CapitalVictoria
Population98,187
Area455 km²
GDP per capita$29,200
LanguagesSeychellois Creole, English, French, other, unspecified
CurrencySeychelles rupees
Life Expectancy76.6 yr
Governmenta presidential republic.
Introduction
Background
Prior to the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century, Seychelles was devoid of human settlement. Following a protracted conflict, France ultimately relinquished its claim over the islands to Great Britain in 1814. Under colonial governance, an economy centered on plantations emerged, heavily dependent on labor imported mainly from Africa's European colonies. Seychelles achieved independence in 1976 after discussions with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE orchestrated a coup against the inaugural president of the nation, leading Seychelles to become a socialist one-party state until a new constitution was introduced and elections were conducted in 1993. RENE remained at the helm of Seychelles for two electoral terms before resigning in 2004. The presidency was then assumed by Vice President James Alix MICHEL, who was elected for a new five-year term in 2006, followed by reelections in 2011 and 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL stepped down, transferring the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. The year 2020 saw Wavel RAMKALAWAN elected as president, marking the first instance of an opposition candidate securing the presidency.
Geography
Area
land
455 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
455 sq km
Climate
tropical marine climate; characterized by humidity; experiences a cooler season during the southeast monsoon from late May to September; encounters a warmer season during the northwest monsoon from March to May
Terrain
The Mahe Group consists of volcanic formations featuring a narrow coastal area and a rugged, hilly landscape; other islands in the group are primarily flat coral atolls or elevated reefs; these islands are situated on the submarine Mascarene Plateau
Land use
other
38% (2023 est.)
forest
58.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
3.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Location
A collection of islands located in the Indian Ocean, positioned to the northeast of Madagascar
Coastline
491 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Morne Seychellois 905 m
Irrigated land
3 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
Situated outside the cyclone zone, thus experiencing infrequent severe storms; however, short droughts can occasionally occur
Geography - note
Recognized as the smallest nation in Africa regarding both land area and population; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles enumerates 155 islands, comprising 42 granitic and 113 coralline; the largest island is Mahe, which accommodates approximately 90% of the population and is where the capital city, Victoria, is located
Natural resources
primary products include fish, coconuts (copra), and cinnamon trees
Area - comparative
covers an area 2.5 times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
4 35 S, 55 40 E
Population distribution
over three-quarters of the population resides on the principal island of Mahe; Praslin hosts less than 10% of the population, with an even smaller fraction living on La Digue and the outer islands, as illustrated in this population distribution map
People & Society
Languages
Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 estimate)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.14 male(s)/female
total population
1.08 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.76 male(s)/female
Birth rate
11.59 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.02 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
38.2 years
total
39.2 years (2025 est.)
female
39.4 years
Population
male
50,973
total
98,187 (2024 est.)
female
47,214
Nationality
noun
Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective
Seychellois
Tobacco use
male
34.2% (2025 est.)
total
20.5% (2025 est.)
female
5.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
58.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
17.7% (male 8,912/female 8,439)
15-64 years
72.4% (male 37,841/female 33,210)
65 years and over
10% (2024 est.) (male 4,220/female 5,565)
Ethnic groups
largely of Creole descent (primarily from East African and Malagasy backgrounds); additionally, there are communities of French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab origin
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
38.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
24.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
7.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
13.8 (2024 est.)
Physician density
2.25 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
10.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
3.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.8 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 96.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 3.6% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.7% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
12.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
10 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.53% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.89 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
over three-quarters of the populace resides on the principal island of Mahe; Praslin accommodates fewer than 10%, with an even smaller fraction located on La Digue and the outer islands, as illustrated in this demographic distribution chart
Life expectancy at birth
male
72.2 years
female
81.1 years
total population
76.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
42 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
4.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.49 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
4.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
14% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
44.6% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2023 est.)
total
13 years (2023 est.)
female
15 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical marine climate; characterized by humidity; cooler period coincides with the southeast monsoon from late May to September; warmer period aligns with the northwest monsoon from March to May
Land use
other
38% (2023 est.)
forest
58.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
3.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
58.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
48,000 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
24.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
scarce freshwater supplies; contamination of water; ecological diversity
Total water withdrawal
municipal
9 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
3.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
900,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
893,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
92 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
893,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
17.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: five expanding bands in blue, yellow, red, white, and green, emanating from the lower left corner
meaning: these bands represent a vibrant new nation progressing towards the future; blue signifies the sky and ocean, yellow symbolizes the sun which provides light and vitality, red reflects the populace's commitment to work together for a future filled with unity and love, white denotes social justice and harmony, and green represents the land and natural surroundings.
Capital
name
Victoria
etymology
The British designated the town as Port Victoria in 1841 in honor of Queen VICTORIA; subsequently, the name was abbreviated.
time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 37 S, 55 27 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previously adopted in 1970, 1979; latest draft was created in May 1993, with approval granted by referendum on 18 June 1993, becoming effective on 23 June 1993.
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; to pass, a two-thirds majority vote from the National Assembly is required; furthermore, amendments that impact the nation’s sovereignty, symbols, languages, supremacy of the constitution, fundamental rights and freedoms, amendment procedures, and dissolution of the Assembly also necessitate the endorsement of at least 60% of voters in a referendum.
Country name
etymology
named by French Captain Corneille Nicholas MORPHEY in 1756 after Jean Moreau de SÉCHELLES, who served as France's finance minister; the British modified the spelling in 1815 upon their acquisition of the islands.
local long form
Republic of Seychelles
local short form
Seychelles
conventional long form
Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form
Seychelles
Independence
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
Legal system
a hybrid legal system comprising English common law, French civil law, and customary law.
Government type
a presidential republic.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Seychelles Court of Appeal (composed of the court president and four justices); Supreme Court of Seychelles (includes the chief justice and nine puisne judges); Constitutional Court (formed by three Supreme Court judges).
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal addressing matters such as domestic violence, child custody, and maintenance; Employment Tribunal for disputes related to labor.
judge selection and term of office
all judges are appointed by the president of the republic based on recommendations from the Constitutional Appointments Authority, which consists of three members: one appointed by the president, one by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and one by the other two appointees; judges remain in their positions until they retire at the age of 70.
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Patrick HERMINIE (since 26 October 2025)
election results
2025: Patrick HERMINIE elected president; Patrick HERMINIE (US) 52.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (LDS) 47.3%
head of government
President Patrick HERMINIE (since 26 October 2025)
most recent election date
9 October 2025
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly through an absolute-majority popular vote, which may require two rounds if necessary, for a term of five years (eligible for a subsequent term).
expected date of next election
2030
National holiday
Constitution Day, 18 June (1993); Independence Day (National Day), 29 June (1976).
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red, white, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Aldabra Atoll; Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Political parties
Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSJD
Seychellois Democratic Alliance or LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa/Union Démocratique Seychelloise)
Seychelles National Party or SNP
United Seychelles or US
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
34 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
legislature name
National Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/27/2025
expected date of next election
September 2030
percentage of women in chamber
26.5%
parties elected and seats per party
United Seychelles (US) (19); Seychelles Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, LDS) (15).
National anthem(s)
title
"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
history
adopted 1996
lyrics/music
David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
National symbol(s)
coco de mer (sea coconut)
Administrative divisions
27 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Ile Persévérance I, Ile Persévérance II, La Digue, La Rivière Anglaise, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka.
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 972-1786
chancery
685 Third Avenue, Suite 1107, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
telephone
[1] (212) 972-1785
chief of mission
Ambassador Vivianne FOCK TAVE (since 16 December 2025); note - also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN.
email address and website
[email protected]
Foreign Affairs Department Republic of Seychelles » United States of America (mfa.gov.sc)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
2nd Floor, Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria Mahe, Seychelles; note - the US Embassy in Seychelles was reopened on 1 June 2023 after being closed since 1996.
telephone
[248] 422 5256
chief of mission
Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023) and Chargé d’Affaires Adham LOUTFI (since 6 October 2023); note - Ambassador JARDINE is stationed in Mauritius and is accredited to Seychelles, while Chargé d’Affaires LOUTFI operates in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.
email address and website
[email protected]
https://sc.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not issued a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$695.973 million (2023 est.)
expenditures
$728.171 million (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$1.751 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$2.247 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$2.375 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$1.821 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$2.298 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$2.437 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
fishing, tourism, beverages
Public debt
Public debt 2017
63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
0.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
0.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
17.617 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
16.921 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
14.273 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
14.018 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
14.53 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
high-income island economy in the Indian Ocean; tourism sector experiencing rapid growth; significant exporter of tuna; offshore financial center; environmentally vulnerable and engaged in measures to address ocean rise; recent discovery of offshore oil reserves; effective anticorruption initiatives
Exports - partners
France 20%, Mauritius 12%, UK 9%, Japan 8%, Italy 8% (2023)
Imports - partners
UAE 32%, Spain 10%, France 6%, South Africa 6%, India 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$28,000 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$28,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$29,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
12.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, bananas, eggs, chicken, pork, fruits, tomatoes, tropical fruits, cassava (2023)
Exports - commodities
fish, scrap iron, animal meal, broadcasting equipment, ships (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, ships, cars, plastic products (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$160.168 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$141.648 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$155.194 million (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
26.18% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.167 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
74.6% (2024 est.)
government consumption
26.3% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
17.2% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
85.2% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-103.2% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
25.3% (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
2.6% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
-1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
0.3% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-6.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$3.354 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$3.43 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$3.549 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$638.961 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$682.794 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$773.678 million (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
12.3% (2024 est.)
services
65.8% (2024 est.)
agriculture
2.5% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.6% (2018 est.)
highest 10%
23.9% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
32.1 (2018 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
500 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
581.227 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
156,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
44.034 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
98.847 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
86.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
87% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), a state-owned national broadcaster, operates the sole terrestrial television station, which includes programming from global networks. Additionally, there is a privately operated Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel, along with multi-channel cable and satellite television offered by two providers. SBC manages one AM and one FM radio station, while there are two privately run radio stations. Furthermore, in Victoria, broadcasts from two international broadcasters can be received (2019).
Internet country code
.sc
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
18,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
14 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
165,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
192 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
39,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
31 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
0
key ports
Victoria
very small
1
total ports
1 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
16 (2025)
Heliports
6 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
30 (2023)
by type
general cargo 6, oil tanker 6, other 18
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
S7
Military & Security
Military - note
Established in 1977, the SDF ranks among the smallest military forces globally; its main duties involve maritime security, which encompasses the prevention of illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking; it was granted law enforcement authority in 2022; the Seychelles fosters strong security relationships with India, which has aided the SDF in its maritime security missions (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF; also known as Seychelles Defense Forces, SDF): comprises the Army (which includes infantry, special forces, and a unit for presidential protection), Coast Guard, and Air Force
Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (2025)
Military service age and obligation
For voluntary military service, the age range is 18 to 35 years for both men and women; there is no conscription (2026)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The SDF is equipped with light weaponry; its arsenal includes outdated arms acquired in the 1970s and 1980s, along with some recently supplied equipment from Bahrain, China, India, and the UAE (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 500 active Defense Forces (2025)
