sy (official)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
80%
male:
88%
female:
73%
Labor force:
4.9 million (90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistence
agriculture; 175,000 wage earners)
by occupation:
agriculture 26%, domestic service 17%, industry 15%, commerce 14%,
construction 11%, services 9%, transportation 6%, other 2%
note:
51% of population of working age (1985)

@Madagascar, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form:
Madagascar
local long form:
Republique de Madagascar
local short form:
Madagascar
former:
Malagasy Republic
Digraph:
MA
Type:
republic
Capital:
Antananarivo
Administrative divisions:
6 provinces - Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga,
Toamasina, Toliary
Independence:
26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution:
19 August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993); election last held on 10
February 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD),
67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33%
head of government:
Prime Minister Francisque RAVONY (since 9 August 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
Senate:
(Senat) two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled by an
electoral college made up of representatives of territorial
collectivities; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential
appointment, following nomination by economic, social, and cultural
groups; the selection of senators was scheduled for March 1994
National Assembly:
(Assemblee Nationale) elections last held on 16 June 1993 (next to be
held June 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138
total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7,
various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8
note:
the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 and
early 1993 in preparation for new legislative elections. In its place,
an interim High Authority of State and a Social and Economic Recovery
Council have been established
Judicial branch: