Editing Madagascar (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Madagascar|Tourism in Madagascar}}
[[File:Madagascar GDP per capita, 1950 to 2022.png|thumb|Historical change in per capita GDP of Madagascar since 1950]]
[[File:Nosy-iranja-beach.jpg|thumb | [[Nosy Iranja]] is one of the international tourism destinations in Madagascar]]
Madagascar's GDP in 2015 was estimated at US$9.98&nbsp;billion, with a per capita GDP of $411.82.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&idim=country:MDG:MUS:MOZ&hl=en&dl=en|title=World Bank|access-date=27 February 2017|archive-date=29 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029052604/http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&idim=country:MDG:MUS:MOZ&hl=en&dl=en#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ny_gdp_pcap_cd&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:MDG:MUS:MOZ&ifdim=region&hl=en_US&dl=en&ind=false|title=World Development Indicators – Google Public Data Explorer|website=www.google.com|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=29 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029052604/http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ny_gdp_pcap_cd&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:MDG:MUS:MOZ&ifdim=region&hl=en_US&dl=en&ind=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 69&nbsp;percent of the population lives below the national poverty line threshold of one dollar per day.<ref>{{cite web |title = Madagascar at a glance |publisher = World Bank |date = 25 February 2011 |url = http://devdata.worldbank.org/AAG/mdg_aag.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313084616/http://devdata.worldbank.org/AAG/mdg_aag.pdf |archive-date = 13 March 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2012 }}</ref> According to the [[United Nations Development Programme]], as of 2021, 68.4 percent of the population is [[Multidimensional Poverty Index|multidimensionally poor]].<ref name=":3" /> During 2011–15, the average growth rate was 2.6% but was expected to have reached 4.1% in 2016, due to public works programs and a growth of the service sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/madagascar/overview|title=Madagascar Overview|website=www.worldbank.org|language=en|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=9 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409090650/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/madagascar/overview|url-status=live}}</ref> The agriculture sector constituted 29&nbsp;percent of Malagasy GDP in 2011, while manufacturing formed 15&nbsp;percent of GDP. Madagascar's other sources of growth are tourism, agriculture and the extractive industries.<ref name=AEO2011>{{cite web|title=African Economic Outlook 2011: Madagascar |vauthors=AFDB, OECD, UNDP, UNECA |publisher=AfricanEconomicOutlook.org |year=2011 |url=http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/fileadmin/uploads/aeo/Country_Notes/2011/Full/Madagascar.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109020440/http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/fileadmin/uploads/aeo/Country_Notes/2011/Full/Madagascar.pdf |archive-date=9 November 2011 |access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The fishing sector represents 800 millions USD or 6% of GNP with 200 000 direct jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/01/filiere-peche-la-transparence-comme.html |title=La filiere Peche |date=27 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130044353/https://www.lexpress.mg/2024/01/filiere-peche-la-transparence-comme.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tourism focuses on the niche eco-tourism market, capitalizing on Madagascar's unique biodiversity, unspoiled natural habitats, national parks and lemur species.<ref name="tourismsector">{{cite journal |first1 = Iain |last1 = Christie |first2 = Elizabeth |last2=Crompton |title = Republic of Madagascar: Tourism Sector Study |journal = Africa Region Working Paper No. 63 |publisher = World Bank |date = November 2003 |location = Antananarivo |url = http://www.worldbank.org/afr/wps/wp63.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120210070045/http://www.worldbank.org/afr/wps/wp63.pdf |archive-date = 10 February 2012 |url-status=live |access-date =28 January 2012 }}</ref> An estimated 365,000 tourists visited Madagascar in 2008, but the sector declined during the political crisis with 180,000 tourists visiting in 2010.