2021 Edition

Background

Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being discovered by Europeans early in the 16th century. 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. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency since independence.

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

Geographic coordinates

4 35 S, 55 40 E

Geography - note

the smallest African country in terms of both area and population; 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

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

6.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest

88.5% (2018 est.)

other

5% (2018 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 as shown in this population distribution map

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

18.85% (male 9,297/female 8,798)

15-24 years

12.39% (male 6,283/female 5,607)

25-54 years

49.03% (male 25,209/female 21,851)

55-64 years

11.46% (male 5,545/female 5,455)

65 years and over

8.27% (male 3,272/female 4,664) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

12.63 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.6% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

5.1% (2018)

Death rate

6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2021 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

11.8

potential support ratio

8.5 (2020 est.)

total dependency ratio

46.7

youth dependency ratio

34.9

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 96.2% of population

unimproved: total

total: 3.8% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2019)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

7.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

13.64 deaths/1,000 live births

total

10.83 deaths/1,000 live births

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

80.43 years (2021 est.)

male

71.39 years

total population

75.84 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.4% (2018)

male

95.4%

total population

95.9%

Major urban areas - population

28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

37.4 years (2020 est.)

male

36.3 years

total

36.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Seychellois

noun

Seychellois (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14% (2016)

Physicians density

2.12 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

96,387 (July 2021 est.)

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 as shown in this population distribution map

Population growth rate

0.67% (2021 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: total

total: 100% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

15 years (2020)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.12 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.15 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.7 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.07 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.82 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

15.5% (2020 est.)

male

17.4%

total

16.4%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

58% of total population (2021)

Administrative divisions

27 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, Ile Perseverance I, Ile Perseverance II, La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka

Capital

etymology

founded as L'etablissement in 1778 by French colonists, the town was renamed in 1841 by the British after Queen Victoria (1819-1901); "victoria" is the Latin word for "victory"

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 2018

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

embassy

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

email address and website

seychelles@un.int

FAX

[1] (212) 972-1786

telephone

[1] (212) 972-1785

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020); Vice President Ahmed AFIF (since 27 October 2020); the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Wavel RAMKALAWAN elected president; Wavel RAMKALAWAN (LDS) 54.9%, Danny FAURE (US) 43.5%

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 22-24 Oct 2020 (originally scheduled for December 2020 but moved up to coincide with the 22-24 October National Assembly election in order to cut election costs)

head of government

President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020); Vice President Ahmed AFIF (since 27 October 2020)

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 (35 seats in the 2020 -25 term; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 9 members elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - LDS 54.8%, US 42.3% , other 2.9%; seats by party - LDS 25, US10; composition - men 25, women 10, percent of women 29%

elections

last held on 22-24 Oct 2020 (next to be held October 2025); note - the election was originally scheduled for 2021 but was moved up a year and will be held alongside the presidential election in order to cut election costs

National anthem

lyrics/music

David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET

name

"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

note

note: adopted 1996

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]One Seychelles [Alain St. ANGE]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

Agricultural products

coconuts, vegetables, bananas, fruit, eggs, poultry, tomatoes, pork, tropical fruit, cassava

Budget

expenditures

600.7 million (2017 est.)

revenues

593.4 million (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

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

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

B+ (2020)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

-$286 million (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$307 million (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2018

$4.613 billion (2018 est.)

Debt - external 2019

$4.802 billion (2019 est.)

Economic 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

currency

Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

12.747 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

13.314 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2015

13.319 (2015 est.)

Exchange rates 2016

13.319 (2016 est.)

Exchange rates 2017

13.64 (2017 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$1.68 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$1.61 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports 2020

$1.09 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, fish, recreational boats, cigarettes, animal meal (2019)

Exports - partners

United Arab Emirates 17%, United Kingdom 13%, France 12%, British Virgin Islands 11%, Zambia 9%, Mauritius 5%, Japan 5% (2019)

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)

$1.748 billion (2019 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2013

46.8 (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

15.4% (2007)

lowest 10%

4.7%

Imports

Imports 2018

$1.86 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$1.79 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports 2020

$1.35 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.)

