Madagascar Population Pyramid (2026)
Madagascar has a population of 33,522,051 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 49th-largest population in the world and 0.40% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 38.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 3.5%, with 100.6 males for every 100 females.
Madagascar Demographics
Madagascar has 33.5 million people in 2026, up 402.4% from 6.7 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 787,102 (UN projection for 2026).
Under-15 share 38.6% — the 28th-highest of 194 countries.
Median age 19.4 — the 31st-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen Z — 31.0% (10,403,856)
All generations in Madagascar →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Madagascar's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
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Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Madagascar has 100.6 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 105,337 (0.3% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:16,813,694
- Percentage:50.2%
Female Statistics
- Population:16,708,357
- Percentage:49.8%
- Ratio Format:1:0.994
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Madagascar indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 1,033,723 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 977,163 | 32.9 | 4.10 | estimate |
| 2022 | 989,140 | 32.5 | 4.04 | estimate |
| 2023 | 1,001,244 | 32.1 | 3.97 | estimate |
| 2024 | 1,013,751 | 31.7 | 3.91 | projection |
| 2025 | 1,023,320 | 31.3 | 3.85 | projection |
| 2026 | 1,033,723 | 30.8 | 3.78 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (1,033,723 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Madagascar's median age is 19.4 years
Half the population is younger than 19.4 years, half is older — indicating a very young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 4,774,660 | 14.2% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 4,323,252 | 12.9% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 3,855,286 | 11.5% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 3,561,264 | 10.6% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 3,138,473 | 9.4% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 2,845,934 | 8.5% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 2,358,565 | 7.0% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 1,893,438 | 5.6% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 1,585,085 | 4.7% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 1,358,468 | 4.1% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 1,114,269 | 3.3% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 864,942 | 2.6% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 662,546 | 2.0% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 509,401 | 1.5% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 354,796 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 196,070 | 0.6% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 83,203 | 0.2% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 32,926 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 8,351 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 1,057 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 61 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 2 (high birth rate, falling death rate): 30.8 births and 7.4 deaths per 1,000, a natural increase of about 2.3% a year (births minus deaths, before migration). Read more about Stage 2 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Madagascar Total Fertility Rate: 3.78 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4.10 | 32.9 | |
| 2022 | 4.04 | 32.5 | ↓0.06 |
| 2023 | 3.97 | 32.1 | ↓0.07 |
| 2024 | 3.91 | 31.7 | ↓0.06 |
| 2025 | 3.85 | 31.3 | ↓0.06 |
| 2026 | 3.78 | 30.8 | ↓0.07 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Above global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 3.56
Madagascar's total fertility rate is 3.78 children per woman in 2026 (above replacement), above the replacement level of 2.1. Madagascar ranks 26 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the highest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −49.1% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Madagascar's population has increased by 747.4%.
The median age is almost unchanged: 19.7 in 1950, 19.4 in 2026.
Understanding Madagascar's Demographics
Madagascar has an expansive population pyramid — a broad base of children that narrows steadily toward older ages.
Children under 15 make up 38.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 3.5%.
The largest five-year age band is 0–4, at 14.2% of the population.
Demographic Analysis: Madagascar's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The working-age share is still rising, from 55.5% in 2016 to 57.8% in 2026 (dependency ratio 72.9).
Fertility Transition Stage
Madagascar is in a period of above replacement, with a total fertility rate of 3.78 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Madagascar's median age changed by +1.7 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 33,522,051 |
| Male Population | 16,813,694(50.2%) |
| Female Population | 16,708,357(49.8%) |
| Median Age | 19.4 years |
| Sex Ratio | 100.6 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 12,953,198(38.6%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 19,382,988(57.8%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 1,185,865(3.5%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 72.9 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 66.8 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 6.1 |
| Pyramid Type | Expansive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Madagascar
How long the average person in Madagascar is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Madagascar is projected to grow to 53.2 million people by 2050 (+58.7% from 2026).
The median age rises from 19.4 in 2026 to 24.2 by 2050.
Madagascar's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 35.0%, growing from 6.7 million in 1970 to 9.0 million by 1980.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 6.7M to 9.0M
- • Growth rate of 35% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 15.6 to 15.4 years (−0.2y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.1 points; under-15 share by +0.6 points
How Does Madagascar Compare to Its Neighbors?
Madagascar has an older population than Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania. Madagascar has a smaller population than Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania.
Madagascar
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tanzania
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madagascar (Current) | 33,522,051 | 19.4 | 38.6% | 3.5% | expansive |
| Nigeria | 242,431,831 | 18.3 | 40.0% | 3.1% | expansive |
| Ethiopia | 138,902,184 | 19.3 | 38.5% | 3.4% | expansive |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 116,452,162 | 15.9 | 45.8% | 3.1% | expansive |
| Tanzania | 72,563,781 | 17.6 | 42.1% | 3.0% | expansive |
Frequently Asked Questions About Madagascar
How does Madagascar rank globally by population?
Madagascar ranks 49th in the world by population with 33.5 million people as of 2026, representing 0.40% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does Madagascar's age structure reveal about its development?
Madagascar's age structure — 38.6% under 15, 57.8% working-age (15–64) and 3.5% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 2 of the demographic transition, with an expansive population pyramid. The median age is 19.4 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Madagascar?
Madagascar has 72.9 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Madagascar experiencing a demographic dividend?
Madagascar is opening its demographic-dividend window. The working-age share is still rising, from 55.5% in 2016 to 57.8% in 2026 (dependency ratio 72.9). The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Madagascar's population?
Madagascar has more males than females, with 100.6 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Madagascar Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/madagascar
View UN World Population Prospects Data →