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Sheet 100 of 195 · AfricaMDG · 18.3°S 46.7°E

Madagascar

Republic of Madagascar

Capital
Antananarivo
Population
32.7 million 2025
Area
587,041 km²
Neighbours
0
Locator map of MadagascarMADAGASCARAntananarivoMOZAMBIQUETANZANIAZIMBABWEFRANCECOMOROSIndian OceanMozambiqueChannel0500 km
Madagascar hatched, Antananarivo marked with a triangle. Orthographic projection centred on 18.8°S 46.9°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

An island country in Eastern Africa, Madagascar shares no land border with another country. Of the other 194 countries in this atlas, the nearest capital to Antananarivo is Moroni, in Comoros, 923 km away. Its area of 587,041 km² puts it 45th in the world and 21st of 54 in Africa.

Its population was 32.7 million in 2025 (World Bank), the 49th-largest of 194. That works out at 56 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 32.9% in 2025.

GDP per capita was US$599 in 2025 (World Bank, current US$), 188th of 191 and 50th of 52 in Africa. Life expectancy at birth was 63.8 years in 2024. 18.7% of people used the internet in 2024.

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres. North to south it runs about 1,500 km, between 25.6°S and 12.1°S. Antananarivo's antipode is in the North Pacific Ocean, about 1,820 km from Mexico, the nearest land.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population32,740,6782025, World Bank49th of 19415th of 54
Area587,041 km²world-countries45th of 19521st of 54
GDPUS$19.6 billion2025, World Bank, current US$134th of 19130th of 52
GDP per capitaUS$5992025, World Bank, current US$188th of 19150th of 52
Population density56 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries130th of 19431st of 54
Life expectancy63.8 years2024, World Bank173rd of 19434th of 54
Urban population32.9%2025, World Bank166th of 19442nd of 54
Forest area17.3% of land2024, World Bank130th of 19432nd of 54
Population growth+2.40% a year2025, World Bank28th of 19419th of 54
Internet users18.7%2024, World Bank178th of 18845th of 53
Fertility rate3.91 births per woman2024, World Bank26th of 19424th of 54
Land neighbours0world-countries; among the 195157th of 19549th of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaBotswana, Kenya and Ukraine

Closest in populationIvory Coast, Peru and Ghana

Neighbours none by land

No land borders. The nearest capitals:

  • Comoros923 km
    Antananarivo to Moroni
  • Mauritius1,055 km
    Antananarivo to Port Louis
  • Malawi1,563 km
    Antananarivo to Lilongwe

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Southern and Eastern
Capital
Antananarivo
18.91°S 47.51°E
Northernmost latitude
12.08°S
Southernmost latitude
25.57°S
Westernmost longitude
43.26°E
Easternmost longitude
50.48°E
North to south
about 1,500 km
Antipode of Antananarivo
18.92°N 132.49°W
in the North Pacific Ocean, about 1,820 km from the nearest land (Mexico)