The Human Truth Foundation

Madagascar (Republic of Madagascar)

https://www.humantruth.info/madagascar.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#madagascar

Madagascar
Republic of Madagascar
Flag
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index140th best
CapitalAntananarivo
Land Area 581 540km21
LocationAfrica
Population26.3m2
Life Expectancy64.49yrs (2017)3
GNI$1 484 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesMG, MDG, 4505
Internet Domain.mg6
CurrencyAriary (MGA)7
Telephone+2618

1. Overview

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896 but regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA achieved a second term following a landslide victory in the generally free and fair presidential elections of 2006. In early 2009, protests over increasing restrictions on opposition press and activities resulted in RAVALOMANANA handing over power to the military, which then conferred the presidency on the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA, in what amounted to a coup d'etat. Numerous attempts have been made by regional and international organizations to resolve the subsequent political gridlock by forming a power-sharing government. Madagascar's independent electoral commission and the UN originally planned to hold a presidential election in early May 2013, but postponed the election until late July 2013, due to logistical delays.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverLemurs, baobabs, rainforest, beaches, desert, trekking and diving: Madagascar is a dream destination for nature and outdoor lovers, and half the fun is getting to all these incredible attractions.Madagascar is unique: 5% of all known animal and plant species can be found here, and here alone. The remarkable fauna and flora is matched by epic landscapes of an incredible diversity: you can go from rainforest to desert in just 300km. Few places on earth offer such an intense kaleidoscope of nature.

With 5000km of coastline, 450km of barrier reef and 250 islands, no stay in Madagascar would be complete without a few days on the island´s shores. Divers will revel in the choice of sites, from underwater `cathedrals´ to shipwrecks, and will relish the chance to see rays, whale sharks, reef sharks and many other kinds of sharks. Snorkellers will be awed by the sheer grace of turtles and marvel at the rainbow of colours displayed by corals and fish.

There is much history to discover, too, from the 12 sacred hills of Antananarivo to the pirate cemetery of Ile Sainte Marie and the vestige of Madagascar´s industrial revolution in Mantasoa.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Madagascar National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
170Senegal0.511
171Djibouti0.509
172Sudan0.508
173Madagascar0.501
174Gambia0.500
175Ethiopia0.498
176Eritrea0.492
177Guinea-Bissau0.483
Africa Avg0.56
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
179Afghanistan$1 824
180Eritrea$1 729
181Sierra Leone$1 622
182Madagascar$1 484
183Malawi$1 466
184Chad$1 364
185Yemen$1 314
186Liberia$1 289
Africa Avg$5 339
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Denmark27.0
2Norway29.9
3Sweden31.8
...
137Vanuatu107.2
138Rwanda107.5
139Uganda108.0
140Madagascar108.2
141Timor-Leste (E. Timor)108.3
142Burkina Faso108.5
143Tuvalu108.7
144Tanzania108.8
Africa Avg119.0
World Avg88.6
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Madagascar's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Madagascar's population is predicted to rise to 35.33 million by 2030. These millions of extra people will all need space to live, food to eat, energy to consume, and will increase the burden on the planet's resources. This country has a fertility rate of 3.79. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.13

