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Africa :: Madagascar

- ## Introduction :: MADAGASCAR

- 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 election of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA handing 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. Following a lengthy mediation process led by the Southern African Development Community, Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA won a runoff election in December 2013 and was inaugurated in January 2014.

- ## Geography :: MADAGASCAR

- 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
  land: 581,540 sq km
  water: 5,501 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 47
  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:
  agricultural land: 71.1%
  arable land 6%; permanent crops 1%; permanent pasture 64.1%
  forest: 21.5%
  other: 7.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  10,860 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  337 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 16.5 cu km/yr (2%/1%/97%)
  per capita: 1,010 cu m/yr (2005)
  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 :: MADAGASCAR

- 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:
  23,812,681 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 40.45% (male 4,856,231/female 4,775,025)
  15-24 years: 20.53% (male 2,450,164/female 2,439,035)
  25-54 years: 31.56% (male 3,760,230/female 3,755,775)
  55-64 years: 4.24% (male 488,315/female 521,690)
  65 years and over: 3.22% (male 347,151/female 419,065) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 80.3%
  youth dependency ratio: 75.2%
  elderly dependency ratio: 5.1%
  potential support ratio: 19.5% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 19.4 years
  male: 19.2 years
  female: 19.5 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  2.58% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Birth rate:
  32.61 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Death rate:
  6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 35.1% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 4.69% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  ANTANANARIVO (capital) 2.61 million (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
  total population: 1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 43.67 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 47.59 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 39.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 65.55 years
  male: 64.09 years
  female: 67.05 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Total fertility rate:
  4.2 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  39.9% (2008/09)
  Health expenditures:
  4.2% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Physicians density:
  0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
  Hospital bed density:
  0.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 81.6% of population
  rural: 35.3% of population
  total: 51.5% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 18.4% of population
  rural: 64.7% of population
  total: 48.5% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 18% of population
  rural: 8.7% of population
  total: 12% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 82% of population
  rural: 91.3% of population
  total: 88% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.29% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  39,100 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  3,200 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: very high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
  water contact disease: schistosomiasis
  animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  4.6% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Education expenditures:
  2.7% of GDP (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 64.7%
  male: 66.7%
  female: 62.6% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 10 years
  male: 11 years
  female: 10 years (2012)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 1,827,423
  percentage: 28%
  note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 2.3%
  male: 1.7%
  female: 2.8% (2005 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133

- ## Government :: MADAGASCAR

- 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:
  previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010 (2012)
  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 Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimana (since 25 January 2014)
  head of government: Prime Minister Jean RAVELONARIVO (since 17 January 2015)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
  elections/appointments: 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 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2018); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president
  election results: Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president; percent of vote in second round - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (FIDO) 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON (AVANA) 46.5%
  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; a power-sharing agreement established a 15-month transition period to conclude with a general election in 2010, which failed to occur; a subsequent agreement aimed for an early 2013 election - the first round was held on 25 October 2013 and the second on 20 December 2013
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral National Assembly or Antenimierampirenena (151 seats; 87 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 64 directly elected in two-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  elections: National Assembly - last held on 20 December 2013 (next to be held in 2017); note - a power-sharing agreement in the summer of 2009 established a 15-month transition, concluding in general elections held in 2013 after repeated delays
  election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - MPAR 17.3%, MR 10.8%, VPM MMM 8.2%, independent and other 63.7%; seats by party - MPAR 49, MR 20, VPM MMM 13, PHI 5, other 35, independent 25, seats with delayed elections 4
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): 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); note - the judiciary includes a High Court of Justice responsible for adjudicating crimes and misdemeanors by government officials including the president
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve single-renewable, 3-year terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 6-year terms
  subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; provincial and city tribunals
  Political parties and leaders:
  AVANA Party [Jean-Louis ROBINSON]
  Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National Recovery/LEADER Fanilo or LF [Manasse ESOAVELOMANDROSO]
  Green Party/Parti Vert or AMHM [Sarah Georget RABEHARISOA]
  National Unity, Freedom, and Development or FFF [Andriamparany Benjamin RADAVIDSON]
  New Force for Madagascar or FIDIO [Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA]
  Parti Hiaraka Isika or PHI [Albert Camille VITAL]
  Party of Andry Rajoelina or MPAR [Andry RAJOELINA]
  Pillar of Madagascar or AIM [Andry RAKOTOVAO]
  Ravlomanana Movement or MR [Marc RAVALOMANANA]
  Sambo Fiaran'i Noe or SFN
  Union Party or Tambatra [Pety RAKOTONIAINA]
  Vondrona Politika Miara dia Malagasy Miara Miainga or VPM MMM [Milavonjy ANDRIASY]
  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, 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: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Velotiana Rakotoanosy RAOBELINA (since 20 June 2011)
  chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 through 5526
  FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Robert T. YAMATE (since 13 January 2015); note - also accredited to Comoros
  embassy: Lot 207A, Point Liberty, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo
  mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo
  telephone: [261] (23) 480 00/01
  FAX: [261] (23) 480 35
  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 symbol(s):
  traveller's palm, zebu; national colors: red, green, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
  lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
  note: adopted 1959

