2019 Edition

Background

A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Independence came in 1976. Following a coup d’etat in 1977, the country was a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was reelected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE.

Area

Land

455 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

Highest Point

Morne Seychellois 905 m

Lowest Point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater; water pollution; biodiversity maintainance

Environment International 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

the smallest African country; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria

Irrigated Land

3 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

6.5% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

2.2% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

4.3% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

0% (2011 est.)

Forest

88.5% (2011 est.)

Other

5% (2011 est.)

Location

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

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; occasional short droughts

Natural Resources

fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees

Population Distribution

more than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands

Terrain

Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs

Age Structure

0 14 Years

19.52% (male 9,482 /female 8,989)

15 24 Years

12.96% (male 6,461 /female 5,806)

25 54 Years

49.29% (male 24,841 /female 21,800)

55 64 Years

10.44% (male 5,008 /female 4,870)

65 Years And Over

7.79% (male 2,974 /female 4,402) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

13.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

3.6% (2012)

Current Health Expenditure

3.9% (2013)

Death Rate

7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

Seychelles has no indigenous population and was first permanently settled by a small group of French planters, African slaves, and South Indians in 1770. Seychelles’ modern population is composed of the descendants of French and later British settlers, Africans, and Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern traders and is concentrated on three of its 155 islands – the vast majority on Mahe and lesser numbers on Praslin and La Digue. Seychelles’ population grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, largely due to natural increase, but the pace has slowed because of fertility decline. The total fertility rate dropped sharply from 4.0 children per woman in 1980 to 1.9 in 2015, mainly as a result of a family planning program, free education and health care, and increased female labor force participation. Life expectancy has increased steadily, but women on average live 9 years longer than men, a difference that is higher than that typical of developed countries.The combination of reduced fertility and increased longevity has resulted in an aging population, which will put pressure on the government’s provision of pensions and health care. Seychelles’ sustained investment in social welfare services, such as free primary health care and education up to the post-secondary level, have enabled the country to achieve a high human development index score – among the highest in Africa. Despite some of its health and education indicators being nearly on par with Western countries, Seychelles has a high level of income inequality.An increasing number of migrant workers – mainly young men – have been coming to Seychelles in recent years to work in the construction and tourism industries. As of 2011, foreign workers made up nearly a quarter of the workforce. Indians are the largest non-Seychellois population – representing half of the country’s foreigners – followed by Malagasy.

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

11.7 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

8.5 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

42.8 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

31 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

95.7% of population

Improved Total

95.7% of population

Improved Urban

95.7% of population

Unimproved Rural

4.3% of population

Unimproved Total

4.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

4.3% of population

Education Expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic Groups

predominantly creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations

Hospital Bed Density

3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

7.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

79.8 years

Male

70.7 years

Total Population

75.2 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

92.3% (2012)

Male

91.4%

Total Population

91.8%

Major Urban Areas Population

28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018)

Median Age

Female

36.5 years

Male

35.3 years

Total

35.8 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Seychellois

Noun

Seychellois (singular and plural)

Net Migration Rate

1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

14% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.95 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

94,633 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.74% (2018 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

98.4% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

98.4% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

98.4% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

1.6% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

1.6% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

1.6% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

16 years (2016)

Male

15 years

Total

16 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.05 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.11 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.14 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.68 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.03 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.06 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.85 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

11.4% (2017 est.)

Male

10.5%

Total

10.9%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

1.26% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

57.1% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

25 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Inner Islands, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamalles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

4 37 S, 55 27 E

Name

Victoria

Time Difference

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

Citizenship

Citizenship By Birth

no

Citizenship By Descent Only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles

Dual Citizenship Recognized

no

Residency Requirement For Naturalization

5 years

Constitution

Amendments

proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting the country’s sovereignty, symbols and languages, the supremacy of the constitution, fundamental rights and freedoms, amendment procedures, and dissolution of the Assembly also requires approval by at least 60% of voters in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2017 (2017)

History

previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Republic of Seychelles

Conventional Short Form

Seychelles

Etymology

named by French Captain Corneille Nicholas MORPHEY after Jean Moreau de SECHELLES, the finance minister of France, in 1756

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 US Ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

Chancery

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

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Ronald Jean JUMEAU (since 8 September 2017)

Consulate's General

New York

Fax

[1] (212) 972-1786

Telephone

[1] (212) 972-1785

Executive Branch

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Chief Of State

President Danny FAURE (since 16 October 2016); Vice President Vincent MERITON (since 28 October 2016); note - James Alix MICHEL resigned the presidency effective 16 October 2016; the president is both chief of state and head of government

Election Results

President James Alix MICHEL reelected president in second round; percent of vote - James Alix MICHEL (PL) 50.2%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (SNP) 49.8%

Elections Appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 1 additional term); election last held on 3-5 December 2015 with a runoff on 16-18 December 2015 (next to be held in December 2020)

Head Of Government

President Danny FAURE (since 16 October 2016); Vice President Vincent MERITON (since 28 October 2016)

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, and green the land and natural environment

Government Type

presidential 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, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

Seychelles Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices); Supreme Court of Seychelles (consists of the chief justice and 9 puisne judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 Supreme Court judges)

Judge Selection And Term Of Office

all judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Authority, a 3-member body, with 1 member appointed by the president of the republic, 1 by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and 1 by the other 2 appointees; judges serve until retirement at age 70

Subordinate Courts

Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, child custody, and maintenance; Employment Tribunal for labor-related disputes

Legal System

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

Legislative Branch

Description

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (up to 35 seats - the Assembly elected in September 2016 has 33 members; 25 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 10 members elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - LDS 49.6%, PL 49.2%, other 1.2%; seats by party - LDS 19, PL 14; composition - men 26, women 7, percent of women 21.2%

Elections

last held on 8-10 September 2016 (next to be held in 2021); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET

Name

"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

National Holiday

Constitution Day, 18 June (1993); Independence Day (National Day), 29 June (1976)

National Symbol S

coco de mer (sea coconut); national colors: blue, yellow, red, white, green

Political Parties And Leaders

Lafors Seselwa Demokratik or LSD [Martin AGLAE] Seselwa (Seychelles) United Party or SUP [Robert ERNESTA] (formerly the New Democratic Party or NDP) Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO) Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSD [Alexia AMESBURY] Seychelles Patriotic Movement or SPM [Vincent LARUER] Seychelloise Alliance (Lalyans Seselwa) [Patrick PILLAY] Seychellois Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa) or LDS [Roger MANCIENNE] (includes SNP, SPSD, and SUP) United Seychelles or US [Vincent MERITON] (formerly People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL; (formerly SPPF)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

Expenditures

600.7 million (2017 est.)

Revenues

593.4 million (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

31 December 2010

11.17%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

12.36%

31 December 2017

12.24%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$286 million

2017

-$307 million

Debt External

31 December 2016

$2.651 billion

31 December 2017

$2.559 billion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2013

46.8

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 high income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourism sector, which directly employs about 26% of the labor force and directly and indirectly accounts for more than 55% of GDP, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and tourism industry services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of the offshore financial, information, and communication sectors and renewable energy. In 2008, having depleted its foreign exchange reserves, Seychelles defaulted on interest payments due on a $230 million Eurobond, requested assistance from the IMF, and immediately enacted a number of significant structural reforms, including liberalization of the exchange rate, reform of the public sector to include layoffs, and the sale of some state assets. In December 2013, the IMF declared that Seychelles had successfully transitioned to a market-based economy with full employment and a fiscal surplus. However, state-owned enterprises still play a prominent role in the economy. Effective 1 January 2017, Seychelles was no longer eligible for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunities Act after having gained developed country status. Seychelles grew at 5% in 2017 because of a strong tourism sector and low commodity prices. The Seychellois Government met the IMF’s performance criteria for 2017 but recognizes a need to make additional progress to reduce high income inequality, represented by a Gini coefficient of 46.8. As a very small open economy dependent on tourism, Seychelles remains vulnerable to developments such as economic downturns in countries that supply tourists, natural disasters, and changes in local climatic conditions and ocean temperature. One of the main challenges facing the government is implementing strategies that will increase Seychelles' long-term resilience to climate change without weakening economic growth.