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
48Venezuela28.9m
49Yemen28.5m
50Nepal28.1m
51Madagascar26.3m
52N. Korea25.5m
53Cameroon25.2m
54Ivory Coast25.1m
55Australia24.9m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
150Sudan65.3
151Ethiopia65.0
152Tuvalu64.5
153Madagascar64.5
154Mauritania64.4
155Ghana63.8
156Yemen63.8
157Bolivia63.6
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
170Rwanda3.75
171Sao Tome & Principe3.75
172Eritrea3.79
173Madagascar3.79
174Malawi3.85
175Samoa3.88
176Sierra Leone3.88
177Comoros3.91
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
33Sao Tome & Principe06.2
34Comoros06.3
35=Mozambique06.4
35=Madagascar06.4
35=Papua New Guinea06.4
38Ghana06.5
39=Palestine06.5
40Ethiopia06.6
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
188N. Korea0.2%
189Sri Lanka0.2%
190Myanmar (Burma)0.1%
191Madagascar0.1%
192Indonesia0.1%
193Cuba0.1%
194Vietnam0.1%
195China0.1%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
185Qatar0.7%
186Nigeria0.6%
187Maldives0.6%
188China0.6%
189Japan0.6%
190Oman0.5%
191Madagascar0.4%
192Montenegro0.0%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Madagascar's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #madagascar #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Africa (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Mauritius63.7
2S. Africa64.3
3Cape Verde68.0
...
19Sierra Leone108.4
20Gabon108.8
21Tanzania108.9
22Madagascar110.4
23Zambia111.0
24Uganda112.1
25Ivory Coast112.2
26S. Sudan113.3
27Nigeria117.1
Africa Avg110.04
q=54.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden6.1
2Denmark8.6
3Norway9.0
...
138Tanzania108.9
139Solomon Islands108.9
140Maldives110.2
141Madagascar110.4
142Zambia111.0
143Jordan111.1
144Vietnam111.6
145Haiti111.9
World Avg86.55
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway19. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan19.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe19, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia19.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom
Higher is better
20
Pos.202520
1Norway92.31
2Estonia89.46
3Netherlands88.64
...
109Guinea-Bissau51.36
110Haiti51.06
111Israel51.06
112Madagascar50.80
113Georgia50.53
114Colombia49.80
115Philippines49.57
116Kenya49.41
Africa Avg52.30
World Avg54.65
q=179.
Slavery
Lower is better
21
Pos.2018
% Victims21
1Japan0.03
2=Canada0.05
2=Taiwan0.05
...
130Syria0.73
131Liberia0.74
132=Guinea-Bissau0.75
132=Madagascar0.75
132=Malawi0.75
135Uganda0.76
136=Timor-Leste (E. Timor)0.77
136=Philippines0.77
Africa Avg0.96
World Avg0.65
q=167.

Madagascar practices conscription, which involves a mandatory period of service in the military. But the Walk Free Foundation reports that this sometimes becomes slave labour as some 'concscripts' are assigned to lengthy and arduous work which is clearly non-military in nature22 such as public infrastructure and civil construction work.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom
Lower is better
23
Pos.2014
Rank23
1Hong Kong1
2Switzerland2
3New Zealand3
...
62=Fiji61
63Dominican Rep.63
64Cambodia64
65Madagascar65
66Brunei66
67Serbia67
68Guatemala68
69=Moldova69
Africa Avg114.2
World Avg79.7
q=159.
Freedom in the World
Lower is better
Pos.2024
Score
1=Norway1.0
1=Canada1.0
1=Cape Verde1.0
...
117Bosnia & Herzegovina4.0
118=Armenia4.0
118=Singapore4.0
118=Madagascar4.0
118=Malaysia4.0
118=Ukraine4.0
123El Salvador4.5
124=Comoros4.5
Africa Avg4.8
World Avg3.7
q=205.
Nominal Commitment to HR
Higher is better
24
Pos.2009
Treaties24
1Argentina24
2=Chile23
2=Costa Rica23
...
117China14
118=Mauritius14
118=Botswana14
118=Madagascar14
118=Syria14
118=Sudan14
118=Cameroon14
118=Uzbekistan14
Africa Avg14.8
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag
Lower is better
25
Pos.2019
Avg Yrs/Treaty25
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
...
58Congo, DR7.72
59Seychelles7.73
60Jordan7.75
61Madagascar7.75
62Cuba7.80
63Guyana7.85
64Tanzania8.05
65Nicaragua8.10
Africa Avg9.88
World Avg10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Madagascar stated:

Detention facilities were overcrowded and conditions poor. The right to freedom of expression was restricted. The judicial persecution of human rights defenders, activists and whistle-blowers persisted and an environmental defender was murdered. Cases of discrimination and violence against people with albinism increased. Abortion remained a criminal offence.

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)26

Gender Equality:

The 1950s saw a late rush of 43 countries, including Madagascar and many developing nations, move to cease preventing women from voting. Madagascar is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

