Madagascar
Africa · 16 specs
Direct Answer
Madagascar (MG / MDG / 450) operates on a 230 V, 50 Hz electrical grid using Type C, E sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currency is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA, Ar–Non-Decimal 1:5), country calling code is +261, emergency dispatch is 117 (Police) / 118 (Fire), and paper standard is ISO 216 A4.
Source: National Standards / ISO 3166-1 / IEC World Plugs · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Madagascar ISO 3166-1 |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | MG |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | MDG |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 450 UN M49 (Code 002) |
| Country Calling Code | +261 ITU-T E.164 |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 |
| Internet ccTLD | .mg IANA Registry |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Malagasy Ariary (MGA, Ar–Non-Decimal 1:5) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V, 50 Hz National Grid Standard |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type C, E |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Vienna/Geneva Conventions |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 117 (Police) / 118 (Fire) Emergency Dispatch |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | 3 Digits (NNN, e.g. 101 Antananarivo) National Postal Standard |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+0 to UTC+4 (Africa Region) No DST |
Non-Decimal Malagasy Ariary (1 Ariary = 5 Iraimbilanja)
Madagascar is one of only two countries in the world (alongside Mauritania) with an official non-decimal currency system:
- 5-to-1 Subunit Ratio: The Malagasy Ariary (MGA) is divided into 5 Iraimbilanja (not 100 cents). While physical Iraimbilanja coins are rarely circulated due to inflation, the base-5 mathematical structure remains the official monetary standard.
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V, 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type C, E. Uses European standard Type C (ungrounded 2.5 A Europlug) and Type E (French-standard grounded socket), reflecting Madagascar's French colonial-era electrical infrastructure.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +261. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 117 (Police) / 118 (Fire). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA, Ar–Non-Decimal 1:5).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+0 to UTC+4 (Africa Region).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes 3 Digits (NNN, e.g. 101 Antananarivo).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Madagascar.