Madagascar
Type of Government: Republic
Independence: 1960 from France
Head of State: President Marc Ravalomanana (since May 6, 2002)
2007/2008 UN Development Index ranking (out of 177 countries): 143
2007 TI Corruption Perception Index (out of 179): 94
Political Development: Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its 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.
Adult HIV Rate: 1.7%
Life Expectancy: 62.14
GDP: $5.059 billion
Inflation: 10.8%
Poverty: 50%
Petroleum: 90.59 bpd
Leading Export Partner: France (32.1%)
Economic Note: Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing 80% of the population. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.