Gender Inequality
Lower is better
27
Pos.202227
1Denmark0.01
2Norway0.01
3Switzerland0.02
...
141Cameroon0.56
142Lesotho0.56
143Iraq0.56
144Madagascar0.57
145Togo0.58
146Malawi0.58
147Congo, (Brazzaville)0.58
148Gambia0.59
Africa Avg0.53
World Avg0.34
q=166.
Year Women Can Vote
Lower is better
Pos.Total
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
...
119=Nigeria1958
119=Burkina Faso1958
119=Guinea1958
122Madagascar1959
123=Tunisia1959
123=Tanzania1959
125Tonga1960
126=Cyprus1960
Africa Avg1961
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality
Higher is better
28
Pos.2017
Score28
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
...
113=N. Korea8
114Rwanda7
115=Congo, (Brazzaville)5
115=Madagascar5
115=Chad5
118Indonesia1
119=Ivory Coast1
119=Russia1
Africa Avg-10.4
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought
Lower is better
29
Pos.202129
1=Belgium1.0
1=Taiwan1.0
1=Netherlands1.0
...
128Macedonia3.3
129=Liberia3.3
129=Malawi3.3
129=Madagascar3.3
132Burundi3.5
133=Guinea3.5
133=Equatorial Guinea3.5
133=Tanzania3.5
Africa Avg3.1
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Madagascar's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #madagascar #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Africa (2025)30
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank30
1Tunisia69.2
2Mauritius69.2
3Seychelles84.8
...
30Togo148.2
31Guinea-Bissau148.8
32Tanzania149.5
33Madagascar149.9
34Benin151.0
35Cameroon151.5
36Congo, DR151.7
37Ethiopia151.7
38Sierra Leone153.1
Africa Avg111.13
q=54.
Health (2025)30
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank30
1Monaco14.3
2Liechtenstein30.1
3Isle of Man32.1
...
186Togo148.2
187Guinea-Bissau148.8
188Tanzania149.5
189Madagascar149.9
190Benin151.0
191Cameroon151.5
192Congo, DR151.7
193Ethiopia151.7
World Avg96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man31. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria31.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans31, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia31.

For more, see:

Health:

Madagascar is a pretty unhealthy country. Madagascar does better than average in its alcohol consumption rate32 and in its smoking rate33. When it comes to most other metrics, Madagascar does not do well. It does worse than average when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance34, its average life expectancy11 (still high for Africa) and in its fertility rate14. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its immunizations take-up35 and in its adolescent birth rate36. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Madagascar in 1990 was 51.7yrs, lower than the global average of 64.6. It improved by +14.2yrs in the 30 years from then, almost double the global average of +7.9yrs. Madagascar's peak fertility rate was 7.31 in 1965.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
150Sudan65.3
151Ethiopia65.0
152Tuvalu64.5
153Madagascar64.5
154Mauritania64.4
155Ghana63.8
156Yemen63.8
157Bolivia63.6
Africa Avg62.79
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
32
Pos.2016
Per Capita32
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
36=Lebanon1.5
37Chad1.6
38Tuvalu1.7
39=Madagascar1.9
39=Tunisia1.9
39=Bahrain1.9
42Qatar2.0
43=Nepal2.0
Africa Avg4.8
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.202214
1US Virgin Islands2.00
2Ecuador2.00
3Nepal2.01
...
170Rwanda3.75
171Sao Tome & Principe3.75
172Eritrea3.79
173Madagascar3.79
174Malawi3.85
175Samoa3.88
176Sierra Leone3.88
177Comoros3.91
Africa Avg3.97
World Avg2.47
q=208.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
33
Pos.201433
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
42Guatemala 190
43Ecuador 191
44Myanmar (Burma) 206
45Madagascar 206
46Burkina Faso 213
47Maldives 215
48Panama 224
49Grenada 224
Africa Avg 340
World Avg 819
q=182.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
133Grenada133
134Montenegro134
135Iraq135
136Madagascar136
137Congo, (Brazzaville)137
138Albania138
139Ghana139
140Chad140
Africa Avg117.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
37
Pos.2016
%37
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
14Burkina Faso23.2
15Sri Lanka23.3
16Malawi23.4
17Madagascar23.9
18Myanmar (Burma)24.8
19Rwanda25.1
20Congo, DR25.3
21Laos25.4
Africa Avg33.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
36
Pos.2022
Per 100036
1Hong Kong1.6
2Denmark1.8
3S. Korea2.1
...
183Somalia116.1
184Zambia116.1
185Malawi117.2
186Madagascar118.1
187Liberia122.0
188Tanzania123.4
189Chad135.7
190Angola135.8
Africa Avg84.6
World Avg43.8
q=195.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
35
Pos.2015
Avg %35
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
174Liberia72.6
175S. Africa72.5
176=Angola71.9
176=Madagascar71.9
178Iraq70.7
179Afghanistan70.6
180Niger69.7
181Samoa68.1
Africa Avg81.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

Madagascar was amongst 49 countries in the 1990s who had an adolescent birth rate of over 100 (per 1000 girls aged 15-19); in the 2010s it was still amongst only 27 countries that still fell into the same grouping.

