World Happiness Report for Madagascar 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Madagascar: 123
- Happiness Score Madagascar:4.228
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Madagascar. MG.
Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is known for its unique wildlife, including lemurs and chameleons, as well as its rich culture influenced by African, Asian, and European traditions. The country has a semi-presidential political system and a growing economy based on agriculture, mining, and tourism.
- Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world.
- It is home to approximately 90% of the world’s plant and animal species that are found only in Madagascar.
- The country’s official languages are Malagasy and French.
Madagascar – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History: Madagascar has been inhabited since the earliest times, with evidence of human settlement dating back to around 2000 BC. The island was originally settled by Austronesian and Bantu peoples from Southeast Asia and East Africa. The Vazimba are believed to be the earliest inhabitants, followed by the Malayo-Indonesian settlers who began arriving around the 5th century AD.
Kingdoms and Empires: From the 15th to the 19th century, various kingdoms rose and fell in Madagascar, including the Merina Kingdom, which became the dominant power on the island. The Merina Kingdom was ruled by a series of powerful monarchs, such as King Andrianampoinimerina and Queen Ranavalona I.
Colonial Period: Madagascar was colonized by France in 1896, after a series of military campaigns against the Merina monarchy. The colonial period saw significant economic and social changes, as well as the suppression of local cultures and traditions.
Independence and Modern Era: Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960, with Philibert Tsiranana as the country’s first president. The post-independence years were marked by political instability, coups, and economic challenges. In 2009, a political crisis led to the overthrow of President Marc Ravalomanana, and the installation of a transitional government headed by Andry Rajoelina.
Current Political Situation: Madagascar is a semi-presidential republic, with the current president being Andry Rajoelina, who was elected in 2019. The country has a bicameral parliament, and the political landscape is marked by a diverse range of parties.
International Relations: Madagascar is a member of several international organizations, including the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Indian Ocean Commission. The country has generally had good relations with its neighbors and other countries in the region.
Human Development and Economy: Madagascar is a low-income country, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, with key exports including coffee, vanilla, and seafood. However, the country also has rich mineral resources and potential for tourism development.
Cultural Highlights: Madagascar is known for its unique biodiversity, with many endemic species found nowhere else in the world. The island has a diverse cultural heritage, with influences from various ethnic groups, including the Malayo-Indonesian and Bantu peoples. The Malagasy language and traditional music and dance are integral parts of the country’s cultural identity.
Challenges and Opportunities: Madagascar faces numerous challenges, including poverty, environmental degradation, and political instability. However, the country also has significant opportunities for economic growth, particularly in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and mining, if sustainable development practices are adopted.
Main facts
Location
Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa. It lies approximately 400 km (250 mi) east of Mozambique, across the Mozambique Channel.
Map References
Madagascar is situated in the Southern Africa region, within the Indian Ocean.
Area – Comparative
With a total area of 587,041 sq km (226,658 sq mi), Madagascar is slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state of Arizona.
Land Boundaries and Border Countries
As an island nation, Madagascar has no land borders.
Coastline
Madagascar has a coastline of 4,828 km (3,000 mi), featuring numerous pristine beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests.
Maritime Claims
Madagascar claims a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles, an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles, and a continental shelf of 200 nautical miles or the edge of the continental margin.
Climate
Madagascar has a tropical climate, characterized by a hot and rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, drier season from May to October. The central highlands have a more temperate climate.
Terrain
Madagascar’s terrain is predominantly mountainous, with narrow coastal plains, high plateaus, and massive erosion-remnant massifs. Notable features include the Ankaratra, Andringitra, and Tsaratanana mountain ranges.
Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Madagascar is Maromokotro, at 2,876 m (9,436 ft), located in the Tsaratanana Massif. The lowest point is the Indian Ocean, at 0 m (0 ft).
Natural Resources
Madagascar’s main natural resources include graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semi-precious stones, mica, fish, and hydropower.
Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Madagascar include the Pangalanes Canal, a man-made waterway along the eastern coast, and the Betsiboka, Tsiribihina, and Mangoky Rivers.
Natural Hazards
Madagascar is vulnerable to cyclones, droughts, and periodic locust infestations. The country also experiences occasional volcanic activity and seismic events.
Geography – Notes
Madagascar is renowned for its unique biodiversity, with a high percentage of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. It is also home to several national parks and protected areas, including the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 21.40%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 3,905. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 71.20%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: -18.76694746.869107.
- Capital: The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo
- Major Cities:
- Antananarivo – Population: 1,391,433
- Toamasina – Population: 274,667
- Antsirabe – Population: 238,478
- Fianarantsoa – Population: 185,224
- Mahajanga – Population: 154,657
- Population: 26,969,307
- Area(Km2): 587041
- Population Density( P/Km²):48. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:261
- Official Language(s):Madagascar is Malagasy at 98% and French at 34%.
- Currency: MGA
Main Economic Indicators
Madagascar’s economy is small and predominantly agricultural, with a GDP of approximately $12 billion. The economy is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as cyclones and droughts, which have hindered economic growth. Key economic challenges include high poverty rates, underemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of skilled labor. Notable economic policies have focused on promoting economic diversification, attracting foreign investment, and developing the tourism industry.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 5.6%
2020: 4.2%
(Source: World Bank)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: N/A
Moody’s: Caa2 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: N/A
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 23.5%
Industry: 16.4%
Services: 60.1%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, lychee, cocoa, rice, cassava, peanuts, livestock products
Industrial Products: Meat processing, soap, breweries, tanning, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly, paper, petroleum, tourism
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: Approximately 13.9 million (2020 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 40th largest labor force globally
Current Account Balance
2021: -$1.1 billion
2020: -$415.9 million
Comparative Ranking: 146th largest current account deficit globally (2021 est.)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $2.8 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: France, United States, Germany, China, India
Main Commodities: Apparel and clothing accessories, mica, coffee, vanilla, cloves
Imports: $4.9 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: China, France, India, United Arab Emirates, South Africa
Main Commodities: Capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods, food, petroleum products
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $1.9 billion (2021 est.)
Gold Reserves: 286,834 ounces (2021 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$14,083,906,357. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 10.20%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 38.30%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.11. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.21. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 1.76%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
National Identity
Nationality (noun): Malagasy (singular and plural)
Nationality (adjective): Malagasy
Ethnic Groups
- Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo) – 26.1%
- Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry) – 25.7%
- Tsimihety and Sihanaka Malagasy – 14.1%
- French, Indian, Creole, and Chinese – 3.1%
- Other – 31%
Religions
- Christian – 41.5%
- Protestant – 23.4%
- Roman Catholic – 16%
- Other Christian – 2.1%
- Muslim – 3.1%
- Traditional Beliefs – 42.5%
- Other/None – 12.9%
Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 36.68%
- 15-64 years: 59.52%
- 65 years and over: 3.81%
Dependency Ratios
Total Dependency Ratio: 67.6
Youth Dependency Ratio: 61.5
Elderly Dependency Ratio: 6.4
Median Age
Total: 20.7 years
Male: 20.3 years
Female: 21.2 years
Lifestyle Indicators
- Obesity Rate: 6.7%
- Alcohol Consumption: 1.3 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
- Tobacco Use: 34.4% of adults aged 15 and over
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 66.7. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 64.7%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:32.66. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:7. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 3.9. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 8.7%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 10,210,849. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):21.70%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Malagasy Armed Forces consist of the following branches:
- Army (Armelika)
- Navy (Selaren’i Mambolan’Amoron’ny Ranomasina)
- Air Force (Sirilombonao Aeriana Malagasy)
The National Gendarmerie is a paramilitary force responsible for maintaining internal security and law enforcement.
Military Expenditures
Madagascar’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 0.8%
- 2021: 0.8%
- 2020: 0.8%
- 2019: 0.8%
- 2018: 0.8%
Madagascar ranks 138th globally in terms of military expenditure.
Personnel Strengths
The total active-duty military personnel in Madagascar is approximately 12,500, with the following breakdown:
- Army: 10,000
- Navy: 1,000
- Air Force: 1,500
The National Gendarmerie has an additional strength of around 7,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Madagascar’s military equipment primarily consists of outdated or aging hardware, including:
- Armored vehicles: BTR-60 APCs, EE-9 Cascavel armored cars
- Artillery: D-30 122mm howitzers, BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers
- Aircraft: MiG-21 fighters, Mi-24 attack helicopters, and transport aircraft
Due to budgetary constraints, there are no significant ongoing or planned military acquisitions or development programs.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service in Madagascar is voluntary. The age range for voluntary military service is:
- Army: 18-28 years
- Navy: 18-25 years
- Air Force: 18-25 years
Military Deployments
Madagascar currently has no significant overseas military deployments.
The country contributes a small contingent of personnel to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Strategic Military Notes
Madagascar’s defense strategy is primarily focused on maintaining internal security, territorial integrity, and protecting its maritime borders and exclusive economic zone.
The Malagasy Armed Forces play a limited role in international security due to resource constraints. However, Madagascar cooperates with regional organizations like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission on matters of common concern, such as maritime security and counter-piracy efforts.
- Armed Forces Size: 13500. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.18
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 86.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.