Africa :: Madagascar

page last updated on January 29, 2013

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Introduction ::Madagascar

Background:

Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence 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 achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Numerous attempts have been made by regional and international organizations to resolve the subsequent political gridlock by forming a power-sharing government. As of late 2012, the country to be moving towards new elections sometime in 2013.

Geography ::Madagascar

Location:

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

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 587,041 sq km

country comparison to the world: 47

land: 581,540 sq km

water: 5,501 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

4,828 km

Maritime claims:

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

Climate:

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Elevation extremes:

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:

arable land: 5.03%

permanent crops: 1.02%

other: 93.95% (2005)

Irrigated land:

10,860 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

337 cu km (1984)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%)

per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation

volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island

Environment - 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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

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

People and Society ::Madagascar

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:

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Population:

22,005,222 (July 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 54

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.4% (male 4,593,719/ female 4,515,993)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 6,090,418/ female 6,118,424)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 311,810/ female 374,858) (2012 est.)

population pyramid:

Median age:

total: 18.3 years

male: 18 years

female: 18.5 years (2012 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.68% (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

Birth rate:

34 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

Death rate:

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 120

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 95

Urbanization:

urban population: 30% of total population (2010)

rate of urbanization: 3.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities - population:

ANTANANARIVO (capital) 1.816 million (2009)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:

240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

country comparison to the world: 48

Infant mortality rate:

total: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births

country comparison to the world: 47

male: 51.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64 years

country comparison to the world: 173

male: 61.97 years

female: 66.1 years (2012 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.45 children born/woman (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

Health expenditures:

6.2% of GDP (2009)

country comparison to the world: 98

Physicians density:

0.161 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Hospital bed density:

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Sanitation facility access:

improved:

urban: 15% of population

rural: 10% of population

total: 11% of population

unimproved:

urban: 85% of population

rural: 90% of population

total: 89% of population

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 92

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

24,000 (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 73

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,700 (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 56

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

2.1% (2005)

country comparison to the world: 68

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:

36.8% (2004)

country comparison to the world: 9

Education expenditures:

3% of GDP (2009)

country comparison to the world: 132

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 64.5%

male: 67.4%

female: 61.6% (2009 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total: 2.3%

country comparison to the world: 128

male: 1.7%

female: 2.8% (2005)

Government ::Madagascar

Country name:

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

Government type:

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)

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:

passed by referendum 17 November 2010; promulgated 11 December 2010 (2010)

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

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Andry Nirina RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Jean Omer BERIZIKY (since 2 November 2011)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

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elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held on 8 May 2013); prime minister appointed by the president; note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections tentatively scheduled for 8 May 2013 after repeated delays

election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009

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, who will head the High Transitional Authority; a power-sharing agreement was reached in August 2009, establishing a 15-month transition period to conclude with general elections in 2010; as of December 2012 elections had still not been scheduled but the country appears to be moving towards elections in 2013

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the members appointed by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third appointed by the president; members to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held on 23 September 2007 (next to be held on 3 July 2013); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections tentatively scheduled for 3 July 2013 after repeated delays

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Political parties and leaders:

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA

chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526

FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador [vacant]; Charge d'Affaires Eric WONG

embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101

mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56

FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

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 anthem:

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

lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA

note: adopted 1959

Economy ::Madagascar

Economy - overview:

After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization that has been undermined since the start of the political crisis. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US, however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010 and a sharp fall in textile production. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. The current political crisis, which began in early 2009, has dealt additional blows to the economy. Tourism dropped more than 50% in 2009 compared with the previous year, and many investors are wary of entering the uncertain investment environment. Growth was anemic during 2010 to 2012 although expansion in mining and agricultural sectors is expected to contribute to more growth in 2013.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$21.37 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 128

$20.97 billion (2011 est.)

$20.6 billion (2010 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$10.05 billion (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.9% (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 146

1.8% (2011 est.)

0.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$1,000 (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 216

$1,000 (2011 est.)

$1,000 (2010 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 28.3%

industry: 16.5%

services: 55.2% (2012 est.)

Labor force:

9.504 million (2007)

country comparison to the world: 51

Population below poverty line:

50% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

47.5 (2001)

country comparison to the world: 28

38.1 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 114

Budget:

revenues: $1.738 billion

expenditures: $1.907 billion (2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues:

17.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 178

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):

-1.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 67

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.2% (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 193

9.5% (2011 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

5% (31 December 2010 est.)

NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

42% (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

52.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$1.823 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 130

$1.445 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money:

$2.926 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 146

$2.223 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.349 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 149

$1.048 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

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

Industrial production growth rate:

2% (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 122

Current account balance:

-$2.322 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

-$2.526 billion (2011 est.)

Exports:

$1.533 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 150

$1.394 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products

Exports - partners:

France 22.9%, Indonesia 15.5%, Singapore 6.7%, China 5.7%, Germany 5.5%, US 5% (2011)

Imports:

$3.876 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 139

$3.765 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners:

China 17.4%, France 13.3%, South Africa 5.7%, Singapore 4.9%, Bahrain 4.8%, Mauritius 4.6%, Kuwait 4.5%, India 4.1% (2011)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.294 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 128

$1.279 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.631 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 139

$2.362 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$NA

Exchange rates:

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -

2,220 (2012 est.)

2,025.1 (2011 est.)

2,090 (2010 est.)

1,956.2 (2009)

1,654.78 (2008)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Energy ::Madagascar

Electricity - production:

1.35 billion kWh (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 143

Electricity - consumption:

1.256 billion kWh (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 210

Electricity - installed generating capacity:

406,000 kW (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - from fossil fuels:

69.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 109

Electricity - from nuclear fuels:

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:

30.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - from other renewable sources:

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 152

Crude oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 159

Crude oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 146

Crude oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 88

Crude oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 158

Refined petroleum products - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 169

Refined petroleum products - consumption:

17,480 bbl/day (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 139

Refined petroleum products - exports:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 195

Refined petroleum products - imports:

14,250 bbl/day (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 122

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

country comparison to the world: 163

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:

3.384 million Mt (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 135

Communications ::Madagascar

Telephones - main lines in use:

138,100 (2011)

country comparison to the world: 139

Telephones - mobile cellular:

8.665 million (2011)

country comparison to the world: 84

Telephone system:

general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed

domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 per 100 persons

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)

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 (2007)

Internet country code:

.mg

Internet hosts:

38,392 (2012)

country comparison to the world: 102

Internet users:

319,900 (2009)

country comparison to the world: 127

Transportation ::Madagascar

Airports:

82 (2012)

country comparison to the world: 68

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 26

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 56

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 36

under 914 m: 18 (2012)

Railways:

total: 854 km

country comparison to the world: 97

narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 65,663 km

country comparison to the world: 68

paved: 7,617 km

unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)

Waterways:

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)

country comparison to the world: 79

Merchant marine:

total: 1

country comparison to the world: 152

by type: cargo 1

registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

Military ::Madagascar

Military branches:

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie

Military service age and obligation:

18-25 years of age for male-only voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2010)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 4,900,729

females age 16-49: 4,909,061 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 3,390,071

females age 16-49: 3,682,180 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 248,184

female: 246,769 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1% of GDP (2006)

country comparison to the world: 128

Transnational Issues ::Madagascar

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

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