Moving to Canada from Madagascar

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Madagascar to Canada — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Madagascar to Canada. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ottawa averages 52°F vs 76°F in Antananarivo, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Madagascar to Canada, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
345 ↑ 3% vs 2022

people moved from Madagascar to Canada · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Canada?

Top countries of origin for Canada's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Madagascar to Canada.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MG
22.5
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

MG
$63
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

MG
1.7
CA
28.2

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

MG
58.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MG
0.1t
CA
14.0t

Madagascar generally does better on environment, though Canada leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MG
0.1
CA
42.5
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MG
11.3%
CA
3.7%

Canada performs significantly better than Madagascar across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

MG
3.0%
CA
6.9%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

MG
$599
CA
$55,698

Madagascar generally does better on employment & economy, though Canada leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

MG
63.8 yrs
CA
82.1 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MG
43.0
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Madagascar across all family life metrics.

Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), General Direction of Taxes (2016), Canada Revenue Agency (2016), The World Factbook (2008). How we calculate this

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Antananarivo Rain: 47.2 in/yr (1198 mm)
76° / 58°F

Avg. annual high / low

Ottawa Rain: 37.1 in/yr (943 mm)
52° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Antananarivo Ottawa
Jan–Mar 79°/63°F (26°/17°C) 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/57°F (24°/14°C) 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 79°/60°F (26°/16°C) 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Antananarivo Ottawa
Jan 80°/63°F (26.4°/17.3°C) 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 79°/63°F (26.3°/17.4°C) 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 79°/63°F (26.2°/17.0°C) 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 78°/60°F (25.4°/15.8°C) 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 75°/57°F (23.7°/13.8°C) 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 71°/53°F (21.4°/11.5°C) 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.5°C) 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 71°/52°F (21.4°/10.9°C) 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 75°/54°F (23.7°/12.1°C) 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 78°/57°F (25.7°/14.1°C) 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 80°/62°F (26.8°/16.9°C) 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Direction Générale de la Météorologie Direction Générale de la Météorologie, Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Madagascar and Canada. To live, work, or study long-term in Canada, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Canada's immigration authority.

Madagascar passport

Madagascar passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Madagascar passport holders need a visa to enter Canada.
Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Madagascar

Visa on Arrival
Canada passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Madagascar.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Canada?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Canada has 42.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Canada safe for expats?

Canada performs significantly better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Madagascar?

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 28.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 1.7 in Madagascar. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Madagascar: 35).

What's the weather like in Canada compared to Madagascar?

The average high temperature in Ottawa is 52°F, compared to 76°F in Antananarivo. Ottawa receives around 37.1 in of rainfall per year, while Antananarivo gets 47.2 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are English and French. In Madagascar, the official languages are French and Malagasy.

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At a Glance

MG CA
Population 32,740,678 41,651,653
Currency Malagasy Ariary (MGA) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages French, Malagasy English, French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +261 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number — 911