Imports - commodities

recreational boats, refined petroleum, fish, aircraft, cars (2019)

Imports - partners

United Arab Emirates 21%, Qatar 13%, British Virgin Islands 7%, Germany 6%, France 6%, China 5%, Spain 5%, South Africa 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

2.3% (2017 est.)

Industries

fishing, tourism, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

2.8% (2017 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018

3.7% (2018 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019

1.8% (2019 est.)

Labor force

51,000 (2018 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

3%

industry

23%

services

74% (2006)

Population below poverty line

25.3% (2018 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

69.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$2.65 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$2.69 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$2.4 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2015

4.9% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

4.5% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

5.3% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$27,300 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$27,500 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$24,400 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$523.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$545.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2016

2.7% (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate 2017

3% (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

15.5% (2020 est.)

male

17.4%

total

16.4%

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 - 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.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

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

35.55 (2020 est.)

total

34,966 (2020)

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

79% (2020 est.)

total

58,000 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line 21 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 198 telephones per 100 persons (2019)

general assessment

effective system; direct international calls to over 100 countries; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago; 3 ISPs; use of Internet cafes' for access to Internet; 4G services and 5G pending (2020)

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)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

19.2 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

18,882 (2020)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

186.6 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

183,498 (2020)

Airports

total

14 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

7

under 914 m

1 (2019)

Airports - with unpaved runways

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

7

under 914 m

5 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

S7

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 5, oil tanker 6, other 16 (2021)

total

27

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

7.79 million mt-km (2018)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

455,201 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

7

number of registered air carriers

1 (2020)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Victoria

Roadways

paved

514 km (2015)

total

526 km (2015)

unpaved

12 km (2015)

Military - note

formed in 1977, the SPDF's primary responsibility is maritime security, particularly countering illegal fishing, piracy, and drug smuggling

Military and security forces

Seychelles People’s Defense Forces (SPDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (includes unarmed police and an armed paramilitary Police Special Support Wing, the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, and the Marine Police Unit) (2021)note - the military reports to the president, who acts as minister of defense  

note

note - the military reports to the president, who acts as minister of defense  

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Seychelles People’s Defense Forces (SPDF) have approximately 500 personnel (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the SPDF's inventory primarily consists of Soviet-era equipment delivered in the 1970s and 1980s; since 2010, the SPDF has received limited amounts of more modern equipment (mostly donations of patrol boats and aircraft) from several suppliers led by China and India (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2016

1.4% of GDP (2016)

Military Expenditures 2017

1.5% of GDP (2017)

Military Expenditures 2018

1.4% of GDP (2018)

Military Expenditures 2019

1.3% of GDP (2019)

Military Expenditures 2020

1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-28 years of age for voluntary military service (18-25 for officers); 6-year initial commitment; no conscription (2021)

Disputes - international

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

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Seychelles is a source and destination country for children and women subjected to sex trafficking; Seychellois girls and, to a lesser extent boys, are forced into prostitution in nightclubs, bars, guest houses, hotels, brothels, private homes, and on the streets by peers, family members, and pimps; foreign tourists, sailors, and migrant workers contribute to the demand for commercial sex acts in Seychelles; some of the large population of foreign migrant workers reportedly experience the underpayment of wages and substandard housing

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — Seychelles does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government allocated an operational and programmatic budget to the National Coordinating Committee on Trafficking in Persons, signed a bilateral agreement outlining procedures for employment and repatriation in Seychelles of migrant workers from Bangladesh and established a hotline to report forced labor concerns; however, no victims of trafficking were identified; efforts to address sex trafficking remained inadequate, its standard operating procedures for victim identification and referral to care services were not implemented; there are no shelters or care facilities for trafficking victims; investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of traffickers decreased; Seychelles did not establish a secretariat to support the Coordinating Committee, hindering the committee’s ability to direct anti-trafficking efforts across government and drive national policy; Seychelles was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

0.61 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

0.1 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

18.72 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

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

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, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

6.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest

88.5% (2018 est.)

other

5% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0.09% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

900,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

3.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

58% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

48,000 tons (2012 est.)