Madagascar, officially known as the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country located off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is the world's fourth largest island and the second largest island country. Antananarivo is the capital and largest city of Madagascar.
1900: Population of Madagascar
The population of Madagascar was 2.2 million in 1900.
1905: Native Name Emphasized
In 1905, Charles Basset highlighted in his thesis that the native inhabitants referred to the island as "Malagasikara," emphasizing their identity as Malagasy, distinct from "Madagasy."
1927: Major Demonstrations in Antananarivo
Significant demonstrations erupted in Antananarivo in 1927, spearheaded by activists like François Vittori, reflecting the growing anti-colonial sentiment in Madagascar.
1939: Dissolution of Anti-colonial Organizations
The year 1939 witnessed the colonial administration dissolving all anti-colonial organizations in Madagascar, including the MDRM, signaling a period of intensified repression.
1947: Malagasy Uprising
The Malagasy Uprising of 1947, a significant anti-colonial movement, erupted in Madagascar, challenging French colonial rule and its impact on the island.
1947: Malagasy Uprising
The Malagasy Uprising of 1947, a significant anti-colonial movement, erupted in Madagascar, prompting France to introduce reformed institutions.
1956: Establishment of Reformed Institutions
Following the Malagasy Uprising, France established reformed institutions in Madagascar in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), paving the way for the nation's peaceful transition towards independence.
October 1958: Proclamation of the Malagasy Republic
The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, marking a crucial step towards independence. This declaration established the nation as an autonomous state within the French Community.
1958: European Population
The European population in Madagascar was 68,430 in 1958.
1958: French and Malagasy as Official Languages
The first national Constitution of Madagascar, adopted in 1958, designated Malagasy and French as the official languages of the Malagasy Republic.
1959: Adoption of the Constitution
Madagascar adopted its first constitution in 1959, laying the groundwork for its transition to full independence and the establishment of its own government.
June 1960: Madagascar's Independence
Madagascar gained its independence from France on 26 June 1960.
June 1960: Full Independence
On June 26, 1960, Madagascar achieved full independence, concluding its colonial history and embarking on a new era as a sovereign nation.
September 1960: Madagascar Joins the United Nations
Madagascar became a member state of the United Nations on 20 September 1960.
1960: Independence and Political Transitions
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Madagascar experienced numerous challenges, including popular protests, disputed elections, and military coups.
1960: Independence from France
Madagascar gained full independence from France on June 26, 1960, after a period of provisional government.
1960: Restoration of Military Independence
Madagascar regained its military independence from France in 1960.
1960: Independence of Madagascar
Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960 and Antananarivo remained the capital of the newly independent nation.
1960: Beginning of the First Republic
The First Republic of Madagascar, led by Philibert Tsiranana, began in 1960. This period was characterized by strong ties with France.
1963: Founding Member of the Organisation of African Unity
Madagascar was a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963.
1964: Madagascar's Olympic Debut
Madagascar participated in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1964.
1972: Overthrow of Tsiranana's Administration
In 1972, a series of protests by farmers and students led to the overthrow of President Philibert Tsiranana's administration. The protests were sparked by resentment over Tsiranana's tolerance for neo-colonial arrangements with France.
1973: Economic Pressures and Alignment with the Eastern Bloc
The 1973 oil crisis had a significant impact on Madagascar's economy. This period saw the country align itself with the Eastern Bloc and adopt an insular economic approach.
1975: Ramanantsoa's Resignation and Ratsimandrava's Assassination
In 1975, Madagascar saw a tumultuous transfer of power. Gabriel Ramanantsoa resigned due to low public approval. His successor, Richard Ratsimandrava, was assassinated six days after taking office. This instability led to a period of military leadership.
1975: Beginning of Ratsiraka's Rule
Didier Ratsiraka came to power in Madagascar in 1975, initiating a lengthy period of governance.
1975: General Censuses
After independence, only two general censuses were conducted, in 1975 and 1993.
1976: Mandatory National Service
Admiral Didier Ratsiraka, under the socialist Second Republic, introduced mandatory national armed or civil service for all young citizens, a policy that lasted from 1976 to 1991.
1976: Comoran Exodus
An exodus of Comorans from Madagascar occurred in 1976 following anti-Comoran riots in Mahajanga.
1979: Economic Collapse and Acceptance of IMF Conditions
By 1979, Madagascar faced complete economic collapse. The Ratsiraka administration, in exchange for a bailout from international organizations, accepted conditions including transparency, anti-corruption measures, and free-market policies.
1990: Fertility and Maternal Mortality Rates
The fertility rate in Madagascar in 1990 was 6.3 children per woman. The maternal mortality rate in the same year was 484.4 per 100,000 births.
1991: Presidential Guard Opens Fire on Protesters
In 1991, Madagascar experienced a pivotal event when presidential guards opened fire on unarmed protesters during a rally. This act of violence marked a turning point in Ratsiraka's rule and led to the formation of a transitional government.
1991: End of Mandatory National Service
The policy of mandatory national service in Madagascar, which had been in place since 1976, ended in 1991.
1992: Start of Zafy's Presidency
Albert Zafy assumed the presidency of Madagascar in 1992, marking a brief period of leadership.
1992: Presidential Elections and New Constitution
Madagascar held presidential elections in 1992, resulting in Albert Zafy's victory. A new constitution was adopted, establishing a multi-party democracy and emphasizing human rights, political freedoms, and free trade.
1992: Constitution Omits Official Languages
The Constitution of 1992, while recognizing Malagasy as the national language, did not specify any official languages for Madagascar.
1992: Establishment of the Third Republic
The Third Republic of Madagascar was established in 1992, with Albert Zafy as its first president. This republic aimed to solidify multi-party democracy and a separation of powers.
1993: End of the Second Republic
The Second Republic, marked by its Marxist–Leninist ideology and led by Didier Ratsiraka, came to an end in 1993. This period witnessed significant political and economic shifts in Madagascar.
1993: General Censuses
After independence, only two general censuses were conducted, in 1975 and 1993.
1993: National Census on Religious Beliefs
According to the national census conducted in 1993, 52 percent of Madagascar's population adhered to indigenous beliefs, 41 percent identified as Christian, 7 percent as Muslim, and the remaining population practiced other religions.
1993: Beginning of the Third Republic under Zafy
Albert Zafy assumed the presidency in 1993, marking the start of Madagascar's Third Republic. His presidency focused on democratization, human rights, and economic liberalization.
1996: End of Zafy's Presidency
Albert Zafy's presidency in Madagascar came to an end in 1996.
1996: Enrollment Rates Increase
Between 1996 and 2006, Madagascar witnessed a significant increase in enrollment rates, more than doubling due to improved educational access.
1996: Impeachment of Zafy and Interim Presidency
President Zafy was impeached in 1996, leading to Norbert Ratsirahonana's appointment as interim president for a three-month period before the next elections. This period highlighted political instability and challenges within the Third Republic.
April 2000: Legal Challenge to French as Official Language
In April 2000, a citizen of Madagascar initiated a legal case against the state, arguing that the publication of official documents solely in French was unconstitutional because the 1992 Constitution did not explicitly name any official languages.
2001: Contested Presidential Elections
The 2001 presidential elections in Madagascar were highly contested, with Marc Ravalomanana ultimately declared the winner. However, this result led to a political crisis due to disputes over the election's legitimacy.
2001: Military Neutrality during Election Dispute
The Malagasy military remained neutral during the 2001 presidential election dispute between Ratsiraka and Ravalomanana, refusing to support either candidate.
2001: Ratsiraka's Second Term
Didier Ratsiraka returned to power in 1996 for his second term, which lasted until 2001. This term was marked by promises of decentralization and economic reforms.
2001: Disputed Election and Economic Impact
The 2001 presidential election between incumbent Ratsiraka and challenger Marc Ravalomanana led to an eight-month standoff, negatively affecting Madagascar's economy, international relations, and living standards.
2001: Exclusion from the African Union Summit
Madagascar was not allowed to attend the first African Union summit because of the ongoing dispute over the 2001 presidential election results.
