Cost Of Living in Madagascar 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Madagascar
Whether you're living in Madagascar or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure1.3M MGA
per month$300100,000 MGA $23
$3,000 13M MGA
Single920,000 MGA
per month$200310,000 MGA $68
$1,400 6.1M MGA
Couple1.5M MGA
per month$340510,000 MGA $110
$1,800 8.2M MGA
Family2M MGA
per month$450720,000 MGA $160
$2,500 11M MGA
Student590,000 MGA
per month$130240,000 MGA $53
$240 1.1M MGA
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Madagascar is 920,000 MGA. Expenses can range from 310,000 MGA at the minimum level to 6.1M MGA at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Madagascar is 1.5M MGA. Expenditure can range from 510,000 MGA to 8.2M MGA per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Madagascar is 2M MGA per month. Families spend anywhere from 720,000 MGA to 11M MGA.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Madagascar is 590,000 MGA. Students spend from 240,000 MGA to 1.1M MGA per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Madagascar
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal | 1,300 MGA | 2,600 MGA | 4,400 MGA |
Restaurant meal for one | 4,400 MGA | 6,600 MGA | 13,000 MGA |
Fine dining meal for one | 8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 53,000 MGA |
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte | 1,100 MGA | 1,800 MGA | 2,600 MGA |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle | 880 MGA | 1,100 MGA | 1,300 MGA |
Loaf of bread
12 eggs | 660 MGA | 880 MGA | 1,300 MGA |
Fresh whole chicken | 1,500 MGA | 1,900 MGA | 2,700 MGA |
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb | 1,800 MGA | 2,600 MGA | 5,300 MGA |
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb | 710 MGA | 970 MGA | 1,400 MGA |
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb | 470 MGA | 620 MGA | 1,000 MGA |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride | 1,100 MGA | 1,300 MGA | 2,600 MGA |
Average car full tank | 6,600 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 18,000 MGA |
Average car 1-day rental | 6,600 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA |
Average car price | 3.3M MGA | 6.6M MGA | 8.8M MGA |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service | 8,800 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 26,000 MGA |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual | 18,000 MGA | 55,000 MGA | 370,000 MGA |
Utility Bill - Couple | 26,000 MGA | 77,000 MGA | 410,000 MGA |
Utility Bill - Family | 21,000 MGA | 61,000 MGA | 340,000 MGA |
Internet and cable | 6,600 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 18,000 MGA |
Mobile phone charges | 5,300 MGA | 8,800 MGA | 26,000 MGA |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket | 3,300 MGA | 4,400 MGA | 6,600 MGA |
One month gym membership | 11,000 MGA | 13,000 MGA | 26,000 MGA |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants | 7,800 MGA | 11,000 MGA | 16,000 MGA |
Woman dress | 7,300 MGA | 10,000 MGA | 33,000 MGA |
Woman shoes | 6,900 MGA | 9,400 MGA | 22,000 MGA |
Men's shoes | 6,000 MGA | 7,300 MGA | 15,000 MGA |
Men suit | 6,600 MGA | 8,200 MGA | 44,000 MGA |
Regular t-shirt | 3,300 MGA | 4,400 MGA | 13,000 MGA |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment | 110,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA | 440,000 MGA |
1-bedroom apartment | 160,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA |
2-bedroom apartment | 220,000 MGA | 330,000 MGA | 880,000 MGA |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment | 44M MGA | 130M MGA | 260M MGA |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed | 130,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA | 220,000 MGA |
Double Bed | 88,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Single Bed | 78,000 MGA | 100,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA |
Living Room | 150,000 MGA | 190,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA |
Dining Table | 66,000 MGA | 88,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Sofa or Couch | 88,000 MGA | 120,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set | 88,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |
Fridge or Freezer | 78,000 MGA | 120,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Washing Machine | 100,000 MGA | 150,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |
Stove or Cooker | 94,000 MGA | 120,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA |
Mobile Phone | 110,000 MGA | 130,000 MGA | 190,000 MGA |
Laptop or Computer | 120,000 MGA | 150,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Madagascar
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
87%
81% to 96%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 4% |
| 50% - 60% | 9% |
| 60% - 70% | 15% |
| 70% - 80% | 25% |
| 80% - 90% | 20% |
| 90% - 100% | 11% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Madagascar is 87%
This means that on average, people spend around 87% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 15% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
78%
Spending-Income-Ratio
73%
86%
Couple
83%
Spending-Income-Ratio
77%
91%
Family
91%
Spending-Income-Ratio
85%
100%
How do people spend their money in Madagascar?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure23%
23% of total expenses on average (12% to 31%)
| LOW | $6.8 31,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $89 400,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $890 4M MGA |
| Per Month |
People living in Madagascar typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 400,000 MGA with expenditure ranging from 31,000 MGA to 4M MGA. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $1.1 5,100 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $15 66,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $150 660,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Madagascar ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 66,000 MGA with 5,100 MGA and 660,000 MGA being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.3 10,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $30 130,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $300 1.3M MGA |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 10,000 MGA to 1.3M MGA on commuting with 130,000 MGA being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
| LOW | $5.7 26,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $74 330,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $740 3.3M MGA |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Madagascar is 330,000 MGA. The cost of groceries can range between 26,000 MGA to 3.3M MGA. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $1.6 7,200 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $21 93,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $210 930,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
People in Madagascar allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 7,200 MGA to 930,000 MGA with 93,000 MGA being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $0.91 4,100 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $12 53,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $120 530,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 4,100 MGA to 530,000 MGA with 53,000 MGA being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $1.4 6,100 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $18 80,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $180 800,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 80,000 MGA per month with 6,100 MGA being the minimum spent amount and 800,000 MGA being the maximum.
