Mauritius Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Mauritius, Indian Ocean State; 2,000 km², 1.3 million residents (2019).Mauritius, located 800 km east of Madagascar, comprises the main island of Mauritius and the volcanic island of Rodrigues 585 km east of it. Mauritius also makes territorial claims on the Chagos Islands. The capital is Port Louis (148,100 residents, 2018).

Country facts

Republic of Mauritius / Republic of Mauritius
Country abbreviation: MU
Area: 2 000 km²
Population (2019): 1.3 million residents
Capital: Port Louis
Main languages: English, Mauritian
State: Republic
Head of State: Pradeep Roopun (President)
Head of Government: Pravind Jugnauth
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 11,239
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 12,050
Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee = 100 cents
Currency code: MUR
Country number (telephony): 230
Internet domain name: mu
Time difference compared to Sweden: +3
National Day: March 12 (Independence Day, 1968)

Nature

Land use: forest (29%), agricultural land (52%), pasture land (19%)
Highest mountain: Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 650 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.1%; birth rate 10 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (18%), 15-64 (71%), 65- (11%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 71 years, women 78 years
Infant mortality (2019): 14 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 1 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.790 (place 65 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 41%
Most populous cities (2018): Port Louis (148,100 residents), Vacoas – Phoenix (106,200), Beau Bassin – Rose Hill (104,400)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture 4%), industry (22%), service (74%)
Exports (2017): US $ 2 360 million
Main export product: clothing, textiles, sugar
Main exporting countries: France, USA, UK
Imports (2017): US $ 4,986 million
Main import product: machinery, food
Main importing countries: India, China, France
Railway network: nothing in operation

Mauritius, located 800 km east of Madagascar, includes the main island of Mauritius and the island of Rodrigues 585 km east of it. The islands are of volcanic origin. The climate is tropical, and tropical cyclones occur during December – March.

The country is a parliamentary democracy. Legislative power is exercised by the National Assembly, which is elected for five years. The executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and the Government, who are responsible for the National Assembly. The President is elected by the National Assembly for five years.

Traditionally, the country’s economy has depended on sugar production. However, the role of sugar in the economy has gradually lost significance. In the 1980s, industrial policy led to investments in a free zone where imported industrial goods are further processed for export. Production was dominated by the textile, electronics and diamond grinding industries. Nowadays, the textile industry alone accounts for 80% of the free zone’s exports and an equal share of its employment. The tourism and financial sectors are other important sources of foreign currency.