Ethnic groups:
Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed
African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka,
Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Languages:
English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 68.9% male: 75.5% female: 62.5% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2006)