Madagascar Population Density
People per sq. km of land area EN.POP.DNST
Madagascar's population density was 56.2 in 2025, ranked 149th globally. This represents a 4.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Madagascar's population density stood at 56.2 in 2025, a rise of +2.5 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 56.2 by 2025. Madagascar ranked 149th globally.
Madagascar’s population density has risen steadily over the 64‑year series, moving from a trough of 9.02 persons per square kilometre in 1961 to an all‑time peak of 56.16 in 2025, placing the island nation at rank 149 globally. This increase reflects both natural population growth and limited expansion of habitable land, given the country’s large proportion of forested and mountainous terrain. The 2025 figure of 56.16 is marginally lower than the density of Iran (56.85) and Nicaragua (58.07), but exceeds that of South Africa (53.64) and Djibouti (51.13), illustrating Madagascar’s position among mid‑density economies. The upward trajectory suggests that, absent significant shifts in fertility rates or large‑scale urban migration, density will continue to climb, potentially intensifying pressure on land resources and infrastructure in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Density | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 57.4 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 56.2 | - | - |
| 2025 | 56.2 | +2.5 | #149 |
| 2023 | 53.6 | +1.3 | #66 |
| 2022 | 52.3 | +1.3 | #66 |
| 2021 | 51.0 | +1.3 | #66 |
| 2020 | 49.8 | +1.3 | #64 |
| 2019 | 48.5 | +1.2 | #64 |
| 2018 | 47.3 | +1.2 | #64 |
| 2017 | 46.0 | +1.2 | #62 |
| 2016 | 44.9 | +1.2 | #61 |
| 2015 | 43.7 | +1.1 | #60 |
| 2014 | 42.6 | +1.1 | #60 |
| 2013 | 41.4 | +1.1 | #59 |
| 2012 | 40.3 | +1.1 | #59 |
| 2011 | 39.2 | +1.1 | #56 |
| 2010 | 38.1 | +1.1 | #56 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Madagascar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population density improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Madagascar's population density was 56.2 in 2025. Ranked 149th globally. This represents a 4.7% increase from the previous year.
Madagascar's population density peaked at 56.2 in 2025.
The lowest population density in Madagascar was 9.0 in 1961.
Madagascar ranks 149th globally in population density as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is EN.POP.DNST. Data sourced from World Bank.
Madagascar's population density is projected to reach 56.2 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population density of Madagascar in 2025 was 56.2. This ranks 149th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_madagascar_population-density,
title = {Madagascar Population Density},
url = {https://historysaid.com/madagascar/population-density/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}