Madagascar: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Madagascar?

75.2% of Madagascar's population lived below the national poverty line in 2021, according to the World Bank, which republishes the national survey figure. At the international line of USD 3.00 a day, the World Bank estimate for the same year is 69.2%.

Both figures come from the 2021 household survey and are the latest available. The national line is set for Madagascar, so it differs from the international line, which compares countries at purchasing power parity. INSTAT runs the national household surveys.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty at national poverty lines, Madagascar · World Bank: Poverty at $3.00 a day, Madagascar (API)

What is the price of petrol in Madagascar?

Unleaded petrol (SP95) cost 4,900 ariary a litre and diesel 4,660 ariary in April 2026, according to INSTAT's Tableau de bord de l’économie n°63, using figures from the petroleum regulator OMH. Lamp oil cost 3,510 ariary.

Average pump prices from January to April 2026 were 9.0% lower than a year earlier for petrol and 3.8% lower for diesel, while lamp oil was 30.5% higher. Energy prices in the consumer price index rose 5.0% over the year to May 2026.

Official sources: INSTAT: Tableau de bord de l'économie n°63, August 2026 (PDF)

How fast are food prices rising in Madagascar?

Food prices in Madagascar were 10.5% higher in May 2026 than a year earlier, according to INSTAT's Tableau de bord de l’économie n°63, compared with 8.7% for all consumer prices. Rice prices fell 0.5% over the same period.

Rice is the staple food, so its price affects household budgets more than its weight in the overall figure suggests. Prices of imported goods rose 9.4% and those of locally produced goods 8.6%. INSTAT publishes the monthly consumer price index by product group.

Official sources: INSTAT: Tableau de bord de l'économie n°63, August 2026 (PDF) · INSTAT: Consumer price index (NIPC)

Is it expensive to live in Madagascar?

No official body publishes a cost-of-living comparison between Madagascar and other countries. INSTAT's Tableau de bord de l’économie n°63 shows consumer prices 8.7% higher in May 2026 than a year earlier, which measures change over time, not price levels.

For comparing price levels, the World Bank publishes a purchasing power parity conversion factor for household consumption: 1,315 ariary bought in 2025 what one US dollar bought in the United States. The official exchange rate averaged 4,530 ariary per dollar that year, so prices were on average about 29% of US levels. The comparison is national and does not cover particular cities such as Antananarivo.

Official sources: INSTAT: Tableau de bord de l'économie n°63, August 2026 (PDF) · World Bank: PPP conversion factor, private consumption, Madagascar (API) · World Bank: Official exchange rate, Madagascar

What is the inflation rate in Madagascar?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 8.1%. The peak was 18.4% in 2005 and the low 4.2% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 3.4%, and Madagascar placed 10th highest of 39. Worldwide: 24th of 165.

How much do people in Madagascar spend?

In 2025, household consumption per person in Madagascar was $337, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from $318 (2007) to $354 (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and Madagascar placed 35th highest of 37. World rank, highest first: 122nd of 124.

How many people in Madagascar live on under $3 a day?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 69.2%. That compares with 67.3% in 2012. It is 2nd highest of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 38.6%. Worldwide: 2nd of 80.

How many people in Madagascar are poor?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2021, is 75.2%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 41.2%; Madagascar is 1st highest of 13. World rank, highest first: 1st of 72.

What is Madagascar's Gini coefficient?

In 2021, the Gini index in Madagascar was 36.8, according to the World Bank. In 2012 the figure was 42.6. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 36.2, and Madagascar placed 6th highest of 13. Worldwide: 25th of 80.

How many people in Madagascar go hungry?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Madagascar was 61.1% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; Madagascar is 16th highest of 34. Worldwide: 19th of 135.