2012 Edition

Background

Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signal intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes.

Area

2,040 sq km 2,030 sq km 10 sq km includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues

total

2,040 sq km

water

10 sq km

Area - comparative

almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Coastline

177 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Mont Piton 828 m

highest point

Mont Piton 828 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.61 cu km/yr (25%/14%/60%) 488 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

488 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.61 cu km/yr (25%/14%/60%)

Geographic coordinates

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Geography - note

the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; former home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species

Irrigated land

210 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

49.02% 2.94% 48.04% (2005)

arable land

49.02%

other

48.04% (2005)

permanent crops

2.94%

Location

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Terrain

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau

Total renewable water resources

2.2 cu km (2001)

Age structure

21.6% (male 144,438/ female 138,559) 70.7% (male 461,210/ female 467,432) 7.7% (male 40,664/ female 60,792) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

21.6% (male 144,438/ female 138,559)

15-64 years

70.7% (male 461,210/ female 467,432)

65 years and over

7.7% (male 40,664/ female 60,792) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

13.78 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

6.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,800 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.33 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

11.2 deaths/1,000 live births 13.32 deaths/1,000 live births 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

11.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4%, English (official; spoken by less than 1% of the population), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth

74.71 years 71.25 years 78.35 years (2012 est.)

female

78.35 years (2012 est.)

total population

74.71 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 88.5% 90.9% 86.2% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

86.2% (2010 est.)

male

90.9%

total population

88.5%

Major cities - population

PORT LOUIS (capital) 149,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

33.1 years 32.2 years 34 years (2012 est.)

female

34 years (2012 est.)

male

32.2 years

total

33.1 years

Nationality

Mauritian(s) Mauritian

adjective

Mauritian

noun

Mauritian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.06 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

1,313,095 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.705% (2012 est.)

Religions

Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 93% of population rural: 90% of population total: 91% of population urban: 7% of population rural: 10% of population total: 9% of population

rural

10% of population

total

9% of population

urban

7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2008)

female

14 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

21.4% 18.1% 26.3% (2009)

female

26.3% (2009)

total

21.4%

Urbanization

42% of total population (2010) 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

42% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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*, Savanne

Capital

Port Louis 20 09 S, 57 29 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

20 09 S, 57 29 E

name

Port Louis

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992

Country name

Republic of Mauritius Mauritius Republic of Mauritius Mauritius

conventional long form

Republic of Mauritius

conventional short form

Mauritius

local long form

Republic of Mauritius

local short form

Mauritius

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Shari VILLAROSA 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 [230] 202-4400 [230] 208-9534

chief of mission

Ambassador Shari VILLAROSA

embassy

4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis

FAX

[230] 208-9534

mailing address

international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450

telephone

[230] 202-4400

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Somduth SOBORUN 1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; administrative offices - 3201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 244-1491 through 1492 [1] (202) 966-0983

chancery

1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; administrative offices - 3201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Somduth SOBORUN

FAX

[1] (202) 966-0983

telephone

[1] (202) 244-1491 through 1492

Executive branch

President Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG (since 21 July 2012); note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012 Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5 July 2005) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 21 July 2012 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly; note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012 Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG elected president by unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

chief of state

President Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG (since 21 July 2012); note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012

election results

Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG elected president by unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA

elections

president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 21 July 2012 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly; note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012

head of government

Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5 July 2005)

Flag description

four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green; red represents self-determination and independence, blue the Indian Ocean surrounding the island, yellow has been interpreted as the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future, and green can symbolize either agriculture or the lush vegetation of the island

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

12 March 1968 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

civil legal system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 62 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the election commission to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members to serve five-year terms) last held on 5 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AF 41, MMM 18, MR 2, MSF 1; appointed seats - to be assigned 8

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AF 41, MMM 18, MR 2, MSF 1; appointed seats - to be assigned 8

elections

last held on 5 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

"Motherland" Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL adopted 1968

lyrics/music

Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL

name

"Motherland"

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 March (1968)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of the Future or AF [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] (governing coalition - includes MLP, MMSM, MR, MSD, PMSD); Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER]; Mauritian Militant Socialist Movement or MMSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH]; Mauritian Socialist Militant Movement or MSMM [Madan DULLOO]; Mauritian Solidarity Front of FSM [Cehl FAKEERMEEAH]; Mouvement Republicain or MR [Jayarama VALAYDEN]; Maurition Social Democratic Party or PMSD [Xavier Luc DUVAL]; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR]

Political pressure groups and leaders

various labor unions

other

various labor unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish

Budget

$2.421 billion $2.919 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$2.919 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$2.421 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2010 est.) NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 8.92% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.433 billion (2012 est.) -$1.164 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.768 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.489 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2006 est.) 37 (1987 est.)

Economy - overview

Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors. Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. Investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped to mitigate negative effects from the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-12, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe.

Exchange rates

Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 29.96 (2012 est.) 28.706 (2011 est.) 30.784 (2010 est.) 31.96 (2009) 27.973 (2008)

Exports

$2.631 billion (2012 est.) $2.645 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses, fish

Exports - partners

UK 21.3%, France 17.8%, US 10.5%, Italy 8.1%, South Africa 7.7%, Spain 7.1%, Madagascar 6.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition by sector

4.5% 23.5% 72% (2012 est.)

agriculture

4.5%

industry

23.5%

services

72% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,600 (2012 est.) $15,200 (2011 est.) $14,700 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2012 est.) 4.1% (2011 est.) 4.2% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.93 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.26 billion (2012 est.) $19.6 billion (2011 est.) $18.82 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$5.111 billion (2012 est.) $4.926 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Imports - partners

India 25.2%, China 13.6%, France 9.1%, South Africa 6.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3.3% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.7% (2012 est.) 6.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

617,800 (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

9% 30% 7% 22% 6% 25% (2007)

agriculture and fishing

9%

construction and industry

30%

finance

6%

other services

25% (2007)

trade, restaurants, hotels

22%

transportation and communication

7%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$6.54 billion (31 December 2011) $6.506 billion (31 December 2010) $4.74 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

8% (2006 est.)

Public debt

61.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 57.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.848 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$26.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $23.87 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

NA

Stock of domestic credit

$11.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $12 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.293 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.323 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2012 est.) 7.9% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.545 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

2.687 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

75.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

6.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

18.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

885,200 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

2.889 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

24,710 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

22,750 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

the government maintains control over TV broadcasting through the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which operates 3 analog and 10 digital TV stations; MBC is a shareholder in a local company that operates 2 pay-TV stations; the state retains the largest radio broadcast network with multiple stations; several private radio broadcasters have entered the market since 2001; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.mu

Internet hosts

51,139 (2012)

Internet users

290,000 (2009)

Telephone system

small system with good service monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with current teledensity roughly 100 per 100 persons country code - 230; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides links to Asia and South Africa where it connects to the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable that provides further links to parts of East Africa, and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries

domestic

monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with current teledensity roughly 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

small system with good service

international

country code - 230; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides links to Asia and South Africa where it connects to the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable that provides further links to parts of East Africa, and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries

Telephones - main lines in use

374,600 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.294 million (2011)

Airports

5 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2010)

total

4

Ports and terminals

Port Louis

Roadways

2,066 km 2,066 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2009)

total

2,066 km

Manpower available for military service

343,628 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

343,628 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

280,596 283,317 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

283,317 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

280,596

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

10,193 10,104 (2010 est.)

female

10,104 (2010 est.)

male

10,193

Military branches

no regular military forces; Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard (2011)

Military expenditures

0.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Disputes - international

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands; claims French-administered Tromelin Island

Illicit drugs

consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry