Economy overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has evolved from an unprofitable, agriculture-dependent economy to a fairly high-income and developed economy; the role of the industrial, financial and tourism sectors is steadily increasing. Almost all this time, the average annual GDP growth rate was 5-6%. This remarkable achievement has led to increased life expectancy, reduced infant mortality and significant infrastructure improvements. Sugarcane grows on 90% of cultivated land and provides 25% of export earnings. However, in 1999 a record drought severely damaged the sugarcane crop. The government’s development strategy is based on attracting foreign investment. Mauritius has attracted over 9,000 offshore companies, many of which do business with India and South Africa; investments in the banking sector alone amounted to more than $1 billion. The development of the economy since 1991 has been characterized by consistently high growth rates and low unemployment. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $12.3 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 7.5% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $10,400 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 10%; industry: 29%; services: 61% (1996). Proportion of population below the poverty line: 10.6% (1992 est.). Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 5.3% (2000). Labor force: 514,000 people (1995). Employment structure: construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurant and hotel business 16%, transport and telecommunications 7%, finance 3% (1995). Unemployment rate: 6.4% (1996 est.). Budget: revenues: $1.1 billion; expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures – NA (1999 est.). Spheres of economy: food industry (mainly sugar production), textile industry, clothing production; chemical industry, metal processing industry, transportation equipment manufacturing, mechanical equipment manufacturing; tourism. Growth in industrial production: 8% (2000 est.). Electricity generation: 1.26 billion kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 91.27%; hydropower: 8.73%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 1.172 billion kWh (1999). Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). D Agricultural products: sugarcane, tea, potatoes, bananas, legumes; cattle, sheep; fish. Export: $1.6 billion (free on board, 1999) Exports: clothing and textiles, sugar, flowers, molasses. Export partners: UK 32%, France 19%, US 15%, Germany 6%, Italy 4% (1999 est.). Imports: $2.3 billion (free on board, 1999) Imports: manufactured goods, manufacturing equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals (1996). Import partners: France 14%, South Africa 11%, India 8%, UK 5% (1999 est.). External debt: $1.9 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid recipient: $42 million (1997) Economic aid donor: Currency: Mauritian rupee. Currency code: MUR. Exchange rate: MUR/USD – 27.900 (January 2001), 26.250 (2000), 25.186 (1999), 22.993 (1998), 21.057 (1997), 17.948 (1996). Fiscal year: July 1-June 30.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 223,000 (1997). Mobile cell phones: 37,000 (1997). Telephone system: small system with good service; domestic: mainly microwave radio rap; international: satellite earth stations – 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radiotelephone communication with several countries. Broadcast stations: AM – 5, FM – 9, shortwave -2 (1998). Radio receivers: 420,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (and 11 relay stations) (1997). TVs: 258,000 (1997). Internet country code: mu Internet service providers: 2 (2000). Number of users: 55,000 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: 0 km. Roads: total length: 1,910 km; paved: 1,834 km (including 36 km of motorways); unpaved: 76 km (1998 est.). Ports and harbours: Port Louis. Merchant fleet: total: 9 ships (displacement 1,000 tons or more) with a total displacement of 61,909 gross register tons / 87,313 long tons of gross tonnage; ships of different types: cargo ships – 2, combined dry cargo ships – 2, container ships – 2, liquefied gas tankers – 1, refrigerated ships – 2; note: including foreign vessels registered here for flag of convenience reasons: India 1 (2000 est.). Airports: 5 (1999 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 2; over 3,047 m: 1; from 914 to 1523 m:1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 3; from 914 to 1,523 m: 1; less than 914 m: 2 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the Armed Forces: National Police Forces (includes Paramilitary Special Mobile Forces and the National Coast Guard). See militarynous.com to know more about Mauritius Military. Total military manpower: male 15 to 49: 339,473 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 171,206 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: $11 million (1997-98). Military spending as part of GDP: 0.3% (1997-
International Issues
International issues International disputes: claims the Chagos Archipelago, which is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory; claims Tromelin Island, which is owned by France. Illicit drugs: minor transit and consumption point for South Asian heroin; hemp is produced in small quantities for local consumption.
