{
  "Introduction": {
    "Background": {
      "text": "Madagascar was one of the last major habitable landmasses on earth to be settled by humans. While there is some evidence of human presence on the island in the millennia B.C., large-scale settlement began between A.D. 350 and 550 with settlers from present-day Indonesia. 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 French conquered the island in 1896 and made it a colony; independence was regained in 1960. <br><br>Free presidential and National Assembly elections were held in 1992-93, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing half the country to secede. In 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. He 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. After a lengthy mediation process, Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA won in a runoff and was inaugurated in 2014. In 2019, RAJOELINA was declared the winner against RAVALOMANANA. In 2023, RAJOELINA won another term in an election that most of the opposition boycotted, including RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA and RAVALOMANANA, who claimed it was rigged in favor of RAJOELINA. International observers, however, saw no evidence of systemic fraud, leading the international community to accept the election results."
    }
  },
  "Geography": {
    "Location": {
      "text": "Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique"
    },
    "Geographic coordinates": {
      "text": "20 00 S, 47 00 E"
    },
    "Map references": {
      "text": "Africa"
    },
    "Area": {
      "total ": {
        "text": "587,041 sq km"
      },
      "land": {
        "text": "581,540 sq km"
      },
      "water": {
        "text": "5,501 sq km"
      }
    },
    "Area - comparative": {
      "text": "almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona"
    },
    "Land boundaries": {
      "total": {
        "text": "0 km"
      }
    },
    "Coastline": {
      "text": "4,828 km"
    },
    "Maritime claims": {
      "territorial sea": {
        "text": "12 nm"
      },
      "contiguous zone": {
        "text": "24 nm"
      },
      "exclusive economic zone": {
        "text": "200 nm"
      },
      "continental shelf": {
        "text": "200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south"
    },
    "Terrain": {
      "text": "narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center"
    },
    "Elevation": {
      "highest point": {
        "text": "Maromokotro 2,876 m"
      },
      "lowest point": {
        "text": "Indian Ocean 0 m"
      },
      "mean elevation": {
        "text": "615 m"
      }
    },
    "Natural resources": {
      "text": "graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "71.1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 6% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 64.1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "21.5% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "7.4% (2018 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Irrigated land": {
      "text": "10,860 sq km (2012)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map"
    },
    "Natural hazards": {
      "text": "<p>periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times</p>"
    },
    "Geography - note": {
      "text": "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; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else"
    }
  },
  "People and Society": {
    "Population": {
      "total": {
        "text": "29,452,714"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "14,760,501"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "14,692,213 (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Nationality": {
      "noun": {
        "text": "Malagasy (singular and plural)"
      },
      "adjective": {
        "text": "Malagasy"
      }
    },
    "Ethnic groups": {
      "text": "Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran"
    },
    "Languages": {
      "text": "Malagasy (official) 99.9%, French (official) 23.6%, English 8.2%, other 0.6% (2018 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census"
    },
    "Religions": {
      "text": "Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar/Malagasy Lutheran Church/Anglican Church 34%, Roman Catholic 32.3%, other Christian 8.1%, traditional/Animist 1.7%, Muslim 1.4%, other 0.6%, none 21.9% (2021 est.)"
    },
    "Demographic profile": {
      "text": "<p>Madagascar’s youthful population – nearly 60% are under the age of 25 as of 2020 – and moderately high total fertility rate of more than 3.6 children per woman 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.</p> <p>Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2018, 40% of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24 were married. 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 approximately 60% 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.</p> <p>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.</p>"
    },
    "Age structure": {
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "37% (male 5,507,847/female 5,400,551)"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "59.1% (male 8,720,012/female 8,673,880)"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "3.9% (2024 est.) (male 532,642/female 617,782)"
      }
    },
    "Dependency ratios": {
      "total dependency ratio": {
        "text": "74.5"
      },
      "youth dependency ratio": {
        "text": "68.8"
      },
      "elderly dependency ratio": {
        "text": "5.8"
      },
      "potential support ratio": {
        "text": "17.4 (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Median age": {
      "total": {
        "text": "21.3 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "21.1 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "21.5 years"
      }
    },
    "Population growth rate": {
      "text": "2.18% (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Birth rate": {
      "text": "27.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Death rate": {
      "text": "5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Net migration rate": {
      "text": "0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map"
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "40.6% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "4.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major urban areas - population": {
      "text": "3.872 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2023)"
    },
    "Sex ratio": {
      "at birth": {
        "text": "1.03 male(s)/female"
      },
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "1.02 male(s)/female"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "1.01 male(s)/female"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "0.86 male(s)/female"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Mother's mean age at first birth": {
      "text": "19.5 years (2021 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29"
    },
    "Maternal mortality ratio": {
      "text": "392 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Infant mortality rate": {
      "total": {
        "text": "37.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "40.9 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "34 deaths/1,000 live births"
      }
    },
    "Life expectancy at birth": {
      "total population": {
        "text": "68.8 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "67.3 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "70.3 years"
      }
    },
    "Total fertility rate": {
      "text": "3.47 children born/woman (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Gross reproduction rate": {
      "text": "1.71 (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Contraceptive prevalence rate": {
      "text": "49.7% (2020)"
    },
    "Drinking water source": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 85% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 38% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 56.1% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 15% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 62% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 43.9% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Current health expenditure": {
      "text": "3.9% of GDP (2020)"
    },
    "Physician density": {
      "text": "0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2018)"
    },
    "Hospital bed density": {
      "text": "0.2 beds/1,000 population"
    },
    "Sanitation facility access": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 49.2% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 22.1% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 32.6% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 50.8% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 77.9% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 67.4% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": {
      "text": "5.3% (2016)"
    },
    "Alcohol consumption per capita": {
      "total": {
        "text": "0.89 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "beer": {
        "text": "0.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "wine": {
        "text": "0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "spirits": {
        "text": "0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "other alcohols": {
        "text": "0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Tobacco use": {
      "total": {
        "text": "27.8% (2020 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "42.7% (2020 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "12.8% (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": {
      "text": "22.6% (2021)"
    },
    "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": {
      "text": "60.1% (2023 est.)"
    },
    "Child marriage": {
      "women married by age 15": {
        "text": "12.7%"
      },
      "women married by age 18": {
        "text": "38.8%"
      },
      "men married by age 18": {
        "text": "11.2% (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Education expenditures": {
      "text": "3.1% of GDP (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Literacy": {
      "definition": {
        "text": "age 15 and over can read and write"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "77.3%"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "78.8%"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "75.8% (2021)"
      }
    },
    "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "10 years"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "10 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "10 years (2018)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Environment": {
    "Environment - current issues": {
      "text": "erosion and soil degredation results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; agricultural fires; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes;&nbsp;wildlife preservation (endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island)"
    },
    "Environment - international agreements": {
      "party to": {
        "text": "Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands"
      },
      "signed, but not ratified": {
        "text": "none of the selected agreements"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "71.1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 6% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 64.1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "21.5% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "7.4% (2018 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "40.6% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "4.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Food insecurity": {
      "severe localized food insecurity": {
        "text": "<em>due to the effects of extreme weather events and slow economic recovery - </em>in 2023, an estimated 2.2 million people are projected to face crisis levels of acute food insecurity in southern and southeastern areas, due to successive years of droughts; cyclone Freddy in February 2023 caused disruptions to livelihoods and resulted in crop damage, which further aggravated food insecurity (2023)"
      }
    },
    "Revenue from forest resources": {
      "text": "4.34% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Revenue from coal": {
      "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Air pollutants": {
      "particulate matter emissions": {
        "text": "16.02 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)"
      },
      "carbon dioxide emissions": {
        "text": "3.91 megatons (2016 est.)"
      },
      "methane emissions": {
        "text": "10.14 megatons (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Waste and recycling": {
      "municipal solid waste generated annually": {
        "text": "3,768,759 tons (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Total water withdrawal": {
      "municipal": {
        "text": "400 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "industrial": {
        "text": "160 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural": {
        "text": "13 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Total renewable water resources": {
      "text": "337 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)"
    }
  },
  "Government": {
    "Country name": {
      "conventional long form": {
        "text": "Republic of Madagascar"
      },
      "conventional short form": {
        "text": "Madagascar"
      },
      "local long form": {
        "text": "R&eacute;publique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara"
      },
      "local short form": {
        "text": "Madagascar/Madagasikara"
      },
      "former": {
        "text": "Malagasy Republic"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "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": {
      "text": "semi-presidential republic"
    },
    "Capital": {
      "name": {
        "text": "Antananarivo"
      },
      "geographic coordinates": {
        "text": "18 55 S, 47 31 E"
      },
      "time difference": {
        "text": "UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "the name, which means \"City of the Thousand,\" was bestowed by 17th century King ADRIANJAKA to honor the soldiers assigned to guard the city"
      }
    },
    "Administrative divisions": {
      "text": "6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara"
    },
    "Independence": {
      "text": "26 June 1960 (from France)"
    },
    "National holiday": {
      "text": "Independence Day, 26 June (1960)"
    },
    "Legal system": {
      "text": "civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation"
    },
    "Constitution": {
      "history": {
        "text": "previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010"
      },
      "amendments": {
        "text": "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&rsquo;s collectivities, cannot be amended"
      }
    },
    "International law organization participation": {
      "text": "accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction"
    },
    "Citizenship": {
      "citizenship by birth": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "citizenship by descent only": {
        "text": "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": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "residency requirement for naturalization": {
        "text": "unknown"
      }
    },
    "Suffrage": {
      "text": "18 years of age; universal"
    },
    "Executive branch": {
      "chief of state": {
        "text": "President Andry RAJOELINA (since 16 December 2023)"
      },
      "head of government": {
        "text": "Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since 6 June 2018)"
      },
      "cabinet": {
        "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister"
      },
      "elections/appointments": {
        "text": "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 16 November 2023 (next to be held in November 2028); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president"
      },
      "election results": {
        "text": "<em><br>2023</em>: Andry RAJOELINA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 59.0%, Siteny Thierry RANDRIANASOLONIAIKO 14.4%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 12.1%, other 14.5%<br><em><br>2018</em>: Andry RAJOELINA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 39.2%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 35.4%, other 25.4%; percent of vote in second round - Andry RAJOELINA 55.7%, Marc RAVALOMANANA 44.3%"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch": {
      "legislative structure": {
        "text": "bicameral"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch - lower chamber": {
      "chamber name": {
        "text": "National Assembly (Antenimierampirenena)"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "163 (all directly elected)"
      },
      "electoral system": {
        "text": "mixed system"
      },
      "scope of elections": {
        "text": "full renewal"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "5 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "5/29/2024"
      },
      "parties elected and seats per party": {
        "text": "Isika Rehetra Miaraka Amin’i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) (84); Firaisankina (22); Independents (50); Other (7)"
      },
      "percentage of women in chamber": {
        "text": "14.1%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "May 2029"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch - upper chamber": {
      "chamber name": {
        "text": "Senate (Antenimierandoholona)"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "18 (12 indirectly elected; 6 appointed)"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "5 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "12/11/2020"
      },
      "parties elected and seats per party": {
        "text": "IRMAR (10); MALAGASY MIARA-MIAINGA (2)"
      },
      "percentage of women in chamber": {
        "text": "11.1%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "December 2025"
      }
    },
    "Judicial branch": {
      "highest court(s)": {
        "text": "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); High Court of Justice (consists of 11 members; addresses cases brought against the president of Madagascar and high officials for high treason, grave violations of the Constitution, or breach of&nbsp; duties incompatible with the exercise of the presidential mandate)"
      },
      "judge selection and term of office": {
        "text": "Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve 3-year, single renewable terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 7-year terms; High Court of Justice members include: first president of the Supreme Court; 2 presidents from the Court of Cassation; 2 presidents from the Court of Appeal; 2 deputies&nbsp; from the National Assembly; 2 senators from the Senate; 2 members from the High Council for the Defense of Democracy and the State of law"
      },
      "subordinate courts": {
        "text": "Courts of Appeal; Court of Cassation; Courts of First Instance; military courts; traditional (dina) courts; Trade Court"
      }
    },
    "Political parties": {
      "text": "<p>Group of Young Malagasy Patriots (Groupe des Jeunes Malgaches Patriotes) or GJMP<br>I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM<br>Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina coalition or IRD<br>Malagasy Aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS<br>Malagasy Tia Tanindrazana or MATITA or ANGADY<br>Movement for Democracy in Madagascar (Mouvement pour la Démocratie à Madagascar) or MDM<br>Rally for Democratic Socialism (Rassemblement pour Socialisme Démocratique - Nouveau) or RPSD Vaovao<br>Young Malagasies Determined (Tanora Malagasy Vonona) or TGV</p>"
    },
    "International organization participation": {
      "text": "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": {
        "text": "Ambassador Lantosoa RAKOTOMALALA (since 13 January 2025)"
      },
      "chancery": {
        "text": "2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 265-5525"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 265-3034"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>madagascar.embassy.dc@gmail.com<br><br>https://us-madagascar-embassy.org/"
      }
    },
    "Diplomatic representation from the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Claire PIERANGELO (since 2 May 2022)"
      },
      "embassy": {
        "text": "Lot 207A, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo - Madagascar"
      },
      "mailing address": {
        "text": "2040 Antananarivo Place, Washington DC 20521-2040"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[261] 33-44-320-00"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[261] 33-44-320-35"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>antanACS@state.gov<br><br>https://mg.usembassy.gov/"
      }
    },
    "Flag description": {
      "text": "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)": {
      "text": "traveller's palm, zebu; national colors: red, green, white"
    },
    "National anthem": {
      "name": {
        "text": "\"Ry Tanindraza nay malala o\" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)"
      },
      "lyrics/music": {
        "text": "Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> adopted 1959"
    },
    "National heritage": {
      "total World Heritage Sites": {
        "text": "3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)"
      },
      "selected World Heritage Site locales": {
        "text": "Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (n); Ambohimanga Royal Hill (c); Atsinanana Rainforests&nbsp; (n)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Economy": {
    "Economic overview": {
      "text": "low-income East African island economy; natural resource rich; extreme poverty; return of political stability has helped growth; sharp tax revenue drop due to COVID-19; leading vanilla producer; environmentally fragile"
    },
    "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": {
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": {
        "text": "$51.265 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": {
        "text": "$49.388 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": {
        "text": "$47.488 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "Real GDP growth rate": {
      "Real GDP growth rate 2023": {
        "text": "3.8% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2022": {
        "text": "4% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2021": {
        "text": "5.74% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Real GDP per capita": {
      "Real GDP per capita 2023": {
        "text": "$1,600 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2022": {
        "text": "$1,600 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2021": {
        "text": "$1,600 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "GDP (official exchange rate)": {
      "text": "$15.79 billion (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate"
    },
    "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": {
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023": {
        "text": "9.87% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": {
        "text": "8.16% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": {
        "text": "5.81% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "22.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "22.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "44.7% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by end use": {
      "household consumption": {
        "text": "63.1% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "government consumption": {
        "text": "22.3% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in fixed capital": {
        "text": "21.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in inventories": {
        "text": "0% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "exports of goods and services": {
        "text": "26.9% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "imports of goods and services": {
        "text": "-33.9% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection"
    },
    "Agricultural products": {
      "text": "rice, sugarcane, cassava, sweet potatoes, milk, bananas, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, tropical fruits, potatoes (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage"
    },
    "Industries": {
      "text": "meat processing, seafood, soap, beer, leather, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism, mining"
    },
    "Industrial production growth rate": {
      "text": "2.91% (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Labor force": {
      "text": "16.061 million (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work"
    },
