Surveys have been conducted to improve knowledge about the Malagasy diaspora. The Tady project, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2023 with technical support from Expertise France and funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), and implemented in collaboration with the Research Institute for Development (IRD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aims to leverage the social, cultural, and economic capital of the Malagasy diaspora.
Three representative surveys were developed and carried out. The ‘Ainga’ survey focused on members of the Malagasy diaspora worldwide, ‘Taratra’ provides an overview of how the population remaining in the country perceives the diaspora, and the ‘Ako’ survey focuses on French associations working in Madagascar, including those of the diaspora. The document summarizing two of the three surveys, released in June 2026 and titled ‘A mechanism for developing knowledge on the Malagasy diaspora worldwide (Tady-Disco), initial results of the Ainga and Taratra surveys,’ reports a significant population, estimated at approximately 480,000 Malagasy people scattered around the world, 30% of whom are under 18.
‘The diaspora is concentrated largely in France (about 90%) and is generally well-integrated into its host countries. The first generation (migrants) represents 59% of adults. Other generations (people born outside of Madagascar) thus have a very significant weight (41%),’ the document indicates. Members of the diaspora work in countries such as Costa Rica, Vietnam, Lesotho, Romania, Finland, the Philippines, and Austria.
‘The Malagasy population has a very positive appreciation of the diaspora, which translates into a much stronger demand for the diaspora’s involvement in the country’s affairs. While its actual contribution to the country’s development is considered rather weak, its potential contribution is seen as decisive (both for the economy and for sociocultural openness),’ the document emphasizes.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-18 06:27:07 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/recensement-la-diaspora-malgache-compte.html