Professions in Madagascar

Madagascar has no single national register or classification that covers every occupation. The terms métier, profession, emploi and activité are used in administration and daily life, although their legal meaning can differ. A profession concerns the work performed, the skills used and the conditions for access and practice; an employment relationship concerns the contract or arrangement under which someone works. Agriculture is the largest occupational field, with the World Bank reporting that more than 70% of the labour force works in agriculture, especially in rural areas and among younger workers. Other significant fields include élevage, fishing, forestry, artisanat, commerce, construction and BTP, transport, domestic and service work, public administration, health, education, tourism and hospitality, mining, ICT and professional services. Antananarivo and Analamanga have a stronger concentration of formal administration and services. Rural areas rely more heavily on agriculture, livestock, fishing and forestry, while coastal areas also have maritime and tourism work. Work is often mixed rather than limited to one title. A person may combine seasonal farming, small commerce, family work and self-employment, or perform several tasks in a microenterprise. The INSTAT artisan census recorded 482,929 people aged 15 and above in artisan activities; 61% were self-employed and 30% salaried. The same data recorded 42.4% in Analamanga, 33.5% women, 66.5% men and 51% under the age of 35. These figures describe artisan activity and employment patterns, not a complete register of all professions. The Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training (METFP) manages formal technical and vocational pathways through regional DRETFP structures and institutions such as INPFP. Formal benchmarks include two-year apprenticeship and certificate tracks, three-year CAP, BEP and BT tracks, a four-year BAE track, a three-year technical or professional baccalaureate and a two-year BTS after the baccalaureate. Entry requirements depend on the track and school level. INPFP also supports insertion, reinsertion, reconversion, worker upgrading and small-trade development. Apprenticeship can provide a written contract, structured training, remuneration or an indemnity, a recognized certificate and labour-inspector approval. Other entry pathways include learning directly at work, building experience through an employer or family activity, and starting an informal or self-employed activity with tools, capital or a professional network. Validation of prior experience, known as VAE, can support access to METFP professional diplomas or certificates up to BTS or an equivalent level. A foreign diploma follows an equivalence procedure through the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Public Service (MTEFoP), but equivalence does not automatically grant the right to practise a regulated profession. Health professions illustrate the distinction between qualification and lawful practice. A doctor, dental surgeon, midwife or pharmacist generally needs a diploma from a State-recognized school and registration with the relevant Ordre professionnel. An Ordre is the professional body that controls registration, ethical duties and discipline; its tableau is the official register of eligible professionals. Lawyers must hold the required title and be registered on the lawyers' tableau under the applicable legal framework. Accounting and auditing practice also follows Ordre rules, and a commissaire aux comptes must be an expert-comptable registered on tableau A. Architecture, engineering, transport and other regulated fields require checks against their current sector rules rather than a general assumption of equivalence. Public administration has a separate professional system. Recruitment may occur through direct or professional concours, appointment based on a title or integration. First recruitment generally requires Malagasy nationality, civic rights, the required service-national status, medical fitness, an appropriate qualification and an available budgeted position; the usual age range for first recruitment is 18 to 45. A probationary period is normally one year and may be extended by another year. Career development can include advancement through grades, classes and steps, further training, specialization and later concours. ENAM and INFA provide relevant public-administration training. For private-sector employment contracts executed in Madagascar, the Code du travail 2024 sets the main framework. It does not govern public agents under statute, independent workers or workers covered by the maritime code. A fixed-term contract must be written; its initial duration may not exceed two years, it may be renewed up to two times and the total duration may not exceed six years. Employers are responsible for workplace safety and health, risk assessment, preventive measures, protective equipment and free safety training. Labour-inspection conciliation is generally required before court proceedings while the employment relationship continues. The CNaPS provides private-sector social protection such as family benefits, occupational accident and disease coverage and retirement benefits. Public servants follow a separate public-service pension and social regime. Informal workers and self-employed people should not assume that they have the same coverage; registration, contributions and the applicable status must be checked. Formal workers generally have rights relating to remuneration, contracts, leave, termination safeguards, occupational safety and dispute channels. Public servants also have duties of punctuality, attendance, honesty, neutrality, discretion and service. Regulated professionals must follow competence, ethical, registration and continuing obligations, while informal operators may still face tax, municipal or sector-specific duties without automatically receiving formal labour protections. Costs vary by profession and pathway. Possible expenses include tuition, competitive-examination fees, identity and qualification documents, travel, equipment, tools, professional registration, social contributions and continuing training. There is no uniform national entry fee for every profession. The relevant institution, region, quota, fee and recognition status should be checked before relying on a training place, certificate, foreign qualification or professional title. Employment and training information may also be available through MTEFoP services, METFP institutions, INSTAT statistics and ONEF employment and training intermediation.