Mauritius statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom
As Africa’s most consistently high-performing small island economy, Mauritius remains a critical reference point for policymakers, investors, and development analysts tracking the continent’s trajectory in 2026. With its diversified economic model, strong institutional framework, and ambitions to become a leading African financial hub, the data emerging from Port Louis carries weight well beyond the island’s modest geographic footprint. The statistics below draw on the most recent available reference data from 2024 and 2025 to provide a grounded, current picture of the country.
Population and Demographics
Mauritius has a population of approximately 1.3 million people, making it one of the smallest nations on the African continent by headcount. The country is highly urbanised relative to its regional peers, with roughly 40 to 42 percent of the population classified as urban — a figure that rises significantly when peri-urban zones around Port Louis and the northern coastal belt are factored in. The median age sits at approximately 37 to 38 years, reflecting a maturing demographic profile that distinguishes Mauritius sharply from sub-Saharan African averages. Population growth is very low, estimated at under 0.2 percent annually, and the country faces emerging pressures around an ageing workforce and long-term labour supply. Net emigration, particularly among skilled professionals, has been a persistent structural concern noted by the African Development Bank and national planning bodies.
Economic Indicators
World Bank estimates put Mauritius’s GDP at roughly 14 to 15 billion US dollars in current prices for 2024, placing it firmly in upper-middle-income territory. GDP per capita is among the highest on the continent, estimated at approximately 11,000 to 12,000 US dollars at current exchange rates, and considerably higher when adjusted for purchasing power parity. The IMF projected real GDP growth of around 6 percent for 2024, driven primarily by services, tourism recovery, and financial sector expansion, with growth expected to moderate slightly into the 4 to 5 percent range through 2025 and 2026. Inflation, which spiked regionally in the post-pandemic period, was brought down to approximately 4 to 5 percent by late 2024 according to Statistics Mauritius data. The Mauritian rupee (MUR) is the national currency; the exchange rate has experienced moderate depreciation pressure against the US dollar over recent years. Unemployment remains relatively low by African standards, hovering around 6 to 7 percent, though youth unemployment is structurally higher. Public debt-to-GDP is a point of analytical attention, with IMF assessments placing it at roughly 80 percent of GDP — elevated for a small island state, though considered manageable given the country’s institutional credibility and access to international capital markets.
Trade and External Accounts
Mauritius runs a persistent current account deficit, a structural feature of its import-dependent economy. The deficit has been estimated at roughly 6 to 8 percent of GDP in recent years, partially offset by strong services surpluses, particularly in tourism and financial services. Top merchandise exports include textiles and apparel, fish and seafood products, sugar, and cut diamonds and jewellery — the latter reflecting Mauritius’s role as a re-export and processing hub. On the import side, petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, and foodstuffs dominate. Key trading partners include France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, and China. The European Union collectively remains the largest destination for Mauritian exports, underpinned by preferential trade arrangements. India is a growing strategic partner, and the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between the two countries has deepened bilateral trade flows. Mauritius also benefits from its position within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) trade frameworks.
Key Sectors
The services sector is the dominant engine of the Mauritian economy, accounting for roughly 70 to 75 percent of GDP. Within services, financial and business services are particularly significant: Mauritius has positioned itself as a gateway for foreign direct investment into Africa, and its Global Business sector manages substantial cross-border capital flows, particularly between India and the African continent. Tourism is the second major pillar; visitor arrivals recovered strongly post-pandemic, with approximately 1.3 million tourists recorded in 2024 according to industry reports, generating critical foreign exchange earnings. The textile and apparel manufacturing sector, while smaller than in its peak decades, remains an important employer and export earner. Agriculture — historically anchored by sugar cane — has declined as a share of GDP to under 4 percent, though the sector retains cultural and land-use significance. The government has actively promoted ocean economy initiatives, including aquaculture, seabed resource management, and maritime services, as a next-generation growth frontier. Real estate and construction have also been buoyant, partly driven by the Integrated Resort Scheme attracting foreign property buyers.
Telecommunications and Digital
Mauritius has one of the most advanced digital ecosystems on the African continent. Mobile penetration exceeds 130 percent by subscription count, reflecting multi-SIM usage, and smartphone adoption is high relative to regional peers. Internet penetration is estimated at approximately 70 to 75 percent of the population, with fixed broadband infrastructure comparatively well-developed for an African small island state. The dominant mobile operators are Emtel, Orange Mauritius, and Mauritius Telecom (operating under the My.t brand), which also provides fixed-line and broadband services. The ITU has consistently ranked Mauritius among Africa’s top performers on its ICT Development Index. Mobile money adoption exists but is less dominant than in East African markets such as Kenya or Tanzania, given that Mauritius has relatively high formal banking penetration — estimated at over 90 percent of adults. The government’s Digital Mauritius strategy has prioritised fintech, data centre development, and cybersecurity capacity as pillars of the country’s ambition to become a regional digital hub.
Sources and Methodology
The data presented in this dashboard draws on a range of authoritative sources including the World Bank Open Data platform, IMF Article IV consultation reports and World Economic Outlook databases, Statistics Mauritius (the national statistical office), the Bank of Mauritius, the African Development Bank’s African Economic Outlook, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT statistics, and the United Nations Population Division. Where precise figures were not available with certainty, approximate ranges and qualifying language have been used to preserve analytical integrity. Reference data primarily reflects 2024 and early 2025 reporting cycles. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources directly for the most current figures, as data revisions are common in national accounts reporting. This dashboard will be updated as new authoritative data becomes available.
For deeper qualitative analysis of Mauritius’s political economy, investment climate, and strategic outlook, visit our Mauritius expert briefing. To benchmark Mauritius against other African nations, explore our all African country statistics hub. For broader context on the continent’s macroeconomic trends, see our African economy pillar coverage.
