World Factbook
Madagascar
République de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green, with a vertical white band on the left side meaning: red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, and white for purity
Capital
name
Antananarivo
etymology
the name means "City of the Thousand," from the Malagasy an - (a prefix denoting a place name), tanana (town), and arivo (thousand); in the 17th century, King ADRIANJAKA named the original fortress after the 1,000 soldiers stationed there
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 55 S, 47 31 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
unknown
Constitution
history
previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010
amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic in consultation with the cabinet or supported by a least two thirds of both the Senate and National Assembly membership; passage requires at least three-fourths approval of both the Senate and National Assembly and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles, including the form and powers of government, the sovereignty of the state, and the autonomy of Madagascar’s collectivities, cannot be amended
Country name
former
Malagasy Republic
etymology
a variant of the name was first used by 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco POLO when he confused the island with the Somali port of Mogadishu; the transliteration was later adopted as the official name
local long form
République de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
local short form
Madagascar/Madagasikara
conventional long form
Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form
Madagascar
Independence
26 June 1960 (from France)
Legal system
civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (consists of 11 members; addresses judicial administration issues only); High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 9 members); High Court of Justice (consists of 11 members; addresses cases brought against the president of Madagascar and senior officials for high treason, grave violations of the Constitution, or breach of duties incompatible with the exercise of the presidential mandate)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; Court of Cassation; Courts of First Instance; military courts; traditional courts (dina); Trade Court
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve 3-year, single renewable terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 7-year terms; High Court of Justice members include: first president of the Supreme Court; 2 presidents from the Court of Cassation; 2 presidents from the Court of Appeal; 2 deputies from the National Assembly; 2 senators from the Senate; 2 members from the High Council for the Defense of Democracy and the State of law
Executive branch
note
note: on 14 October 2025 Col. Michael Randrianirina, commander of an elite unit of the country’s armed forces, announced the formation of a transitional government made up of civilians, which would rule for two years; the constitution, the country’s top court, and the electoral commission were suspended, and a referendum will be held to formulate a new constitution; the lower house of Parliament was not suspended and impeached former-President Andry RAJOELINA
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
chief of state
Michael RANDRIANIRINA (Col.)
election results
2023 : Andry RAJOELINA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 59.0%, Siteny Thierry RANDRIANASOLONIAIKO 14.4%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 12.1%, other 14.5%
head of government
Prime Minister Herintsalama RAJAONARIVELO (since 22 October 2025)
most recent election date
16 November 2023
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president
expected date of next election
November 2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
National color(s)
red, green, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (n); Ambohimanga Royal Hill (c); Atsinanana Rainforests (n)
Political parties
Group of Young Malagasy Patriots (Groupe des Jeunes Malgaches Patriotes) or GJMP I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina coalition or IRD Malagasy Aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS Malagasy Tia Tanindrazana or MATITA or ANGADY Movement for Democracy in Madagascar (Mouvement pour la Démocratie à Madagascar) or MDM Rally for Democratic Socialism (Rassemblement pour Socialisme Démocratique - Nouveau) or RPSD Vaovao Young Malagasies Determined (Tanora Malagasy Vonona) or TGV
Legislative branch
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (O Our Beloved Fatherland)
history
adopted 1959
lyrics/music
Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
National symbol(s)
traveller's palm (ravenala), zebu
Administrative divisions
6 provinces ( faritany ); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Antenimierampirenena)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
163 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
12/11/2020
expected date of next election
May 2029
percentage of women in chamber
14.1%
parties elected and seats per party
Isika Rehetra Miaraka Amin’i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR) (84); Firaisankina (22); Independents (50); Other (7)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Antenimierandoholona)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
18 (12 indirectly elected; 6 appointed)
most recent election date
5/29/2024
expected date of next election
31 December 2026
percentage of women in chamber
11.1%
parties elected and seats per party
IRMAR (10); MALAGASY MIARA-MIAINGA (2)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-3034
chancery
2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 265-5525
chief of mission
Ambassador Lantosoa RAKOTOMALALA (since 13 January 2025)
email address and website
madagascar.embassy.dc@gmail.com https://us-madagascar-embassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[261] 33-44-320-35
embassy
Lot 207A, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo - Madagascar
telephone
[261] 33-44-320-00
mailing address
2040 Antananarivo Place, Washington DC 20521-2040
chief of mission
Ambassador Claire PIERANGELO (since 2 May 2022)
email address and website
antanACS@state.gov https://mg.usembassy.gov/
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction