Background Formerly an independent kingdom, 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. The People | Population | 19,448,815 (July 2007 est.) | | Age structure | 0-14 years: 43.9% (male 4,297,985/female 4,243,369)
15-64 years: 53% (male 5,117,874/female 5,190,032)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 270,411/female 329,144) (2007 est.) | | Life expectancy at birth | total population: 62.14 years
male: 60.23 years
female: 64.1 years (2007 est.) | Population growth rate | 3.008% (2007 est.) | | Ethnic groups | Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran | | Religions | Indigenous Beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% | | Population below poverty line | 50% (2004 est.) | | People living with HIV/AIDS | 140,000 (2003 est.) | | HIV/AIDS - deaths | 7,500 (2003 est.) | | Mobile phones in use | 504,700 (2005) | | Internet users | 110,000 (2006) |
Data (Background & The People) provided by The World Factbook |