Peace Without Poison

Marc Ravalomanana, who was President from 2002 to 2009, and Andry Rajoelina, who wasPresident from 2009 to 2014, continued the population control program where Ratsikara left off,but by relying primarily on better provision of contraceptives (which grew from 20% in 1997 to40% in 2008) and on abortions (which end 25% of all pregnancies) rather than involuntarysterilization, and managed to lower the total fertility rate from 5.3 to 4.3 children per woman.It is too early to say what the incumbent President, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, will do withrespect to population control.Since Madagascar has yet to bring fertility and population growth under control, the country issinking further into poverty, as its decreasing per capita GDP clearly shows.Madagascar is in stage two of the demographic transition.480 | P a g e