2001: End of Ratsiraka's Rule
Didier Ratsiraka's time in power in Madagascar concluded in 2001, ending his extensive rule.
2002: Political Standoff
A seven-month standoff ensued throughout 2002 between supporters of Marc Ravalomanana and Didier Ratsiraka, following the disputed 2001 presidential election. This political crisis significantly impacted Madagascar's economy.
2002: Dissolution of the Organisation of African Unity
The Organisation of African Unity, of which Madagascar was a founding member, was dissolved in 2002 and replaced by the African Union.
2002: Ravalomanana Administration Prioritizes Education
The Ravalomanana administration, which came into power in 2002, made education a priority. They implemented free and compulsory education from ages 6 to 13, constructed and renovated schools, recruited and trained teachers, eliminated primary school fees, and provided students with basic school supplies.
May 2003: Madagascar-U.S. Business Council
The Madagascar-U.S. Business Council was formed in May 2003 to support the export of local handicrafts to foreign markets.
July 2003: Reinstatement to the African Union
After a 14-month hiatus due to the 2001 election dispute, Madagascar rejoined the African Union in July 2003.
2003: Ravalomanana announces Durban Vision for protected areas
In 2003, then-President Marc Ravalomanana introduced the Durban Vision, an ambitious initiative aimed at substantially expanding Madagascar's protected natural areas. The goal was to increase protected zones to over 60,000 km², representing approximately 10% of Madagascar's landmass.
2004: Cyclone Gafilo, the strongest cyclone recorded to hit Madagascar
In 2004, Cyclone Gafilo, the strongest cyclone ever recorded to hit Madagascar, caused widespread devastation. It resulted in 172 fatalities, left 214,260 individuals homeless, and inflicted over US$250 million in damages.
2004: Establishment of BIANCO
In 2004, President Ravalomanana established BIANCO, an anti-corruption bureau, which led to reduced corruption among lower-level bureaucrats in Antananarivo.
2006: Enrollment Rates Increase
By 2006, enrollment rates in Madagascar had more than doubled compared to a decade earlier in 1996, highlighting the positive impact of increased educational access.
2007: Six national parks designated as World Heritage Site
In 2007, six of Madagascar's national parks were jointly recognized as a World Heritage Site under the name "Rainforests of the Atsinanana." This prestigious designation acknowledges their exceptional universal value and the need for their protection. The parks included in this recognition are Marojejy, Masoala, Ranomafana, Zahamena, Andohahela, and Andringitra.
2007: Three Official Languages Recognized
The 2007 Constitution of Madagascar formally recognized Malagasy, French, and English as the country's three official languages.
2008: Tourism in Madagascar
In 2008, an estimated 365,000 tourists visited Madagascar, with tourism primarily focusing on the eco-tourism market.
2008: UNESCO Recognizes Zafimaniry Woodworking
In 2008, UNESCO added the decorative and functional woodworking traditions of the Zafimaniry people of the central highlands of Madagascar to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2008: Government Spending on Healthcare
In 2008, the government of Madagascar allocated fifteen percent of its total spending to the health sector.
2008: Maternal Mortality Rate
In 2008, the maternal mortality rate in Madagascar stood at 373.1 per 100,000 births.
2008: Ehoala Port Construction
The port of Ehoala, Madagascar's newest, was constructed in 2008 and privately managed by Rio Tinto.
January 2009: Collection of precious timber from national parks re-authorized
Following the removal of Marc Ravalomanana from office, the Andry Rajoelina administration, in January 2009, lifted the ban on harvesting small amounts of precious timber from national parks. This decision aimed to generate state revenue and compensate for the reduction in foreign aid due to Ravalomanana's ousting.
March 2009: Suspension from the African Union
Madagascar was suspended from the African Union again in March 2009 due to the unconstitutional transfer of power to Rajoelina.
March 2009: Rajoelina Declared President of the High Transitional Authority
Following the 2009 coup, Andry Rajoelina was declared President of the High Transitional Authority by the Supreme Court in March 2009. This interim body was tasked with guiding the country towards new elections.
