Seychelles

Code: SE | Region: Africa

Introduction

Background

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Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Seychelles gained independence in 1976 through negotiations with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE launched a coup against the country’s first president, and Seychelles became a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding elections in 1993. RENE continued to lead Seychelles through two election cycles until he 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.

Geography

Location

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archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates

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4 35 S, 55 40 E

Map references

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Africa

Area

total

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455 sq km

land

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455 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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491 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

contiguous zone

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24 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

Climate

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

Terrain

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Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are relatively flat coral atolls, or elevated reefs; sits atop the submarine Mascarene Plateau

Elevation

highest point

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Morne Seychellois 905 m

lowest point

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Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

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fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees

Land use

agricultural land

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3.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest

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58.6% (2023 est.)

other

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38% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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3 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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more than three quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin is home to less than 10%, and a smaller percentage is on La Digue and the outer islands, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

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lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts

Geography - note

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

People and Society

Population

total

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98,187 (2024 est.)

male

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50,973

female

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47,214

Nationality

noun

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Seychellois (singular and plural)

adjective

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Seychellois

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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

Religions

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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.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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17.7% (male 8,912/female 8,439)

15-64 years

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72.4% (male 37,841/female 33,210)

65 years and over

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10% (2024 est.) (male 4,220/female 5,565)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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38.2 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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24.4 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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13.8 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

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7.3 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

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39.2 years (2025 est.)

male

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38.2 years

female

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39.4 years

Population growth rate

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0.53% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

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

Population distribution

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Urbanization

urban population

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58.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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

Major urban areas - population

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28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.14 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.76 male(s)/female

total population

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

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Infant mortality rate

total

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

male

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12.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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7.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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76.6 years (2024 est.)

male

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72.2 years

female

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81.1 years

Total fertility rate

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1.8 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.89 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

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total: 96.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 3.6% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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5.3% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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10.2% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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2.25 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Hospital bed density

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3.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

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total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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14% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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4.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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0.49 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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4.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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20.5% (2025 est.)

male

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34.2% (2025 est.)

female

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5.2% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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44.6% (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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4.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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10.7% national budget (2025 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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13 years (2023 est.)

male

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13 years (2023 est.)

female

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15 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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limited freshwater resources; water pollution; biodiversity

International environmental agreements

party to

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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

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none of the selected agreements

Climate

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

Land use

agricultural land

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3.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest

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58.6% (2023 est.)

other

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38% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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58.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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893,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

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92 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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893,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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17.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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48,000 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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24.4% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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9 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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3.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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900,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Republic of Seychelles

conventional short form

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Seychelles

local long form

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Republic of Seychelles

local short form

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Seychelles

etymology

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named by French Captain Corneille Nicholas MORPHEY after Jean Moreau de SÉCHELLES, the finance minister of France, in 1756; the British changed the spelling of the name in 1815 when they acquired the islands

Government type

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presidential republic

Capital

name

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Victoria

geographic coordinates

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4 37 S, 55 27 E

time difference

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

etymology

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the British named the town Port Victoria in 1841 after Queen VICTORIA; the name was later shortened

Administrative divisions

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

Legal system

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

Constitution

history

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

amendment process

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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

International law organization participation

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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citizenship by descent only

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at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles

dual citizenship recognized

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residency requirement for naturalization

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5 years

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Patrick HERMINIE (since 26 October 2025)

head of government

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President Patrick HERMINIE (since 26 October 2025)

cabinet

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Council of Ministers appointed by the president

election/appointment process

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president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)

most recent election date

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9 October 2025

election results

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2025: Patrick HERMINIE elected president; Patrick HERMINIE (US) 52.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (LDS) 47.3%

expected date of next election

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2030

note

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Assembly

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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34 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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mixed system

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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9/27/2025

parties elected and seats per party

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United Seychelles (US) (19); Seychelles Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, LDS) (15)

percentage of women in chamber

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26.5%

expected date of next election

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September 2030

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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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

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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

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

Political parties

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Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSJD Seychellois Democratic Alliance or LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa/Union Démocratique Seychelloise) Seychelles National Party or SNP United Seychelles or US

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Vivianne FOCK TAVE (since 16 December 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN

chancery

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685 Third Avenue, Suite 1107, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10017

telephone

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[1] (212) 972-1785

FAX

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[1] (212) 972-1786

email address and website

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seychellesmission@sycun.org Foreign Affairs Department Republic of Seychelles » United States of America (mfa.gov.sc)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023) and Chargé d’Affaires Adham LOUTFI (since 6 October 2023); note - Ambassador JARDINE is posted in Mauritius and is accredited to Seychelles, and Chargé d’Affaires LOUTFI is posted in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles

embassy

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2nd Floor, Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria Mahe, Seychelles; note - US Embassy in Seychelles reopened on 1 June 2023 after having been closed in 1996

telephone

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[248] 422 5256

email address and website

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USEmbassySeychelles@state.gov https://sc.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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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

Independence

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29 June 1976 (from the UK)

National holiday

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

Flag

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description: five expanding bands of blue, yellow, red, white, and green, radiating from the bottom left corner meaning: the bands symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue stands for the sky and sea, yellow for the sun giving light and life, red for the people's determination to work for the future in unity and love, white for social justice and harmony, and green for the land and natural environment

National symbol(s)

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coco de mer (sea coconut)

National color(s)

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blue, yellow, red, white, green

National anthem(s)

title

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"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

lyrics/music

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David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET

history

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adopted 1996

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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2 (both natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Aldabra Atoll; Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve

Economy

Economic overview

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high-income Indian Ocean island economy; rapidly growing tourism sector; major tuna exporter; offshore financial hub; environmentally fragile and investing in ocean rise mitigation; recently discovered offshore oil potential; successful anticorruption efforts

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$3.549 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$3.43 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$3.354 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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3.5% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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2.3% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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12.7% (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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$29,200 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$28,600 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$28,000 (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$2.167 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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0.3% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

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-1% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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2.6% (2022 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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2.5% (2024 est.)

industry

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12.3% (2024 est.)

services

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65.8% (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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74.6% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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26.3% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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17.2% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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85.2% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-103.2% (2024 est.)

note

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

Agricultural products

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coconuts, vegetables, bananas, eggs, chicken, pork, fruits, tomatoes, tropical fruits, cassava (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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fishing, tourism, beverages

Industrial production growth rate

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-6.4% (2024 est.)

note

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

Population below poverty line

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25.3% (2018 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 2018

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32.1 (2018 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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2.6% (2018 est.)

highest 10%

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23.9% (2018 est.)

note

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

Remittances

Remittances 2023

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0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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0.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

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0.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

note

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

Budget

revenues

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$695.973 million (2023 est.)

expenditures

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$728.171 million (2023 est.)

note

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

Public debt

Public debt 2017

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63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

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26.18% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2023

text

-$155.194 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

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-$141.648 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

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-$160.168 million (2021 est.)

note

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

Exports

Exports 2023

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$2.375 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$2.247 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

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$1.751 billion (2021 est.)

note

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

Exports - partners

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France 20%, Mauritius 12%, UK 9%, Japan 8%, Italy 8% (2023)

note

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

Exports - commodities

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fish, scrap iron, animal meal, broadcasting equipment, ships (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2023

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$2.437 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

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$2.298 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2021

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$1.821 billion (2021 est.)

note

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

Imports - partners

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UAE 32%, Spain 10%, France 6%, South Africa 6%, India 6% (2023)

note

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

Imports - commodities

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refined petroleum, fish, ships, cars, plastic products (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

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$773.678 million (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$682.794 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

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$638.961 million (2022 est.)

note

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

Exchange rates

Currency

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Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

text

14.53 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

text

14.018 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

14.273 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

16.921 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

17.617 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

text

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

text

156,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

581.227 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

44.034 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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86.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

imports

text

500 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

text

6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

98.847 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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18,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

14 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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165,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

192 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

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state-run national broadcaster Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has the only terrestrial TV station, which also airs broadcasts from international services; privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available through 2 providers; SBC operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters available in Victoria (2019)

Internet country code

text

.sc

Internet users

percent of population

text

87% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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39,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

31 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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Airports

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16 (2025)

Heliports

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6 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

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30 (2023)

by type

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general cargo 6, oil tanker 6, other 18

Ports

total ports

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1 (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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Victoria

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF; aka Seychelles Defense Forces, SDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

text

1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

text

1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

text

1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

text

1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

text

1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

text

approximately 500 active Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

text

the SDF is lightly armed; its inventory consists of obsolescent armaments delivered in the 1970s and 1980s and some more recently donated equipment from Bahrain, China, India, and UAE (2025)

Military service age and obligation

text

18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2026)

Military - note

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formed in 1977, the SDF is one of the World's smallest militaries; its primary responsibility is maritime security, including countering illegal fishing, piracy, and drug smuggling; it was given police powers in 2022; the Seychelles maintains close security ties with India, which has provided support to the SDF's maritime security operations (2025)