Madagascar: environment

What are Madagascar's CO2 emissions per person?

Madagascar emitted about 0.15 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, according to the World Bank, excluding land use, land-use change and forestry. The figure was about the same in 2023.

The series counts emissions from fuel burning and industrial processes. It leaves out emissions from forest clearing and burning, which make up a large part of Madagascar's total greenhouse gas emissions, so the figure understates the country's overall climate impact.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Madagascar (API)

How bad is air pollution in Madagascar?

The average person in Madagascar was exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 12.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank.

The figure is a population-weighted annual average estimated from satellite data and models, because there is little ground monitoring. The estimate covers outdoor air only and leaves out indoor smoke from cooking with wood and charcoal.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 exposure, Madagascar (API)

How much of Madagascar's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 34.1% of Madagascar's electricity in 2021, the latest year in the World Bank series, down from 42.2% in 2020.

More recent figures from the national utility JIRAMA, reported in INSTAT's Tableau de bord de l’économie n°63, show 1,025,116 MWh produced in the first half of 2026, up 4.0% on a year earlier. Hydroelectric output rose 11.0% and thermal output fell 3.6%. The share from hydropower varies with rainfall.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Madagascar (API) · INSTAT: Tableau de bord de l'économie n°63, August 2026 (PDF)

How much of Madagascar is forest?

Forests covered 17.3% of Madagascar's land area in 2024, down from 17.5% in 2023, according to the World Bank, using UN Food and Agriculture Organization data.

The figures are estimates based on forest inventories and satellite data reported to the FAO. Forest policy and protected areas are the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Madagascar · Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

Who issues cyclone warnings in Madagascar?

Cyclone warnings in Madagascar are issued by the national meteorological service, and disaster preparedness and relief are coordinated by the Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et des Catastrophes (BNGRC), which publishes situation reports during cyclone seasons.

The meteorological service's website could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so its current bulletins could not be checked. No official national total of cyclone damage for recent seasons was found online.

Official sources: BNGRC

How much CO2 does Madagascar emit per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 0.1 tonnes. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.1 tonnes (2009) to 0.1 tonnes (2023). It is 41st highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.4 tonnes. Worldwide: 176th of 186.

What are Madagascar's total greenhouse gas emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Madagascar was 35.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Madagascar is 17th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 99th highest.

What share of Madagascar's energy comes from renewables?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Madagascar was 83.1% in 2022. Since 2005 it has ranged from 81.4% (2013) to 87.2% (2009). It is 6th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 70.0%. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 6th highest.

How much of Madagascar is forest?

In 2024, forest area as a share of land in Madagascar was 17.3%, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Madagascar is 32nd highest of 48. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 129th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Madagascar?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Madagascar was 12.4 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.9 micrograms per cubic metre (2005) to 16.6 micrograms per cubic metre (2010). It is 46th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 138th of 192.

How much of Madagascar's land is protected?

12.8%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Madagascar for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. No year since 2013 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Madagascar placed 33rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 134th of 192.

Is Madagascar short of water?

In 2022, water stress in Madagascar was 11.3%, according to the FAO. It has not changed since 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Madagascar is 15th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 85th highest.