Mauritius

Code: MP | Region: Africa

Introduction

Background

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Although known to Arab and European sailors since at least the early 1500s, the island of Mauritius was uninhabited until 1638 when the Dutch established a settlement named in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU. Their presence led to the rapid disappearance of the flightless dodo bird that has since become one of the most well-known examples of extinction in modern times. The Dutch abandoned their financially distressed settlement in 1710, although a number of formerly enslaved people remained. In 1722, the French established what would become a highly profitable settlement focused on sugar cane plantations that were reliant on the labor of enslaved people brought to Mauritius from other parts of Africa. In the 1790s, the island had a brief period of autonomous rule when plantation owners rejected French control because of laws ending slavery that were temporarily in effect during the French Revolution. Britain captured the island in 1810 as part of the Napoleonic Wars but kept most of the French administrative structure, which remains to this day in the form of the country’s legal codes and widespread use of the French Creole language. The abolition of slavery in 1835 -- later than most other British colonies -- led to increased reliance on contracted laborers from the Indian subcontinent to work on plantations. Today their descendants form the majority of the population. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base and later an air station, and it played a role during World War II in anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as in the collection of signals intelligence. Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 as a Parliamentary Republic and has remained a stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record. The country also attracted considerable foreign investment and now has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Mauritius’ often-fractious coalition politics has been dominated by two prominent families, each of which has had father-son pairs who have been prime minister over multiple, often nonconsecutive, terms. Seewoosagur RAMGOOLAM (1968-76) was Mauritius’ first prime minister, and he was succeeded by Anerood JUGNAUTH (1982-95, 2000-03, 2014-17); his son Navin RAMGOOLAM (1995-2000, 2005-14); and Paul Raymond BERENGER (2003-05), the only non-Hindu prime minister of post-independence Mauritius. In 2017, Pravind JUGNAUTH became prime minister after his father stepped down short of completing his term, and he was elected in his own right in 2019. Mauritius claims the French island of Tromelin and the British Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory). Since 2017, Mauritius has secured favorable UN General Assembly resolutions and an International Court of Justice advisory opinion relating to its sovereignty dispute with the UK.

Geography

Location

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Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, about 800 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates

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20 17 S, 57 33 E

Map references

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Africa

Area

total

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2,040 sq km

land

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2,030 sq km

water

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10 sq km

note

note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues

Area - comparative

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almost 11 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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177 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

continental shelf

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200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

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note: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

Climate

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

Terrain

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small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau

Elevation

highest point

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Mont Piton 828 m

lowest point

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Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

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arable land, fish

Land use

agricultural land

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43% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 37.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 3.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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19.2% (2023 est.)

other

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37.8% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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143 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

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population density is one of the highest in the world; urban clusters are found throughout the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis; the population on Rodrigues Island is fairly evenly spread, with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

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

Geography - note

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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 extinct dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons

People and Society

Population

total

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1,311,375 (2025 est.)

male

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639,707

female

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671,668

Nationality

noun

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Mauritian(s)

adjective

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Mauritian

Ethnic groups

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Indo-Mauritian (compose approximately two thirds of the total population), Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian

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note: Mauritius has not had a question on ethnicity on its national census since 1972

Languages

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Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes English, one of the two official languages of the National Assembly, which is spoken by less than 1% of the population), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Religions

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Hindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, other Christian 6.4%, other 0.6%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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15.1% (male 100,973/female 96,711)

15-64 years

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71% (male 462,833/female 467,509)

65 years and over

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13.9% (2024 est.) (male 75,464/female 107,014)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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41.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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21.1 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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20.5 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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4.9 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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40 years (2025 est.)

male

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38.1 years

female

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41 years

Population growth rate

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0.06% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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9.73 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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9.14 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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Urbanization

urban population

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40.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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149,000 PORT LOUIS (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.71 male(s)/female

total population

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0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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66 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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13.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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10 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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75.4 years (2024 est.)

male

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72.6 years

female

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78.4 years

Total fertility rate

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1.36 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.66 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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6.4% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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9.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

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3.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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10.8% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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3.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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1.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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19.6% (2025 est.)

male

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37.4% (2025 est.)

female

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2.6% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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51.6% (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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4.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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14.2% national budget (2024 est.)

Literacy

total population

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94.3% (2023 est.)

male

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96.3% (2023 est.)

female

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92.8% (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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14 years (2020 est.)

male

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14 years (2020 est.)

female

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15 years (2020 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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water pollution, degradation of coral reefs; soil erosion; wildlife preservation; solid-waste disposal

International environmental agreements

party to

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Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

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none of the selected agreements

Climate

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

Land use

agricultural land

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43% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 37.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 3.5% (2023 est.)

forest

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19.2% (2023 est.)

other

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37.8% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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40.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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5.551 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

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1.495 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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4.056 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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10.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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438,000 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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15.9% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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320 million cubic meters (2022)

industrial

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10 million cubic meters (2022)

agricultural

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303 million cubic meters (2022)

Total renewable water resources

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2.751 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Republic of Mauritius

conventional short form

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Mauritius

local long form

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Republic of Mauritius

local short form

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Mauritius

etymology

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named after Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, stadtholder (governor) of the Dutch Republic, in 1598

note

note: pronounced mahr-ish-us

Government type

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parliamentary republic

Capital

name

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Port Louis

geographic coordinates

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20 09 S, 57 29 E

time difference

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

etymology

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named after LOUIS XV, who was king of France in 1736 when the port became the administrative center of Mauritius 

Administrative divisions

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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

Legal system

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

Constitution

history

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several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968

amendment process

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proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty of the state, fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship, or the branches of government, requires approval in a referendum by at least three-fourths majority of voters followed by a unanimous vote by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly

International law organization participation

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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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yes

citizenship by descent only

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yes

dual citizenship recognized

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yes

residency requirement for naturalization

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5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Dharam GOKHOOL (since 7 December 2024)

head of government

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Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 13 November 2024)

cabinet

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Cabinet of Ministers (Council of Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

election/appointment process

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president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for 5-year renewable terms; the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister who have the majority support in the National Assembly

most recent election date

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6 December 2024

election results

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2019: Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote

expected date of next election

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2029

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Assembly - Assemblée nationale

legislative structure

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unicameral

chamber name

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National Assembly

number of seats

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67 (62 directly elected; 4 appointed)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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5 years

most recent election date

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11/10/2024

parties elected and seats per party

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Alliance Du Changement (Alliance for Change, AdC) (60); Other (2)

percentage of women in chamber

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17.9%

expected date of next election

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October 2029

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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Supreme Court of Mauritius (consists of the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 24 puisne judges)

judge selection and term of office

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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 67

subordinate courts

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lower regional courts known as District Courts, Court of Civil Appeal; Court of Criminal Appeal; Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal

note

note: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal

Political parties

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Alliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance) Jean-Claude Barbier Movement (Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier) or MJCB Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP Militant Platform (Plateforme Militante) or PM Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM Muvman Liberater or ML National Alliance Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotique) or MAG Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Gajjaluxmi MOOTOOSAMY (since 5 June 2025)

chancery

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1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone

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[1] (202) 244-1491

FAX

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[1] (202) 966-0983

email address and website

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mauritius.embassy@verizon.net https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023); note - also accredited to Seychelles

embassy

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4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis

mailing address

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2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450

telephone

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[230] 202-4400

FAX

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[230] 208-9534

email address and website

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PTLConsular@state.gov https://mu.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, 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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

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12 March 1968 (from the UK)

National holiday

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Independence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968, 1992)

note

note: became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992, respectively

Flag

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description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green meaning: red stands for self-determination and independence; blue for the Indian Ocean; yellow for the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future; and green for agriculture or the island's lush vegetation

note

note: Mauritius has the only national flag with four horizontal color bands

National symbol(s)

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dodo bird, earring tree flower (Trochetia boutoniana)

National color(s)

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red, blue, yellow, green

National anthem(s)

title

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"Motherland"

lyrics/music

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Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL

history

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adopted 1968

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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2 (both cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Aapravasi Ghat; Le Morne Cultural Landscape

Economy

Economic overview

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upper middle-income Indian Ocean island economy; diversified portfolio; investing in maritime security; strong tourism sector decimated by COVID-19; expanding in information and financial services; environmentally fragile

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$34.406 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$32.864 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$31.296 billion (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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4.7% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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8.7% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$27,300 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$26,100 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$24,800 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$14.953 billion (2024 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

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3.6% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

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7.1% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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10.8% (2022 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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4.3% (2024 est.)

industry

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17.8% (2024 est.)

services

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64.4% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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68.6% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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14.7% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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21% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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0.2% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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46.2% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-57.8% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

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sugarcane, chicken, pumpkins/squash, tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, cabbages, bananas, onions, cucumbers/gherkins (2023)

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note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

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4.7% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force

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594,900 (2024 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

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5.5% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

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5.6% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

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6.4% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

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16.6% (2024 est.)

male

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15.3% (2024 est.)

female

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18.4% (2024 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

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10.3% (2017 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2017

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36.8 (2017 est.)

note

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

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2.9% (2017 est.)

highest 10%

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29.9% (2017 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

Remittances 2023

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2.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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2.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

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2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

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$3.801 billion (2024 est.)

expenditures

text

$5.042 billion (2024 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2019

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58% of GDP (2019 est.)

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

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20.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2023

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-$647.743 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

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-$1.437 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

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-$1.497 billion (2021 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2023

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$6.381 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$6.138 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

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$4.213 billion (2021 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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USA 11%, France 11%, Zimbabwe 10%, South Africa 7%, Zambia 7% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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fish, garments, raw sugar, fertilizers, diamonds (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2023

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$8.027 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

text

$8.052 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2021

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$6.057 billion (2021 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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China 15%, UAE 11%, India 10%, South Africa 9%, France 6% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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refined petroleum, cars, fish, coal, packaged medicine (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

text

$8.506 billion (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$7.248 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$7.793 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

text

$3.632 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

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Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

text

46.415 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

text

45.267 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

44.183 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

41.692 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

39.347 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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100% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

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99%

electrification - rural areas

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100%

Electricity

installed generating capacity

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955,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

3.084 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

179.996 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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82.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

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2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste

text

9.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption

text

651,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

text

610,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

text

28,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

60.188 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

text

464,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

36 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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2.2 million (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

173 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

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the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is the national public TV and radio broadcaster, with programming in French, English, Hindi, Creole, and Chinese; MBC provides 17 television channels in Mauritius;  9 FM radio stations and 2 AM radio stations (2022)

Internet country code

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.mu

Internet users

percent of population

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80% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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343,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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27 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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Airports

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5 (2025)

Heliports

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1 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

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32 (2023)

by type

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general cargo 1, oil tanker 4, other 27

Ports

total ports

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2 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Port Louis, Port Mathurin

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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no regular military forces; the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) under the Ministry of Defense is responsible for the country's security; it includes a paramilitary unit known as the Special Mobile Force, which includes some motorized infantry and light armored units; the MPF also has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support Unit (riot police), and the National Coast Guard (2025)

Military - note

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key security priorities for the Maritius Police Force (MPF) include combating narcotics trafficking, ensuring public order, fighting cybercrime, improving maritime security, and responding to natural disasters; the MPF's primary security partner is India, which provides training and other support to the National Coast Guard, while Indian naval vessels often patrol the country's waters; the MPF has also received assistance and training from France, the UK, and the US the Special Mobile Force was created in 1960 following the withdrawal of the British garrison (2025)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

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82 (2024 est.)

IDPs

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39 (2024 est.)