<ref name=AEO2011/> However, the sector has been growing steadily for a few years. In 2016, 293,000 tourists landed in the African island with an increase of 20% compared to 2015. For 2017 the country has the goal of reaching 366,000 visitors, while for 2018 government estimates are expected to reach 500,000 annual tourists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guidaviaggi.it/notizie/183551/madagascar-obiettivo- |title=Madagascar: obiettivo 500mila visitatori nel 2018 |work=Guida Viaggi |date=10 February 2017 |language=it |trans-title=Madagascar: Targeting 500 Thousand Visitors in 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193816/http://www.guidaviaggi.it/notizie/183551/madagascar-obiettivo- |archive-date=8 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The island is still a very poor country in 2018; structural brakes remain in the development of the economy: corruption and the shackles of the public administration, lack of legal certainty, and backwardness of land legislation. The economy, however, has been growing since 2011, with GDP growth exceeding 4% per year;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=66&c=ma&l=en|title=Madagascar – GDP – real growth rate – Historical Data Graphs per Year|website=www.indexmundi.com|access-date=16 June 2018|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613210626/https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=66&c=ma&l=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agenzianova.com/a/0/1532830/2017-03-26/business-news-fmi-economia-del-madagascar-manifesta-segnali-incoraggianti|title=Business news: Fmi, economia del Madagascar manifesta segnali "incoraggianti"|website=Agenzia Nova|access-date=16 June 2018|archive-date=28 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328195756/http://www.agenzianova.com/a/0/1532830/2017-03-26/business-news-fmi-economia-del-madagascar-manifesta-segnali-incoraggianti|url-status=live}}</ref> almost all economic indicators are growing, the GDP per capita was around $1600 (PPP) for 2017,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=67&c=ma&l=en | title=Madagascar – GDP – per capita (PPP) – Historical Data Graphs per Year | access-date=24 November 2018 | archive-date=13 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613210611/https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=67&c=ma&l=en | url-status=live }}</ref> one of the lowest in the world, although growing since 2012; unemployment was also cut, which in 2016 was equal to 2.1%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=74&c=ma&l=en|title=Madagascar – Unemployment rate – Historical Data Graphs per Year|website=indexmundi.com|access-date=16 June 2018|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613210651/https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=74&c=ma&l=en|url-status=live}}</ref> with a work force of 13.4&nbsp;million as of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=72&c=ma&l=en|title=Madagascar – Labor force – Historical Data Graphs per Year|website=www.indexmundi.com|access-date=16 June 2018|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234209/https://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=72&c=ma&l=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The main economic resources of Madagascar are [[Tourism in Madagascar|tourism]], [[Textile industry|textiles]], [[Agriculture in Madagascar|agriculture]], and [[Mining industry of Madagascar|mining]].

Poverty affects 92% of the population in 2017. The country ranks fourth in the world in terms of chronic malnutrition. Nearly one in two children under the age of five is stunted. In addition, Madagascar is among the five countries where access to water is the most difficult for the population. Twelve million people do not have access to clean water, according to the NGO WaterAid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unicef.org/madagascar/en/programme/pse|title=Social policy and social protection|access-date=19 December 2021|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219014609/https://www.unicef.org/madagascar/en/programme/pse|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Natural resources and trade===
[[File:Raffia animals created by artisans in Madagascar.jpg|thumb|left|Toy animals made from [[raffia]], a native palm<ref>Rodd & Stackhouse (2008), p. 246</ref>]]
Madagascar's natural resources include a variety of agricultural and mineral products. Agriculture (including the growing of [[raffia]]), mining, fishing and [[forestry]] are mainstays of the economy. In 2017 the top exports were vanilla (US$894M), nickel metal (US$414M), cloves (US$288M), knitted sweaters (US$184M) and cobalt (US$143M).<ref>{{cite web |title=Madagascar Economic Statistics |url=https://tradecouncil.org/madagascar-economics-statistics-2019/ |publisher=International Trade Council |access-date=16 April 2020 |location=Washington D.C. |date=2019 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Madagascar is the world's principal supplier of [[vanilla]], cloves<ref>{{cite web |author = United Nations |title = FAO Stat |publisher = Food and Agriculture Organization |url = http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx |year = 2013 |access-date = 13 April 2013 |archive-date = 13 July 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713020710/http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx |url-status = live }}</ref> and [[ylang-ylang]].<ref name=gafilo/> The island supplies 80% of the world's natural vanilla.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pilling|first=David|date=5 June 2018|title=The real price of Madagascar's vanilla boom|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/02042190-65bc-11e8-90c2-9563a0613e56|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920195743/https://www.ft.com/content/02042190-65bc-11e8-90c2-9563a0613e56|url-status=live}}</ref> Other key agricultural resources include coffee, [[lychee]]s and shrimp. Key mineral resources include various types of precious and semi-precious stones, and it currently provides half of the world's supply of sapphires, which were discovered near [[Ilakaka]] in the late 1990s.<ref>Pezzotta (2001), p. 32</ref>

