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 through 2 providers; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; there is 1 privately operated radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2016)

Internet country code

.sc

Internet users

total: 52,664 | percent of population: 56.5% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Telephone system

general assessment: effective system | domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is approximately 185 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 20,836 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 151,857 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 163 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $540.6 million | expenditures: $525.6 million (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Central bank discount rate

11.17% (31 December 2010) | country comparison to the world: 18

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.36% (31 December 2016 est.) | 12.36% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 66

Current account balance

$-263 million (2016 est.) | $-256.2 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Debt - external

$2.651 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.754 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

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 2008, having depleted its foreign exchange reserves, Seychelles defaulted on interest payments due on a $230 million Eurobond, requested assistance from the IMF, and immediately enacted a number of significant structural reforms, including liberalization of the exchange rate, reform of the public sector to include layoffs, and the sale of some state assets. In December 2013, the IMF declared that Seychelles had successfully transitioned to a market-based economy with full employment and a fiscal surplus. Effective 1 January 2017, Seychelles will no longer be eligible for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunities Act after having gained developed country status. Seychelles grew at 4.9% in 2016 because of a strong tourist sector and low commodity prices; its fiscal surplus reached 3% of GDP. The Seychellois Government met the IMF’s performance criteria for 2016 but recognizes a need to make additional progress to combat high poverty levels, estimated at 39% in 2013.

Exchange rates

Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - | 13.319 (2016 est.) | 13.319 (2015 est.) | 13.314 (2014 est.) | 12.747 (2013 est.) | 13.7 (2012 est.)

Exports

$477.6 million (2016 est.) | $449.4 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

Exports - commodities

canned tuna, frozen fish, petroleum products (reexports)

Exports - partners

UAE 28.8%, France 21%, UK 14.7%, Italy 9.2%, Spain 8.8% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.429 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.561 billion (2016 est.) | $2.421 billion (2015 est.) | $2.281 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 189

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 46.7% | government consumption: 26.9% | investment in fixed capital: 31.9% | investment in inventories: 1.7% | exports of goods and services: 71.7% | imports of goods and services: -78.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.6% | industry: 14% | services: 83.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$27,200 (2016 est.) | $26,400 (2015 est.) | $25,700 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 68

GDP - real growth rate

4.5% (2016 est.) | 5% (2015 est.) | 4.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Gross national saving

11.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 15.2% of GDP (2015 est.) | 14.6% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$962.4 million (2016 est.) | $922.4 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

UAE 21.6%, France 9.9%, South Africa 8.4%, Mauritius 7.8%, Spain 7.2%, India 4.9%, China 4.8%, UK 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.9% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Industries

fishing, tourism, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1% (2016 est.) | 4% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Labor force

39,560 (2006 est.) | 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

39.3% (2013 est.)

Public debt

57.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | 62.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$523.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $536.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Stock of broad money

$638.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $565.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Stock of domestic credit

$565.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $496.6 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 174

Stock of narrow money

$556.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $493.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Taxes and other revenues

38.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Unemployment rate

2.7% (2016 est.) | 3.3% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.4 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 161

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 188

Electricity - consumption

322.7 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - from fossil fuels

92% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - from other renewable sources

9.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Electricity - installed generating capacity

87,000 kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - production

347 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Electricity access

population without electricity: 2,795 | electrification - total population: 97% | electrification - urban areas: 97% | electrification - rural areas: 97% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 191

Refined petroleum products - consumption

6,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,956 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Area

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

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

mean elevation: NA | 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

smallest African country; 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

3 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 6.5% | arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 88.5% | other: 5% (2011 est.)

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, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees

Population - distribution

more than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands

Terrain

Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; 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)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

history: previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993 | amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2017 (2017)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles | conventional short form: Seychelles | local long form: Republic of Seychelles | local short form: Seychelles | etymology: named by French Captain Corneille Nicholas MORPHEY after Jean Moreau de SECHELLES, the finance minister of France, in 1756

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the US Ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald Jean JUMEAU (since 8 September 2017) | chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 | telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 | FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 | consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Danny FAURE (since 16 October 2016); Vice President Vincent MERITON (since 28 October 2016); note - James Alix MICHEL resigned the presidency effective 16 October 2016; the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Danny FAURE (since 16 October 2016); Vice President Vincent MERITON (since 28 October 2016); note - James Alix MICHEL resigned the presidency effective 16 October 2016 | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 1 additional term); election last held on 3-5 December 2015 with runoff on 16-18 December 2015 (next to be held in December 2020) | election results: President James Alix MICHEL reelected president; percent of vote in second round - James Alix MICHEL (PL) 50.2%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (SNP) 49.8%

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

presidential 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, 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 (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 9 puisne 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 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 appointed until retirement at age 70 | subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, child custody, and maintenance; Employment Tribunal for labor-related disputes

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (up to 35 seats - the Assembly elected in September 2016 has 33 members; 25 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 10 members elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) | elections: last held on 8-10 September 2016 (next to be held in 2021); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections | election results: percent of vote by party - LDS 49.6%, PL 49.2%, other 1.2%; seats by party - LDS 19, PL 14

National anthem

name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite) | lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET | note: adopted 1996

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

coco de mer (sea coconut); national colors: blue, yellow, red, white, green

Political parties and leaders

Lafors Demokratik Seselwa or LSD (Martin AGLAE) | People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [James Alix MICHEL] (formerly SPPF) | Seselwa (Seychelles) United Party or SUP [Robert ERNESTA] (formerly the New Democratic Party or NDP) | Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO) | Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSD | Seychelles Patriotic Movement or SPM [Regis FRANCOURT] | Seychelloise Alliance (Lalyans Seselwa) [Patrick PILLAY] | Seychellois Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa) or LDS [Roger MANCIENNE] (includes SNP, Seychelloise Alliance, SPSD, SUP)

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. Single-party 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 reelected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in May 2011 and again in December 2015. In October 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his Vice-President Danny FAURE.

Military branches

Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF): Army (includes infantry, Special Forces (Tazar)), Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) (2015)

Military expenditures

1.29% of GDP (2016) | 1.21% of GDP (2015) | 2.17% of GDP (2014) | 0.98% of GDP (2013) | 0.87% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 109

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: 19.88% (male 9,578/female 9,089) | 15-24 years: 13.24% (male 6,536/female 5,898) | 25-54 years: 49.36% (male 24,585/female 21,775) | 55-64 years: 9.88% (male 4,758/female 4,522) | 65 years and over: 7.64% (male 2,868/female 4,311) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

13.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.6% (2012)

Death rate

7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Demographic profile

Seychelles has no indigenous population and was first permanently settled by a small group of French planters, African slaves, and South Indians in 1770. Seychelles’ modern population is composed of the descendants of French and later British settlers, Africans, and Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern traders and is concentrated on three of its 155 islands – the vast majority on Mahe and lesser numbers on Praslin and La Digue. Seychelles’ population grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, largely due to natural increase, but the pace has slowed because of fertility decline. The total fertility rate dropped sharply from 4.0 children per woman in 1980 to 1.9 in 2015, mainly as a result of a family planning program, free education and health care, and increased female labor force participation. Life expectancy has increased steadily, but women on average live 9 years longer than men, a difference that is higher than that typical of developed countries. | The combination of reduced fertility and increased longevity has resulted in an aging population, which will put pressure on the government’s provision of pensions and health care. Seychelles’ sustained investment in social welfare services, such as free primary health care and education up to the post-secondary level, have enabled the country to achieve a high human development index score – among the highest in Africa. Despite some of its health and education indicators being nearly on par with Western countries, Seychelles has a high level of income inequality. | An increasing number of migrant workers – mainly young men – have been coming to Seychelles in recent years to work in the construction and tourism industries. As of 2011, foreign workers made up nearly a quarter of the workforce. Indians are the largest non-Seychellois population – representing half of the country’s foreigners – followed by Malagasy.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 42.8 | youth dependency ratio: 31 | elderly dependency ratio: 11.7 | potential support ratio: 8.5 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 95.7% of population | rural: 95.7% of population | total: 95.7% of population | urban: 4.3% of population | rural: 4.3% of population | total: 4.3% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.6% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 121

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

3.4% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 176

Hospital bed density

3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 10 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.9 years | male: 70.4 years | female: 79.6 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 91.8% | male: 91.4% | female: 92.3% (2012 est.)

Major urban areas - population

VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2014)

Median age

total: 35.4 years | male: 34.9 years | female: 36 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Nationality

noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) | adjective: Seychellois

Net migration rate

1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 130

Physicians density

0.98 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

93,920 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Population distribution

more than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands

Population growth rate

0.77% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 134

Religions

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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98.4% of population | rural: 98.4% of population | total: 98.4% of population | urban: 1.6% of population | rural: 1.6% of population | total: 1.6% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: 13 years | female: 15 years (2015)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female | total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.85 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14% | male: 12.1% | female: 16.2% (2015 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 54.5% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

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

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

S7 (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 497,496 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 19,234,992 mt-km (2015)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Victoria

Roadways

total: 526 km | paved: 514 km | unpaved: 12 km (2015) | country comparison to the world: 196