Seychelles

Broadcast media

the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)

Internet country code

.sc

Internet hosts

247 (2012) country comparison to the world: 195

Internet users

32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180

Telephone system

general assessment: effective system domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 170 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

28,900 (2012) country comparison to the world: 177

Telephones - mobile cellular

138,300 (2012) country comparison to the world: 185

Agriculture - products

coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna

Budget

revenues: $438.3 million expenditures: $415.4 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Central bank discount rate

11.17% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.19% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 11.19% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-208.9 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $-226.3 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$1.733 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle-income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. In an effort to obtain loans to service its debt, Seychelles in November 2008 signed a standby arrangement with the IMF that mandated floating the exchange rate, removing foreign exchange controls, cutting government spending, and tightening monetary policy. In response to Seychelles' successful implementation of these policies, the IMF upgraded Seychelles to a three-year extended fund facility (EFF) of $31 million in December 2009. In 2008, GDP fell more than 1% due to declining tourism and the initial effects of liberalization, but the economy recovered in 2010-11 after the reforms took hold and tourism increased. Growth slowed again in 2012 with flagging tourism from Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Seychelles is attempting to implement further structural reforms, including overhauling the tax system, reorganizing of state enterprises, and deregulating the finance and communications sectors.

Exchange rates

Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 13.7 (2012 est.) 12.38 (2011 est.) 12.07 (2010 est.) 13.61 (2009) 8 (2008)

Exports

$493.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $478 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)

Exports - partners

France 27.7%, UK 17.6%, Japan 15.2%, Italy 10.6% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.018 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.295 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $2.23 billion (2011 est.) $2.124 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 101.5% government consumption: 14.7% investment in fixed capital: 31.3% investment in inventories: 0.6% exports of goods and services: 45.7% imports of goods and services: -92.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2% industry: 18.6% services: 79.4% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $24,600 (2011 est.) $23,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 5% (2011 est.) 5.6% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving

10.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 6.3% of GDP (2011 est.) 5.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.7% highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)

Imports

$889.6 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $879.6 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 24%, Spain 12.1%, France 5.9% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Industries

fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 2.6% (2011 est.)

Labor force

39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 197

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2006)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

68.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 74.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$318.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $290.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$553.4 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $598.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$408.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $422.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$301.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $302.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

43.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Unemployment rate

2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.088 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 es) country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - consumption

263.2 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Electricity - installed generating capacity

89,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Electricity - production

283 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 189

Refined petroleum products - consumption

7,793 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,316 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Area

total: 455 sq km country comparison to the world: 199 land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

491 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

Environment - current issues

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

4 35 S, 55 40 E

Geography - note

the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria

Irrigated land

2.6 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 93.48% (2011)

Location

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Terrain

Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs

Administrative divisions

25 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, Inner Islands, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamalles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka

Capital

name: Victoria geographic coordinates: 4 37 S, 55 27 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles local long form: Republic of Seychelles local short form: Seychelles

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the US Ambassador to Mauritius, currently Ambassador Shari VILLAROSA, is accredited to Seychelles

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Marie-Louise Cecile POTTER (since 6 September 2012) chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Executive branch

chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 19-21 May 2011 (next to be held in 2016) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 55.5%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 41.4%, Philippe BOULLE 1.7%, Ralph VOLCERE 1.5%; note - this was the second election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004

Flag description

five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green the land and natural environment

Government type

republic

Independence

29 June 1976 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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 (observer)

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Seychelles Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices; Supreme Court of Seychelles (consists of the chief justice and 5 pusine judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 Supreme Court judges) judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Committee, 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 appointed until retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, and child custody and maintenance

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 September - 1 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections election results: percent of vote by party - PL 88.6%, PDM 10.9%, independents 0.6%; seats by party - PL 31, vacant - 3; note - the ruling SPPF changed its name to People's Party (Party Lepep) in June 2009; the SNP and NDP boycotted the 2011 elections

National anthem

name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

National holiday

Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW] New Democratic Party or NDP People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE] Popular Democratic Movement or PDM Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Roman Catholic Church other: trade unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in May 2011.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 26,257 females age 16-49: 23,996 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 20,231 females age 16-49: 19,891 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 686 female: 650 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)

Military expenditures

0.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 148

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.2% (male 9,852/female 9,364) 15-24 years: 14.6% (male 6,932/female 6,293) 25-54 years: 49.3% (male 23,471/female 21,306) 55-64 years: 7.8% (male 3,663/female 3,378) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 2,520/female 4,067) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

14.85 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Death rate

6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 42.6 % youth dependency ratio: 31.6 % elderly dependency ratio: 11 % potential support ratio: 9.1 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 80

Ethnic groups

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 170

Hospital bed density

3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 136 male: 13.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Creole 91.8%, English (official) 4.9%, other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.01 years country comparison to the world: 116 male: 69.4 years female: 78.76 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 91.4% female: 92.3% (2011 est.)

Major urban areas - population

VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2009)

Median age

total: 33.4 years male: 33 years female: 34 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois

Net migration rate

1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 70

Physicians density

1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

90,846 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Population growth rate

0.9% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Religions

Roman Catholic 82.3%, Protestant 7.5% (Anglican 6.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.1%), other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 20.3% (2002) country comparison to the world: 56

Urbanization

urban population: 53.6% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Seychelles is a source and destination country for Seychellois children and foreign women subjected to sex trafficking; Seychellois girls and, to a lesser extent, boys are forced into prostitution in nightclubs, bars, guest houses, hotels, brothels, private homes, and on the streets by peers, family members, and pimps; foreign tourists, sailors, and migrant workers contribute to the demand for commercial sex acts in Seychelles; some of the large population of foreign migrant workers reportedly experience the underpayment of wages and substandard housing tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Seychelles does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has failed to report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of trafficking offenses; the government also has not identified or provided protective services to any trafficking victims and punished victims for crimes committed as a result of being trafficked, although it has acknowledged the need for specialized training of officials in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking offenses, it did not provide any such training during the reporting period (2013)

Airports

14 (2013) country comparison to the world: 150

Airports - with paved runways

total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2013)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 118 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Victoria

Roadways

total: 508 km country comparison to the world: 194 paved: 490 km unpaved: 18 km (2010)