- ## Economy :: MADAGASCAR

- Economy - overview:
  After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until the onset of a political crisis , which lasted from 2009-2013 . The free market strategy had previously placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US in 2000; 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, a sharp fall in textile production, and a loss of more than 100,000 jobs; Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 following the democratic election of a new President the previous year. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns. Many investors remain wary of investing for fear of a return to political instability in the country and because of weaknesses in the business environment. Expansion in mining and agricultural sectors contributed to growth in 2014. International organizations and foreign donors resumed development aid to Madagascar after RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA appointed a new government in mid-2014, however full-scale assistance will require further policy reforms, particularly on addressing rampant corruption.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $33.87 billion (2014 est.)
  $32.89 billion (2013 est.)
  $32.11 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 120
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $10.6 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3% (2014 est.)
  2.4% (2013 est.)
  3% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,400 (2014 est.)
  $1,400 (2013 est.)
  $1,400 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 218
  Gross national saving:
  12.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  10.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
  10.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 84.1%
  government consumption: 13.3%
  investment in fixed capital: 15.9%
  investment in inventories: 0%
  exports of goods and services: 30.1%
  imports of goods and services: -43.3%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 28.1%
  industry: 17.4%
  services: 54.5% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc, tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
  Industries:
  meat processing, seafood, soap, beer, leather, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism, mining
  Industrial production growth rate:
  6.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Labor force:
  12.15 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 46
  Unemployment rate:
  NA%
  3.6% (2012 est.)
  Population below poverty line:
  50% (2004 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.2%
  highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  47.5 (2001)
  38.1 (1999)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Budget:
  revenues: $2.375 billion
  expenditures: $2.741 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  21.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -3.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  6.1% (2014 est.)
  5.8% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Central bank discount rate:
  5% (31 December 2010)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  61% (31 December 2014 est.)
  58.98% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Stock of narrow money:
  $1.611 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.588 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Stock of broad money:
  $2.787 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.494 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $1.822 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.638 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$240 million (2014 est.)
  -$1.714 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Exports:
  $864.8 million (2014 est.)
  $721.2 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Exports - commodities:
  coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, clothing, chromite, petroleum products
  Exports - partners:
  France 17.7%, US 8.8%, Belgium 6.8%, Netherlands 6.4%, South Africa 5.7%, Japan 5.4%, South Korea 5%, China 4.8%, Germany 4.5% (2014)
  Imports:
  $2.742 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.681 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Imports - commodities:
  capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
  Imports - partners:
  China 20.6%, France 10.6%, Algeria 6.3%, India 5.4%, Bahrain 5%, Mauritius 4.6%, South Africa 4.2%, Kuwait 4% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $1.005 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $905.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Debt - external:
  $3.63 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $3.282 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $NA
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar -
  2,393.5 (2014 est.)
  2,206.9 (2013 est.)
  2,195 (2012 est.)
  2,025.1 (2011 est.)
  2,090 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: MADAGASCAR

- Electricity - production:
  1.34 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Electricity - consumption:
  1.246 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  512,200 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  74% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  25.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 96
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  20,140 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  365 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  12,120 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  2.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  2.886 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143

- ## Communications :: MADAGASCAR

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 250,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 121
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 9 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  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) (2010)
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)
  Internet country code:
  .mg
  Internet users:
  total: 17 million
  percent of population: 73.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31

- ## Transportation :: MADAGASCAR

- Airports:
  83 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  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 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 57
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 38
  under 914 m:
  18 (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 836 km
  narrow gauge: 836 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Roadways:
  total: 34,476 km
  paved: 5,613 km
  unpaved: 28,863 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Waterways:
  600 km (432 km navigable) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Merchant marine:
  total: 1
  by type: cargo 1
  registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear)

- ## Military :: MADAGASCAR

- 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 is 18 months for military or equivalent civil service; 20-30 years of age for National Gendarmerie recruits and 35 years of age for those with military experience (2012)
  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:
  0.69% of GDP (2012)
  0.73% of GDP (2011)
  0.69% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 119

- ## Transnational Issues :: MADAGASCAR

- 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)
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  IDPs: 21,475 (floods in 2015) (2015)
  Trafficking in persons:
  current situation: Madagascar is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; poor Malagasy women hired as domestic workers in Lebanon, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are vulnerable to abuse by recruitment agencies and employers; Malagasy men experience forced labor aboard Chinese-flagged fishing vessels in South Africa’s territorial waters; Malagasy children, mostly from rural areas, are subjected to domestic servitude, prostitution, forced begging, and forced labor within the country, often with the complicity of family members; child sex tourism continues to increase, especially in coastal cities, with Malagasy men being the main clients
  tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Madagascar does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the first seven convictions under the 2007 anti-trafficking law were secured in 2013; no government employees were investigated, despite widespread corruption and the alleged official complicity in human trafficking; authorities lacked formal procedures to identify victims among vulnerable groups and did not systematically provide or refer victims to NGOs for care; the government did not engage with the Lebanese Government regarding the protection of and legal remedies for exploited Malagasy workers but began discussions with Saudi and Kuwaiti officials (2014)
  Illicit drugs:
  illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

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