Seychelles Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Seychelles, state of the western Indian Ocean; 450 km², 97 000 residents (2019).The Seychelles consists of the Central Group archipelago with 41 islands, including the main island of Mahé, and the Outer Islands with 74 islands, including the Amirants and the Aldabra Islands. The capital is Victoria (21,200 residents, 2012) on Mahé.

Country facts

Republic of Seychelles / Republic of Seychelles
Country abbreviation: SC
Surface: 450 km²
Population (2019): 97,000 residents
Capital: Victoria
Main language: Seychelles Creole
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Danny Faure (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 16,434
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 15,600
Currency: 1 Seychelles Rupee = 100 cents
Currency code: SCR
Country number (telephony): 248
Internet domain name: sc
Time difference compared to Sweden: +3
National Day: June 18 (adoption of a new constitution, 1993)
Independence Day: June 29, 1976

Nature

Land use: forest (11%), agricultural land (16%), other (73%)
Highest mountain: Morne Seychellois (905 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 216 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.9%; birth rate 17 ‰, death rate 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (23%), 15-64 (69%), 65- (8%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 70 years, women 77 years
Infant mortality (2019): 11 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 100,000 residents
HDI (2017): 0.777 (place 62 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 57%
Most populous city (2012): Victoria (21,200 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (2%), industry (14%), service (84%)
Exports (2017): US $ 565 million
Main export products: canned tuna, frozen fish, oil products
Main exporting countries: United Arab Emirates, France, United Kingdom
Imports (2017): US $ 1,155 million
Main import products: machinery, food, oil products
Main importing countries: United Arab Emirates, France, Spain
Railway network: nothing in operation

The main island of Mahé, like Silhouette, Praslin and La Digue, are all mountainous and have taken on special forms through the erosion. The outer islands are flat and rise only a few meters above sea level. The location of the archipelago just south of the equator provides a tropical climate with distinct oceanic character.

The president, who is both head of state and government, has great power. Presidential elections and elections to the Legislative National Assembly take place every five years. The country became independent in 1976.

Since the opening of the international airport at Mahé in 1971, the economy of Seychelles has been dominated by the tourism industry. The lack of agricultural land complicates the development of agriculture and explains the country’s great dependence on food imports. Rice, the most important basic food, is imported. Agricultural products exported are coconuts, cinnamon and vanilla. Fishing and export of both fresh and frozen and canned fish are also of economic importance.