In Madagascar, more than 80% of workers do not have sufficient employment to cover their basic needs.

In Madagascar, an alarming reality persists: despite an officially low unemployment rate, the vast majority of workers find themselves in a situation of extreme precarity. In 2026, the island still faces a monumental challenge where more than 80% of its working population does not have a job that generates sufficient income to cover even the most basic needs. This is not a question of a lack of will, but rather a deep-seated structural problem that hinders economic development and traps thousands of families in the endless cycle of poverty. A simple observation of the bustling streets of Antananarivo reveals a myriad of activities: street vendors, informal money changers, makeshift repairmen. While these individual initiatives demonstrate undeniable entrepreneurial dynamism, they mask a darker truth: that of a massively underemployed workforce, without a social safety net or prospects for advancement. This dissonance between official figures and the daily lives of Malagasy people presents a real conundrum for policymakers, highlighting the urgent need to completely rethink the labor market to offer everyone a fair chance to live with dignity and contribute fully to the country’s development. The stakes are enormous, as Madagascar’s youth, the majority of the population, represent both the country’s greatest vulnerability and its greatest strength, provided they are properly trained and integrated into a fairer and more productive economy. Such a transformation is not only desirable but absolutely essential.

• In short: 📈 More than 80% of Malagasy workers
• live below the poverty line, their jobs insufficient to cover basic needs. 📊 The official unemployment rate is
• low (less than 5%), but it does not reflect the reality of underemployment and informal work.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 TheThe informal sector represents 95% of jobs, often low-skilled and unproductive, offering minimal subsistence without real protection.
• 🎓 The mismatch between training and labor market needsis a major problem, particularly affecting young graduates.
• 💰 Young workers are often forced to accept vulnerable and poorly paid jobs
• , with wages below 40,000 ariary. 🛠️ Improving the

quality of education and vocational training

is crucial to transforming youth dynamism into an economic advantage. 🏗️ It is imperative to create conditions conducive to the emergence of more productive businesses to generate decent jobs and stimulate growth. The Malagasy paradox: Officially low unemployment, pervasive precarity on the Red Island 🇲🇬 Observing the labor market inMadagascarreveals a striking paradox that often baffles analysts. While official figures, such as those from 2018, indicate a relatively low unemployment rate, often below 5%, the daily reality for an overwhelming majority of Malagasy workers is one of alarmingprecarity. This discrepancy stems from a restrictive definition ofunemployment,

which fails to capture the extent of the insufficiency of employment. A person is considered unemployed only if they are actively seeking work and registered with government agencies, which leaves out a multitude of individuals with “occupations” that do not guarantee them a viable income. In 2026, this situation persists, with estimates confirming that more than 80% of workers are unable to meet their basic needs

despite their activity. This figure is a far more revealing indicator of the depth of the social and economic crisis than the unemployment rate alone. The employment rate, which exceeds 90%, actually masks a precarious employment rate of 80%. We thus find ourselves with a population that is largely “employed,” but whose jobs are so low-paying and unproductive that they do not allow them to meet their basic needs. This leads to endemic poverty, despite the energy expended daily by millions of Malagasy people. This is not a matter of individual will, but rather the reflection of a system where access to decent employment remains a privilege for a minority. This distinction between official unemployment and precarious employment is crucial to understanding the challenges facing Madagascar. The problem is not so much the total absence of work, but the absence of work that allows for a dignified life. This is a characteristic unfortunately common to many developing economies, but in Madagascar, its scale is particularly striking. To better understand the challenges facing the country, it is helpful to examine the political crisis in Madagascar in 2025, which directly impacts economic and social stability. Resolving this paradox requires a holistic approach, going far beyond simple employment statistics to address the deep roots of economic vulnerability. The Informal Sector in Madagascar: Daily Survival and the Challenges of Decent Work 💼 The informal sector in Madagascar represents much more than just a facet of the economy; it is the lifeblood of a society where formal employment opportunities are scarce. It is a veritable labyrinth of often undeclared activities that provides a means of subsistence for the vast majority of workers. Familiar scenes unfold: in the bustling streets, individuals energetically offer a variety of services, from selling fresh lemons to quickly repairing mobile phones and exchanging currency. These activities, however vital they may be for families, are the very symbol of the precariousness and lack of decent employment on the island. These everyday “odd jobs,” although they support thousands of households, are not recognized as unemployment by standard definitions, particularly that of the International Labour Organization (ILO). For the ILO, an unemployed person is someone without a job who is actively seeking work. Those who have some form of employment, even if unstable and unpaid in relation to their basic needs, are not counted. This explains why the unemployment rate remains low despite a tense economic situation. Between 2019 and 2023, the Ministry of Employment, Labor, Public Service, and Social Laws (MTFEPLS) recorded only 17,512 job vacancies for 65,963 applications. This illustrates the enormous gap between the supply and demand for structured and protective employment, pushing individuals toward the ingenuity of the informal system for their survival. The role of informal work is therefore ambiguous: it offers an immediate lifeline, but it also hinders the long-term growth of the economy by perpetuating poverty. These jobs are often low-skilled, unproductive, and lack any social security or legal protection. Those who work in these jobs are highly vulnerable, with no possibility of saving or investing in their future. For Madagascar, transforming this informal dynamism into a force for sustainable development requires bold policies and a profound overhaul of economic structures. This is part of the major transitions that Africa is experiencing.with similar challenges in many countries across the continent. The challenge is significant: how to formalize this adaptability without destroying it, how to offer opportunities for decent work without stifling individual initiative? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo6HyF4QJio Youth Employment in Madagascar: A Talent Pool Facing a Lack of Opportunities 🚀

Madagascar’s youth are undoubtedly one of its greatest assets: with 72.6% of the population under 30 and an average age of 22, the country possesses a formidable pool of labor and potential. Yet, this dynamic force is confronted head-on by a glaring lack of decent employment. In 2026, the situation remains particularly alarming for this age group, where the search for stable and well-paying work often becomes a perilous journey. The figures speak for themselves: each year, approximately 100,000 young people enter the job market, while only 34,000 job openings are available. This massive gap forces a majority of young people to accept positions far below their aspirations or qualifications. Dr. Aimé Herinjatovo Ramiarison, a renowned economist, points out that 83.8% of young workers hold vulnerable jobs, whether as family caregivers or self-employed individuals. Even when a paid job is found, nearly half of young people settle for temporary or casual positions, with no guarantee of long-term stability. Even more serious,

62.5% of them work in jobs for which they lack the required qualifications, and an overwhelming majority of 75.4% are underemployed. The direct consequence of this precarious situationis low monthly income, often falling below 40,000 ariary, making it almost impossible to meet basic needs Young people, who represent 62% of the unemployed and new job seekers, are the first victims of this structural crisis. Despite these challenges, the economist insists that this large proportion of young people is an opportunity for the country. It is a demographic energy that could revitalize the economy and the markets for goods and services. The challenge is to transform this potential into a real advantage. This requires massive investments in education and vocational training, key sectors for these young people to accumulate the knowledge and skills that attract productive investments, creating decent jobs. This issue is at the heart of debates on the future of Generation Z in Madagascar and other emerging countries. Real development depends on this ability to integrate and value youth. The question is not whether Madagascar has the human resources, but how to develop them and guide them towards promising sectors to stimulate innovation and competitiveness. This is a complex but essential challenge for breaking the cycle of poverty. The Great Gap: Skills Offered vs. Market Demands in Madagascar Discover the disparity between workers’ academic skills and the expectations of the job market in Madagascar, a key factor in underemployment.

Academic Skills (Offered) Labor Market Demands (Demanded)Highlighting Challenges and Opportunities

Key Gap Analysis It is clear that practical skills are poorly supplied, while specific technical skills, adaptability, and work experience are in high demand. This gap is a major driver of underemployment in Madagascar, highlighting the need to invest in vocational training and the acquisition of practical experience. ${item.value} `; offeredSkillsList.appendChild(listItem);}); }if (requestedCategory) { requestedCategory.items.forEach(item => {const { barWidth, bgColor, textColor, badgeColor } = getValueStyle(item.value); const listItem = document.createElement(‘li’); listItem.className = `flex items-center justify-between p-3 border rounded-lg shadow-sm ${badgeColor} demanded-item transition-all duration-300 ease-in-out`;

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* of the summary and highlighting effects on list items. */ function setupHighlightToggle() { const toggleButton = document.getElementById(‘toggle-highlights’); const gapSummary = document.getElementById(‘gap-summary’); let isHighlighted = false; // Highlight state toggleButton.addEventListener(‘click’, () => { isHighlighted = !isHighlighted; // Invert the state gapSummary.classList.toggle(‘hidden’, !isHighlighted); // Show/hide the summaryconst offeredItems = document.querySelectorAll(‘#offered-skills-list .offered-item’); const demandedItems = document.querySelectorAll(‘#demanded-skills-list .demanded-item’);// Apply or remove highlight classes for “Weak” offered skills

offeredItems.forEach(item => {if (isHighlighted && item.getAttribute(‘data-value’) === ‘Low’) { item.classList.add(‘ring-4’, ‘ring-red-500’, ‘ring-opacity-75’, ‘transform’, ‘scale-105’, ‘z-10’);} else { item.classList.remove(‘ring-4’, ‘ring-red-500’, ‘ring-opacity-75’, ‘transform’, ‘scale-105’, ‘z-10’); } }); // Apply or remove highlight classes for requested skills “Strong” requestedItems.forEach(item => { if (isHighlighted && item.getAttribute(‘data-value’) === ‘Strong’) {item.classList.add(‘ring-4’, ‘ring-indigo-500’, ‘ring-opacity-75’, ‘transform’, ‘scale-105’, ‘z-10’);