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Madagascar

Republic of Madagascar

French civil law with customary lawSemi-presidential republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Antananarivo
Population
30,300,000
Languages
Malagasy, French
Currency
MGA

Madagascar · Family

Family in Madagascar

What the atlas records on family in Madagascar, checked against the primary sources cited below.

Family

Loi 2007-022 on marriage with 18 as the minimum age and recognised customary unions

Reviewed· 2026-08-03

Loi 2007-022 governs marriage and matrimonial regimes, setting 18 as the minimum age for both sexes and providing for the recognition of traditional marriage (fanambadiana) on registration. The default matrimonial regime is the zara-mira community of property unless the parties choose otherwise.

Key rules

  • Jurisdiction — The Tribunal de Première Instance hears family matters; local authorities register traditional marriages.

Governing law

  • Loi 2007-022 relative au mariage et aux régimes matrimoniaux
  • Loi 2005-014 relative à l'adoption
  • Code de la nationalitéas amended 2017

In practice

The zara-mira regime — equal division of property acquired during the marriage — is the Malagasy default and differs from the French communauté réduite aux acquêts in its treatment of contributions, which matters on divorce and on death.

Sources

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