2009: Political Crisis and Military Coup
Madagascar experienced a political crisis and military coup in 2009, leading to the unconstitutional removal of President Marc Ravalomanana. This event plunged the country into a period of instability and transition.
2009: Fertility Rate and Life Expectancy
The fertility rate in Madagascar in 2009 was 4.6 children per woman, showing a decline from 6.3 in 1990. Adult life expectancy in 2009 was 63 years for men and 67 years for women.
2009: Population Growth Rate
Madagascar's annual population growth rate was about 2.9% in 2009.
2009: FIBA Africa Championship for Women
Antananarivo hosted the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship for Women.
2009: Protests and Violence
In early 2009, protests led by Andry Rajoelina against President Ravalomanana escalated into violence, resulting in over 170 deaths and further political instability.
2009: Media Censorship
Accusations of media censorship increased after 2009 due to alleged restrictions on political criticism.
2009: Access to Water and Electricity
In 2009, only 6.8% of Madagascar's fokontany had access to water provided by Jirama, the national provider, while 9.5% had access to its electricity services.
2009: Military Intervention in Political Crisis
Breaking from tradition, a segment of the Malagasy army supported Andry Rajoelina's attempt to remove President Ravalomanana from power in 2009.
2009: Budget Cuts and Rising Crime
Budget cuts since 2009 severely impacted Madagascar's national police force, leading to an increase in criminal activity.
2009: Exports as a Percentage of GDP
Exports accounted for 28% of Madagascar's GDP in 2009.
2010: Official Languages Reduced to Two
Following a referendum, a new constitution was adopted in 2010, which recognized only Malagasy and French as the official languages of Madagascar.
2010: Road and Railway Infrastructure
In 2010, Madagascar had approximately 7,617 km of paved roads, 854 km of railways, and 432 km of navigable waterways.
2010: Adoption of the Fourth Republic Constitution
Madagascar adopted a new constitution in 2010 through a referendum, establishing the Fourth Republic. This constitution maintained the democratic, multi-party structure of its predecessor.
2010: End of the Third Republic
The Third Republic of Madagascar came to an end in 2010, marking the transition to the Fourth Republic and a new chapter in the country's political landscape.
2010: Maternal Mortality Rate
The maternal mortality rate in Madagascar in 2010 was 440 per 100,000 births, indicating a decline in perinatal care following the 2009 coup.
2010: Decline in Tourism
The tourism sector in Madagascar declined in 2010, with only 180,000 tourists visiting due to the political crisis.
2010: Healthcare Statistics for Madagascar
In 2010, Madagascar had an average of three hospital beds per 10,000 people. The country had a total of 3,150 doctors, 5,661 nurses, 385 community health workers, 175 pharmacists, and 57 dentists for a population of 22 million.
December 2011: Internet Access
In December 2011, an estimated 352,000 residents of Madagascar had access to the internet from home or internet cafés.
2011: Agriculture and Manufacturing Sectors
In 2011, agriculture constituted 29% of Madagascar's GDP, while manufacturing accounted for 15%.
2011: Economic Growth
Madagascar's economy began to grow in 2011, with GDP growth surpassing 4% each year.
2011: Scouting Membership
In 2011, Madagascar had an estimated 14,905 members across its three scouting clubs.
2011: Teen Pregnancy and Infant Mortality Rates
In 2011, Madagascar recorded a teen pregnancy rate of 14.8 percent, significantly higher than the African average. The infant mortality rate in the same year was 41 per 1,000 births, with an under-five mortality rate of 61 per 1,000 births.
2011: State-protected areas in Madagascar
By 2011, Madagascar had established a network of state-protected areas encompassing a range of categories: five Strict Nature Reserves (Réserves Naturelles Intégrales), 21 Wildlife Reserves (Réserves Spéciales), and 21 National Parks (Parcs Nationaux).
2011: FIBA Africa Championship
Antananarivo hosted the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship.
