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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]

51,139 (2012) country comparison to the world: 95

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 current teledensity roughly 100 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 (2011)

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

349,100 (2012) country comparison to the world: 109

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.485 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 152

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.456 billion expenditures: $2.664 billion (2012 est.)

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

-1.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Central bank discount rate [time series]

9% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

8.67% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 8.92% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$-1.175 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $-1.507 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.606 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $2.203 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

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

39 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 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 this period, annual growth has been on the order of 5% to 6%. This 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 of the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-12, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe.

Exchange rates [time series]

Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 30.05 (2012 est.) 28.71 (2011 est.) 30.78 (2010 est.) 31.96 (2009) 27.97 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$2.673 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $2.565 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

UK 19.3%, France 16.4%, US 9.9%, South Africa 9.8%, Spain 7.5%, Italy 6.9%, Madagascar 6.8% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$11.31 billion (2012 est.)

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

$19.98 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $19.35 billion (2011 est.) $18.64 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 74% government consumption: 13.4% investment in fixed capital: 23% investment in inventories: 1.5% exports of goods and services: 54.8% imports of goods and services: -66.7% (2012 est.)

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

agriculture: 4.5% industry: 22.7% services: 72.8% (2012 est.)

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

$15,400 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $15,000 (2011 est.) $14,500 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

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

3.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 3.8% (2011 est.) 4.1% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

32% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 31% of GDP (2011 est.) 31% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$5.104 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 $4.918 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

India 23.1%, China 16%, France 8.5%, South Africa 6.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

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]

3.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 6.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

626,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

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]

$6.54 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 80 $6.506 billion (31 December 2010) $4.74 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

8% (2006 est.)

Public debt [time series]

57.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 58.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$3.046 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $2.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$26.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $23.87 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

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

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$12.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $11.71 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$2.378 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.263 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

21.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 7.9% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

5.06 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.358 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

75.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

6.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

17.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

900,200 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Electricity - production [time series]

2.628 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 171

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

24,710 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

20,620 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

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: 0.73 cu km/yr (30%/3%/68%) per capita: 568.2 cu m/yr (2003)

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; former home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species

Irrigated land [time series]

212.2 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 38.24% permanent crops: 1.96% other: 59.8% (2011)

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]

2.75 cu km (2011)

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]

several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968; amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)

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 Shari VILLAROSA (since 10 September 2012; note - also accredited to Seychelles 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 (since 28 January 2011) 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 Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG (since 21 July 2012); note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012 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 21 July 2012 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly; note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012 election results: Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG elected 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, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Mauritius (consists of the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 17 puisne judges) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister; senior puisne judge appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; other puisne judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Commission, a 4-member body of judicial officials including the chief justice; all judges serve until retirement at age 62 subordinate courts: Court of Civil Appeal; Court of Criminal Appeal; Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal (formed by a 2008 constitutional amendment)

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, FSM 1; appointed seats - to be assigned 8

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

name: "Motherland"

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] 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.

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 (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.1% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 170

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.3% (male 143,874/female 137,850) 15-24 years: 15.7% (male 104,861/female 102,671) 25-54 years: 44.3% (male 292,714/female 293,590) 55-64 years: 10.6% (male 66,460/female 73,964) 65 years and over: 8% (male 42,718/female 63,536) (2013 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.62 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

75.8% (2002)

Death rate [time series]

6.79 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 39.8 % youth dependency ratio: 27.6 % elderly dependency ratio: 12.2 % potential support ratio: 8.2 (2013)

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 (2010 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.7% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 122

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: 88

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]

5.9% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 115

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 10.89 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 138 male: 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 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: 74.94 years country comparison to the world: 101 male: 71.48 years female: 78.58 years (2013 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.8% male: 91.1% female: 86.7% (2011 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

PORT LOUIS (capital) 149,000 (2009)

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

60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 100

Median age [time series]

total: 33.5 years male: 32.6 years female: 34.4 years (2013 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

18.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 105

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.06 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population [time series]

1,322,238 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Population growth rate [time series]

0.68% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

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: 91% of population rural: 88% of population total: 89% of population unimproved: urban: 9% of population rural: 12% of population total: 11% of population (2010 est.)

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 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.78 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

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

total: 21.7% country comparison to the world: 52 male: 17.3% female: 28% (2011)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 41.8% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.57% 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 (2013) country comparison to the world: 180

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 4 country comparison to the world: 129 by type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Port Louis

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,149 km country comparison to the world: 173 paved: 2,149 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2012)