Seychelles
Republic of Seychelles
presidential republicIndependence 29 June 1976 (from the UK)
Seychelles as the 2021 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 166 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being discovered by Europeans early in the 16th century. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Independence came in 1976. Following a coup d’etat in 1977, the country was a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding 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 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency since independence.
Geography
Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
17 fieldsLand useshare of 455 sq km
Climate
- tropical marine;
- humid;
- cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September);
- warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Terrain
Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
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 as shown in this population distribution map
Geography - note
- the smallest African country in terms of both area and population;
- 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
People and Society
35 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2020 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2021 est.)
Male · female
Religions(2010 est.)
Ethnic groups
predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations
Languages
Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
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.
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 as shown in this population distribution map
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years:
- 1.12 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years:
- 1.15 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.7 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.07 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Drinking water source
- improved:
- total: 96.2% of population
- unimproved:
- total: 3.8% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility access
- improved:
- total: 100% of population
- unimproved:
- total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Environment
11 fieldsLand use(2018 est.)
Environment - current issues
- water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater;
- water pollution;
- biodiversity maintainance
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants
- particulate matter emissions:
- 18.72 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
- carbon dioxide emissions:
- 0.61 megatons (2016 est.)
- methane emissions:
- 0.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate
- tropical marine;
- humid;
- cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September);
- warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 58% of total population (2021)
- rate of urbanization:
- 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total water withdrawal
- municipal:
- 9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
- industrial:
- 3.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
- agricultural:
- 900,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Government
Presidential republic; President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020); President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale, elected 22-24 Oct 2020percent of vote
Composition: men 25, women 10, percent of women 29%
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
Capital
- name:
- Victoria
- geographic coordinates:
- 4 37 S, 55 27 E
- time difference:
- UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- etymology:
- founded as L'etablissement in 1778 by French colonists, the town was renamed in 1841 by the British after Queen Victoria (1819-1901);
- "victoria" is the Latin word for "victory"
Administrative divisions
27 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, Ile Perseverance I, Ile Perseverance II, La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka
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 2018
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020);
- Vice President Ahmed AFIF (since 27 October 2020);
- the president is both chief of state and head of government
- head of government:
- President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020); Vice President Ahmed AFIF (since 27 October 2020)
- 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 22-24 Oct 2020 (originally scheduled for December 2020 but moved up to coincide with the 22-24 October National Assembly election in order to cut election costs)
- election results:
- Wavel RAMKALAWAN elected president; Wavel RAMKALAWAN (LDS) 54.9%, Danny FAURE (US) 43.5%
Legislative branch
- description:
- unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (35 seats in the 2020 -25 term; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 9 members elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
- elections:
- last held on 22-24 Oct 2020 (next to be held October 2025);
- note - the election was originally scheduled for 2021 but was moved up a year and will be held alongside the presidential election in order to cut election costs
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - LDS 54.8%, US 42.3% , other 2.9%;
- seats by party - LDS 25, US10;
- composition - men 25, women 10, percent of women 29%
Judicial branch
- highest courts:
- 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 serve 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
Political parties and leaders
- Lafors Seselwa Demokratik or LSD [Martin AGLAE]
- One Seychelles [Alain St. ANGE]
- 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 [Alexia AMESBURY]
- Seychelles Patriotic Movement or SPM [Vincent LARUER]
- Seychelloise Alliance (Lalyans Seselwa) [Patrick PILLAY]
- Seychellois Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa) or LDS [Roger MANCIENNE] (includes SNP, SPSD, and SUP)
- United Seychelles or US [Vincent MERITON] (formerly People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL; (formerly SPPF)
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)
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
- email address and website:
- [email protected]
- consulate(s) general:
- New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the US Ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles
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, and green the land and natural environment
National anthem
- name:
- "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
- lyrics/music:
- David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
Economy
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 high income group of countries.
34 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2017 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2017 est.)
Budget(2017 est.)
