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: 132

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

Telephones - main lines in use

374,600 (2011) country comparison to the world: 107

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.294 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 150

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $2.421 billion expenditures: $2.919 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2010 est.) NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 8.92% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.433 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 -$1.164 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.768 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $5.489 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 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 the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable 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 from 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 - 29.96 (2012 est.) 28.706 (2011 est.) 30.784 (2010 est.) 31.96 (2009) 27.973 (2008)

Exports

$2.631 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $2.645 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

UK 21.3%, France 17.8%, US 10.5%, Italy 8.1%, South Africa 7.7%, Spain 7.1%, Madagascar 6.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.93 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.26 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $19.6 billion (2011 est.) $18.82 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 4.5% industry: 23.5% services: 72% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$15,600 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $15,200 (2011 est.) $14,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 4.1% (2011 est.) 4.2% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$5.111 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $4.926 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 25.2%, China 13.6%, France 9.1%, South Africa 6.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 6.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Labor force

617,800 (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: 79 $6.506 billion (31 December 2010) $4.74 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

8% (2006 est.)

Public debt

61.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 57.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.848 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $2.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$26.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $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

$11.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $12 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.293 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 $2.323 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Unemployment rate

8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 7.9% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.545 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Electricity - consumption

2.687 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Electricity - from fossil fuels

75.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

6.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - from other renewable sources

18.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Electricity - installed generating capacity

885,200 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - production

2.889 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Refined petroleum products - consumption

24,710 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Refined petroleum products - imports

22,750 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

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: 0.61 cu km/yr (25%/14%/60%) per capita: 488 cu m/yr (2000)

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

210 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 49.02% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 48.04% (2005)

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

2.2 cu km (2001)

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

12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992

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 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 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

Supreme Court

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, MSF 1; appointed seats - to be assigned 8

National anthem

name: "Motherland" lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL note: adopted 1968

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]; Mouvement Republicain or MR [Jayarama VALAYDEN]; 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 signal 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

0.3% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.6% (male 144,438/ female 138,559) 15-64 years: 70.7% (male 461,210/ female 467,432) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 40,664/ female 60,792) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

13.78 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Death rate

6.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 127

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: 48

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

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

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 91

Hospital bed density

3.33 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 138 male: 13.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 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: 74.71 years country comparison to the world: 100 male: 71.25 years female: 78.35 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.5% male: 90.9% female: 86.2% (2010 est.)

Major cities - population

PORT LOUIS (capital) 149,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 99

Median age

total: 33.1 years male: 32.2 years female: 34 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Physicians density

1.06 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

1,313,095 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Population growth rate

0.705% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

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: 93% of population rural: 90% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 7% of population rural: 10% of population total: 9% of population

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 under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 21.4% country comparison to the world: 48 male: 18.1% female: 26.3% (2009)

Urbanization

urban population: 42% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.8% 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 (2012) country comparison to the world: 184

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 4 country comparison to the world: 132 by type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Port Louis

Roadways

total: 2,066 km country comparison to the world: 173 paved: 2,066 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2009)