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Last update: December, 21 2021

Madagascar

flag of Madagascar
Government
NameRepublic of Madagascar
MalagasyRepoblikan’i Madagasikara
FrenchRépublique de Madagascar
Government typesemi-presidential republic
CapitalAntananarivo (1,275,207 (2018))
CurrencyMalagasy ariary (MGA)
People
Population (2020)27,691,019 (52nd)
Density of population35.2 P/km2 (174th)
NationalityMalagasy
Official languages
Malagasy
French
Ethnic groups (2004)
Merina26%
Betsimisaraka15%
Betsileo12%
Tsimihety7%
Sakalava6%
Antaisaka5%
Antandroy5%
Other24%
Religions
Christian
Indigenous
Muslim
Life expectancy (2020)
Male65.7 years
Female68.9 years
Total population67.3 years (182nd)
Homicides
n.a.
Geography
Land area581,540 km2
water area5,501 km2
total area587,041 km2 (48th)
Mean elevation615 m
Lowest point
Indian Ocean0 m
Highest point
Maromokotro2,876 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land71.1%
Arable land6%
Permanent crops1%
Permanent pasture64.1%
Forest21.5%
Other7.4%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)38.5%
Rate of urbanization4.48% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)13.4 million  (43rd)
Labor force by occupation
AgricultureNA
IndustryNA
Services NA
Unemployment rate (2017)1.8% (17th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$45.948 billion
Per capita$1,697
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$12.734 billion
Per capita$471
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture24%
Industry19.5%
Services56.4%
Exports (2017)$2.29 billion (136th)
Exports partners (2017)
France24.8%
US16.5%
China6.7%
Germany6.5%
Japan6%
Netherlands4.7%
Imports (2017)$2.738 billion (152nd)
Imports partners (2017)
China18.7%
India9.3%
France6.4%
South Africa5.6%
UAE5.3%

Madagascar on the world map

Madagascar on the world map

Madagascar top 10 largest cities (2018)

  1. Antananarivo (1,275,207)
  2. Toamasina (326,286)
  3. Antsirabe (245,592)
  4. Mahajanga (244,722)
  5. Fianarantsoa (189,879)
  6. Toliara (169,760)
  7. Antsiranana (131,165)
  8. Andoany (or Hell-Ville) (109,365)
  9. Sambava (85,659)
  10. Tôlanaro (or Tolagnaro) (67,188)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Madagascar (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 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)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Exports – commodities:

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products, gems, ilmenite, cobalt, nickel

Imports – commodities:

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Time zone and current time in Madagascar

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Madagascar

Sources: