The housing deficit in Madagascar could rise from 1.7 million to 2.5 million units by 2035. Population growth, rural exodus, limited access to credit, and land insecurity are exacerbating the situation.
According to the Ministry of Land Management and Land Services, annual housing needs are estimated at between 125,000 and 135,000 units. “Starting from an initial deficit of 1.7 million, current projections indicate it will reach 2.5 million units by 2035,” stated Secretary General Ruffin Sambany during the announcement of the 27th International Habitat Fair, to be held from October 22 to 25 at the CCI Ivato.
This pressure is driven by demographic growth and insufficient housing supply and infrastructure. The rural exodus further intensifies the phenomenon. In the Anosizato Est fokontany, on the outskirts of Antananarivo, two to three new residents from rural areas arrive every month, according to local officials.
Most inhabitants live in precarious conditions, such as Armand, who lives with his wife and three children in a 12-square-meter room. Renting this space with shared toilets costs 100,000 ariary per month, representing a third of his monthly income.
Faced with rising demand, some landlords are renting out houses room by room. While this accommodates more tenants, it leads to overcrowding and degrades living conditions for low-income families.
Access to housing remains limited by low household purchasing power and financing difficulties. According to the World Bank, the credit-to-GDP ratio in Madagascar was 15.2% in 2024, compared to a sub-Saharan African average of 26.7% in 2023. Land tenure is another obstacle, as nearly half of the plots in Antananarivo lack formal land titles, hindering investment and urban development.
The World Bank estimates that more than half of the population could live in urban areas by 2036. Currently, over 60% of urban dwellers already live in informal, unplanned neighborhoods with limited access to basic services.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-15 05:53:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/habitat-madagascar-le-deficit-de.html
