Why is Madagascar so poor?
Madagascar is among the world's poorest countries despite its biological and cultural richness due to:
Kleptocratic rule
Under the kleptocratic rule of French-backed dictator Didier Ratsiraka, government officials stole millions of dollars in funds ear-marked for aid and development activities.
More generally, corruption is extremely costly to developing economies. Corruption breeds poorly performing economies by discouraging private sector development, scaring off foreign investors, undermining government credibility, and impeding poverty alleviation. The kleptocrats believe that they stand to gain more from taking a large share of a stable or shrinking economy than from a shrinking portion of an increasing economy. …show more content…
Because Madagascar's population is relatively small (and poor), it will continue to be underserved as a market for international firms. With less than 20 million people, foreign corporations lack the incentive to develop, transport, and market many goods in Madagascar.
Educational system
Madagascar's children lack an adequate educational system. Being poor makes it difficult for the government to spend much on education and until recently most kids lacked basic educational supplies. Textbooks available to Malagasy children taught them nothing of local fauna (emphasis on European and African animals not lemurs, tenrecs, and chameleons) or much about their own country and unique cultural identity.New president Marc Ravalomanana has put major emphasis on improving Madagascar's educational system including providing training for teachers and distributing backpacks and school supplies for children. International organizations are using radio as a tool for educating adults in remote areas about issues such as conservation while others work with local farmers to improve crop yields. The government has begun teaching English in
Madagascar is among the world's poorest countries despite its biological and cultural richness due to:
Kleptocratic rule
Under the kleptocratic rule of French-backed dictator Didier Ratsiraka, government officials stole millions of dollars in funds ear-marked for aid and development activities.
More generally, corruption is extremely costly to developing economies. Corruption breeds poorly performing economies by discouraging private sector development, scaring off foreign investors, undermining government credibility, and impeding poverty alleviation. The kleptocrats believe that they stand to gain more from taking a large share of a stable or shrinking economy than from a shrinking portion of an increasing economy. …show more content…
Because Madagascar's population is relatively small (and poor), it will continue to be underserved as a market for international firms. With less than 20 million people, foreign corporations lack the incentive to develop, transport, and market many goods in Madagascar.
Educational system
Madagascar's children lack an adequate educational system. Being poor makes it difficult for the government to spend much on education and until recently most kids lacked basic educational supplies. Textbooks available to Malagasy children taught them nothing of local fauna (emphasis on European and African animals not lemurs, tenrecs, and chameleons) or much about their own country and unique cultural identity.New president Marc Ravalomanana has put major emphasis on improving Madagascar's educational system including providing training for teachers and distributing backpacks and school supplies for children. International organizations are using radio as a tool for educating adults in remote areas about issues such as conservation while others work with local farmers to improve crop yields. The government has begun teaching English in