Madagascar Population: 28.4 Million (2022 World Bank)

According to the World Bank, Madagascar's total population in 2022 was 28,390,363.

Growth Trajectory

• 2000: ~15.9 million
• 2010: ~21.1 million
• 2022: ~28.4 million
• Projected 2035: ~34 million
• Annual Growth Rate: ~2.5–2.7% (high; fertility ~4.0 births/woman).

Demographic Profile

• Median Age: ~19.5 years (very young).
• Urbanization: ~39% (rising rapidly; Antananarivo metro ~3.5M).
• Ethnic Groups: 18+ Malagasy subgroups (Merina, Betsileo, Betsimisaraka, etc.); mixed Austronesian + Bantu ancestry.
• Languages: Malagasy (official), French (official), English (growing).

Rapid growth strains education, healthcare, jobs, and environment (deforestation, soil loss). Harnessing the demographic dividend requires massive investment in human capital.