Madagascar (MG)
World's fourth-largest island, Madagascar offers extraordinary biodiversity (90% of wildlife found nowhere else), one of the world's lowest costs of living, warm French-speaking culture, and unique opportunities in vanilla, ecotourism, and development sectors.
Social Security in Madagascar
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Madagascar's social security system is minimal by international standards, covering only approximately 5–10% of workers — those in the formal economy. It is managed by two institutions: CNAPS (Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale) for pensions, work accidents, and family allowances, and OSTIE (Organisation Sanitaire Tananarivienne Inter-Entreprise) for occupational health. Contributions are employer-led with small employee deductions. Coverage for formal-sector expats is mandatory, but the practical value of benefits is very limited. All expats should supplement with private international health insurance, life insurance, and personal savings.
CNAPS Registration Number
Numéro d'affiliation CNAPS
Your employer registers you with CNAPS upon starting formal employment. Your employer obtains your CNAPS card (carte de membre CNAPS) within the first weeks of employment. Self-employed individuals and company directors must register directly at CNAPS Antananarivo (Rue Fernand Kasanga, Tsaralalàna). No online registration available — in-person submission required.
- Accessing CNAPS pension contributions records
- Claiming CNAPS benefits (pension, work accident, family allowance)
- Proof of social security registration for DGDI Titre de Séjour applications
- Payslip CNAPS deduction verification
Benefits & Support Payments
Old-Age Pension (Pension de Vieillesse)
Pension de Vieillesse CNAPS
Contributory old-age pension for workers who have reached retirement age and accumulated the minimum contribution period.
Minimum retirement age: 60 (55 for hazardous occupations). Minimum 15 years (180 months) of CNAPS contributions required.
Apply at CNAPS Antananarivo with: birth certificate, full employment history, CNAPS contribution records, medical certificate, photo ID. Processing time: 2–6 months.
Work Accident Insurance
Accidents du Travail / Maladies Professionnelles CNAPS
Covers injuries sustained during work or on the way to/from work, and occupational diseases.
All CNAPS-registered formal employees. Coverage begins from the first day of registered employment.
Report work accident to employer within 24 hours. Employer files a Déclaration d'Accident du Travail with CNAPS within 48 hours. Medical examination by CNAPS physician follows.
Family Allowances
Allocations Familiales CNAPS
Monthly payment for dependent children of formal-sector workers.
CNAPS-registered employees with dependent children under 15 (21 if in full-time education).
Apply at CNAPS with child birth certificates and marriage certificate (if applicable).
Death / Survivors' Benefit
Allocation Décès CNAPS
Lump-sum death benefit for dependants of a CNAPS-registered worker who dies.
Dependants (spouse, children) of a registered worker.
Apply at CNAPS with death certificate, marriage certificate, proof of relationship, and contribution records.
Occupational Health Services
Médecine du Travail OSTIE
Occupational health monitoring through OSTIE-affiliated médecins du travail. Annual health examinations, workplace risk assessments, health surveillance.
All employees of registered companies contributing to OSTIE.
Employer registers the company with OSTIE. Employee is notified of annual health check schedule.
Contribution Overview
Employee contributions: CNAPS 1% + OSTIE 1% = 2% of gross salary. Employer contributions: CNAPS 13% + OSTIE 5% = 18% of gross salary. Self-employed: CNAPS 14% + OSTIE 6% = 20% of declared income (both employee and employer portions). CNAPS contribution ceiling is revised periodically — confirm current maximum with CNAPS Antananarivo.
International Social Security Agreements
Madagascar has very few bilateral social security totalization agreements. A totalization agreement with France exists in principle, but practical operation is limited. No totalization agreements with the US, UK, Germany, Australia, or Canada. Foreign workers contributing CNAPS in Madagascar for less than 15 years may not qualify for any CNAPS pension. Consult your home country's pension authority before making contribution decisions.
CNAPS and OSTIE do not provide general healthcare coverage. All formal-sector workers should have employer-provided or personal international health insurance (see healthcareInfo). Medevac insurance is a separate non-negotiable requirement for all expats in Madagascar.
Social Security
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