Madagascar Population
Madagascar has an estimated population of about 32.0 million, which makes it the 49th most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.44% a year.
The capital is Antananarivo.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2015–2024 (World Bank)
How Madagascar's population is changing
Madagascar records about 2,775 births and 654 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 2,121 people per day, or about 774,695 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 1,795 over the reported period, with more people leaving than arriving. That is small next to its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, Madagascar would take roughly 29 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2015 to 2024, the population rose from 25.4 million to 32.0 million — a gain of 6.54 million, or 25.7%.
Where people live in Madagascar
With about 54 people per square kilometre, Madagascar is moderately populated, close to the world average of 62. That ranks 81st of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are South Africa and Iran.
Madagascar covers about 581,800 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 32.0 million into that density figure.
About 32.4% of people live in urban areas, making Madagascar split between town and countryside, below the world average of 57.6%. That works out to roughly 10.4 million town and city dwellers and 21.6 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in Madagascar
Madagascar has a young population: about 39.3% are under 15 and 3.4% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 11.5 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 3.91 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 63.8 years, roughly 9.6 years below the global average of 73.5.
Madagascar at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32.0 million | 2024 |
| World rank by population | #49 | 2024 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.44% | 2024 |
| Population density | 54 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 581,800 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 32.4% | 2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 63.8 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 3.91 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 39.3% | 2024 |
| Population 65 and over | 3.4% | 2024 |
| Net migration | -1,795 | 2024 |
| Births per day | 2,775 | 2024 |
| Deaths per day | 654 | 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Madagascar?
Is Madagascar's population growing or shrinking?
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Where do these Madagascar figures come from?
Current local time in Madagascar
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2024. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank