Country Profile: Madagascar

Madagascar is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique. With a diverse population of over 31 million, it is the world’s fourth-largest island, renowned for its unique biodiversity. Economically, Madagascar faces extreme poverty despite being rich in natural resources, with a significant reliance on agriculture and an emerging tourism sector. The country's governance has seen a history of political instability, but recent elections have established a semi-presidential republic.

Geography

Madagascar is situated in Southern Africa and boasts a tropical climate along its coast and a temperate climate inland, with arid conditions in the south. It has a total area of approximately 587,041 sq km, making it nearly four times the size of Georgia. The island features a narrow coastal plain, a high plateau, and mountainous terrain in its center, with a coastline of 4,828 km.

Highest Point: Maromokotro at 2,876 m
Natural Hazards: Periodic cyclones and droughts
Endemic Species: Approximately 90% of its flora and fauna are unique to Madagascar
Maritime Claims: Exclusive economic zone extends 200 nm
Natural Resources: Includes rare earth elements, bauxite, and semiprecious stones

People and Society

Madagascar's estimated population is 31,345,040, predominantly Malagasy who speak Malagasy and French. The society is composed of diverse ethnic groups with a rich cultural heritage influenced by Malayo-Indonesian, African, and Arab ancestry. Life expectancy is about 68.8 years, with a significant portion of the population under 15 years old, indicating a youthful demographic.

Median Age: 20.5 years
Urbanization Rate: 40.6% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
Literacy Rate: 74.7% (2021)
Religious Composition: 34% Lutheran, 32.3% Roman Catholic
Birth Rate: 27.54 births per 1,000 population (2025)

Economy

Madagascar's economy is classified as low-income, heavily relying on agriculture, particularly vanilla production, alongside mining and textile industries. In 2024, the GDP (PPP) is estimated at $52.968 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 4.2%. Despite its resource wealth, the country grapples with extreme poverty and significant tax revenue loss post-COVID-19.

GDP Per Capita: $1,700 (2024 est.)
Agricultural Contribution: 22.5% of GDP (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1% (2024)
Inflation Rate: 9.9% (2023)
Exports: Mainly garments, nickel, and gold

Government

Madagascar is a semi-presidential republic, with the capital being Antananarivo. The country has undergone significant political changes, including military-led transitions. The most recent presidential election took place in November 2023, resulting in Andry RAJOELINA's reelection.

Constitution: Promulgated on 11 December 2010
Suffrage: Universal voting age is 18
Legislative Structure: Bicameral, consisting of a National Assembly and Senate
Political Parties: Includes Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) and several others
Independence Date: 26 June 1960 from France

Military and Security

The Madagascar Armed Forces encompass the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with an estimated 13,000 personnel. Military expenditures are around 0.7% of the GDP. The military has historically influenced domestic politics and currently focuses on maintaining law and order.

Mandatory Service Age: 18 years, with a service obligation of 18 months
Gendarmerie Strength: Estimated 10,000
Military Equipment: Primarily older or second-hand armaments
Security Challenges: Addressing piracy and drug trafficking in maritime regions
Current Political Influence: Military has a role in government transitions

Energy

Electricity access in Madagascar remains low, with only 36.1% of the total population connected. The energy grid primarily relies on fossil fuels, while hydropower contributes significantly to the installed capacity.

Installed Generating Capacity: 759,000 kW (2023)
Electrification Rate: 10.9% in rural areas
Total Energy Consumption Per Capita: 1.816 million Btu/person (2023)
Renewable Sources: Hydroelectricity accounts for 31.1% of capacity
Coal Consumption: 472,000 metric tons (2023)

Transportation

Madagascar has a developing transportation network comprising 93 airports and a limited railway system. The nation relies heavily on maritime routes for trade, with numerous small ports facilitating shipping.

Total Railways: 836 km (2018)
Merchant Marine: 29 vessels (2023)
Ports: 13, with key ports including Toamasina and Mahajanga
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 5R
Road Infrastructure: Limited and requires improvement

Communications

Telecommunication services in Madagascar are evolving, with a significant number of mobile subscriptions compared to fixed lines. Internet penetration is rising but remains relatively low.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 23.5 million (2023)
Internet Users: Approximately 20% of the population (2023)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: Only 3,000 (2023)
Broadband Access: 34,000 subscriptions (2023)
Broadcast Media: Dominated by state-owned entities

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,345,040 (2025 est.)
Area	587,041 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$52.968 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita	$1,700 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	3.1% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	27.54 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Life expectancy	68.8 years (2024 est.)
Electrification rate	36.1% (2022 est.)
Literacy rate	74.7% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate	9.9% (2023 est.)