Country Profile: Mauritius

Mauritius, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, boasts a diverse population and a flourishing economy driven by a strong tourism sector and expanding information and financial services. With a rich historical background influenced by Arab, Dutch, French, and British colonization, Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 and has since cultivated a stable parliamentary republic. The country is renowned for its beautiful landscapes and unique biodiversity, although it faces environmental challenges such as coastal erosion and coral reef degradation.

Geography

Mauritius is situated about 800 km east of Madagascar and encompasses a total area of 2,040 sq km, characterized by volcanic origin and surrounded by coral reefs. The island features a tropical climate, influenced by southeast trade winds, and is primarily composed of a small coastal plain that rises into mountains. Its fertile land supports extensive agriculture, particularly sugarcane cultivation.

2,040 sq km: Total area of Mauritius.
177 km: Length of the coastline.
Mont Piton: The highest point at 828 m above sea level.
43%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023 est.).
19.2%: Forest coverage (2023 est.).

People and Society

The population of Mauritius is approximately 1.31 million residents as of 2025, predominantly of Indo-Mauritian descent, with significant Creole, Sino-Mauritian, and Franco-Mauritian communities. The island's rich cultural tapestry is reflected in its diverse languages, with French and Creole being the most widely spoken. Life expectancy is relatively high at 75.4 years.

1.31 million: Estimated population (2025).
40.9%: Percentage of the population living in urban areas (2023).
94.3%: Literacy rate (2023).
9.73 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025).
66 deaths/100,000: Maternal mortality ratio (2023 est.).

Economy

Mauritius is classified as an upper middle-income country with a diversified economy heavily reliant on tourism, manufacturing, and financial services. The country has shown resilience with a projected GDP growth rate of 4.7% in 2024, despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its tourism sector. The GDP per capita stands at approximately $27,300.

$14.95 billion: GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.).
$34.41 billion: Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.).
5.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
64.4%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.).
3.6%: Projected inflation rate (2024 est.).

Government

Mauritius operates as a parliamentary republic with a stable democratic framework in place. The country has a bicameral legislature and adheres to a legal system based on French civil law. The President serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.

1968: Year of independence from the UK.
67: Total seats in the National Assembly.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
Pravind Jugnauth: Current Prime Minister since 2019.

Military and Security

Mauritius does not maintain regular military forces; instead, security is managed by the Mauritius Police Force (MPF). The MPF includes a paramilitary unit and is primarily focused on internal security, combating narcotics trafficking, and maritime security, receiving support from India and other partners.

0 regular military forces: Security managed by police.
Special Mobile Force: A paramilitary unit responsible for security.
Indian naval support: Key security partner for maritime patrols.

Energy

Mauritius has achieved full electricity access for its population, with a diverse energy mix primarily relying on fossil fuels. In 2023, the installed electricity generation capacity was 955,000 kW, emphasizing the need for sustainable energy practices.

100%: Electrification rate (2022 est.).
82.4%: Percentage of electricity from fossil fuels (2023 est.).
3.084 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 est.).

Environment

The environmental challenges facing Mauritius include water pollution and coral reef degradation, exacerbated by urbanization and climate change. The nation participates in several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

43%: Land used for agriculture (2023 est.).
15.9%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
2.751 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).

Transportation

Mauritius has a well-established transportation infrastructure, including five airports and a merchant marine fleet. The primary port is Port Louis, essential for trade and commerce.

2: Total number of ports (2024).
5: Airports (2025).
32: Total merchant marine vessels (2023).

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Mauritius is robust, with high mobile and internet penetration rates. The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation provides a variety of media services in multiple languages.

2.2 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.).
80%: Internet penetration rate (2023 est.).
464,000: Fixed-line subscriptions (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,311,375 (2025 est.)
Area	2,040 sq km
GDP (official exchange rate)	$14.953 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita	$27,300 (2024 est.)
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.)
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)
Total Renewable Water Resources	2.751 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)