Mauritius is a densely populated island of around 1.3 million people. It is a plural society where all the ethnic groups present: Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Chinese and Europeans live in peace and where all the ancestral cultures have been preserved. These features make the island a unique place in the world.

Most Mauritians are bilingual being equally fluent in French and English. English is the official language, but French and Creole are widely spoken. Oriental languages also form part of the linguistic mosaic.

Some Statistics

Population is now estimated to 1.3 Million.(July 2007)
Nationality: Mauritian(s)

Labor force: 542,000 by occupation: government services 29%, agriculture & fishing 25%, manufacturing 24%, other 22%

1. As at end of 2007, the population of the Republic of Mauritius stood at 1,264,866 comprising 625,031
males and 639,835 females.

2. Compared to a figure of 1,256,727 at the end of 2006, the population increased by 8,139 or 0.6% during the year 2007.

3. The population as at 31 December 2007 was as follows:
Island of Mauritius 1,227,078
Island of Rodrigues 37,499
Other islands 289

4. The population density was around 620 persons per square kilometre in 2007.

5. Persons aged below 15 years made up 23.3% of the population in 2007.
Persons aged 15-64 years represented 69.9% and elderly persons aged 65 years and above, 6.7%.
The dependency ratio in 2007 was 430 per 1,000.

Vital Statistics
6. In 2007, the number of live births registered was 17,034, around 600 less than in 2006.
The crude birth rate thus decreased from 14.1 per 1,000 mid-year population in 2006 to 13.5 in 2007.

7. There were 8,495 deaths registered in 2007, about 700 less than in 2006 (9,162). The crude death rate consequently fell from 7.3 in 2006 to 6.7 in 2007 per 1,000 mid-year population.

8. The number of infant deaths registered during the year 2007 was 262, higher than the 2006 figure of 249.
The infant mortality rate rose from 14.1 per 1,000 live births in 2006 to 15.4 in 2007.

9. The number of still births registered during the year 2007 was 161 compared to 147 in 2006.
The still birth rate rose from 8.3 per 1,000 total births in 2006 to 9.4 in 2007.

10. The number of marriages registered during the year 2007 was 12,471 compared to 11,471 in 2006.
The crude marriage rate rose from 18.3 persons married per 1,000 mid-year population in 2006 to 19.8 in 2007.