Language
Malagasy and French are the official languages, but Hovba and other local languages are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population

2009	19.6 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007	19.2 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006	18.9 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2005	18.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2004	18.1 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2003	17.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2002	17.1 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2001	16.7 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2000	16.2 million	U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
42.7 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
The Malgaches, who comprise 99 percent of the population, are of Malagasy-Afro-Indonesian origin.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
About half the population profess traditional beliefs, with 41 percent Christians and 7 percent Muslims.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population

2007	27.3 percent	U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006	27.0 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2005	26.8 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2004	26.6 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2003	26.4 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2002	26.3 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2001	26.1 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2000	26.0 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1959
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
99 (2007)
Source: UNESCO

Percentage of population under 15

2005	43.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	44.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	44.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	44.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	44.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	44.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Time zone
GMT +3

Climate description
Tropical with high rainfall on the east coast for much of the year; elsewhere the rainy season is between November and March; temperatures are governed by altitude but tropical cyclones with high winds and torrential rain can hit the island several times a year.

Currency
Malagasy franc

Telephone dialling code
(+) 261

Driving (left/right)
Right

Average life expectancy

2005	58.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	55.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	55.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	53.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	53.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	52.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male

2005	56.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	54.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	54.1 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	52.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	51.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	51.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female

2005	60.1 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	56.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	56.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	54.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	54.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	53.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality

2007	70 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	72 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	74 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	76 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	78 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	84 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	84 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	86 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five

2007	112 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	115 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	119 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	123 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006

Births attended by skilled personnel

1997-2005	51 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004	51 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003	46 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	46 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	47 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	47 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality

2005	510 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000	550 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)

2005	143	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	143	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	146	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	150	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	149	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	147	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)

2000-2007	42 percent	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006	42 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005	42 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004	42 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003	33 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	33 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2000	33 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population

2003-2005	37 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average	38 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average	38 percent	FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water

2006	47 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	46 percent	UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002	45 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	47 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation

2006	12 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	32 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002	33 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Literacy - average

2004	70.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	70.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	67.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	67.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	66.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male

2004	76.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	76.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	74.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	74.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	73.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female

2004	65.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	65.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	60.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	60.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	59.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones

2008	9 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	3 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers

2008	253 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	119 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	58 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	29 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	20 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	17 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	10 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	9 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Internet users

2008	16 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	3 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)

2008	85 (joint)	Transparency International 2008
2007	94 (joint)	Transparency International 2007
2006	84 (joint)	Transparency International
2005	97 (joint)	Transparency International
2004	82 (joint)	Transparency International
2003	88 (joint)	Transparency International
2002	98 (joint)	Transparency International
2001	Not ranked
2000	Not ranked

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day

1990-2005	61.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	61.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	61.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002	49.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001	49.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method

2007	320 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	280 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	290 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	290 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	280 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	220 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	250 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	240 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP

2007	7.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	5.5 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	5.0 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	4.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	5.5 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	4.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	4.5 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	3.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth

2006	4.9 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005	4.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004	5.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003	9.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002	-12.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001	6.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000	4.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation

2007	10.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	11.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	18.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	14.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	2.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	15.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	7.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	7.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
1.9 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
36.6 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Physicians

2000-2004	29 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	29 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	9 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002	11 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)

2007	0.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006	0.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005	0.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004	0.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003	0.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the whole country with the highest risk reported in coastal areas. Resistance to chloroquine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases

2007	251 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2006	246 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2005	241 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2004	236 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2003	231 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2002	226 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2001	222 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2000	217 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009

Number of refugees originating here

2008	277	UNHCR
2007	284	UNHCR
2006	260	Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005	203	UNHCR
2004	135	UNHCR
2003	88	UNHCR
2002	53	UNHCR
2001	40	UNHCR
2000	54	UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here

2008	No data available
2007	No data available
2006	No data available
2001	34	UNHCR
2000	50	UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate

No data available

Landmine casualties per year

2004	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent (2004)

Percentage of GDP spent on education

2002-2005	3.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004	3.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2000-2002	2.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001	2.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000	3.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health

2004	1.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004	1.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002	1.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001	1.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	2.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003