2011 Edition

Background

A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term.

Area

455 sq km 455 sq km 0 sq km

total

455 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)

Coastline

491 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Morne Seychellois 905 m

highest point

Morne Seychellois 905 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

4 35 S, 55 40 E

Geography - note

41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands

Irrigated land

3 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

2.17% 13.04% 84.79% (2005)

arable land

2.17%

other

84.79% (2005)

permanent crops

13.04%

Location

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible

Natural resources

fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Terrain

Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs

Age structure

21.9% (male 9,987/female 9,501) 71% (male 33,044/female 30,277) 7.2% (male 2,399/female 3,980) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

21.9% (male 9,987/female 9,501)

15-64 years

71% (male 33,044/female 30,277)

65 years and over

7.2% (male 2,399/female 3,980) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

15.33 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

Health expenditures

4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.94 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

11.66 deaths/1,000 live births 14.62 deaths/1,000 live births 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

11.66 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Creole 91.8%, English (official) 4.9%, other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)

Life expectancy at birth

73.52 years 68.87 years 78.32 years (2011 est.)

female

78.32 years (2011 est.)

total population

73.52 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 91.8% 91.4% 92.3% (2002 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.3% (2002 census)

male

91.4%

total population

91.8%

Major cities - population

VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2009)

Median age

32.5 years 32 years 33 years (2011 est.)

female

33 years (2011 est.)

male

32 years

total

32.5 years

Nationality

Seychellois (singular and plural) Seychellois

adjective

Seychellois

noun

Seychellois (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.1% (2004)

Physicians density

1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

89,188 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.945% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 82.3%, Protestant 7.5% (Anglican 6.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.1%), other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 13 years 14 years (2008)

female

14 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.031 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.6 male(s)/female

at birth

1.031 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.91 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20.3% (2002)

total

20.3% (2002)

Urbanization

55% of total population (2010) 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

55% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka

Capital

Victoria 4 38 S, 55 27 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

4 38 S, 55 27 E

name

Victoria

time difference

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

Constitution

18 June 1993

Country name

Republic of Seychelles Seychelles Republic of Seychelles Seychelles

conventional long form

Republic of Seychelles

conventional short form

Seychelles

local long form

Republic of Seychelles

local short form

Seychelles

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 972-1785 [1] (212) 972-1786

chancery

800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU

FAX

[1] (212) 972-1786

telephone

[1] (212) 972-1785

Executive branch

President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 19-21 May 2011 (next to be held in 2016) President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 55.5%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 41.4%, Philippe BOULLE 1.7%, Ralph VOLCERE 1.5%; note - this was the second election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 55.5%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 41.4%, Philippe BOULLE 1.7%, Ralph VOLCERE 1.5%; note - this was the second election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 19-21 May 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

head of government

President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004)

Flag description

five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green the land and natural environment

Government type

republic

Independence

29 June 1976 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-year terms) last held on 29 September - 1 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections percent of vote by party - PL 88.6%, PDM 10.9%, independents 0.6%; seats by party - PL 31, vacant - 3; note - the ruling SPPF changed its name to People's Party (Party Lepep) in June 2009; the SNP and NDP boycotted the 2011 elections

election results

percent of vote by party - PL 88.6%, PDM 10.9%, independents 0.6%; seats by party - PL 31, vacant - 3; note - the ruling SPPF changed its name to People's Party (Party Lepep) in June 2009; the SNP and NDP boycotted the 2011 elections

elections

last held on 29 September - 1 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections

National anthem

"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite) David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET adopted 1996

lyrics/music

David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET

name

"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

National holiday

Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; New Democratic Party or NDP; People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE]; Popular Democratic Movement or PDM; Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Roman Catholic Church trade unions

other

trade unions

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna

Budget

$339.7 million $314.9 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$314.9 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$339.7 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.7% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

11.17% (31 December 2010 est.) NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.703% (31 December 2010 est.) 15.347% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$420.1 million (2010 est.) -$253.1 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$1.526 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.624 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

65.8 (2007)

Economy - overview

Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation, large financing gaps, and the global recession. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating, but in October 2010 the EU approved a $2.9 million grant as part of a larger four-year program for Seychelles. In response to Seychelles successful implementation of tighter monetary and fiscal policies, the IMF upgraded Seychelles to a three-year extended fund facility (EFF) of $31 million in December 2009. In 2008, GDP fell more than 1% due to declining tourism, but the economy recovered in 2009-10 with a notable increase in tourist numbers for 2010.

Electricity - consumption

241.8 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

260 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 12.221 (2010) 13.61 (2009) 8 (2008) 6.5 (2007) 5.5 (2006)

Exports

$407.3 million (2010 est.) $432.5 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)

Exports - partners

UK 19%, France 17.7%, Italy 11.1%, Japan 10.8%, Thailand 7% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

1.9% 18.9% 79.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

1.9%

industry

18.9%

services

79.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$23,200 (2010 est.) $22,100 (2009 est.) $22,200 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2010 est.) 0.7% (2009 est.) -1.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$936 million (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.053 billion (2010 est.) $1.932 billion (2009 est.) $1.919 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.7% 15.4%

highest 10%

15.4%

lowest 10%

4.7%

Imports

$915.6 million (2010 est.) $780.4 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 21.1%, South Africa 8.4%, France 6.8%, Spain 6.6%, Singapore 6%, Italy 4.7% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2010 est.)

Industries

fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-2.4% (2010 est.) 31.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

29% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

39,560 (2006)

Labor force - by occupation

3% 23% 74% (2006)

agriculture

3%

industry

23%

services

74% (2006)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

8,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

6,203 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

53.4% of GDP (2010 est.) 59.2% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$235.6 million (31 December 2010 est.) $190.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$458.3 million (31 December 2010 est.) $425.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$479 million (31 December 2010 est.) $441.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$319.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) $290.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

36.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

2% (2006 est.)

Broadcast media

the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available via subscription; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)

Internet country code

.sc

Internet hosts

256 (2010)

Internet users

32,000 (2008)

Telephone system

effective system combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago

general assessment

effective system

international

country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

22,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

117,600 (2010)

Airports

14 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

8

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

6

under 914 m

5 (2010)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)

total

9

Ports and terminals

Victoria

Roadways

508 km 490 km 18 km (2008)

total

508 km

unpaved

18 km (2008)

Manpower available for military service

26,257 23,996 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

23,996 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

26,257

Manpower fit for military service

20,231 19,891 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

19,891 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

20,231

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

650 (2010 est.)

female

650 (2010 est.)

male

686

Military branches

Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)

Seychelles Defense Force

Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)

Military expenditures

2% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)