Economic 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 high income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourism sector, which directly employs about 26% of the labor force and directly and indirectly accounts for more than 55% of GDP, and by tuna fishing.
In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and tourism industry services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of the offshore financial, information, and communication sectors and renewable energy.
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. However, state-owned enterprises still play a prominent role in the economy. Effective 1 January 2017, Seychelles was no longer eligible for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunities Act after having gained developed country status.
Seychelles grew at 5% in 2017 because of a strong tourism sector and low commodity prices. The Seychellois Government met the IMF’s performance criteria for 2017 but recognizes a need to make additional progress to reduce high income inequality, represented by a Gini coefficient of 46.8.
As a very small open economy dependent on tourism, Seychelles remains vulnerable to developments such as economic downturns in countries that supply tourists, natural disasters, and changes in local climatic conditions and ocean temperature. One of the main challenges facing the government is implementing strategies that will increase Seychelles' long-term resilience to climate change without weakening economic growth.
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, bananas, fruit, eggs, poultry, tomatoes, pork, tropical fruit, cassava
Exports
$1.09 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.) · $1.61 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) · $1.68 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Imports
$1.35 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.) · $1.79 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) · $1.86 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$545.2 million (31 December 2017 est.) · $523.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 13.64 (2017 est.) · 13.319 (2016 est.) · 13.319 (2015 est.) · 13.314 (2014 est.) · 12.747 (2013 est.)
Energy
23 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2020)
Installed generating capacity, 88,000 kW(2016 est.)
Communications
7 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2020–21 est.)
Telecommunication systems
- general assessment:
- effective system;
- direct international calls to over 100 countries;
- radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago;
- 3 ISPs;
- use of Internet cafes' for access to Internet;
- 4G services and 5G pending (2020)
- domestic:
- fixed-line 21 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 198 telephones per 100 persons (2019)
- international:
- country code - 248;
- landing points for the PEACE and the SEAS submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia;
- direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production;
many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes;
the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media
- the national broadcaster, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), which is funded by taxpayer money, operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services;
- a privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel also provides local programming multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available through 2 providers;
- the national broadcaster operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station;
- there are 2 privately operated radio stations;
- transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2019)
Transportation
9 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right
National air transport system
- number of registered air carriers:
- 1 (2020); inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 7
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:
- 455,201 (2018)
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers:
- 7.79 million mt-km (2018)
Military and Security
6 fieldsMilitary and security forces
Seychelles People’s Defense Forces (SPDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (includes unarmed police and an armed paramilitary Police Special Support Wing, the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, and the Marine Police Unit) (2021)
note - the military reports to the president, who acts as minister of defense
Military and security service personnel strengths
the Seychelles People’s Defense Forces (SPDF) have approximately 500 personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the SPDF's inventory primarily consists of Soviet-era equipment delivered in the 1970s and 1980s;
- since 2010, the SPDF has received limited amounts of more modern equipment (mostly donations of patrol boats and aircraft) from several suppliers led by China and India (2021)
Military service age and obligation
- 18-28 years of age for voluntary military service (18-25 for officers);
- 6-year initial commitment;
- no conscription (2021)
Military - note
formed in 1977, the SPDF's primary responsibility is maritime security, particularly countering illegal fishing, piracy, and drug smuggling
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - 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 children and 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 meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so;
- the government allocated an operational and programmatic budget to the National Coordinating Committee on Trafficking in Persons, signed a bilateral agreement outlining procedures for employment and repatriation in Seychelles of migrant workers from Bangladesh and established a hotline to report forced labor concerns;
- however, no victims of trafficking were identified;
- efforts to address sex trafficking remained inadequate, its standard operating procedures for victim identification and referral to care services were not implemented;
- there are no shelters or care facilities for trafficking victims;
- investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of traffickers decreased;
- Seychelles did not establish a secretariat to support the Coordinating Committee, hindering the committee’s ability to direct anti-trafficking efforts across government and drive national policy;
- Seychelles was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Seychelles.” The World Factbook 2021. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/seychelles/2021.