6. Madagascar's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #madagascar #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Africa (2025)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Morocco46.5
2Burundi47.8
3Mali51.0
4Madagascar52.4
5Nigeria55.8
6Rwanda56.4
7Uganda57.8
8Kenya57.9
9Mauritius58.1
10Ghana58.6
11Tunisia60.1
12Niger61.3
13Tanzania61.6
Africa Avg80.07
q=53.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)38
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank38
1Sri Lanka34.9
2Uruguay43.2
3Switzerland45.0
...
10Costa Rica49.7
11Denmark50.4
12Mali51.0
13Madagascar52.4
14Nigeria55.8
15Rwanda56.4
16Chile56.4
17Peru56.7
World Avg84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

Madagascar comes 13th-best in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Madagascar comes in the best 20 for reducing annual meat consumption per person39 (amongst the best in Africa) and in energy to GDP efficiency40. It does better than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population41 (one of the best in Africa) and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. But, there's bad news too. Madagascar does worse than average in terms of its forested percent change 2000-202042. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of its environmental performance43 (amongst the worst in Africa).

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
42
Pos.Total42
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
167Peru-4.0%
168S. Africa-4.1%
169Brunei-4.3%
170Madagascar-4.6%
171Togo-4.7%
172Zambia-4.8%
173Laos-4.8%
174Zimbabwe-5.1%
Africa Avg-8.7%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
43
Pos.201843
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
172Niger35.7
173Lesotho33.8
174Haiti33.7
175Madagascar33.7
176Nepal31.4
177India30.6
178Congo, DR30.4
179Bangladesh29.6
Africa Avg46.4
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Lower is better40
Pos.2022
Avg40
1Rwanda0.25
2Chad0.26
3Tanzania0.31
4Uganda0.37
5Sierra Leone0.37
6Malawi0.37
7Madagascar0.38
8Sri Lanka0.39
9Burundi0.41
10Central African Rep.0.41
11Ethiopia0.42
12Afghanistan0.43
Africa Avg0.83
World Avg1.23
q=165.
International Accords on the Environment
Higher is better
Pos.Total
Avg Rate
1Sweden83%
2Canada82%
3Norway81%
...
60Morocco66%
61Congo, DR65%
62Sri Lanka65%
63Madagascar65%
64China64%
65Malaysia64%
66Botswana64%
67El Salvador64%
Africa Avg56.4%
World Avg57.5%
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better41
Pos.2011
%41
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
19Peru63.9%
20Chile63.8%
21Ivory Coast63.7%
22Madagascar62.8%
23Uruguay62.4%
24Angola62.4%
25Bangladesh61.5%
26Mali60.7%
Africa Avg38.3%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
39
Pos.2021
kg39
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
4Madagascar05.4
5India05.7
6Nigeria07.0
7Ethiopia07.1
8Rwanda07.6
9Mali07.8
10Niger08.1
11Afghanistan08.7
12Uganda09.4
Africa Avg24.9
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, Madagascar had the 5th-lowest meat consumption per person in the world.39

7. Madagascar's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #corruption #economics #education #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #life_expectancy #modernity #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #research #science #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1S. Africa56.9
2Tunisia70.8
3=Mauritius79.6
...
37Tanzania140.1
38Congo, DR141.3
39Mozambique142.4
40Madagascar146.6
41=Comoros147.0
41=Mauritania147.0
43Djibouti148.0
44Burundi148.5
45=Gambia155.6
Africa Avg120.19
q=53.
Modernity & Learning (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland7.1
2Belgium12.9
3Denmark13.6
...
170Yemen141.2
171Congo, DR141.3
172Mozambique142.4
173Madagascar146.6
174=Comoros147.0
174=Mauritania147.0
176Afghanistan147.7
177Djibouti148.0
World Avg86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark45. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone45. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots46.

Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.

Bill Emmott (2017)47

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe45, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia45.

