Madagascar Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Madagascar, state of southeastern Africa; 587,000 km², 26.3 million residents (2019).Madagascar, which is separated from the African mainland by the Mozambique Canal, includes the island of Madagascar (the world’s fourth largest island) in the Indian Ocean as well as several adjacent small islands. The capital is Antananarivo (1.3 million residents, 2015).

Country facts

Repoblikan’i Madagasikara / Republic of Madagascar
Country abbreviation: MG
Area: 587 000 km²
Population (2019): 26.3 million residents
Capital: Antananarivo
Main languages: Malagasy, French
State: Republic
Head of State: Andry Rajoelina (President)
Head of Government: Christian Ntsay
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 461
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 440
Currency unit: 1 ariary = 5 francs
Currency code: MGA
Country number (telephony): 261
Internet domain name: mg
Time difference compared to Sweden: +2
National Day: June 26 (Independence Day, 1960)

Nature

Land use: forest (27%), agricultural land (5%), other (68%)
Highest mountain: Maromokotro (2 876 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 45 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 3.0%; birthrate 36 ‰, deathrate 6 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (41%), 15-64 (56%), 65- (3%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 65 years, women 68 years
Infant mortality (2019): 40 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 61 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.519 (place 161 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 37%
Most populous city (2015): Antananarivo (1.3 million residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (24%), industry (20%), service (56%)
Exports (2017): US $ 2 290 million
Main export products: coffee, vanilla, seafood
Main exporting countries: France, USA, China
Imports (2017): US $ 2,738 million
Main import products: capital goods, oil, consumer goods
Main importing countries: China, India, France
Railway network (2018): 850 km

Most of the main island consists of a centrally located highland with a north-south ridge parallel to the coast. Madagascar is entirely within the tropical climate zone, but the altitude of the central plateau country means that this gets a warm-temperate climate.

The country is led by a president, who is elected in general elections for five years. The President has a strong position and is the commander-in-chief and appoints the Prime Minister. The legislative power is held by the Senate and the National Assembly. The National Assembly is elected in general elections for four years. After a coup in 2009 and subsequent political turbulence, the country has since 2011 a unifying government. Madagascar became independent in 1960.

The economy is strongly oriented towards primary nutrition. The industrial sector is mainly focused on the processing of agricultural products. Political instability and widespread corruption have made economic changes more difficult. At the beginning of the 1990s, a certain upturn in the economy was noticeable, but natural disasters combined with internal political disputes have led to new economic problems.