Madagascar has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. In 1960, the island nation had a population of around 5 million people, but by 2024, this number has risen to approximately 30 million. The country’s population growth rate remains relatively high, averaging around 2.6% per year, which is above the global average. This rapid increase is driven by a high fertility rate, with women having an average of about four children each, and a declining mortality rate due to improvements in healthcare. The growing population presents both opportunities and challenges for Madagascar, including increased demand for education, jobs, and infrastructure, as well as pressures on the island’s unique environment and natural resources.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 4,620,437 | 7.9 |
| 1955 | 5,002,657 | 8.6 |
| 1960 | 5,481,721 | 9.4 |
| 1965 | 6,070,004 | 10.4 |
| 1970 | 6,765,644 | 11.6 |
| 1975 | 7,603,790 | 13.1 |
| 1980 | 8,684,399 | 14.9 |
| 1985 | 10,014,533 | 17.2 |
| 1990 | 11,616,589 | 20 |
| 1995 | 13,512,215 | 23.2 |
| 2000 | 15,684,814 | 27 |
| 2005 | 18,094,500 | 31.1 |
| 2010 | 20,808,128 | 35.8 |
| 2015 | 23,772,723 | 40.9 |
| 2020 | 26,898,646 | 46.3 |
| 2022 | 28,172,462 | 48.4 |
| 2023 | 28,812,195 | 49.5 |
| 2024 | 29,452,714 | 50.6 |
| 2025 | 30,093,073 | 51.7 |
| 2030 | 33,281,950 | 57.2 |
| 2035 | 36,418,409 | 62.6 |
| 2040 | 39,485,505 | 67.9 |
| 2045 | 42,471,930 | 73 |
| 2050 | 45,355,015 | 78 |
| 2055 | 48,134,693 | 82.8 |
| 2060 | 50,795,335 | 87.3 |
| 2065 | 53,277,587 | 91.6 |
| 2070 | 55,538,234 | 95.5 |
| 2075 | 57,547,059 | 99 |
| 2080 | 59,283,141 | 101.9 |
| 2085 | 60,731,469 | 104.4 |
| 2090 | 61,878,118 | 106.4 |
| 2095 | 62,708,113 | 107.8 |
| 2100 | 63,211,027 | 108.7 |
Data from US Census International Database