Country Profile: Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 800 km east of Madagascar. With a population of over 1.3 million, it boasts a diverse society primarily comprising Indo-Mauritians, Creoles, and Sino-Mauritians. The economy is upper-middle-income and relies on a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and services, particularly thriving in tourism and information technology sectors. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Mauritius has maintained a stable democratic system since gaining independence from the UK in 1968.

Geography

Mauritius is situated in Southern Africa, surrounded by the Indian Ocean and featuring a tropical climate, influenced by southeast trade winds. The land is predominantly volcanic, characterized by a small coastal plain that rises into discontinuous mountains and a central plateau. The country has no land boundaries and a coastline of 177 km.

2,040 sq km: Total area of Mauritius.
43%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
Mont Piton: Highest point at 828 m above sea level.

People and Society

The estimated population of Mauritius is approximately 1.31 million as of 2024, with a median age of 39.6 years. The society is ethnically diverse, with Indo-Mauritians making up about two-thirds of the population. The country has a high literacy rate of 94.3% and universal suffrage at age 18.

48.5%: Percentage of Hindus in the population (2011).
0.95: Sex ratio of males to females (2024 est.).
40.9%: Urban population as of 2023.

Economy

Mauritius has a mixed economy with a strong focus on tourism, information technology, and financial services. The real GDP growth rate is projected at 4.7% for 2024, reflecting a robust recovery from the pandemic's impact.

$34.406 billion: Real GDP (PPP) in 2024.
5.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
64.4%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.).

Government

The Republic of Mauritius is structured as a parliamentary republic, with its capital in Port Louis. The executive branch is led by the Prime Minister, who is supported by a cabinet appointed by the President. The constitution was last amended in 1968, and elections are held every five years.

67: Seats in the National Assembly.
Universal suffrage: As of 18 years of age.
Independence: Achieved on 12 March 1968 from the UK.

Military and Security

Mauritius does not maintain regular military forces, relying instead on the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) for security, which includes a paramilitary unit and a Coast Guard. The MPF focuses on combating crime and ensuring public order.

MPF: Comprised of various specialized units for maritime security and disaster response.
Key security partner: India, providing training and support.

Energy

Mauritius boasts a 100% electrification rate as of 2022, with a primary reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation. The country's total energy consumption per capita stood at 60.188 million Btu in 2023.

955,000 kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
82.4%: Share of fossil fuels in total installed capacity (2023).

Environment

The country faces several environmental challenges, including water pollution and coral reef degradation. However, it is actively engaged in various international environmental agreements to address these issues.

43%: Agricultural land as of 2023.
2.751 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).

Transportation

Mauritius has developed transportation infrastructure, including airports and ports that facilitate domestic and international travel.

5: Number of airports (2025).
2: Total ports (2024).

Communications

The communication sector in Mauritius has advanced significantly, with high mobile phone and internet penetration rates.

80%: Percentage of the population using the internet (2023).
2.1 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	1,310,504	2024 estimate
Area	2,040 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$34.406 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	94.3%	2023 estimate
Life Expectancy	75.4 years	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	9.8 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	60.188 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Agricultural Land	43%	2023 estimate
Urban Population	40.9%	Of total population (2023)