Country Profile: Madagascar

Madagascar is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique, characterized by its unique biodiversity and rich natural resources. The population is predominantly Malagasy, with diverse ethnic groups and languages. The economy, while improving, faces challenges with extreme poverty and a reliance on agriculture, particularly as a leading vanilla producer. Madagascar operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a history of political instability recently marked by a military transition in 2025.

Geography

Madagascar is the world's fourth-largest island, featuring a diverse landscape that includes a narrow coastal plain, a high plateau, and mountains. It has a tropical climate along the coast, temperate inland, and arid conditions in the south. The island's isolation has resulted in a high percentage of endemic species, making it a biodiversity hotspot.

Area: 587,041 sq km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Highest Point: Maromokotro at 2,876 m
Natural Resources: graphite, bauxite, rare earth elements, and fish
Population Distribution: Most residents cluster in the eastern half and central highlands.
Natural Hazards: Periodic cyclones and drought.

People and Society

With a population of approximately 31.3 million (2025 estimate), Madagascar's demographic features a youthful age structure. The majority of the population belongs to several ethnic groups, with Malagasy as the official language. The society is predominantly Christian, with a notable presence of traditional beliefs. The literacy rate stands at about 74.7%, indicating ongoing challenges in education.

Population Growth Rate: 2.15% (2025)
Urban Population: 40.6% (2023)
Life Expectancy: 68.8 years (2024)
Median Age: 20.5 years (2025)
Birth Rate: 27.54 births per 1,000 population (2025)
Infant Mortality Rate: 38.4 deaths per 1,000 live births (2025)

Economy

Madagascar's economy is classified as low-income with a heavy reliance on agriculture, contributing to approximately 22.5% of GDP. While the country is rich in natural resources, it suffers from extreme poverty and inequality. Efforts to stabilize the political climate have positively influenced economic growth, yet challenges remain.

GDP (PPP): $52.968 billion (2024 estimate)
Real GDP Growth Rate: 4.2% (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1% (2024)
Main Exports: Garments, vanilla, and gold
Main Imports: Refined petroleum, rice, and fabric
Public Debt: 38.4% of GDP (2016)

Government

Madagascar is governed as a semi-presidential republic, with a complex political history characterized by coups and transitions of power. The country is administratively divided into six provinces and has a bicameral legislative system. The judiciary operates under a civil law system influenced by French law.

Capital: Antananarivo
Latest Constitution: Adopted in 2010
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Current President: Andry Rajoelina (since 2019)
Political Parties: Includes IRMAR and TIM.
Independence: Achieved from France on June 26, 1960.

Military and Security

The Malagasy Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside the National Gendarmerie responsible for maintaining law and order. Military service is voluntary, with a service obligation of 18 months. The military's role extends to ensuring sovereignty and combating security threats.

Military Expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2024)
Military Personnel: Approximately 13,000
Service Age: 18 years for both men and women
Recent Military Transition: Transitioned governance to a military-led government in October 2025.
Military Partnerships: Includes France and India.

Energy

Energy access remains limited in Madagascar, with only 36.1% of the population having electricity in 2022. The majority of energy generation is reliant on fossil fuels, but there is a growing interest in hydroelectric and renewable energy sources.

Electricity Generation Capacity: 759,000 kW (2023)
Electricity Access: 36.1% (2022)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 1.816 million Btu/person (2023)
Sources of Energy: 64.8% from fossil fuels, 31.1% from hydroelectricity.

Environment

Madagascar faces significant environmental challenges including deforestation, erosion, and biodiversity loss. The country participates in multiple international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to addressing these issues while balancing development needs.

Forest Cover: 17.5% of land area (2023)
Climate Agreements: Party to Biodiversity and Climate Change protocols.
Total Water Resources: 337 billion cubic meters (2022)
Urban Population: 40.6% of total (2023)

Transportation

Madagascar's transportation infrastructure includes air, sea, and limited rail services. The country's long coastline supports various ports, while the civil aviation system is supported by several airports facilitating both domestic and international travel.

Airports: 93 (2025)
Railways: 836 km (2018)
Merchant Marine: 29 vessels (2023)
Ports: 13 total, with key ports including Toamasina and Mahajanga.

Communications

Madagascar's communication infrastructure includes a growing number of mobile cellular subscriptions, yet fixed-line service remains limited. Internet access is available to about 20% of the population, indicating room for growth in digital connectivity.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 23.5 million (2023)
Internet Users: 20% of the population (2023)
Television and Radio: State-owned and privately owned broadcasting services available.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,345,040 (2025 est.)
Area	587,041 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$52.968 billion (2024)
Energy Consumption per Capita	1.816 million Btu/person	(2023)
Birth Rate	27.54 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	(2024)
Life Expectancy	68.8 years	(2024 est.)