Madagascar

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 hosts

38,392 (2012) country comparison to the world: 102

Internet users

319,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 127

Telephone system

general assessment: system is above average for the region; Antananarivo's main telephone exchange modernized in the late 1990s, but the rest of the analogue-based telephone system is poorly developed domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 40 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)

Telephones - main lines in use

138,100 (2011) country comparison to the world: 139

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.665 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 84

Agriculture - products

coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Budget

revenues: $1.738 billion expenditures: $1.907 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.) NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

42% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 52.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.322 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 -$2.526 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.631 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $2.362 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 28 38.1 (1999)

Economy - overview

After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization that has been undermined since the start of the political crisis. This strategy placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel boomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the US, however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010 and a sharp fall in textile production. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. The current political crisis, which began in early 2009, has dealt additional blows to the economy. Tourism dropped more than 50% in 2009 compared with the previous year, and many investors are wary of entering the uncertain investment environment. Growth was anemic during 2010 to 2012 although expansion in mining and agricultural sectors is expected to contribute to more growth in 2013.

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 2,220 (2012 est.) 2,025.1 (2011 est.) 2,090 (2010 est.) 1,956.2 (2009) 1,654.78 (2008)

Exports

$1.533 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $1.394 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products

Exports - partners

France 22.9%, Indonesia 15.5%, Singapore 6.7%, China 5.7%, Germany 5.5%, US 5% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.05 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$21.37 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $20.97 billion (2011 est.) $20.6 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 28.3% industry: 16.5% services: 55.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 $1,000 (2011 est.) $1,000 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 1.8% (2011 est.) 0.4% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)

Imports

$3.876 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $3.765 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners

China 17.4%, France 13.3%, South Africa 5.7%, Singapore 4.9%, Bahrain 4.8%, Mauritius 4.6%, Kuwait 4.5%, India 4.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 9.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Labor force

9.504 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 51

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

50% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.294 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $1.279 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.926 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $2.223 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.349 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $1.048 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.823 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $1.445 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.384 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - consumption

1.256 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity - from fossil fuels

69.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

30.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210

Electricity - installed generating capacity

406,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - production

1.35 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,480 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Refined petroleum products - imports

14,250 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Area

total: 587,041 sq km country comparison to the world: 47 land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,501 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Climate

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Coastline

4,828 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 14.96 cu km/yr (3%/2%/96%) per capita: 804 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Geography - note

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

Irrigated land

10,860 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 5.03% permanent crops: 1.02% other: 93.95% (2005)

Location

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Map references

Africa

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

Natural hazards

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times

Natural resources

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Terrain

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Total renewable water resources

337 cu km (1984)

Administrative divisions

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Capital

name: Antananarivo geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

passed by referendum 17 November 2010; promulgated 11 December 2010 (2010)

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador [vacant]; Charge d'Affaires Eric WONG embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101 mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56 FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Andry Nirina RAJOELINA (since 18 March 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Jean Omer BERIZIKY (since 2 November 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held on 8 May 2013); prime minister appointed by the president; note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections tentatively scheduled for 8 May 2013 after repeated delays election results: percent of vote - Marc RAVALOMANANA 54.8%, Jean LAHINIRIKO 11.7%, Roland RATSIRAKA 10.1%, Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO 9.1%, Norbert RATSIRAHONANA 4.2%, Ny Hasina ANDRIAMANJATO 4.2%, Elia RAVELOMANANTSOA 2.6%, Pety RAKOTONIAINA 1.7%, other 1.6%; note - RAVALOMANANA stepped down on 17 March 2009 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, who will head the High Transitional Authority; a power-sharing agreement was reached in August 2009, establishing a 15-month transition period to conclude with general elections in 2010; as of December 2012 elections had still not been scheduled but the country appears to be moving towards elections in 2013

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

Government type

republic

Independence

26 June 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, 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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Legal system

civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of a Senate or Senat (100 seats; two-thirds of the members appointed by regional assemblies; the remaining one-third appointed by the president; members to serve four-year terms) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats - reduced from 160 seats by an April 2007 national referendum; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held on 23 September 2007 (next to be held on 3 July 2013); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections tentatively scheduled for 3 July 2013 after repeated delays election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

National anthem

name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland) lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA note: adopted 1959

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Political parties and leaders

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot RAJAONARIVELO]; Democratic Party for Union in Madagascar or PSDUM [Jean LAHINIRIKO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD [Evariste MARSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence 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 achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA stepping down and the presidency was conferred to the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA. Numerous attempts have been made by regional and international organizations to resolve the subsequent political gridlock by forming a power-sharing government. As of late 2012, the country to be moving towards new elections sometime in 2013.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 4,900,729 females age 16-49: 4,909,061 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 3,390,071 females age 16-49: 3,682,180 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 248,184 female: 246,769 (2010 est.)

Military branches

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air); National Gendarmerie

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 128

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male-only voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation - 18 months (either military or equivalent civil service); 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits (35 years of age for those with military experience) (2010)

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.4% (male 4,593,719/ female 4,515,993) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 6,090,418/ female 6,118,424) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 311,810/ female 374,858) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

34 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

36.8% (2004) country comparison to the world: 9

Death rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Education expenditures

3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 132

Ethnic groups

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,700 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

24,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Health expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 98

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

total: 47.4 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 47 male: 51.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64 years country comparison to the world: 173 male: 61.97 years female: 66.1 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 64.5% male: 67.4% female: 61.6% (2009 est.)

Major cities - population

ANTANANARIVO (capital) 1.816 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, malaria, and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 48

Median age

total: 18.3 years male: 18 years female: 18.5 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

2.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 68

Physicians density

0.161 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

22,005,222 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Population growth rate

2.68% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Religions

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 15% of population rural: 10% of population total: 11% of population unimproved: urban: 85% of population rural: 90% of population total: 89% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.45 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 2.3% country comparison to the world: 128 male: 1.7% female: 2.8% (2005)

Urbanization

urban population: 30% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 3.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

Airports

82 (2012) country comparison to the world: 68

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 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 56 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 18 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 152 by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

Railways

total: 854 km country comparison to the world: 97 narrow gauge: 854 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 65,663 km country comparison to the world: 68 paved: 7,617 km unpaved: 58,046 km (2003)

Waterways

600 km (432 km navigable) (2011) country comparison to the world: 79