Madagascar has one of the world's largest reserves of [[ilmenite]] (titanium ore), as well as important reserves of chromite, coal, iron, cobalt, copper and nickel.<ref name=EBLand/> Several major projects are underway in the mining, [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[Natural gas|gas]] sectors that are anticipated to give a significant boost to the Malagasy economy. These include such projects as ilmenite and zircon mining at the [[Mandena]] mine by [[Rio Tinto Group|Rio Tinto]],<ref name="RioTinto">{{cite web |title= About QMM |publisher= Rio Tinto |year= 2009 |access-date= 19 September 2012 |url= http://www.sherritt.com/Operations/Metals/Ambatovy-Joint-Venture |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120702181446/http://www.sherritt.com/Operations/Metals/Ambatovy-Joint-Venture |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2 July 2012 }}</ref> extraction of nickel by the [[Ambatovy mine]] near [[Moramanga]] and its processing near Toamasina by [[Sherritt International]],<ref>{{cite web |title= Metals – Ambatovy Joint Venture |publisher= Sherritt International Corporation |year= 2012 |access-date= 19 September 2012 |url= http://www.sherritt.com/Operations/Metals/Ambatovy-Joint-Venture |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120702181446/http://www.sherritt.com/Operations/Metals/Ambatovy-Joint-Venture |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2 July 2012 }}</ref> and the development of the giant onshore [[heavy crude oil|heavy oil]] deposits at [[Tsimiroro]] and [[Bemolanga]] by [[Madagascar Oil]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Madagascar's oil fortunes evolving slowly |publisher= PennWell Corporation |date= 7 February 2012 |access-date= 19 September 2012 |url= http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/vol-110/issue-2/exploration-developmet/madagascar-s-oil.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130208082330/http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/vol-110/issue-2/exploration-developmet/madagascar-s-oil.html |url-status=live |archive-date = 8 February 2013}}</ref>

Exports formed 28&nbsp;percent of GDP in 2009.<ref name=BGNote/> Most of the country's export revenue is derived from the textiles industry, fish and shellfish, vanilla, cloves and other foodstuffs.<ref name=AEO2011/> France is the nation's main trading partner, although the United States, Japan and Germany also have strong economic ties.<ref name=EBLand/> High-value cash crops for export such as lychees are more recent growth areas, with 18,000 tons sold abroad in 2023, of which 16,000 tons were exported to Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-17 |title=Madagascar's lychee growers in crisis as production plummets |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20241117-madagascar-prized-lychee-growers-face-crisis-as-production-plunges-climate |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=RFI |language=en}}</ref> 

The [[Madagascar-U.S. Business Council]] was formed in May 2003, as a collaboration between [[USAID]] and Malagasy artisan producers to support the export of local handicrafts to foreign markets.<ref name="handicrafts">{{cite web |last1 = Ashamu |first1 = Charlotte |first2 = Diego |last2 = Gomez-Pickering |first3 = Amanda |last3 = Luke |last4 = Morrison |first4 = Paul |first5 = Mark |last5 = Pedersen |first6 = Mara |last6 = Symes |first7 = Marthe |last7 = Weyandt |title = Made in Madagascar: Exporting Handicrafts to the U.S. Market: Final Report |publisher = United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development |year=2005 |url = http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/academics/concentrations/epd/documents/2004-5/MalagasyHandicrafts_Report.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120320070928/http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/academics/concentrations/epd/documents/2004-5/MalagasyHandicrafts_Report.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date =10 July 2011}}</ref> Imports of such items as foodstuffs, fuel, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics consume an estimated 52&nbsp;percent of GDP. The main sources of Madagascar's imports include [[China–Madagascar relations|China]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mg2.mofcom.gov.cn/article/bilateralcooperation/201908/20190802895188.shtml|title=Aperçu de la coopération économique entre la Chine et Madagascar|website=mofcom.gov.cn|access-date=30 November 2019|archive-date=4 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204131452/http://mg2.mofcom.gov.cn/article/bilateralcooperation/201908/20190802895188.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> France, Iran, Mauritius and Hong Kong.<ref name="BGNote" />

===Infrastructure and media===
{{Main|Transport in Madagascar|Telecommunications in Madagascar|List of newspapers in Madagascar}}
[[File:Antananarivo Madagascar people reading news.JPG|thumb|A news stand in Antananarivo]]
[[File:AmbatolampyOchsenkarren.jpg|thumb|left|In many places oxcarts are an important medium of transport, like in [[Ambatolampy]]]]
In 2010, Madagascar had approximately {{convert|7617|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} of paved roads, {{convert|854|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} of railways and {{convert|432|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} of navigable waterways.<ref name="Bradtp2"/> The majority of [[roads in Madagascar]] are unpaved, with many becoming impassable in the rainy season. Largely paved [[National routes of Madagascar|national routes]] connect the six largest regional towns to Antananarivo, with minor paved and unpaved routes providing access to other population centers in each district.<ref name="LOC"/> Construction of the [[Antananarivo–Toamasina toll highway]], the country's first [[toll highway]], began in December 2022. The approximately {{Currency|1000000000|first=}} infrastructure project, which will connect Madagascar's capital to its largest seaport, is expected to take four years to complete.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=5 December 2022 |title=Madagascar starts works on first motorway |work=[[Africanews]] |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/12/04/madagascar-starts-works-on-first-motorway// |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219235236/https://www.africanews.com/2022/12/04/madagascar-starts-works-on-first-motorway// |url-status=live }}</ref> Another project meant to create {{convert|348|km}} of roads and create better connections costs €235.5 million. This includes a €116 million grant from the [[European Union]], a €110 million loan from the [[European Investment Bank]], and €4.8 million in finance from the Republic of Madagascar.<ref name=":1403">{{Cite web |title=Road projects to combat climate events in Madagascar |url=https://www.eib.org/en/stories/madagascar-climate-roads |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424081522/https://www.eib.org/en/stories/madagascar-climate-roads |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2016, €100.4 million has been paid to the Republic of Madagascar through this project.<ref name=":1403"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Madagascar: Project to modernise the RN13 and RN6 national highways - €73.6 million disbursement from EIB and European Union |url=https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2022-550-projet-de-modernisation-des-routes-nationales-rn13-et-rn6-a-madagascar-decaissement-de-736-millions-d-euros-de-la-bei-et-de-l-union-europeenne |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424101606/https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2022-550-projet-de-modernisation-des-routes-nationales-rn13-et-rn6-a-madagascar-decaissement-de-736-millions-d-euros-de-la-bei-et-de-l-union-europeenne |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are several [[rail lines in Madagascar]]. Antananarivo is connected to Toamasina, Ambatondrazaka and Antsirabe by rail, and another rail line connects Fianarantsoa to Manakara. The most important seaport in Madagascar is located on the east coast at Toamasina. Ports at Mahajanga and Antsiranana are significantly less used because of their remoteness.<ref name="LOC"/> Madagascar's government hopes to expand the ports of Antsiranana in the north and Taolagnaro in the south, connecting them to improved road networks, since many imports are every day necessities and Madagascar also relies on export money.'''<ref name=":1403"/>'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=High prices in Southern Madagascar limit poor households' food access {{!}} FEWS NET |url=https://fews.net/southern-africa/madagascar/food-security-outlook/february-2019 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=fews.net |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424085751/https://fews.net/southern-africa/madagascar/food-security-outlook/february-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Madagascar - COUNTRY ECONOMIC MEMORANDUM |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/699781575279412305/pdf/Madagascar-Country-Economic-Memorandum-Scaling-Success-Building-a-Resilient-Economy.pdf |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424085750/https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/699781575279412305/pdf/Madagascar-Country-Economic-Memorandum-Scaling-Success-Building-a-Resilient-Economy.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The island's newest port at Ehoala, constructed in 2008 and privately managed by [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|Rio Tinto]], will come under state control upon completion of the company's mining project near Tôlanaro around 2038.<ref name = RioTinto/> [[Air Madagascar]] services the island's many small regional airports, which offer the only practical means of access to many of the more remote regions during rainy season road washouts.<ref name="LOC"/>

