Madagascar - Economic Indicators

Economic Overview

Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood...

Continue reading View Factbook for Madagascar

GDP Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Private Consumption 2022 39,344,105,870,000 42,698,500,150,000 MGF Annual
Investment 2022 13,240,554,830,000 12,913,854,910,000 MGF Annual
Nominal Gross Domestic Product 2022 62,053,012,080,000 55,744,385,860,000 MGF Annual
Nominal Fixed Investment (gross fixed capital formation) 2017 5,429,135,612,700 4,699,540,915,300 NCU Annual
Real Investment 2016 175,914,227,200 156,613,163,900 NCU Annual
Real Fixed Investment (gross fixed capital formation) 2016 175,916,227,100 156,613,163,900 NCU Annual
Real Gross Domestic Product 2015 113.78 110.43 Index 2005=100 Annual
Government Consumption 2015 3,303 2,676 Bil. MGF Annual
Price Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Jan 2024 169.03 167.48 Index 2016=100, NSA Monthly
Labor Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Agriculture Employment 2017 9,713,092 9,381,376 # Annual
Unemployment Rate 2017 1.8 1.8 % of total labor force Annual
Labor Force 2016 12,618,378 12,238,163 # Annual
Unemployment 2012 61.49 Ths. Annual
Labor Force Employment 2012 10,210 Ths. Annual
Total Employment 2012 10,210 Ths. Annual
Wage & Salaries 2007 711,200,000,000 589,900,000,000 NCU Annual
Trade Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Exports of Goods and Services 2022 18,891,200,000,000 12,695,400,000,000 MGF Annual
Imports of Goods and Services 2022 23,788,673,290,000 17,661,355,370,000 MGF Annual
Exports of Goods 2022 Q4 703,537,953 774,059,994 USD, NSA Quarterly
Balance of Goods 2022 Q4 -361,067,995 -405,687,091 USD, NSA Quarterly
Current Account Balance 2022 Q4 -165,437,887 -389,931,544 USD, NSA Quarterly
Imports of Goods 2022 Q4 1,064,605,948 1,179,747,086 USD, NSA Quarterly
Real Imports of Goods and Services 2016 216,220,217,100 203,991,834,000 NCU Annual
Real Exports of Goods and Services 2016 198,322,109,700 180,302,049,500 NCU Annual
Government Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Government Budget Balance 2011 -1,703,110,000,000 -674,200,000,000 current LCU Annual
Government Revenues 2007 1,636,096,000,000 1,377,100,000,000 NCU Annual
Markets Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Treasury Bills (over 31 days) Dec 2023 11.43 11.03 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Money Market Rate Oct 2017 9 9.22 % p.a., NSA Monthly
Lending Rate Aug 2000 15 15 % Monthly
Business Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Capacity Utilization 2013 62.8 % Annual
Demographics Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Population 2020 27,691,019 26,969,306 # Annual
Death Rate 2016 6.33 6.48 # per Ths. pop. Annual
Birth Rate 2016 33.15 33.4 # per Ths. pop. Annual
Net Migration 2002 -7,500 # Annual

Factbook

Background

Background:
Madagascar was one of the last major landmasses on earth to be colonized by humans. The earliest settlers from present-day Indonesia arrived between A.D. 350 and 550. The island attracted Arab and Persian traders as early as the 7th century, and migrants from Africa arrived around A.D. 1000. Madagascar was a pirate stronghold during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and served as a slave trading center into the 19th century. From the 16th to the late 19th century, a native Merina Kingdom dominated much of Madagascar. The island was conquered by the French in 1896 who made it a colony; independence was regained 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 won a second term in 2006 but, following protests in 2009, handed over power to the military, which then conferred the presidency on the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA, in what amounted to a coup d'etat. Following a lengthy mediation process led by the Southern African Development Community, Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA won a runoff election in December 2013 and was inaugurated in January 2014.

Geography

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
land: 581,540 sq km
water: 5,501 sq km
country comparison to the world: 48
Area - comparative:
almost four times the size of Georgia; 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:
mean elevation: 615 m
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:
agricultural land: 71.1%
arable land 6%; permanent crops 1%; permanent pasture 64.1%
forest: 21.5%
other: 7.4% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
10,860 sq km (2012)
Population - distribution:
most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline
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; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species

People & Society

Population:
25,054,161 (July 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
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:
Christian, indigenous religionist, Muslim
Demographic profile:
Madagascar’s youthful population – just over 60% are under the age of 25 – and high total fertility rate of more than 4 children per women ensures that the Malagasy population will continue its rapid growth trajectory for the foreseeable future. The population is predominantly rural and poor; chronic malnutrition is prevalent, and large families are the norm. Many young Malagasy girls are withdrawn from school, marry early (often pressured to do so by their parents), and soon begin having children. Early childbearing, coupled with Madagascar’s widespread poverty and lack of access to skilled health care providers during delivery, increases the risk of death and serious health problems for young mothers and their babies.
Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2013, of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24, more than 40% were married and more than a third had given birth by the age of 18. Although the legal age for marriage is 18, parental consent is often given for earlier marriages or the law is flouted, especially in rural areas that make up nearly 65% of the country. Forms of arranged marriage whereby young girls are married to older men in exchange for oxen or money are traditional. If a union does not work out, a girl can be placed in another marriage, but the dowry paid to her family diminishes with each unsuccessful marriage.
Madagascar’s population consists of 18 main ethnic groups, all of whom speak the same Malagasy language. Most Malagasy are multi-ethnic, however, reflecting the island’s diversity of settlers and historical contacts (see Background). Madagascar’s legacy of hierarchical societies practicing domestic slavery (most notably the Merina Kingdom of the 16th to the 19th century) is evident today in persistent class tension, with some ethnic groups maintaining a caste system. Slave descendants are vulnerable to unequal access to education and jobs, despite Madagascar’s constitutional guarantee of free compulsory primary education and its being party to several international conventions on human rights. Historical distinctions also remain between central highlanders and coastal people.
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39.87% (male 5,035,160/female 4,952,909)
15-24 years: 20.34% (male 2,556,130/female 2,538,644)
25-54 years: 32.12% (male 4,022,698/female 4,025,038)
55-64 years: 4.38% (male 535,300/female 560,932)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 374,770/female 452,580) (2017 est.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio: 80.1
youth dependency ratio: 75
elderly dependency ratio: 5.1
potential support ratio: 19.6 (2015 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.7 years
male: 19.5 years
female: 19.9 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Population growth rate:
2.5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Birth rate:
31.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Death rate:
6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Population distribution:
most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline
Urbanization:
urban population: 36.4% of total population (2017)
rate of urbanization: 4.47% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
ANTANANARIVO (capital) 2.61 million (2015)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
19.5 years
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008/09 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio:
353 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Infant mortality rate:
total: 41.2 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 37.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.3 years
male: 64.7 years
female: 67.8 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Total fertility rate:
4.03 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
39.9% (2008/09)
Health expenditures:
3% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 181
Physicians density:
0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Hospital bed density:
0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 81.6% of population
rural: 35.3% of population
total: 51.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 18.4% of population
rural: 64.7% of population
total: 48.5% of population (2015 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 18% of population
rural: 8.7% of population
total: 12% of population
unimproved:
urban: 82% of population
rural: 91.3% of population
total: 88% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
31,000 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,600 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
5.3% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 179
Education expenditures:
2.1% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 150
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 64.7%
male: 66.7%
female: 62.6% (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2014)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 2.6%
male: 2.2%
female: 3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155

