CapitalPort Louis
Population1,311,375
Area2,040 km²
GDP per capita$27,300
LanguagesCreole, Bhojpuri, French, two languages, other , unspecified
CurrencyMauritian rupees
Life Expectancy75.4 yr
GovernmentIt operates as a parliamentary republic.
Introduction
Background
Although it has been recognized by Arab and European mariners since at least the early 1500s, the island of Mauritius remained uninhabited until 1638 when the Dutch founded a settlement named after Prince Maurits van NASSAU. Their arrival led to the swift extinction of the flightless dodo bird, which has since become a prominent symbol of extinction in contemporary discussions. The Dutch abandoned their economically struggling settlement in 1710, though several formerly enslaved individuals chose to stay. In 1722, the French initiated what would evolve into a lucrative settlement primarily centered on sugar cane plantations, heavily dependent on the labor of enslaved individuals imported from various regions of Africa. During the 1790s, the island experienced a short-lived period of self-governance when plantation owners resisted French authority due to laws that temporarily abolished slavery amid the French Revolution. The British seized control of the island in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars but retained much of the existing French administrative framework, which persists today in the form of the nation’s legal system and the widespread use of the French Creole language. The end of slavery in 1835—later than in most other British colonies—resulted in an increased dependency on contracted workers from the Indian subcontinent for labor on plantations. Presently, their descendants constitute the majority of the population. Mauritius continued to serve as a strategically vital British naval base and subsequently an air station, playing a role in World War II through anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as in the gathering of signals intelligence.
Mauritius attained independence from the United Kingdom in 1968, establishing itself as a Parliamentary Republic and has maintained a stable democratic system featuring regular free elections and a commendable human rights record. The nation has also drawn significant foreign investment and now boasts one of the highest per capita incomes in Africa. The often-contentious coalition politics of Mauritius has been influenced by two prominent families, each with father-son pairs having served as prime minister over multiple, frequently nonconsecutive, terms. Seewoosagur RAMGOOLAM (1968-76) became the first prime minister of Mauritius, followed by Anerood JUGNAUTH (1982-95, 2000-03, 2014-17); his son Navin RAMGOOLAM (1995-2000, 2005-14); and Paul Raymond BERENGER (2003-05), recognized as the only non-Hindu prime minister in post-independence Mauritius. In 2017, Pravind JUGNAUTH ascended to the position of prime minister after his father resigned before completing his term, and he was elected on his own merit in 2019.
Mauritius asserts its claim over the French island of Tromelin and the British Chagos Archipelago (part of the British Indian Ocean Territory). Since 2017, Mauritius has achieved favorable resolutions from the UN General Assembly and an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice concerning its sovereignty dispute with the United Kingdom.
Geography
Area
land
2,030 sq km
water
10 sq km
total
2,040 sq km
Climate
tropical climate, influenced by southeast trade winds; warm, arid winters (May to November); hot, humid, and rainy summers (November to May)
Terrain
a small coastal plain that ascends to discontinuous mountain ranges encircling a central plateau
Land use
other
37.8% (2023 est.)
forest
19.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
43% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 37.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Southern Africa, this island is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 800 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar
Coastline
177 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mont Piton 828 m
Irrigated land
143 sq km (2022)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences cyclones from November to April; nearly entirely encircled by reefs that may present maritime dangers
Geography - note
the principal island, from which the nation derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost completely bordered by coral reefs; it was the former habitat of the now-extinct dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons
Natural resources
arable land and fish resources
Area - comparative
nearly 11 times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
20 17 S, 57 33 E
Population distribution
the population density ranks among the highest globally; urban areas are distributed across the main island, with a higher concentration in and around Port Louis; the population on Rodrigues Island is relatively evenly distributed, with a slightly denser concentration along the northern coast, as illustrated in this population distribution map
People & Society
Literacy
male
96.3% (2023 est.)
female
92.8% (2023 est.)
total population
94.3% (2023 est.)