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $3 13,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $38 170,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $380 1.7M MGA |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Madagascar every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Madagascar manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 48% of the surveyed people in Madagascar said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 52% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Madagascar
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 56% | 44% |
| Couples | 51% | 49% |
| Families | 46% | 54% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
30,000 MGA
$6.6 | 390,000 MGA
$86 | 3.9M MGA
$860 |
For most people, 8% to 28% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 15% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 390,000 MGA on average with savings ranging from 30,000 MGA to 3.9M MGA.
56% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 51% of couples said the same. 46% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Madagascar?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
89,000 MGA
$20 | 270,000 MGA
$59 | 1.8M MGA
$400 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 32% |
| 10% - 20% | 25% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 13% |
| 40% - 50% | 10% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 11% to 30% of their monthly income to savings, with 19% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 270,000 MGA with 89,000 MGA and 1.8M MGA being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
150,000 MGA
$33 | 440,000 MGA
$99 | 2.4M MGA
$530 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 36% |
| 10% - 20% | 27% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 8% |
| 40% - 50% | 7% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 9% to 29% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 440,000 MGA with 150,000 MGA and 2.4M MGA being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
210,000 MGA
$46 | 590,000 MGA
$130 | 3.3M MGA
$720 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 39% |
| 10% - 20% | 30% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 5% |
| 40% - 50% | 4% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Madagascar can save anywhere between 8% to 27% of their monthly income, with 14% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 590,000 MGA with 210,000 MGA and 3.3M MGA being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Madagascar
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Madagascar?
Around 43% of surveyed residents think that living in Madagascar is affordable with proper budgeting while 57% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Madagascar
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options51%
Few low-cost options49%
Based on the survey, 51% of the people living in Madagascar have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 49% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Madagascar whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes39%
No61%
Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Madagascar said that they don't have an emergency fund while 39% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Madagascar
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy38%
We asked residents of Madagascar whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 62% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 38% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of Madagascar have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 64% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 36% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance64%
Easily manages finances36%
Financial goals of people in Madagascar
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Madagascar, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 43% |
| Retirement Savings | 10% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 6% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 6% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 14% |
| Financial Independence | 5% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 43% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 6% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Madagascar
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Madagascar. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 13% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 12% |
| Impulsive Spending | 12% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 5% |
| Will do it later | 21% |
| Inflation | 13% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Madagascar
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 13% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 21% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 4% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Madagascar
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Madagascar and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Madagascar is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Madagascar:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 3.4M MGA |
| 30 | 6.9M MGA |
| 35 | 12M MGA |
| 40 | 17M MGA |
| 45 | 26M MGA |
| 50 | 36M MGA |
| 55 | 43M MGA |
| 60 | 53M MGA |
| 65 | 63M MGA |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Madagascar about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 12% |
| Savings | 23% |
| Investments | 12% |
| Social Security | 7% |
| Annuities | 7% |
| Part-time Job | 15% |
| Real Estate | 18% |
| Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Madagascar 230,000 MGA
$51 | 680,000 MGA
$150 | 4.6M MGA
$1,000 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Madagascar
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 36% of the people in Madagascar have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 64% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Madagascar
Debt to income ratio
32%
24% to 41%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 32% of the people's monthly income in Madagascar goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 19% |
| 40% - 50% | 15% |
| 30% - 40% | 17% |
| 20% - 30% | 10% |
| 10% - 20% | 11% |
| 0% - 10% | 25% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Madagascar pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 19% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Madagascar
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 8% |
| Auto Loan | 14% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 30% |
| Personal Loan | 44% |
8% of debtors in Madagascar confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 14% of people and personal loans rose at 44%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Madagascar.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Madagascar
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Madagascar how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 50% |
| Once a year | 24% |
| Twice a year | 13% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Madagascar
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Madagascar
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment | 110,000 MGA | 160,000 MGA | 440,000 MGA |
1-bedroom apartment | 160,000 MGA | 260,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA |
2-bedroom apartment | 220,000 MGA | 330,000 MGA | 880,000 MGA |
3-bedroom apartment | 260,000 MGA | 440,000 MGA | 1.2M MGA |
Furnished apartment | 530,000 MGA | 1.3M MGA | 2.6M MGA |
Townhouse | 440,000 MGA | 660,000 MGA | 1.9M MGA |
House | 530,000 MGA | 1.3M MGA | 2.6M MGA |
Villa | 660,000 MGA | 1.6M MGA | 2.6M MGA |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Madagascar ranges between 110,000 MGA and 440,000 MGA, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 160,000 MGA to 660,000 MGA. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 220,000 MGA and 880,000 MGA per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 260,000 MGA to 1.2M MGA. The average rent of a townhouse in Madagascar is around 660,000 MGA while house rental costs can be as high as 1.3M MGA per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 660,000 MGA to 2.6M MGA per month.
