Morocco vs Madagascar
Morocco has a population of 36.8M, compared to Madagascar's 31.7M. Morocco is 1.2 times more populous than Madagascar. Economically, Morocco ($160.6B) has a GDP 9.2 times larger than Madagascar's ($17.4B). Madagascar covers 587,041 km², 1.3 times larger than Morocco's 446,550 km². Life expectancy in Morocco stands at 75.3 years, 11.7 years higher than Madagascar's 63.6 years.
MoroccoMadagascar| Population | +16.1%36.8M | -13.9%31.7M |
| Area | -23.9%446,550 km² | +31.5%587,041 km² |
| GDP | +822.0%$160.6B | -89.2%$17.4B |
| GDP Per Capita | +662.1%$4,153.194 | -86.9%$544.988 |
| Life Expectancy | +18.4%75.3 yrs | -15.5%63.6 yrs |
| Infant Mortality | -64.9%15.5 | +185.2%44.2 |
| Literacy Rate | — | — |
| Unemployment | +196.0%9.0% | -66.2%3.0% |
| Capital | Rabat | Antananarivo |
| Region | Africa | Africa |
| Languages | Arabic, Berber | French, Malagasy |
| Currencies | MAD (د.م.) | MGA (Ar) |
Last updated: March 2026
All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.
Population Comparison
Morocco is 1.2 times more populous than Madagascar, with 36.8M residents compared to 31.7M. Morocco is a nation of 36.8M people, while Madagascar is a nation of 31.7M people. In terms of population density, Morocco averages 82 people per km² (moderate), while Madagascar averages 54 people per km² (moderate). Madagascar has grown at 2.61% annually over the past decade. Population growth data is not available for Morocco.
Economy Comparison
Morocco is classified as a lower-middle-income economy, while Madagascar is classified as a low-income economy. The Morocco economy ($160.6B) is 9.2 times larger than Madagascar's ($17.4B). Morocco's GDP per capita of $4,153.194 is 89% above the regional average of 2,200 for Africa. Madagascar's GDP per capita of $544.988 is 75% below the regional average of 2,200 for Africa. On a per-capita basis, residents of Morocco are on average 7.6 times wealthier than those in Madagascar.
Health & Quality of Life
Life expectancy in Morocco is 75.3 years, compared to 63.6 years in Madagascar, a gap of 11.7 years. Morocco (75.3 years) is 3.3 years above the global average of 72 years, while Madagascar (63.6 years) is 8.4 years below the global average of 72 years. At 44.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, Madagascar's infant mortality is 185% higher than Morocco's 15.5.
Geographic Comparison
Madagascar (587,041 km²) is 1.3 times larger by land area than Morocco (446,550 km²). Morocco shares borders with 3 countries, while Madagascar borders 0 countries. Morocco spans 1 timezone, compared to Madagascar's 1 timezone. Both Morocco and Madagascar are located in Africa. Both countries fall within the Africa region, though they occupy different subregions: Northern Africa and Eastern Africa.
Key Differences
The most significant difference between Morocco and Madagascar is in GDP: Morocco's $160.6B compared to Madagascar's $17.4B represents a 89% gap. The most significant difference between Morocco and Madagascar is in GDP per capita: Morocco's $4,153.194 compared to Madagascar's $544.988 represents a 87% gap. The most significant difference between Morocco and Madagascar is in infant mortality: Morocco's 15.5 per 1,000 compared to Madagascar's 44.2 per 1,000 represents a 65% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Morocco's lower-middle-income economy and Madagascar's low-income economy.
At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean
Living Standards
Morocco has a GDP per capita of $4,153.194, which is 7.6x that of Madagascar ($544.988). This gap reflects differences in economic development, industrial structure, and workforce productivity. In practical terms, average purchasing power in Morocco is significantly higher, though cost of living differences partially offset the raw income gap.
Population Density
Morocco is 1.5x more densely populated than Madagascar (82 vs 54 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Madagascar's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.
Healthcare and Longevity
Citizens of Morocco live an average of 11.7 years longer than those of Madagascar (75.3 vs 63.6 years). This gap reflects differences in healthcare access, nutrition, public health infrastructure, and environmental factors. This is a substantial gap that suggests significant differences in healthcare systems and overall living conditions.
Economic Momentum
Madagascar's economy grew at 4.2% compared to Morocco's 3.8%. Both countries show healthy growth, though Madagascar has a modest edge in economic dynamism.
Travel Comparison
Morocco vs Madagascar for Families
For family travel, Morocco generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (15.5 vs 44.2 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Madagascar offers its own advantages, including more geographic diversity for road trips. Both countries have family-friendly attractions, though Morocco's higher GDP per capita typically correlates with better tourist infrastructure, public transport, and English-language availability.
Morocco vs Madagascar for Budget Travelers
Madagascar is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $544.988 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Madagascar can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Morocco. However, Morocco may offer better value in specific categories such as intercity transport or package deals. Shoulder season travel in either country helps reduce costs further.
Morocco vs Madagascar for Retirees
Morocco's life expectancy of 75.3 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Madagascar may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, climate preferences, and proximity to international airports. Both countries have established expat communities, though the specific visa options and healthcare quality vary by region within each country.
Morocco vs Madagascar Cost of Living
Morocco's GDP per capita is 7.6x that of Madagascar, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Morocco, while Madagascar offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significantly by city within each country. Major urban centers in Madagascar can approach or exceed average costs in Morocco's smaller cities.
Morocco vs Madagascar for Digital Nomads
For digital nomads choosing between Morocco and Madagascar, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Morocco spans 1 timezone while Madagascar covers 1. Madagascar's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remote income. Both countries have growing digital nomad communities, though specific visa requirements for remote workers differ and should be verified before committing to a longer stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Morocco or Madagascar by population?
Morocco is larger by population, with 36.8M residents compared to Madagascar's 31.7M. Morocco is 1.2 times more populous than Madagascar.
Which country has a higher GDP, Morocco or Madagascar?
Morocco has the higher GDP at $160.6B, compared to Madagascar's $17.4B. Morocco's economy is 9.2 times larger.
How does life expectancy compare between Morocco and Madagascar?
Morocco has a higher life expectancy at 75.3 years, compared to Madagascar's 63.6 years. The gap between the two countries is 11.7 years. Morocco's life expectancy is 3.3 years above the global average of 72 years, while Madagascar's is 8.4 years below the global average of 72 years.
Which country is larger by area, Morocco or Madagascar?
Madagascar is larger by land area, covering 587,041 km² compared to Morocco's 446,550 km². Madagascar is 1.3 times larger than Morocco.
What languages are spoken in Morocco and Madagascar?
Morocco recognizes the following languages: Arabic, Berber. Madagascar recognizes: French, Malagasy. The two countries do not share an official language.
Which country has lower inflation, Morocco or Madagascar?
Inflation data is not available for Madagascar. Morocco's inflation rate is 1.0%.
Is Morocco or Madagascar better for a family holiday?
For family travel, Morocco generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (15.5 vs 44.2 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Madagascar offers its own advantages, including more geographic diversity for road trips. Both countries have family-friend...
Is Morocco or Madagascar cheaper to visit?
Madagascar is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $544.988 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Madagascar can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Morocco. However, Morocco may offer better v...
Is Morocco or Madagascar better for retirement?
Morocco's life expectancy of 75.3 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Madagascar may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, cl...
Is Morocco or Madagascar more expensive to live in?
Morocco's GDP per capita is 7.6x that of Madagascar, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Morocco, while Madagascar offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies signifi...
Is Morocco or Madagascar better for digital nomads?
For digital nomads choosing between Morocco and Madagascar, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Morocco spans 1 timezone while Madagascar covers 1. Madagascar's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching re...