Running water and electricity are supplied at the national level by a government service provider, [[Jirama]], which is unable to service the entire population. {{As of|2009}}, only 6.8&nbsp;percent of Madagascar's ''fokontany'' had access to water provided by Jirama, while 9.5&nbsp;percent had access to its electricity services.<ref name=INSTAT/> Fifty-six percent of Madagascar's power is provided by hydroelectric power plants, with the remaining 44% provided by diesel engine generators.<ref>{{cite web |title = Production Electricité |publisher = Jirama |year = 2011 |url = http://www.jirama.mg/index.php?w=scripts&f=Jirama-page.php&act=pdcelec |access-date = 28 August 2013 |language = fr |archive-date = 16 August 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130816055715/http://www.jirama.mg/index.php?w=scripts&f=Jirama-page.php&act=pdcelec |url-status = live }}</ref> Mobile telephone and internet access are widespread in urban areas but remain limited in rural parts of the island. Approximately 30% of the districts are able to access the nations' several private telecommunications networks via mobile telephones or land lines.<ref name=INSTAT/> The [[World Bank]] estimates that 17 million people in Madagascar's rural areas live more than two kilometres away from an all-season road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World Bank Connectivity for Rural Livelihood Improvement Project |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/fr/810821574132477851/pdf/Madagascar-Connectivity-for-Rural-Livelihood-Improvement-Project.pdf |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424091253/https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/fr/810821574132477851/pdf/Madagascar-Connectivity-for-Rural-Livelihood-Improvement-Project.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In Madagascar, 11% of the rural population has access to power.'''<ref name=":1403"/>'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madagascar Set to Expand Access to Renewable Energy and Digital Services thanks to $400 Million Credit |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/04/07/madagascar-afe-set-to-expand-access-to-renewable-energy-and-digital-services-thanks-to-400-million-credit |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=World Bank |language=en |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424085751/https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/04/07/madagascar-afe-set-to-expand-access-to-renewable-energy-and-digital-services-thanks-to-400-million-credit |url-status=live }}</ref>

Radio broadcasts remain the principal means by which the Malagasy population access international, national, and local news. Only state radio broadcasts are transmitted across the entire island. Hundreds of public and private stations with local or regional range provide alternatives to state broadcasting.<ref name=mediainfo/> In addition to the state television channel, a variety of privately owned television stations broadcast local and international programming throughout Madagascar. Several media outlets are owned by political partisans or politicians themselves, including the media groups MBS (owned by Ravalomanana) and Viva (owned by Rajoelina),<ref name=CrossroadsMarcus>{{cite web |last1 = Bachelard |first1 = Jerome |last2 = Marcus |first2 = Richard |title = Countries at the Crossroads 2011: Madagascar |publisher = Freedom House |year = 2011 |url =http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/inline_images/MADAGASCARfinal.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120608195355/http://www.freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/inline_images/MADAGASCARfinal.pdf |archive-date = 8 June 2012 |url-status=live |access-date = 25 August 2012}}</ref> contributing to political polarization in reporting.

The media have historically come under varying degrees of pressure to censor their criticism of the government. Reporters are occasionally threatened or harassed, and media outlets are periodically forced to close.<ref name=mediainfo/> Accusations of media censorship have increased since 2009 because of the alleged intensification of restrictions on political criticism.<ref name=DOS/> Access to the internet has grown dramatically in the 21st century; in December 2011, an estimated 352,000 residents of Madagascar accessed the internet from home or in one of the nation's many internet cafés .<ref name=mediainfo>{{cite news |title = Madagascar Profile: Media |work = BBC News |date = 20 June 2012 |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13861846 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120816011234/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13861846 |archive-date = 16 August 2012 |url-status=live |access-date = 25 August 2012}}</ref> By January 2022, 22.3 percent of the population (6.43 million people) had internet access, mostly through mobile phones.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-16 |title=Digital 2022: Madagascar |url=https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2022-madagascar |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=DataReportal – Global Digital Insights |language=en-GB}}</ref>