Apartment and house prices in Madagascar
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment | 44M MGA | 130M MGA | 260M MGA |
3-bedroom apartment | 150M MGA | 220M MGA | 660M MGA |
Townhouse | 190M MGA | 440M MGA | 1,600M MGA |
House | 220M MGA | 1,300M MGA | 1,900M MGA |
| $49,000 | $290,000 | $420,000 |
Villa | 260M MGA | 1,500M MGA | 2,200M MGA |
| $59,000 | $330,000 | $490,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Madagascar can range from 22M MGA to 66M MGA depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 26M MGA to 160M MGA. A villa can cost you 1,500M MGA on average with prices ranging from 260M MGA to 2,200M MGA.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Madagascar will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 30 | x82 monthly income | 189 |
Property prices in Madagascar can be x82 to x189 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x82 multiples of the average monthly salary in Madagascar.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Madagascar is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
26% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 2,000 MGA | 27,000 MGA | 270,000 MGA |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Madagascar
Housing29%
29% of total expenses on average (17% to 41%)
| LOW | $25 110,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $74 330,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $490 2.2M MGA |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water9%
9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)
| LOW | $4.1 18,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $12 55,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $82 370,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $5.4 25,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $16 74,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $110 490,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $11 49,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $33 150,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $220 980,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Healthcare12%
12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)
| LOW | $6.1 28,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $18 83,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $120 550,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 5%)
| LOW | $3.4 15,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $10 46,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $68 310,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $1.4 6,100 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $4.1 18,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $27 120,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses22%
22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $12 55,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $37 170,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $250 1.1M MGA |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Madagascar
Housing26%
26% of total expenses on average (19% to 36%)
| LOW | $37 170,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $110 510,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $600 2.7M MGA |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $5.7 26,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $17 77,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $91 410,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel9%
9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)
| LOW | $14 61,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $41 180,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $220 980,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)
| LOW | $16 72,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $48 210,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $250 1.1M MGA |
| Per Month |
Healthcare14%
14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)
| LOW | $12 56,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $37 170,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $200 900,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $6.8 31,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $20 92,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $110 490,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $2.3 10,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $6.8 31,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $36 160,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)
| LOW | $19 87,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $58 260,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $310 1.4M MGA |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Madagascar
Housing25%
25% of total expenses on average (20% to 35%)
| LOW | $51 230,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $150 650,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $800 3.6M MGA |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $13 57,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $36 160,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $200 900,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries21%
21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)
| LOW | $29 130,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $82 370,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $450 2M MGA |
| Per Month |
Healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)
| LOW | $13 57,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $36 160,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $200 900,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $7.9 36,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $23 100,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $120 560,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Education13%
13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)
| LOW | $22 100,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $64 290,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $350 1.6M MGA |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses16%
16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $19 86,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $54 250,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $300 1.4M MGA |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Madagascar
Housing17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $13 57,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $32 140,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $57 260,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.1 9,500 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $5.3 24,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $9.5 43,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.7 17,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $9.2 42,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $17 75,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $11 47,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $26 120,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $47 210,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.2 14,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $7.9 36,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $14 64,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $2.6 12,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $6.6 30,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $12 53,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Education18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $10 45,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $25 110,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $45 200,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $7.9 36,000 MGA |
| AVERAGE | $20 89,000 MGA |
| HIGH | $36 160,000 MGA |
| Per Month |
