Mauritius

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

• population density is one of the highest in the world;
• urban clusters are found throughout the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis;
• the population on Rodrigues Island is fairly evenly spread, with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast, as shown in this population distribution map

• 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 extinct dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons

noun:

Mauritian(s)

adjective:

Mauritian

total:

40 years (2025 est.)

male:

38.1 years

female:

41 years

• population density is one of the highest in the world;
• urban clusters are found throughout the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis;
• the population on Rodrigues Island is fairly evenly spread, with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast, as shown in this population distribution map

at birth:

1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years:

1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years:

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.71 male(s)/female

total population:

0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

total:

11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male:

13.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female:

10 deaths/1,000 live births

total population:

75.4 years (2024 est.)

male:

72.6 years

female:

78.4 years

urban:

99.7% of population (2022 est.)

urban:

0.3% of population (2022 est.)

total:

3.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer:

1.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine:

0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits:

0.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols:

0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total:

19.6% (2025 est.)

male:

37.4% (2025 est.)

female:

2.6% (2025 est.)

• water pollution, degradation of coral reefs;
• soil erosion;
• wildlife preservation;
• solid-waste disposal

party to:

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:

none of the selected agreements

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

urban population:

40.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization:

0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually:

438,000 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled:

15.9% (2022 est.)

municipal:

320 million cubic meters (2022)

industrial:

10 million cubic meters (2022)

agricultural:

303 million cubic meters (2022)

conventional long form:

Republic of Mauritius

conventional short form:

Mauritius

local long form:

Republic of Mauritius

local short form:

Mauritius

etymology:

named after Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, stadtholder (governor) of the Dutch Republic, in 1598

note: pronounced mahr-ish-us

name:

Port Louis

geographic coordinates:

20 09 S, 57 29 E

time difference:

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology:

named after LOUIS XV, who was king of France in 1736 when the port became the administrative center of Mauritius

history:

several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968

amendment process:

• proposed by the National Assembly;
• passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty of the state, fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship, or the branches of government, requires approval in a referendum by at least three-fourths majority of voters followed by a unanimous vote by the Assembly;
• passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly

citizenship by birth:

yes

citizenship by descent only:

yes

dual citizenship recognized:

yes

residency requirement for naturalization:

5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months

chief of state:

President Dharam GOKHOOL (since 7 December 2024)

head of government:

Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 13 November 2024)

cabinet:

Cabinet of Ministers (Council of Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

election/appointment process:

• president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for 5-year renewable terms;
• the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister who have the majority support in the National Assembly

most recent election date:

6 December 2024

election results:

2019 : Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote

expected date of next election:

2029

highest court(s):

Supreme Court of Mauritius (consists of the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 24 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 67

subordinate courts:

• lower regional courts known as District Courts, Court of Civil Appeal;
• Court of Criminal Appeal;
• Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal

note: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal

• Alliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance)
• Jean-Claude Barbier Movement (Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier) or MJCB
• Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM
• Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD
• Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP
• Militant Platform (Plateforme Militante) or PM
• Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM
• Muvman Liberater or ML
• National Alliance
• Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotique) or MAG
• Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR

chief of mission:

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Gajjaluxmi MOOTOOSAMY (since 5 June 2025)

chancery:

1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone:

[1] (202) 244-1491

FAX:

[1] (202) 966-0983

email address and website:

[email protected]; https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx

chief of mission:

Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023); note - also accredited to Seychelles

embassy:

4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis

mailing address:

2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450

telephone:

[230] 202-4400

FAX:

[230] 208-9534

email address and website:

[email protected]; https://mu.usembassy.gov/

description:

four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green

meaning:

• red stands for self-determination and independence;
• blue for the Indian Ocean;
• yellow for the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future;
• and green for agriculture or the island's lush vegetation

note: Mauritius has the only national flag with four horizontal color bands

title:

"Motherland"

lyrics/music:

Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL

history:

adopted 1968

total World Heritage Sites:

2 (both cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales:

Aapravasi Ghat; Le Morne Cultural Landscape

• upper middle-income Indian Ocean island economy;
• diversified portfolio;
• investing in maritime security;
• strong tourism sector decimated by COVID-19;
• expanding in information and financial services;
• environmentally fragile

agriculture:

4.3% (2024 est.)

industry:

17.8% (2024 est.)

services:

64.4% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

total:

16.6% (2024 est.)

male:

15.3% (2024 est.)

female:

18.4% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

lowest 10%:

2.9% (2017 est.)

highest 10%:

29.9% (2017 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

consumption:

651,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports:

610,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

• the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is the national public TV and radio broadcaster, with programming in French, English, Hindi, Creole, and Chinese;
• MBC provides 17 television channels in Mauritius;
• 9 FM radio stations and 2 AM radio stations (2022)

total ports:

2 (2024)

large:

0

medium:

0

small:

1

very small:

1

ports with oil terminals:

1

key ports:

Port Louis, Port Mathurin

• no regular military forces;
• the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) under the Ministry of Defense is responsible for the country's security;
• it includes a paramilitary unit known as the Special Mobile Force, which includes some motorized infantry and light armored units;
• the MPF also has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support Unit (riot police), and the National Coast Guard (2025)

refugees:

82 (2024 est.)

IDPs:

39 (2024 est.)