Mauritius

Broadcast media

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

.mu

Internet hosts

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

Internet users

290,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 131

Telephone system

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 - main lines in use

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

Telephones - mobile cellular

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

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

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

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

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

Current account balance

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

Debt - external

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

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 37 (1987 est.)

Economy - overview

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

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

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

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.31 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$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

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

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$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

GDP - real growth rate

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

Gross national saving

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

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

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

Industrial production growth rate

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

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

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

Labor force - by occupation

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

$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

8% (2006 est.)

Public debt

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

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

Stock of broad money

$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

NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

NA

Stock of domestic credit

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

Stock of narrow money

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

Taxes and other revenues

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

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

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

Crude oil - exports

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

Crude oil - imports

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

Crude oil - production

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

Crude oil - proved reserves

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

Electricity - consumption

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

Electricity - exports

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

Electricity - from fossil fuels

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

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

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

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

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

Electricity - from other renewable sources

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

Electricity - imports

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

Electricity - installed generating capacity

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

Electricity - production

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

Natural gas - consumption

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

Natural gas - exports

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

Natural gas - imports

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

Natural gas - production

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

Natural gas - proved reserves

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

Refined petroleum products - consumption

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

Refined petroleum products - exports

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

Refined petroleum products - imports

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

Refined petroleum products - production

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

Area

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

almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

177 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

Environment - international agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Geographic coordinates

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Geography - note

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

212.2 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

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

Location

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

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

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

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Terrain

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau

Total renewable water resources

2.75 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

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

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

Country name

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

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

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

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 description

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

parliamentary democracy

Independence

12 March 1968 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

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

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

Legislative branch

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

name: "Motherland"

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 March (1968)

Political parties and leaders

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 pressure groups and leaders

other: various labor unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 343,628 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 280,596 females age 16-49: 283,317 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 10,193 female: 10,104 (2010 est.)

Military branches

no regular military forces; Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard (2011)

Military expenditures

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

Age structure

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

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

Contraceptive prevalence rate

75.8% (2002)

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

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

Drinking water source

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 expenditures

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

Ethnic groups

Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Health expenditures

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

Hospital bed density

3.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

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

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

total population: 74.94 years country comparison to the world: 101 male: 71.48 years female: 78.58 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

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

PORT LOUIS (capital) 149,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

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

Median age

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

Nationality

noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian

Net migration rate

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

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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

Physicians density

1.06 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

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

Population growth rate

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

Religions

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

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)

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2008)

Sex ratio

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

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

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

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

Urbanization

urban population: 41.8% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.57% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands; claims French-administered Tromelin Island

Illicit drugs

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

Airports

5 (2013) country comparison to the world: 180

Airports - with paved runways

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

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Merchant marine

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

Ports and terminals

Port Louis

Roadways

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