Political stability has improved since the 2023 elections, but poverty, climate vulnerability, and weak infrastructure continue to constrain development. Economic growth is projected at ~3% in 2025, driven by services, tourism, and manufacturing, but remains insufficient to reduce widespread poverty.
Introduction
Madagascar is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean, historically shaped by Malayo‑Indonesian settlement, African migration, and French colonial rule until 1960. Its unique flora and fauna make it one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.
Geography
- Location: Island off southeastern Africa, separated from Mozambique by the Mozambique Channel.
- Area: 587,041 sq km.
- Climate: Tropical along coasts, temperate inland, arid in the south.
- Environment: Highly exposed to cyclones, droughts, and floods, costing ~1% of GDP annually.
People and Society
- Population (2025 est.): ~31.3 million.
- Ethnic groups: Predominantly Malayo‑Indonesian (Merina, Betsileo) and mixed coastal groups (Betsimisaraka, Sakalava).
- Languages: Malagasy (99.9%), French widely used; English spoken by a minority.
- Religion: Mostly Christian (≈74%), with traditional beliefs and Islam present.
- Social challenges: High poverty (≈66–75%), chronic malnutrition (~40%), low educational attainment, and significant gender inequality.
Government
Madagascar is a semi‑presidential republic.
- Capital: Antananarivo.
- Recent politics: President Andry Rajoelina won reelection in 2023; opposition boycotted but international observers found no systemic fraud.
- Governance issues: Weak institutions, high dependence on external financing, and limited social protection.
Population
- 2025 estimate: 31.3 million with rapid growth (~2.4–3% annually).
- 2026 projection: ~32.6 million.
Economy
- Growth (2025): ~3%, driven by tourism, manufacturing, telecom, and services.
- Inflation: ~8% year‑on‑year; central bank policy rate raised to 12% (May 2025).
- Key sectors: Agriculture (25% of GDP), services (55%), extractives.
- Challenges: High poverty (66.5%), low productivity, climate shocks, weak infrastructure, and widening current account deficit (6.6% of GDP).
Energy
- Resources: Hydropower, coal, graphite, rare earth elements.
- Issues: Limited access to electricity, vulnerability to cyclone‑related grid damage, and reliance on diesel generation (inferred from infrastructure weakness; supported by climate‑impact data).
Communications
- Telecom growth: Telecommunications is a key driver of economic expansion in 2025.
- Languages: Malagasy and French dominate public communication.
Transportation
- Infrastructure: Weak and underdeveloped; recurrent cyclone damage disrupts roads and connectivity.
- Ports: Vital for trade due to island geography (inferred from location and trade deficit data).
Military and Security
- Security forces: Small, focused on internal stability.
- Risks: Political tensions, occasional unrest, and vulnerability to transnational issues (piracy, trafficking).
- Recent events: Diplomatic tensions with France noted in 2026 news.
Travel Advice
- Risks: Cyclones (Nov–Apr), poor road conditions, petty crime in urban areas.
- Health: High rates of malnutrition and limited healthcare access; travelers should ensure vaccinations and medical insurance.
- Environment: Unique wildlife but fragile ecosystems—responsible tourism is essential. (General travel guidance synthesized from environmental and infrastructure data.)
Expected Trends for 2026
- Population: Growth to ~32.6 million.
- Economy: Growth supported by post‑cyclone reconstruction and infrastructure investment.
- Risks: Continued climate vulnerability, slow job creation, and persistent poverty.
- Politics: Stable but sensitive to protests and diplomatic tensions (2026 news).