July 2012: Assessment reveals dire state of lemur populations
An assessment carried out in July 2012 determined that the overexploitation of natural resources, particularly since 2009, had severely impacted Madagascar's wildlife. It revealed that 90% of lemur species were facing the threat of extinction, marking the highest proportion among any mammal group. Notably, 23 lemur species were classified as critically endangered.
2012: 103 species and subspecies of lemur officially recognized
By 2012, zoologists had officially recognized 103 species and subspecies of lemur in Madagascar, with 39 of those being newly identified between 2000 and 2008. Nearly all lemur species are categorized as either rare, vulnerable, or endangered.
2012: Growing GDP per capita
Madagascar's GDP per capita has been growing since 2012.
December 2013: Last National Assembly election held
The most recent National Assembly election in Madagascar took place on December 20, 2013.
2013: FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship
Antananarivo hosted the 2013 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship.
2013: Rajaonarimampianina Wins Presidential Election
Hery Rajaonarimampianina emerged victorious in the 2013 presidential election, which was internationally recognized as fair and transparent. This election marked a step towards restoring constitutional order in Madagascar.
January 2014: Restoration of Constitutional Governance
In January 2014, Madagascar saw the restoration of constitutional governance after a protracted transition process. This marked the beginning of the country's Fourth Republic.
2014: Plague Outbreak
In 2014, Madagascar faced a plague outbreak with 263 confirmed cases and 71 deaths.
2014: Public Education Spending
In 2014, public expenditure on education in Madagascar represented 2.8% of the country's GDP.
2014: FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship
The 2014 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship was held in Antananarivo.
2014: Discovery of Asian common toad in Madagascar raises concerns for wildlife
The discovery of the Asian common toad in Madagascar in 2014 caused alarm among researchers who feared its potential impact on the island's unique ecosystem. This toad species, known for its detrimental effects on wildlife in Australia since the 1930s, raised concerns about similar harm to Madagascar's fauna.
December 2015: Last Senate election held
The last Senate election in Madagascar was conducted on December 30, 2015.
2015: World Food Programme and Madagascar Country Programme
In 2015, the World Food Programme, with support from the UN, launched the Madagascar Country Programme to address long-term development, reconstruction, and food insecurity issues in the southern regions of Madagascar.
2015: FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Women
The 2015 FIBA Africa Under-16 Championship for Women was hosted in Antananarivo.
2015: Madagascar's GDP Estimate
In 2015, Madagascar's GDP was estimated at US$9.98 billion.
2016: Formal Conversion to Orthodox Judaism
In 2016, 121 members of the Malagasy Jewish community in Antananarivo formally converted to Orthodox Judaism, marking a significant development in the emergence of Rabbinic Judaism in Madagascar during the 21st century.
2016: Unemployment Rate
In 2016, Madagascar's unemployment rate was 2.1% with a workforce of 13.4 million as of 2017.
2016: Tourism Growth
Madagascar experienced growth in its tourism sector in 2016, with 293,000 tourists visiting the island, a 20% increase from 2015.
2016: Projected Economic Growth
Madagascar's average economic growth rate from 2011 to 2015 was 2.6%, but it was projected to reach 4.1% in 2016 due to public works programs and growth in the service sector.
2016: Road Infrastructure Project Funding
Since 2016, €100.4 million has been provided to Madagascar for a road infrastructure project to improve connectivity and create 348 kilometers of roads.
January 2017: Madagascar's Police Deployment in Haiti
As of January 2017, Madagascar had deployed 34 police officers to Haiti as part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti.
2017: Top Exports
Madagascar's top exports in 2017 included vanilla, nickel metal, cloves, knitted sweaters, and cobalt.
2017: Outbreak of Plague
Madagascar experienced outbreaks of the bubonic plague and pneumonic plague in 2017, resulting in 2,575 cases and 221 deaths.
2017: GDP per capita
Madagascar's GDP per capita was around $1600 (PPP) in 2017, one of the lowest globally, but showing growth since 2012.
2017: Poverty and Malnutrition
In 2017, poverty affected 92% of Madagascar's population, and the country ranked fourth globally in chronic malnutrition.
2017: Population Growth of Antananarivo
By 2017, the population of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, was estimated at 1,391,433 inhabitants.
2018: Madagascar's Economic Situation
Despite being a very poor country in 2018, Madagascar's economy had been growing since 2011, with GDP growth exceeding 4% annually.
2018: High Rates of Undernourishment and Hunger
In 2018, Madagascar faced severe food insecurity, with undernourishment and hunger rates reaching 42%.
2018: Presidential election
The first round of the presidential election in Madagascar took place on November 7, 2018, and the second round on December 10, 2018. Andry Rajoelina won the second round, marking his return to the presidency after previously holding the position from 2009 to 2014.
January 2019: High Constitutional Court declares Rajoelina as winner of the presidential election
In January 2019, following the presidential elections in 2018, the High Constitutional Court declared Andry Rajoelina as the winner and the new president of Madagascar.
June 2019: Parliamentary elections held
Parliamentary elections were held in June 2019 in Madagascar. The party of President Andry Rajoelina secured a large majority of the seats in the National Assembly, gaining 84 out of 151 seats.
2019: Measles Outbreak
A measles outbreak struck Madagascar in 2019, leading to a staggering 118,000 cases and 1,688 deaths.
2019: African Games Basketball Victory
Madagascar's national 3x3 basketball team secured the gold medal at the 2019 African Games.
2019: Madagascar's Forest Landscape Integrity Index score
In 2019, Madagascar received a mean score of 4.63 out of 10 on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, placing it 119th globally out of 172 countries assessed.
2020: Contrasting Religious Demographics
Conflicting statistics emerged regarding religious demographics in Madagascar in 2020. The Pew Research Center reported that 85% of the population identified as Christian and 4.5% practiced folk religions. Conversely, the Association of Religion Data Archives found that 58.1% were Christian, 2.1% Muslim, 39.2% practiced traditional faiths, and 0.6% were nonreligious or followed other beliefs.
2020: Muslim Population in Madagascar
In 2020, Muslims constituted 2% of Madagascar's population, primarily residing in the northwestern provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana. The Muslim community comprises both ethnic Malagasy individuals and those of Indian, Pakistani, and Comoran descent.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic
Madagascar was affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
2021: Beginning of 2021–2022 Madagascar famine
Beginning in mid-2021, Madagascar experienced a severe drought leading to a famine that lasted into 2022. Hundreds of thousands of people faced food insecurity, and over a million were on the brink of starvation.
2021: Population of Madagascar
The population of Madagascar was estimated at 29 million in 2021, compared to 2.2 million in 1900.
February 2022: Cyclone Batsirai hits Madagascar
Cyclone Batsirai hit Madagascar in February 2022, resulting in the deaths of 121 people. The cyclone followed just weeks after Cyclone Ana, which had already caused significant damage, killing 55 people and displacing 130,000.
December 2022: Antananarivo–Toamasina Toll Highway Construction
Construction began in December 2022 on the Antananarivo–Toamasina toll highway, Madagascar's first toll highway, connecting the capital to its largest seaport.
2022: Analysis reveals high cost of climate change adaptation for Madagascar
An analysis conducted in 2022 concluded that Madagascar will require substantial financial resources to effectively adapt to and mitigate the environmental impacts of climate change.
November 2023: Andry Rajoelina re-elected as president
Andry Rajoelina was elected for another term as President in November 2023, securing 58.95% of the vote in the first round. The election was marked by an opposition boycott and controversy regarding Rajoelina's acquisition of French citizenship, leading to questions about his eligibility.
2023: Study reveals high extinction risk for Madagascar's endemic mammals
A study published in Nature Communications in 2023 highlighted the precarious state of Madagascar's endemic mammals, finding that 120 out of the 219 mammal species unique to the island were at risk of extinction.
2023: Madagascar's Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2023, Madagascar held the 107th position in the Global Innovation Index.
2038: Ehoala Port Transfer to State Control
The Ehoala port will be transferred to state control upon the completion of Rio Tinto's mining project near Tôlanaro around 2038.