The population and demography of Madagascar

The Malagasy form one nation with one basic culture and language - though with many dialects -, but there are eighteen (18) different "tribes" or clans officialy recognised by the government. The division is based more upon historical background and geographic location than upon ethnic grouping. These tribes are listed individually below:

the Antefasy (People-of-the-sands) in Farafangana; the Antemoro (People-of-the-coast) in the South-East of Manakara; the Antesaka in the South-East; the Antakarana (People-of-the-rocks) in Ambilobe and Antsiranana; the Antambahoaka (Those-of-the-people) in Mananjary; the Antandroy (People-of-the-thorn) in the extreme South; the Antanosy (People-of-the-island) in Taolagnaro; les Bara from Ihosy to Mandabe; the Betsileo (The-many-invincibles) in the South of the Mania and Mahatsiatra rivers; the Betsimisaraka (The-many-inseparables) from Antalaha to Mahanoro, mainly in the east coast; the Bezanozano (Many-small-plaits) in Moramanga, Mangoro region; the Mahafaly (Those-who-make-taboos or Those-who-make-happy) in Ampanihy and Betioky; the Merina (People-of-the-Highlands) in Antananarivo; the Sakalava (People-of-the-large-valleys) from Morombe to Analalava; the Sihanaka (People-of-the-swamps) in the Alaotra Lake; the Tanala or Antanala (People-of-the-forest) from Ifanadiana to Iakora; the Tsimihety (Those-who-do-not-cut-their-hair) in Sofia and the Vezo (The-fishermen-people) in Toliara.

There are ethnic subgroups such as: the Tanalana among the Mahafaly; the Sara among the Vezo; the Mikea/Makoa among Masikoro; the Zafimaniry among the Tanala; the Betanimena among the Betsimisaraka; the Zafisoro among Antesaka.

The population numbered approximately 2,242,000 at the beginning of the XXth century and its average annual growth rate was quite low until 1950 (1%). The population sharp increase is thus a relatively recent phenomenon. It reached 2,2% in 1966, 2,7% in 1975 and is estimated at 2,8% in 1993.

The Malagasy population, which was of 6,462,000 inhabitants in 1966 and 7,603 790 in 1975, increased to 12,238,914 according to the 1993 Census Report (RGPH). It is estimated at 19,916,000 in 2010 according to the Census Bureau's projection (INSTAT).

Antananarivo provides a base for 30% of Madagascar's population; even more so, it remains the most densely populated Province. Fianarantsoa makes up the second reservoir of population (22%). Toliara and Toamasina have the same rate: 15% each. Lastly, Mahajanga and Antsiranana are the residence places of 15% and 7% of the Malagasy.

56.6% of the population are aged below 20. The percentage of the population aged 65 and above is quite low: 2.7%, which reflects a low life expectancy at birth (57.2 years): 56.3 years for men and 58.1 for women. According to estimates, there is also a marked parity between men and women: 99.8 men for 100 women.

There is a very negligible inflow of foreign population in Madagascar. However, European , American, Asian, African and Arab communities exist in the country.