| Basic data | |
| Capital | Antananarivo |
| Population | 27.7 million |
| Language | Malagasy, French |
| Religion | traditional faith (animists) 52%, Catholics 20%, Protestants 20%, Muslims 7% |
| State system | presidential republic |
| Head of State | Andry Rajoelina |
| Head of government | Andry Rajoelina |
| Currency name | Ariary |
| Travel | |
| Time shift | +1 hour (winter time + 2 hours) |
| Economy | 2021 |
| Nominal GDP (billion USD) | 53.1 |
| Economic growth (%) | 2.9% |
| Inflation (%) | 5.8 |
| Unemployment (%) | ON |
Madagascar has a presidential system and the executive power is headed by President Andry Rajoelina. The legal system is based on the Napoleonic Code, the 2010 Constitution and traditional local amendments. Check cancermatters to learn more about Madagascar political system.
Madagascar is among the poorest countries in Africa, even though it has great mineral wealth. The main raw materials include chrome, gold, graphite, salt, mica, wood, semi-precious stones and precious stones. The economy is dependent on agriculture, mining and tourism.
Madagascar’s economy was significantly affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however, it showed a slight acceleration in 2021, with economic growth reaching 2.9%. This turnaround was mainly helped by strengthening global demand for local agricultural products (especially cocoa, vanilla, lychee, shrimp and caviar) and for minerals (especially cobalt, nickel, gems and petroleum products), the price of which increased during the year. Other sectors such as manufacturing and services including tourism were affected by the restrictions associated with COVID-19 and contributed either negatively or minimally to the country’s GDP. Private investment was minimal during 2021. The Madagascar government has tried to support some social programs, healthcare and also some infrastructure projects, such as completion of the modernization of d’Ivato airport in Antananarivo and the airport in Nosy Be. The local government’s plan is to fully restore economic growth and reach at least 5.5% in 2022. The national development plan 2019-2023 should contribute to this growth, which aims to support private investments, especially in the mining industry, agriculture, tourism, and also emphasizes the need to industrialize the country to obtain higher added value of exported products.
The official language is Malagasy (Malagasy), which is a language of Indonesian origin and has used the Latin script since the 19th century. The working language is French; knowledge of English is expanding relatively slowly.
The arrangement of trade relations between the EU and Madagascar is governed by the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the countries of the block designated as ESA concluded in 2009 with Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. This EPA has been provisionally implemented since May 2012. The EU is Madagascar’s largest trading partner with a total share of 29.1%. Check prozipcodes for Madagascar defense and foreign policy.
Many locals live in Madagascar who studied in the former Czechoslovakia and therefore speak Czech or Slovak. Some of them stayed in the Czech Republic for several years after completing their studies. So far, former “Czech” students in Madagascar cater almost exclusively to tourists and naturalists.
Madagascar is among the accredited countries of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria and is processed only to a basic extent.
Basic information about the territory
Subchapters:
- System of governance and political tendencies in the country
- Foreign policy of the country
- Population
The system of governance and political tendencies in the country
Official name of the state, brief commentary on the system of government, political tendencies and estimated outlook, composition of the government.
Foreign policy of the country
Relations with other countries (primarily from the EIU)
Population
Brief commentary, including population, demographic composition, ethnic composition, population density, religion.
2. Economy
Subchapters:
- Basic data
- Public finances and the state budget
- Banking system
- Tax System
Basic data
1st paragraph: Outlook and state of GDP, indebtedness, fiscal stability, shocks, possible overheating of the economy, capital, regional comparison, inflation and unemployment.
2nd paragraph: Brief description of the structure of the economy (what is its main added value, what it produces, what it imports, etc.)
Table from MOP + additionally balance of payments, indebtedness/GDP.
| Pointer | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| GDP growth (%) | 4.9 | -3.8 | 15 | 4.5 | 5.1 |
| GDP/population (USD/PPP) | 1,740.00 | 1,635.30 | 1,890.00 | 2,000.00 | 2,100.0 |
| Inflation (%) | 5.6 | 4.2 | 5.8 | 7 | 6.6 |
| Unemployment (%) | 1.8 | 2.5 | ON | ON | ON |
| Export of goods (billion USD) | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 3.2 |
| Import of goods (billion USD) | 3.6 | 3.1 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Trade Balance (Billion USD) | -0.8 | -0.9 | -1.2 | -1.3 | -1.4 |
| Industrial production (% change) | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON |
| Population (millions) | 26.6 | 27.4 | 28.1 | 28.9 | 29.6 |
| Competitiveness | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON |
| OECD export risk | 07.VII | 07.VII | 07.VII | ON | ON |
Source: EIU, OECD, IMD
Public finance and state budget
| Public finance | 2021 |
| State budget balance (% of GDP) | ON |
| Public debt (% of GDP) | 40.3 |
| Current account balance (billion USD) | -0.9 |
| Taxes | 2022 |
| AFTER | ON |
| F.O | ON |
| VAT | ON |
1st paragraph: Current status + outlook. (information mostly from EIU)
Paragraph 2: Balance of payments, foreign exchange reserves, description of data in the table in the public finance section (i.e. state budget deficit/GDP, public debt/GDP), foreign indebtedness, debt service
Banking system
How does the banking system fare, closedness/openness of the system, regulation, development of interest rates, the strongest top 5 banks (domestic + possibly foreign) + a comment on each of them, information on letters of credit, any specifics (e.g. Islamic banks)
Tax system
(if possible use Deloitte tax guides and highlights, available on the website https://dits.deloitte.com/#TaxGuides )
1 paragraph Clear/unclear, stable/unstable tax system.
2 paragraph Taxation of FO (total and who bears it), PO, VAT.
3 paragraph. Expected development.