Languages
Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (including English, which is one of the two official languages of the National Assembly and is spoken by less than 1% of the populace), unspecified 0.1% (2011 estimate)
Religions
Hindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, other Christian 6.4%, other 0.6%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.99 male(s)/female
total population
0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.71 male(s)/female
Birth rate
9.73 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.14 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
38.1 years
total
40 years (2025 est.)
female
41 years
Population
male
639,707
total
1,311,375 (2025 est.)
female
671,668
Nationality
noun
Mauritian(s)
adjective
Mauritian
Tobacco use
male
37.4% (2025 est.)
total
19.6% (2025 est.)
female
2.6% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
40.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
15.1% (male 100,973/female 96,711)
15-64 years
71% (male 462,833/female 467,509)
65 years and over
13.9% (2024 est.) (male 75,464/female 107,014)
Ethnic groups
Indo-Mauritian (making up roughly two-thirds of the overall population), Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
41.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
21.1 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
4.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
20.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
3.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.36 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
total
11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
10 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.06% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.66 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The population density ranks among the highest globally; urban areas are distributed throughout the main island, with a concentration around Port Louis; on Rodrigues Island, the population is relatively uniformly distributed, with a slightly denser population found along the northern coast, as indicated in this population distribution map.
Life expectancy at birth
male
72.6 years
female
78.4 years
total population
75.4 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
66 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
1.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
3.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
149,000 PORT LOUIS (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
10.8% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.6% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
14 years (2020 est.)
total
14 years (2020 est.)
female
15 years (2020 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical climate, influenced by the southeast trade winds; warm and dry during the winter months (May to November); hot, humid, and wet in the summer season (November to May)
Land use
other
37.8% (2023 est.)
forest
19.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
43% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 37.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
40.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
438,000 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.9% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
pollution of water sources, decline of coral reefs; erosion of soil; conservation of wildlife; management of solid waste
Total water withdrawal
municipal
320 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial
10 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
303 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
5.551 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
1.495 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
4.056 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
10.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
2.751 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: The flag consists of four equal horizontal stripes in the following order: red (top), blue, yellow, and green.
meaning: Red symbolizes self-determination and independence; blue represents the Indian Ocean; yellow signifies the new dawn of independence, the golden sunshine, or a bright future; and green stands for agriculture and the island's rich vegetation.
Capital
name
Port Louis
etymology
The island was named in honor of LOUIS XV, who was the king of France in 1736, the year when the port was established as the administrative hub of Mauritius.
time difference
UTC+4 (which is 9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time).
geographic coordinates
20 09 S, 57 29 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months
Constitution
history
several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968
amendment process
Proposed by the National Assembly; any amendments to constitutional articles—such as those concerning state sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship, or government branches—must be approved in a referendum by at least three-fourths of voters, followed by unanimous consent from the Assembly. For other amendments, a two-thirds majority vote in the Assembly suffices.
Country name
etymology
The name derives from Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, who served as the stadtholder (governor) of the Dutch Republic in 1598.
local long form
Republic of Mauritius
local short form
Mauritius
conventional long form
Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form
Mauritius
Independence
12 March 1968 (from the UK)
Legal system
The legal system is based on French civil law, incorporating some aspects of English common law.
Government type
It operates as a parliamentary republic.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
The Supreme Court of Mauritius comprises the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 24 puisne judges.
subordinate courts
Lower regional courts are referred to as District Courts, in addition to the Court of Civil Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal, and the Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal.
judge selection and term of office
The chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister. The senior puisne judge is also appointed by the president upon the chief justice's counsel. Other puisne judges are appointed by the president based on recommendations from the Judicial and Legal Commission, which consists of four judicial officials, including the chief justice. All judges serve until they reach the retirement age of 67.
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers (Council of Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Dharam GOKHOOL (since 7 December 2024)
election results
2019: Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote
head of government
Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 13 November 2024)
most recent election date
6 December 2024
election/appointment process
The president is indirectly elected by the National Assembly for renewable terms of five years; the president then appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister who have the majority backing in the National Assembly.
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence and Republic Day is celebrated on 12 March (1968, 1992).
National color(s)
red, blue, yellow, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Aapravasi Ghat; Le Morne Cultural Landscape
Political parties
Alliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance)
Jean-Claude Barbier Movement (Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier) or MJCB
Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM
Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD
Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP
Militant Platform (Plateforme Militante) or PM
Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM
Muvman Liberater or ML
National Alliance
Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotique) or MAG
Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR
Legislative branch
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
67 (62 directly elected; 4 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly - Assemblée nationale
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/10/2024
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
17.9%
parties elected and seats per party
Alliance Du Changement (Alliance for Change, AdC) (60); Other (2).
National anthem(s)
title
"Motherland"
history
adopted 1968
lyrics/music
Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL
National symbol(s)
The national symbols include the dodo bird and the earring tree flower (Trochetia boutoniana).
Administrative divisions
The country consists of 9 districts and 3 dependencies*: Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, and Savanne.
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 966-0983
chancery
1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 244-1491
chief of mission
Ambassador (currently vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Gajjaluxmi MOOTOOSAMY (since 5 June 2025).
email address and website
[email protected]
https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[230] 208-9534
embassy
Located at 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis.
telephone
[230] 202-4400
mailing address
2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450
chief of mission
Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023); note - also accredited to Seychelles.
email address and website
[email protected]
https://mu.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
The country accepts the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ with reservations and the jurisdiction of the ICCt.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$3.801 billion (2024 est.)
expenditures
$5.042 billion (2024 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$4.213 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$6.138 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$6.381 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$6.057 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$8.052 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$8.027 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
the sectors include food processing (primarily sugar milling), textiles, apparel, mining, chemicals, metal goods, transport equipment, non-electrical machinery, and tourism
Labor force
594,900 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2019
58% of GDP (2019 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
2.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
2.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
39.347 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
41.692 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
44.183 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
45.267 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
46.415 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$3.632 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
an upper middle-income economy located in the Indian Ocean; characterized by a diverse economic base; investments in maritime security; a robust tourism industry severely impacted by COVID-19; growth in the information and financial services sectors; environmentally vulnerable
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
6.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5.5% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 11%, France 11%, Zimbabwe 10%, South Africa 7%, Zambia 7% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 15%, UAE 11%, India 10%, South Africa 9%, France 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$24,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$26,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$27,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
8.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, chicken, pumpkins/squash, tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, cabbages, bananas, onions, cucumbers/gherkins (2023)
Exports - commodities
fish, garments, raw sugar, fertilizers, diamonds (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, fish, coal, packaged medicine (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$1.497 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$1.437 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$647.743 million (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
20.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$14.953 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
68.6% (2024 est.)
government consumption
14.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.2% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
21% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
46.2% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-57.8% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
10.3% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
10.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3.6% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
4.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$31.296 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$32.864 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$34.406 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
15.3% (2024 est.)
total
16.6% (2024 est.)
female
18.4% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$7.793 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$7.248 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$8.506 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
17.8% (2024 est.)
services
64.4% (2024 est.)
agriculture
4.3% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.9% (2017 est.)
highest 10%
29.9% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017
36.8 (2017 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
610,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
651,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
28,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
3.084 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
955,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
179.996 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
100%
electrification - urban areas
99%
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
60.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
82.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
9.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
80% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) serves as the national public broadcaster for television and radio, offering content in French, English, Hindi, Creole, and Chinese. MBC operates 17 television channels within Mauritius, along with 9 FM radio stations and 2 AM radio stations as of 2022.
Internet country code
.mu
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
464,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
36 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
2.2 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
173 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
343,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
27 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Port Louis, Port Mathurin
very small
1
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
5 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
32 (2023)
by type
general cargo 1, oil tanker 4, other 27
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
3B
Military & Security
Military - note
The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) identifies several key security objectives, which encompass the fight against narcotics trafficking, maintenance of public order, the battle against cybercrime, enhancement of maritime security, and readiness for natural disasters; India serves as the MPF's main security ally, offering training and other forms of support to the National Coast Guard, while Indian naval ships frequently conduct patrols in the nation's waters; Furthermore, the MPF has benefitted from training and assistance provided by France, the UK, and the US.
The Special Mobile Force was established in 1960, subsequent to the departure of the British garrison (2025).
Military and security forces
Mauritius does not maintain regular military forces; instead, the Mauritius Police Force (MPF), which operates under the Ministry of Defense, is tasked with ensuring the nation's security; this includes a paramilitary division known as the Special Mobile Force, which comprises certain motorized infantry and light armored units; in addition, the MPF has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support Unit (riot police), and the National Coast Guard (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
39 (2024 est.)
refugees
82 (2024 est.)
