Is It Safe to Travel to Madagascar in 2026?
Madagascar - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, is an island country in the Indian Ocean that includes the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands. Lying off the southeastern coast of Africa, it is the world's fourth-largest island, the second-largest island country, and the 46th-largest country overall.
Is It Safe to Travel to Madagascar in 2026?
Madagascar is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution due to crime, unrest, and health risks in Madagascar. Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, occurs throughout Madagascar, particularly after dark and in remote areas. Strikes and protests related to political and economic conditions occur regularly, especially near elections. Medical infrastructure is very limited, and serious emergencies may require evacuation.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- civil_unrest
- health
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Violent confrontations between criminal gangs and security forces have increased in several regions, Strikes and protests related to political and economic conditions occur regularly, especially near elections.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from violent crime, particularly after dark in urban areas and remote regions, making vigilance essential.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to civil unrest and limited medical infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
Families with children face heightened risks from violent crime and limited healthcare access, necessitating careful planning and precautions.
Remote workers can find decent connectivity in urban areas but should avoid rural regions where infrastructure is poor and health risks are high.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Madagascar.
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▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Madagascar has an overall threat severity of 4.3 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 58/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
Language
Malagasy / French
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Madagascar
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Madagascar?
▶Is it safe to travel to Madagascar right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Madagascar?
▶What vaccines do I need for Madagascar?
▶Is Madagascar safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Madagascar?
More Madagascar Data
Partly Free — 58/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.