For more, see:

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2948
2Israel4.1148
3Japan3.5848
...
104=Gambia0.1349
105Tajikistan0.1250
106=Burundi0.1249
107Madagascar0.1149
108=Philippines0.1151
108=Myanmar (Burma)0.1152
110Peru0.1053
111Paraguay0.0954
Africa Avg0.36
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
55
Pos.2021
Years55
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
165Mozambique10.2
166Uganda10.1
167Laos10.1
168Madagascar10.1
169Honduras10.1
170Nigeria10.1
171Congo, DR9.8
172Guinea9.8
Africa Avg11.0
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
103Cape Verde103
104Swaziland104
105Albania105
106Madagascar106
107Thailand107
108Yemen108
109Brazil109
110Nicaragua110
Africa Avg106.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
IQ
Higher is better56
Pos.200656
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
93=Bangladesh82
93=Lebanon82
93=Dominican Rep.82
93=Madagascar82
97Egypt81
98=Honduras81
98=Nicaragua81
100El Salvador80
Africa Avg70.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
57
Pos.201657
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
186Benin6%
187Tanzania5%
188Central African Rep.5%
189Madagascar4%
190Ethiopia4%
191Congo, DR4%
192Guinea-Bissau4%
193Chad3%
Africa Avg18.4%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.

National Culture:

Madagascar has a consistently awful long-term record on corruption.

Corruption
Higher is better
58
Pos.2022
Points58
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
141Kyrgyzstan27.0
142Liberia26.0
143=Mozambique26.0
143=Madagascar26.0
143=Cameroon26.0
143=Uganda26.0
147Guinea25.0
148=Bangladesh25.0
Africa Avg32.31
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
59
Pos.2024
Score59
1Finland7.7
2Denmark7.5
3Iceland7.5
...
127Togo4.3
128Jordan4.3
129Liberia4.3
130Madagascar4.2
131Zambia3.9
132Ethiopia3.9
133Sri Lanka3.9
134Bangladesh3.9
Africa Avg4.42
World Avg5.58
q=147.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
94Papua New Guinea94
95Belarus95
96Mongolia96
97Madagascar97
98Bolivia98
99El Salvador99
100Nicaragua100
101Russia101
Africa Avg117.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
100Argentina100
101Seychelles101
102Australia102
103Madagascar103
104Dominica104
105Iceland105
106Bolivia106
107Ghana107
Africa Avg96.7
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
60
Pos.2023
Score60
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
52Senegal1.83
53Indonesia1.83
54Argentina1.84
55Madagascar1.85
56Namibia1.86
57Moldova1.87
58Chile1.87
59Gambia1.89
Africa Avg2.29
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
22Algeria22
23Guatemala23
24Ecuador24
25Madagascar25
26Sri Lanka26
27Netherlands27
28Mongolia28
29Rwanda29
Africa Avg83.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
34
Pos.2017
Rank34
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
123Guinea123
124Congo, (Brazzaville)124
125Swaziland125
126Madagascar126
127Benin127
128Yemen128
129Pakistan129
130Samoa130
Africa Avg104.5
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
61
Pos.2019
Score61
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
66Kazakhstan1.57
67Austria1.66
68Argentina1.68
69Madagascar1.96
70Finland2.03
71Haiti2.18
72Kosovo2.26
73Japan2.29
Africa Avg3.41
World Avg2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better62
Pos.201962
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
129Botswana19.40
130Rwanda19.50
131India19.70
132Madagascar21.10
133Senegal21.20
134Eritrea21.40
135Timor-Leste (E. Timor)21.70
136Namibia22.10
Africa Avg26.10
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
63
Pos.2023
%63
1Slovakia24.1%64
2Slovenia24.3%64
3Belarus24.4%65
...
131Papua New Guinea41.9%66
132Cameroon42.2%64
133Cape Verde42.4%67
134Madagascar42.6%68
135Uganda42.7%69
136=Central African Rep.43.0%64
136=Chile43.0%70
138Ghana43.5%71
Africa Avg40.7%
World Avg36.5%
q=167.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Madagascar - only for 8 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty
Lower is better
72
Pos.2018
Severity72
1Armenia.001
2Ukraine.001
3Serbia.001
...
91Congo, DR.389
92Burundi.403
93Mozambique.411
94Madagascar.453
95Mali.457
96Central African Rep..465
97Ethiopia.489
98Burkina Faso.519
Africa Avg.264
World Avg.154
q=101.

8. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion

Disbelief In God (2007)73
Pos.Higher is better
%73
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
122=Niger0
122=Saudi Arabia0
122=Rwanda0
122=Cameroon0
122=Philippines0
122=Kuwait0
122=Madagascar0
122=Nigeria0
122=Malawi0
122=Chad0
122=Nepal0
122=Morocco0
122=Mauritania0
122=Mali0
122=Senegal0
122=Oman0
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below74:

Christian85.3%
Muslim3%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion4.5%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated6.9%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%75.

Links: