Country Profile: Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 800 km east of Madagascar. It has a rich history of colonization, having been inhabited by the Dutch in the early 17th century and later occupied by the French and British. Today, Mauritius boasts a stable democracy, a diverse population primarily of Indian descent, and a growing economy, particularly in the sectors of tourism and financial services. The country is known for its high per capita income, making it one of the wealthiest nations in Africa.

Geography

Mauritius is situated in Southern Africa, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, characterized by a tropical climate influenced by southeast trade winds. The country is predominantly mountainous with a central plateau, and its terrain is mostly volcanic, surrounded by coral reefs. The total area of Mauritius is 2,040 sq km, with no land boundaries.

177 km of coastline.
The highest point is Mont Piton at 828 m.
43% of the land is used for agriculture (2023).
The main island is home to urban clusters, primarily in and around Port Louis.
Natural hazards include cyclones occurring from November to April.

People and Society

Mauritius has an estimated population of 1,311,375 as of 2025, with a diverse ethnic composition including Indo-Mauritians, Creoles, Sino-Mauritians, and Franco-Mauritians. The nation's linguistic landscape is primarily dominated by Creole, followed by Bhojpuri and French. The population enjoys a high literacy rate of 94.3%.

48.5% of the population practices Hinduism.
The median age is 40 years (2025 est.).
Life expectancy stands at 75.4 years (2024 est.).
40.9% of the population is urban (2023).
Infant mortality rate is 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.).

Economy

Mauritius has developed into an upper-middle-income economy with a diversified portfolio. The tourism sector is significant, although it faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is expanding its focus on maritime security and renewable energy. The GDP in 2024 is estimated to be $34.406 billion (PPP), reflecting growth in recent years.

4.7% GDP growth rate expected in 2024.
5.5% unemployment rate projected for 2024.
GDP per capita in 2024 is estimated at $27,300.
Agricultural sector contributes 4.3% to GDP (2024).
The leading agricultural product is sugarcane.

Government

Mauritius operates as a parliamentary republic with a stable political structure. It gained independence from the UK on March 12, 1968, and has been characterized by regular free elections and a commitment to democratic values.

The capital is Port Louis, coordinates 20 09 S, 57 29 E.
The National Assembly consists of 67 members.
The current Prime Minister is Navin Ramgoolam (since November 2024).
The legal system is based on French civil law with some English common law elements.

Military and Security

Mauritius does not maintain regular military forces; instead, its security is managed by the Mauritius Police Force, which includes several specialized units such as the National Coast Guard. The country prioritizes combating issues like narcotics trafficking and natural disaster response.

The Mauritius Police Force includes a Special Mobile Force and a Police Helicopter Squadron.
India is a key security partner, providing training to Mauritius’ coastguard.
The country has received assistance from France, the UK, and the US.

Energy

Mauritius boasts a 100% electrification rate as of 2022, with energy generated primarily from fossil fuels. The nation is gradually investing in renewable energy sources to diversify its energy consumption.

Total electricity consumption was 3.084 billion kWh in 2023.
Installed generating capacity includes 82.4% from fossil fuels (2023).
28,000 bbl/day of refined petroleum is consumed (2023).
651,000 metric tons of coal consumed (2023).

Communications

Telecommunication infrastructure in Mauritius is well-developed, with high penetration of mobile and fixed-line subscriptions. The country is increasingly connected through internet access, which reaches 80% of the population.

Total mobile cellular subscriptions are 2.2 million (2024).
Internet users comprise 80% of the total population (2023).
The national broadcaster, Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), offers diverse programming.

Transportation

Mauritius has a modest transportation network comprising airports and ports, serving both passenger and merchant marine traffic.

There are 5 airports and 32 merchant vessels (2023).
Key port includes Port Louis, which is vital for maritime trade.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,311,375 (2025 est.)
Area	2,040 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$34.406 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	5.5% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	9.73 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	75.4 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	94.3% (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	60.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Urban Population	40.9% (2023)
Infant Mortality Rate	11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)