Madagascar

Madagascar

Introduction

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. Following negotiations in July and August of 2009, a power-sharing agreement with a 15-month transitional period was established, but has not yet been implemented.

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
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

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 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

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

Irrigated land

10,860 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

337 cu km (1984)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

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

People and Society

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

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

Population

21,926,221 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.1% (male 4,762,589/female 4,693,259)
15-64 years:53.8% (male 5,864,520/female 5,938,029)
65 years and over:3% (male 295,409/female 372,415) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 18.2 years
male:17.9 years
female:18.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.973% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Birth rate

37.51 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Death rate

7.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Urbanization

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

Major cities – population

ANTANANARIVO (capital) 1.816 million (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:0.8 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

440 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31

Infant mortality rate

total: 51.45 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 46 male:56.23 deaths/1,000 live births
female:46.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 63.63 years
country comparison to the world: 173 male:61.62 years
female:65.7 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.02 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Health expenditures

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

Physicians density

0.161 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 154

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2005)
country comparison to the world: 181

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 71% of population
rural: 29% of population
total: 41% of population
unimproved:
urban: 29% of population
rural: 71% of population
total: 59% of population (2008)

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 (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

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

HIV/AIDS – deaths

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

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)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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

Education expenditures

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

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:68.9%
male:75.5%
female:62.5% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

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

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

Government type

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

passed by referendum 17 November 2010

promulgated 11 December 2010 (2010)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Andry 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 the World 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 in March 2012)

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 now scheduled for March 2012 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 reached in August 2009 established a 15-month transition period, concluding in general elections in 2010

as of December 2010 the agreement had not been fully implemented

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 in March 2012)

note – a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections now scheduled for March 2012 after repeated delays
election results:National Assembly – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – TIM 106, LEADER/Fanilo 1, independents 20

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

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

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador R. Niels MARQUARDT
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

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 anthem

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

Economy

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 have 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. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. Former President RAVALOMANANA worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year. 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.41 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127 $19.8 billion (2009 est.)
$20.55 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.345 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207 -3.7% (2009 est.)
7.1% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$900 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218 $1,000 (2009 est.)
$1,000 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 29.3%
industry:16.2%
services:54.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

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

Population below poverty line

50% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%:41.5% (2005)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

47.5 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 29 38.1 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

Budget

revenues: $1.184 billion
expenditures:$1.35 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196 9% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

46% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4 44.617% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136 $1.229 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.994 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146 $1.996 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$890.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156 $998.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

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

livestock products

Industries

meat processing, seafood, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131

Electricity – production

1.11 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity – consumption

1.032 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Oil – consumption

22,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Oil – imports

16,390 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160

Current account balance

-$2.106 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161 -$2.368 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$1.173 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150 $881.4 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

France 26.3%, US 9.2%, China 8.5%, Netherlands 6.4%, Germany 5.6%, Canada 4.4%, Spain 4.3% (2010)

Imports

$3.453 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133 $3.211 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports – partners

China 14.6%, France 11.4%, South Africa 6.4%, India 5.4%, Bahrain 4.6%, US 4.3%, Singapore 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.172 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130 $1.136 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$2.265 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137 $2.214 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -
2,062.5 (2010)
1,956.2 (2009)
1,654.78 (2008)
1,880 (2007)
2,161.4 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

84 (2010)
country comparison to the world:67

Airports – with paved runways

total: 27
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:6
914 to 1,523 m:17
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 57
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:35
under 914 m:20 (2010)

Railways

total: 854 km
country comparison to the world: 97 narrow gauge:854 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 65,663 km
country comparison to the world: 69 paved:7,617 km
unpaved:58,046 km (2003)

Waterways

600 km (432 km navigable) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 80

Merchant marine

total: 8
country comparison to the world: 123 by type:cargo 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2 (2010)

Ports and terminals

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

Military

Military branches

People’s Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and Aeronaval Force (navy and air)

National Gendarmerie

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)

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 expenditures

1% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 131

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)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Madagascar is a source country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking

sex and labor trafficking have increased, particularly due to a lack of economic development and a decline in the rule of law during the current political crisis, which began in March 2009

children, mostly from rural areas, are subjected to domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced labor in mining, fishing, and agriculture within the country
tier rating:Tier 3 – combating human trafficking has not been a priority of the de facto government, despite the growing size of the problem both internally and transnationally

the authorities’ anti-trafficking efforts were negligible during the past year

they failed to prosecute or convict trafficking offenders, to identify and refer repatriated victims to necessary services, and to prevent the increased trafficking of Malagasy citizens

lack of awareness on the coverage and application of the anti-trafficking law, and the continued arrest and punishment of potential underage children in prostitution by local law enforcement, contributes to the dismal state of anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts in Madagascar (2011)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption

transshipment point for heroin