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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.mu

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

36,653 (2010) country comparison to the world: 94

Internet users [time series]

290,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 131

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: small system with good service domestic: monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with teledensity in 2009 reaching 85 per 100 persons 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 (2009)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

387,700 (2010) country comparison to the world: 105

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.191 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 146

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.028 billion expenditures: $2.478 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-4.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Central bank discount rate [time series]

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

19.25% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 19.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$824.2 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 -$674.6 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$4.695 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $3.717 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

39 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 37 (1987 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 3.6% in 2010 and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.234 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

2.402 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Exchange rates [time series]

Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 30.991 (2010) 31.96 (2009) 27.973 (2008) 31.798 (2007) 31.656 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$2.259 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $1.942 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

UK 19%, France 16.8%, US 11%, Madagascar 8.4%, Italy 7.9%, South Africa 6%, Spain 4.9% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$9.729 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$18.06 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $17.36 billion (2009 est.) $16.85 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 4.6% industry: 24.1% services: 71.3% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$14,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $13,500 (2009 est.) $13,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 3% (2009 est.) 5.5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$4.154 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $3.499 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

India 20.3%, France 10.6%, China 10.3%, South Africa 9.7% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Industries [time series]

food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 2.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

24.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Labor force [time series]

597,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture and fishing: 9% construction and industry: 30% transportation and communication: 7% trade, restaurants, hotels: 22% finance: 6% other services: 25% (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$6.506 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 81 $4.74 billion (31 December 2009) $3.443 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Oil - consumption [time series]

23,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Oil - imports [time series]

20,750 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Population below poverty line [time series]

8% (2006 est.)

Public debt [time series]

57.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 60.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.601 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $2.304 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$10.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $9.813 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$10.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $9.943 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$2.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $2.036 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

20.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 7.3% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 2,040 sq km country comparison to the world: 181 land: 2,030 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues

Area - comparative [time series]

almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

177 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.61 cu km/yr (25%/14%/60%) per capita: 488 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Geography - note [time series]

the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; 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 [time series]

210 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 49.02% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 48.04% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

arable land, fish

Terrain [time series]

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau

Total renewable water resources [time series]

2.2 cu km (2001)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

name: Port Louis geographic coordinates: 20 09 S, 57 29 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Troy FITRELL embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis 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 FAX: [230] 208-9534

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003); Vice President Monique OHSAN-BELLEPEAU (since 13 November 2010) head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5 July 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 19 September 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly election results: Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH reelected president by unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

12 March 1968 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Motherland" lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL note: adopted 1968

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 12 March (1968)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: various labor unions

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 signals 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. Recent poor weather, declining sugar prices, and declining textile and apparel production, have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 343,628 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 280,596 females age 16-49: 283,317 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 10,193 female: 10,104 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.3% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 145,185/female 139,579) 15-64 years: 70.7% (male 457,743/female 463,875) 65 years and over: 7.5% (male 38,944/female 58,391) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.97 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Death rate [time series]

6.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 127

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

8,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

6.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 91

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.33 beds/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 64

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 139 male: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

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 [time series]

total population: 74.48 years country comparison to the world: 99 male: 71.01 years female: 78.12 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.4% male: 88.4% female: 80.5% (2000 census)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

PORT LOUIS (capital) 149,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

36 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 108

Median age [time series]

total: 32.7 years male: 31.9 years female: 33.6 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.06 physicians/1,000 population (2004) country comparison to the world: 101

Population [time series]

1,303,717 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Population growth rate [time series]

0.729% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Religions [time series]

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 [time series]

improved: urban: 93% of population rural: 90% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 7% of population rural: 10% of population total: 9% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.79 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 21.4% country comparison to the world: 48 male: 18.1% female: 26.3% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 182

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 3 country comparison to the world: 136 by type: passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Port Louis

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,066 km country comparison to the world: 173 paved: 2,066 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2009)