Government

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
etymology: the name "Madageiscar" was first used by the 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco POLO, as a corrupted transliteration of Mogadishu, the Somali port with which POLO confused the island
Government type:
semi-presidential 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:
history: previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010
amendments: 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 (2017)
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
Citizenship:
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
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014)
head of government: Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly SOLONANDRASANA (since 13 April 2016)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 October and 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president
election results: Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (HVM) 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON (AVANA) 46.5%
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; a power-sharing agreement established a 15-month transition period to conclude with a general election in 2010, which failed to occur; a subsequent agreement aimed for an early 2013 election - the first round was held on 25 October 2013 and the second on 20 December 2013
Legislative branch:
description: bicameral; consists of the Senate or Antenimieran-Doholona (dissolved following the 2009 coup and reestablished in December 2015) (63 seats; 42 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of municipal, communal, regional, and provincial leaders and 21 appointed by the president of the republic; members serve 6-year terms)and the National Assembly or Antenimierampirenena (151 seats; 87 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 64 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2019); Senate - last held 29 December 2015 (next to be held in 2021)
election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - MAPAR 17.3%, MR 10.8%, VPM MMM 8.2%, PHI 3.8%, AMHM 3.5%, LEADER-Fanilo 2.8%, FFF 1.6%, AIM 1.0%, SFN 0.3%, independent and other 50.6%; seats by party - MAPAR 49, MR 20, VPM MMM 13, PHI 5, AMHM 2, LEADER-Fanilo 5, FFF 2, AIM 2, SFN 2, other 22, independent 25, seats with delayed elections 4; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 3, MAPAR 2, LEADER-Fanilo 1, independent 2; appointed by the President 21
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 11 members; addresses judicial administration issues only); High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 9 members); note - the judiciary includes a High Court of Justice responsible for adjudicating crimes and misdemeanors by government officials including the president
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve single-renewable, 3-year terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 6-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; provincial and city tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
AVANA Party [Jean-Louis ROBINSON]
Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER-Fanilo [Manasse ESOAVELOMANDROSO]
Green Party/Parti Vert or AMHM [Sarah Georget RABEHARISOA]
I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]
Liberal Democrat Party (Parti Liberal Democrate) of PLD [Sarah RABEHARISOA]
Malagasy Awaken Party (MalaggasyTonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA]
Malagasy Starting Together Party (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO]
National Unity, Freedom, and Development or FFF [Benjamin RADAVIDSON Andriamparany]
New Forces for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'i Madagasikara) or HVM [Rivo RAKOTOVAO]
Parti Hiaraka Isika or PHI [Albert Camille VITAL]
Pillar for the Renovation of Madagscar Party (Avant-garde pour la Renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA]
Pillar of Madagascar or AIM [Andry RAKOTOVAO]
Ravalomanana Movement or MR
Sambo Fiaran'i Noe or SFN
Union Party or Tambatra [Pety RAKOTONIAINA]
Vondrona Politika Miara dia Malagasy Miara Miainga or VPM MMM [Milavonjy ANDRIASY]
With the President Andry RAJOELIN Party (Miaraka amin'i Andry RAJOELINA) or MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Council for Malagsy Reconciliation (Conseil du Fampihavanana Malagasy) or CFM [Alphonse MAKA]
High Council for the Defense of Democracy and State of Law (Haut Conseil pour la Defense de la Democratie et de l'Etat de Droit} or HCDDED [President to be elected]
National Council of Christian Churches (Filankevitry ny Fiangonana Kristianina eto Madagasikara) or FFKM [Mgr.Samoela Jaona RANARIVELO]
National Independent Commission for Humen Rights (Commission National Independante pour les Droits de l'Homme) or CNIDH [Mireille RABENORO]
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, 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 Eric ANDRIAMIHAJAMANANIRINA Robson (since 28 March 2018)
chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525
FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stuart R. WILSON (since 2 April 2018)
embassy: Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo
mailing address: B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
telephone: [261] 20 23 480 00
FAX: [261] 20 23 480 35 or [261] 33 44 328 17
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 symbol(s):
traveller's palm, zebu; national colors: red, green, white
National anthem:
name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
note: adopted 1959

Economy

Economy - overview:
Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy.
After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’?tat led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup strategy had placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%.
Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$39.81 billion (2017 est.)
$38.15 billion (2016 est.)
$36.62 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 119
GDP (official exchange rate):
$10.56 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.3% (2017 est.)
4.2% (2016 est.)
3.1% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2017 est.)
$1,500 (2016 est.)
$1,500 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 217
Gross national saving:
14.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
16% of GDP (2016 est.)
11.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption: 75.4%
government consumption: 12%
investment in fixed capital: 16.6%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 32.1%
imports of goods and services: -36.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 23.7%
industry: 16%
services: 60.3% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products:
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
Industrial production growth rate:
4.8% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Labor force:
13.4 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Unemployment rate:
2.1% (2016 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Population below poverty line:
70.7% (2012 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
41 (2012 est.)
46.9 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Budget:
revenues: $1.292 billion
expenditures: $1.725 billion (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
12.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-4.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Public debt:
42.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
35.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.8% (2017 est.)
6.7% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Central bank discount rate:
8.3% (31 December 2016 est.)
8.7% (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
64% (31 December 2017 est.)
62% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Stock of narrow money:
$1.006 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$849.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Stock of broad money:
$2.015 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.793 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.957 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.746 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Current account balance:
$-494 million (2017 est.)
$75 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Exports:
$2.35 billion (2017 est.)
$2.196 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Exports - commodities:
coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products, gems, ilmenite, cobalt, nickel
Exports - partners:
France 23.5%, US 12.8%, Germany 8.3%, China 6.3%, Japan 5%, Netherlands 4.3%, South Korea 4.2% (2016)
Imports:
$3.235 billion (2017 est.)
$2.857 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners:
China 21.2%, France 6.9%, India 6.5%, UAE 5.6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, South Africa 5% (2016)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.141 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.184 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Debt - external:
$3.914 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.425 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$6.461 billion (2014 est.)
$6.462 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -
3,262.7 (2017 est.)
3,176.5 (2016 est.)
3,176.5 (2015 est.)
2,933.5 (2014 est.)
2,414.8 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:
population without electricity: 19,500,000
electrification - total population: 15%
electrification - urban areas: 37%
electrification - rural areas: 4% (2013)
Electricity - production:
1.508 billion kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - consumption:
1.402 billion kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
m 668,200 kW (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
73.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
24.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
1.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Refined petroleum products - imports:
15,230 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
3 million Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions: 148,585
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total: 7,998,253
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Telephone system:
general assessment: system is above average for the region; competition among the three mobile service providers has spurred recent growth in the mobile market
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 32.7 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) (2016)
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 users:
total: 1,151,563
percent of population: 4.7% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Transportation

National air transport system:
number of registered air carriers: 3
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 546,946
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 30,512,607 mt-km (2015)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
5R (2016)
Airports:
83 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 65
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 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 57
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 38
under 914 m: 18 (2013)
Railways:
total: 836 km
narrow gauge: 836 km 1.000-m gauge (2018)
country comparison to the world: 97
Roadways:
total: 37,476 km
paved: 6,103 km
unpaved: 31,373 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 92
Waterways:
600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 79
Merchant marine:
total: 28
by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 3, other 10 (2017)
country comparison to the world: 130
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s): Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

Military & Security

Military expenditures:
0.53% of GDP (2017)
0.59% of GDP (2016)
0.6% of GDP (2015)
0.65% of GDP (2014)
0.68% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 140
Military branches:
People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, Navy, Air Force (2018)
Military service age and obligation:
Madagascar has an all-volunteer military; 18-25 years of age for males; service obligation 18 months; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2018)

Transnational Issues

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)
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 246,842 (cyclone in 2017) (2017)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

Economic Indicators for Madagascar including actual values, historical data, and latest data updates for the Madagascar economy.