Exchange Rates

2013

12.747

2014

13.314

2015

13.319

2016

13.319

2017

13.64

Currency

Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$477.6 million

2017

$564.8 million

Exports Commodities

canned tuna, frozen fish, petroleum products (reexports)

Exports Partners

UAE 28.5%, France 24%, UK 13.8%, Italy 8.9%, Germany 4.6% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

79.4% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

34.4% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

52.7% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-93.2% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

26.7% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

2.5% (2017 est.)

Industry

13.8% (2017 est.)

Services

83.7% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$1.498 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$26,900

2016

$27,800

2017

$29,300

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$2.499 billion

2016

$2.612 billion

2017

$2.75 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

4.9%

2016

4.5%

2017

5.3%

Gross National Saving

2015

15.2% of GDP

2016

10.2% of GDP

2017

8.1% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

15.4% (2007)

Lowest 10

4.7%

Imports

2016

$991 million

2017

$1.155 billion

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

UAE 13.4%, France 9.4%, Spain 5.7%, South Africa 5% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

2.3% (2017 est.)

Industries

fishing, tourism, beverages

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

-1%

2017

2.9%

Labor Force

47,210 (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

3%

Industry

23%

Services

74% (2006)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

NA

Population Below Poverty Line

39.3% (2013 est.)

Public Debt

2016

69.1% of GDP

2017

63.6% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$523.5 million

31 December 2017

$545.2 million

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$556.5 million

31 December 2017

$627.3 million

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$565.9 million

31 December 2017

$650.3 million

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$556.5 million

31 December 2017

$627.3 million

Taxes And Other Revenues

39.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

2.7%

2017

3%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

1.15 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

325.5 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

91% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

88,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

350 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

7,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

7,225 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

16 (2017 est.)

Total

15,221

Broadcast Media

the national broadcaster, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), which is funded by taxpayer money, operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; a privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel also provides local programming multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available through 2 providers; the national broadcaster operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; there are 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2019)

Internet Country Code

.sc

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

56.5% (July 2016 est.)

Total

52,664

Telephone System

Domestic

fixed-line 21 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 178 telephones per 100 persons (2018)

General Assessment

effective system; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago (2018)

International

country code - 248; landing points for the PEACE and the SEAS submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East Africa and Asia; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

21 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

19,652

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

178 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

167,282

Airports

14 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

2 438 To 3 047 M

1 (2017)

914 To 1 523 M

5 (2017)

Total

7 (2017)

Under 914 M

1 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

914 To 1 523 M

2 (2013)

Total

7 (2013)

Under 914 M

5 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

S7 (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant Marine

By Type

general cargo 4, oil tanker 6, other 14 (2018)

Total

24

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

19,234,992 mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

497,496 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

3 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

1 (2015)

Ports And Terminals

Victoria

Roadways

Paved

514 km (2015)

Total

526 km (2015)

Unpaved

12 km (2015)

Military And Security Forces

Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF): Army (includes infantry, Special Forces (Tazar), and Presidential Security Unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force (2019)

Military Expenditures

2014

2.17% of GDP

2015

1.21% of GDP

2016

1.29% of GDP

2017

1.57% of GDP

2018

1.44% of GDP

Military Service Age And Obligation

18-28 years of age for voluntary military service (18-25 for officers); 6-year initial commitment; no conscription (2019)

Disputes International

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