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Economy of Madagascar vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Madagascar has a GDP of $17.4B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 136/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Madagascar has $8.77B in government debt (50.3% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Madagascar vs Tanzania GDP by year

Madagascar
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Madagascar Tanzania
2024 $17,420,501,490 $78,844,405,385
2023 $15,869,945,478 $79,030,935,627
2022 $15,325,603,273 $75,749,121,843
2021 $14,354,731,964 $70,655,628,148
2020 $13,051,441,204 $66,068,737,786
2019 $14,104,664,679 $61,026,731,926
2018 $13,760,033,282 $57,003,712,892
2017 $13,176,313,594 $53,274,884,533
2016 $11,848,613,858 $49,774,409,374
2015 $11,323,020,701 $47,413,919,817
2014 $12,522,957,399 $49,986,726,461
2013 $12,423,555,455 $45,648,857,242
2012 $11,578,975,062 $39,650,394,363
2011 $11,551,819,618 $34,657,140,096
2010 $9,982,711,338 $32,012,892,919
2009 $9,616,879,409 $29,400,573,554
2008 $10,725,137,724 $27,947,821,398
2007 $8,524,620,890 $21,860,434,823
2006 $6,395,712,491 $18,619,859,795
2005 $5,859,269,753 $18,395,383,647
2004 $5,064,732,626 $16,673,062,473
2003 $6,372,498,890 $15,211,487,709
2002 $5,351,701,663 $14,129,651,896
2001 $5,438,332,602 $13,563,990,022
2000 $4,629,247,204 $13,371,767,082
1999 $4,277,903,780 $12,704,334,196
1998 $4,401,967,633 $12,172,790,056
1997 $4,262,965,420 $11,158,197,942
1996 $4,931,861,039 $9,433,528,150
1995 $3,838,100,904 $7,631,431,840
1994 $3,522,227,092 $6,550,480,484
1993 $4,063,298,919 $6,182,872,708
1992 $3,714,966,678 $6,681,997,469
1991 $3,254,713,056 $7,197,768,159
1990 $3,931,334,875 $6,184,384,225
1989 $3,175,638,333 $6,418,799,007
1988 $3,189,456,965 $7,406,614,407
1987 $3,212,900,556 $7,824,193,222
1986 $4,347,989,788 $10,840,864,521
1985 $3,802,557,895 $15,328,295,175
1984 $3,905,938,481 $12,906,635,133
1983 $4,686,457,031 $14,049,883,809
1982 $4,784,977,326 $13,927,383,240
1981 $4,759,333,998 $13,161,540,378
1980 $5,201,818,348 $11,409,228,087
1979 $3,463,565,854 $9,804,637,491
1978 $2,669,755,115 $9,261,675,710
1977 $2,358,930,406 $7,732,598,995
1976 $2,181,844,179 $6,472,511,988
1975 $2,283,049,215 $5,729,917,840
1974 $1,917,508,190 $4,977,337,978
1973 $1,653,062,335 $4,144,104,535
1972 $1,341,590,690 $3,472,787,266
1971 $1,199,507,631 $3,050,673,517
1970 $1,111,859,571 $2,851,419,386
1969 $1,056,391,056 $5,142,066,811
1968 $1,031,669,637 $4,895,251,824
1967 $956,436,932 $4,565,132,048
1966 $900,264,585 $4,377,998,825
1965 $833,563,473 $3,817,226,546
1964 $802,482,184 $3,748,840,925
1963 $759,345,864 $3,456,579,293
1962 $739,286,908 $3,101,589,993
1961 $699,161,945 $2,826,179,031
1960 $673,081,725 $2,651,729,807

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Madagascar vs Tanzania by year

Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Madagascar Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $545 $1,884 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $509 $1,808 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $504 $1,717 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $483 $1,577 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $451 $1,490 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $500 $1,612 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $500 $1,547 $992 $2,728
2017 $492 $1,547 $957 $2,472
2016 $454 $1,562 $925 $2,435
2015 $445 $1,497 $911 $2,317
2014 $506 $1,499 $993 $2,221
2013 $515 $1,473 $935 $2,176
2012 $494 $1,464 $837 $2,083
2011 $506 $1,475 $753 $2,211
2010 $450 $1,464 $715 $2,069
2009 $446 $1,480 $674 $1,972
2008 $513 $1,577 $657 $1,908
2007 $420 $1,493 $528 $1,820
2006 $324 $1,416 $462 $1,707
2005 $306 $1,343 $469 $1,598
2004 $272.2 $1,280 $438 $1,482
2003 $353 $1,219 $410 $1,379
2002 $305 $1,121 $391 $1,302
2001 $319 $1,299 $385 $1,229
2000 $280.3 $1,236 $390 $1,164
1999 $267.4 $1,194 $382 $1,120
1998 $284.2 $1,162 $375 $1,082
1997 $284.4 $1,142 $353 $1,059
1996 $340 $1,119 $305 $1,026
1995 $273.1 $1,111 $251.2 $981
1994 $258.7 $1,104 $222.5 $958
1993 $308 $1,116 $218.2 $959
1992 $290.2 $1,101 $243.4 $955
1991 $262 $1,096 $268.8 $952
1990 $326 $1,166 $236.9 $925
1989 $271.3 - $252.3 -
1988 $280.5 - $299 -
1987 $290.8 - $326 -
1986 $405 - $466 -
1985 $364 - $681 -
1984 $385 - $593 -
1983 $476 - $667 -
1982 $501 - $683 -
1981 $513 - $665 -
1980 $578 - $595 -
1979 $396 - $527 -
1978 $315 - $515 -
1977 $286.9 - $446 -
1976 $273.5 - $387 -
1975 $295 - $355 -
1974 $255.3 - $320 -
1973 $226.8 - $276.1 -
1972 $189.6 - $239.8 -
1971 $174.6 - $218.4 -
1970 $166.6 - $211.3 -
1969 $162.9 - $394 -
1968 $163.6 - $388 -
1967 $155.9 - $374 -
1966 $150.7 - $370 -
1965 $143.2 - $333 -
1964 $141.5 - $337 -
1963 $137.4 - $320 -
1962 $137.3 - $295.7 -
1961 $133.3 - $277.4 -
1960 $131.7 - $267.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

Madagascar's GDP per capita is $545, ranking 193/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Madagascar Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$17.4B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
136/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$545
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
193/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,884
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
187/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$8.77B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.3%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$274.3
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
180/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,268
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.2%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.87%
2022-2023
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2022
2.43%
2024
Population
33750171
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Madagascar
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Madagascar Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.2% 50.3% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 17.9% 52.7% 19% 47.8%
2022 16.2% 49.9% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 13.9% 49.4% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 16.4% 52.9% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 15.4% 41.3% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 14.4% 42.9% 17.3% 42%
2017 14.9% 40.1% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 13.5% 40.3% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 13% 44.1% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 12.6% 37.8% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 12.7% 36.2% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 11.5% 30.4% 19.6% 30%
2011 12% 29.9% 19% 28.4%
2010 12.3% 32.3% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 12.5% 34.9% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 15.7% 31% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 16.1% 28.2% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 18.5% 32.2% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 18.4% 74.4% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 21.7% 81.9% 17% 44.5%
2003 16.6% 85.9% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 12.4% 86.7% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 15.3% 82.1% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 15.3% 90.2% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 15.5% 104.1% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 16.9% 108.5% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 14.5% 89.7% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 14.4% 98.7% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 14.5% 95.8% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 16.7% 96% 16.8% 126%
1993 17.1% 105.2% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 16.2% 110.9% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 13.5% 113.8% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 13.3% 92.7% - -
1989 15.5% 122% - -
1988 11.4% 126.6% - -
1987 10.4% 127.5% - -
1986 11.1% 84.9% - -
1985 11.8% 82.7% - -
1984 13.9% 70.9% - -
1983 13.4% 57.5% - -
1982 14.3% 56.1% - -
1981 18.2% 51.5% - -
1980 22.7% 37.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

In 2024, Madagascar's government spending was $2.82B, accounting for 16.2% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.3% in Madagascar and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 106/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Madagascar

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Madagascar Tanzania
2024 -2.48% -3.03%
2023 -4.19% -3.67%
2022 -5.46% -3.92%
2021 -2.83% -3.55%
2020 -3.96% -2.56%
2019 -1.42% -2.06%
2018 -1.34% -2.01%
2017 -2.1% -1.14%
2016 -1.11% -2.08%
2015 -2.85% -3.17%
2014 -1.96% -2.91%
2013 -3.4% -3.76%
2012 -2.24% -4%
2011 -2.04% -3.51%
2010 -0.76% -4.74%
2009 -2.26% -4.46%
2008 -1.72% -1.92%
2007 -2.31% -1.44%
2006 -5.71% -3.38%
2005 -2.47% -3.28%
2004 -4.23% -2.43%
2003 -3.32% -1.77%
2002 -4.09% -0.73%
2001 -3.61% -0.41%
2000 -2.35% -0.73%
1999 -2.42% -1.14%
1998 -5.31% 0.13%
1997 -2% -0.03%
1996 -3.97% 1.57%
1995 -5.09% -2.12%
1994 -7.23% -3.74%
1993 -6.34% -2.02%
1992 -5% -4.96%
1991 -4.4% 0.6%
1990 -0.49% -
1989 -3.35% -
1988 -0.57% -
1987 -2.12% -
1986 -2.24% -
1985 -2.39% -
1984 -6.09% -
1983 -6.04% -
1982 -6.97% -
1981 -9.97% -
1980 -11% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

In 2024, Madagascar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $432M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Madagascar recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Madagascar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Madagascar

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Madagascar Tanzania
2024 - 3.06%
2023 9.87% 3.8%
2022 8.16% 4.35%
2021 5.81% 3.69%
2020 4.2% 3.29%
2019 5.61% 3.46%
2018 8.59% 3.49%
2017 8.61% 5.32%
2016 6.04% 5.17%
2015 7.4% 5.59%
2014 6.08% 6.13%
2013 5.83% 7.87%
2012 5.71% 16%
2011 9.48% 12.7%
2010 9.25% 6.2%
2009 8.95% 12.1%
2008 9.3% 10.3%
2007 10.3% 7.03%
2006 10.8% 7.25%
2005 18.4% 5.03%
2004 14% 4.74%
2003 -1.7% 5.3%
2002 16.5% 5.32%
2001 7.92% 5.15%
2000 11.9% 5.92%
1999 9.93% 7.89%
1998 6.21% 12.8%
1997 4.49% 16.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Madagascar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.42%, compared with 7.11% in Tanzania. In 2023, inflation was 9.87% in Madagascar and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Madagascar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.24M
Textiles & consumer goods $102K
Miscellaneous $54K
Raw agricultural goods $41K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Animal & marine products $6K
Wood & paper products $2K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $7.99M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.87M
Raw materials & minerals $1.29M
Metals $603K
Chemicals & pharma $421K
Machinery & equipment $146K
Raw agricultural goods $126K
Animal & marine products $117K
Wood & paper products $58K
Miscellaneous $22K

Balance of trade

Madagascar Tanzania
Current account balance
-$829M
2022
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
119/190
2022
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.41%
2022
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$4.52B
2022
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$3.55B
2022
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$1.52B
2022
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2022
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.7%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Madagascar Tanzania
Economic freedom 57 59
Economic freedom ranking 119/197 106/197
Property rights 39.8 45.2
Government integrity 26.8 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 33.7 29.6
Tax burden 90.5 80.4
Government spending 91.5 89.1
Fiscal health 68.8 75
Business freedom 37.3 48.1
Labor freedom 56.1 62.3
Monetary freedom 71.8 73.4
Trade freedom 67.6 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Madagascar
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Madagascar Tanzania
2026 57 59
2025 57 59.3
2024 57.3 59.1
2023 58.9 60
2022 58.9 59.5
2021 57.7 61.3
2020 60.5 61.7
2019 56.6 60.2
2018 56.8 59.9
2017 57.4 58.6
2016 61.1 58.5
2015 61.7 57.5
2014 61.7 57.8
2013 62 57.9
2012 62.4 57
2011 61.2 57
2010 63.2 58.3
2009 62.2 58.3
2008 62.4 56.5
2007 61.1 56.8
2006 61 58.5
2005 63.1 56.3
2004 60.9 60.1
2003 62.8 56.9
2002 56.8 58.3
2001 53.9 54.9
2000 54.4 56
1999 52.8 60
1998 51.8 59.6
1997 53.8 59.3
1996 52.2 57.5
1995 51.6 57.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Madagascar is 57, ranking 119/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Madagascar Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
47.7%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.4B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.78B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
120/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$326M
2022
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$606M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$134M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.72%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
75.2%
2021
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
39.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/madagascar/tanzania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.