    "Unemployment rate": {
      "Unemployment rate 2023": {
        "text": "3.06% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2022": {
        "text": "3.19% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2021": {
        "text": "3.42% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment"
    },
    "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "5.5% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "5.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "5.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment"
    },
    "Remittances": {
      "Remittances 2023": {
        "text": "2.44% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2022": {
        "text": "2.55% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2021": {
        "text": "3.02% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities"
    },
    "Budget": {
      "revenues": {
        "text": "$1.756 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "expenditures": {
        "text": "$1.523 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated"
    },
    "Public debt": {
      "Public debt 2017": {
        "text": "36% of GDP (2017 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Taxes and other revenues": {
      "text": "9.36% (of GDP) (2022 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP"
    },
    "Current account balance": {
      "Current account balance 2022": {
        "text": "-$829.376 million (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2021": {
        "text": "-$721.953 million (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2020": {
        "text": "-$623.653 million (2020 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports": {
      "Exports 2022": {
        "text": "$4.689 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2021": {
        "text": "$3.362 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2020": {
        "text": "$2.589 billion (2020 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports - partners": {
      "text": "US 18%, France 15%, China 13%, Japan 11%, Germany 4% (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports"
    },
    "Exports - commodities": {
      "text": "nickel, garments, vanilla, cloves, cobalt (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Imports": {
      "Imports 2022": {
        "text": "$6.041 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2021": {
        "text": "$4.769 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2020": {
        "text": "$3.718 billion (2020 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Imports - partners": {
      "text": "China 24%, India 10%, France 9%, Oman 6%, South Africa 6% (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports"
    },
    "Imports - commodities": {
      "text": "refined petroleum, rice, fabric, palm oil, cotton fabric (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": {
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": {
        "text": "$2.632 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": {
        "text": "$2.16 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": {
        "text": "$2.335 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars"
    },
    "Debt - external": {
      "Debt - external 2023": {
        "text": "$3.991 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars"
    },
    "Exchange rates": {
      "Currency": {
        "text": "Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2023": {
        "text": "4,429.579 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2022": {
        "text": "4,096.116 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2021": {
        "text": "3,829.978 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2020": {
        "text": "3,787.754 (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2019": {
        "text": "3,618.322 (2019 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Energy": {
    "Electricity access": {
      "electrification - total population": {
        "text": "36.1% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "electrification - urban areas": {
        "text": "71.6%"
      },
      "electrification - rural areas": {
        "text": "10.9%"
      }
    },
    "Electricity": {
      "installed generating capacity": {
        "text": "663,000 kW (2022 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "2.248 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "transmission/distribution losses": {
        "text": "118.792 million kWh (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity generation sources": {
      "fossil fuels": {
        "text": "63.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "solar": {
        "text": "1.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "hydroelectricity": {
        "text": "33.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "biomass and waste": {
        "text": "2.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Coal": {
      "consumption": {
        "text": "511,000 metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "exports": {
        "text": "(2022 est.) less than 1 metric ton"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "511,000 metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "proven reserves": {
        "text": "150 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Petroleum": {
      "refined petroleum consumption": {
        "text": "19,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Carbon dioxide emissions": {
      "total emissions": {
        "text": "4.054 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from coal and metallurgical coke": {
        "text": "1.155 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from petroleum and other liquids": {
        "text": "2.899 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Energy consumption per capita": {
      "Total energy consumption per capita 2022": {
        "text": "1.887 million Btu/person (2022 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Communications": {
    "Telephones - fixed lines": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "3,000 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "(2023 est.) less than 1"
      }
    },
    "Telephones - mobile cellular": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "25.4 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "70 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telecommunication systems": {
      "general assessment": {
        "text": "internet service is fast compared to other African countries, and telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators; there have been positive developments with the country&rsquo;s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the country&rsquo;s connection to the Africa-1 cable, which arrived in 2023, provides links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well as Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France; a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities, however much of the fiber in country has been installed by Huawei, which also manages data centers for the government; in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President&rsquo;s office; penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)"
      },
      "domestic": {
        "text": "less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 56 per 100 persons (2021)"
      },
      "international": {
        "text": "country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)"
      }
    },
    "Broadcast media": {
      "text": "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 (2019)"
    },
    "Internet country code": {
      "text": ".mg"
    },
    "Internet users": {
      "percent of population": {
        "text": "21% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": {
      "total": {
        "text": "34,000 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "(2023 est.) less than 1"
      }
    }
  },
  "Transportation": {
    "National air transport system": {
      "number of registered air carriers": {
        "text": "4 (2020)"
      },
      "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": {
        "text": "18"
      },
      "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "541,290 (2018)"
      },
      "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "16.25 million (2018) mt-km"
      }
    },
    "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": {
      "text": "5R"
    },
    "Airports": {
      "text": "91 (2024)"
    },
    "Railways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "836 km (2018)"
      },
      "narrow gauge": {
        "text": "836 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge"
      }
    },
    "Roadways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "31,640 km (2017)"
      }
    },
    "Waterways": {
      "text": "600 km (2011) (432 km navigable)"
    },
    "Merchant marine": {
      "total": {
        "text": "29 (2023)"
      },
      "by type": {
        "text": "general cargo 16, oil tanker 2, other 11"
      }
    },
    "Ports": {
      "total ports": {
        "text": "13 (2024)"
      },
      "large": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "medium": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "small": {
        "text": "2"
      },
      "very small": {
        "text": "11"
      },
      "ports with oil terminals": {
        "text": "5"
      },
      "key ports": {
        "text": "Andoany, Antsiranana, Antsohim Bondrona, Iharana, Mahajanga, Maintirano, Manakara, Mananjary, Maroantsetra, Morondava, Toamasina, Tolanaro, Toliara"
      }
    }
  },
  "Military and Security": {
    "Military and security forces": {
      "text": "Madagascar People's Armed Forces (PAF): Army, Navy, Air Force; National Gendarmerie (2024)",
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>the National Gendarmerie is separate from the PAF under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for maintaining law and order in rural areas at the village level, protecting government facilities, and operating a maritime police contingent; the National Police under the Ministry of Security is responsible for maintaining law and order in urban areas"
    },
    "Military expenditures": {
      "Military Expenditures 2023": {
        "text": "0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2022": {
        "text": "0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2021": {
        "text": "0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2020": {
        "text": "0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2019": {
        "text": "0.5% of GDP (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Military and security service personnel strengths": {
      "text": "estimated 13,000 personnel (12,000 Army; 500 Navy; 500 Air Force); estimated 10,000 Gendarmerie (2023)"
    },
    "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": {
      "text": "the PAF's inventory consists mostly of older or secondhand weapons and equipment originating from countries such as France, South Africa, the UAE, the UK, and the former Soviet Union&nbsp; (2024)"
    },
    "Military service age and obligation": {
      "text": "18-25 years of age for men and women; service obligation 18 months; no conscription; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2023)"
    },
    "Military - note": {
      "text": "the PAF&rsquo;s responsibilities include ensuring sovereignty and territorial integrity and protecting Madagascar&rsquo;s maritime domain, particularly against piracy, drug trafficking, and smuggling; it also assists the Gendarmerie with maintaining law and order in rural areas, largely in areas affected by banditry, cattle rustling, and criminal groups; the PAF has a history of having influence in domestic politics and a lack of accountability; members of the Army and the Gendarmerie were arrested for coup plotting as recently as 2021; its closest defense partners have been India and Russia; the PAF&rsquo;s small Navy has traditionally looked to India for assistance with maritime security (2023)"
    }
  },
  "Transnational Issues": {
    "Trafficking in persons": {
      "tier rating": {
        "text": "Tier 2 Watch List — the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, Madagascar was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/madagascar/"
      }
    },
    "Illicit drugs": {
      "text": "illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin"
    }
  }
}