World Happiness Report for Mauritius 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Mauritius: 70
- Happiness Score Mauritius:5.816
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Mauritius. MU.
Mauritius is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, known for its democratic political structure and stable government.
- Despite its small size, Mauritius has a diverse cultural heritage influenced by Indian, African, and European traditions.
- The country’s economy is driven by tourism, agriculture, and financial services, making it a hub for investment and business in the region.
- Mauritius is home to the rare and endangered Pink Pigeon, which is a symbol of conservation efforts on the island.
Mauritius – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History:
The island of Mauritius was first inhabited around the 10th century AD by Arab and Malay sailors. However, it remained uninhabited until the Portuguese discovered it in 1505. The Dutch were the first to establish a colony on the island in 1638, naming it after Prince Maurice of Nassau. They introduced sugarcane cultivation and began importing slaves from Africa and Asia.
Colonial Period:
The French took control of Mauritius in 1715 and renamed it Île de France. Under French rule, the island became an important naval base and a thriving sugar colony. In 1810, the British seized the island during the Napoleonic Wars, and it remained a British colony until gaining independence in 1968.
Independence and Modern Era:
Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom on March 12, 1968, becoming a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. The country has maintained a stable democracy and has seen significant economic growth, particularly in the tourism and textile industries. However, it has also faced challenges such as social inequalities and environmental issues.
Current Political Situation:
Mauritius is a parliamentary republic with a hybrid legal system based on French civil law and British common law. The current Prime Minister is Pravind Jugnauth, who has been in office since 2017. The country is generally considered a stable democracy with a robust economy and a relatively high standard of living.
International Relations:
Mauritius maintains friendly relations with most countries and is a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations. It has close ties with India, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as other African nations.
Human Development and Economy:
Mauritius has a diversified economy driven by tourism, textiles, sugar, and financial services. It has a relatively high Human Development Index ranking and is considered an upper-middle-income country. However, income inequality and environmental challenges, such as coastal erosion and water scarcity, remain areas of concern.
Cultural Highlights:
Mauritius is a culturally diverse nation with influences from African, Indian, Chinese, and European traditions. The main religions are Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The country is known for its vibrant festivals, such as the Maha Shivaratri and the Cavadee, as well as its rich culinary heritage, which blends Creole, Indian, Chinese, and French flavors.
Mauritius faces challenges such as preserving its natural environment, addressing income inequality, and maintaining its economic competitiveness in a globalized world. At the same time, opportunities exist in areas like renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and expanding its role as a financial and business hub in the region.
Main facts
Location
Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,200 miles (2,000 km) off the southeast coast of Africa. It is situated east of Madagascar and northeast of the islands of Reunion and Mauritius.
Map References
Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
Area – Comparative
Mauritius has a total area of about 788 square miles (2,040 square km), making it slightly larger than the U.S. state of Rhode Island.
Land Boundaries and Border Countries
As an island nation, Mauritius has no land boundaries.
Coastline
Mauritius has a coastline of approximately 99 miles (160 km), featuring various beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs.
Maritime Claims
Mauritius claims the following maritime zones:
- Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
- Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
- Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or the edge of the continental margin
Climate
Mauritius has a tropical maritime climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The island has two main seasons: a hot, humid summer from December to April, and a cooler, drier winter from May to November.
Terrain
Mauritius is predominantly a volcanic island with a central plateau surrounded by mountains and plains. The highest point is Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, a mountain peak reaching 828 meters (2,717 feet) above sea level.
Elevation Extremes
- Highest point: Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire – 828 meters (2,717 feet)
- Lowest point: Indian Ocean – 0 meters (0 feet)
Natural Resources
The main natural resources found in Mauritius include arable land, fish, and offshore coral reefs.
Major Bodies of Water
Mauritius is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, and its main water bodies include the Grand River South East, the longest river on the island, and several small lakes and reservoirs.
Natural Hazards
Mauritius is prone to cyclones and tropical storms, which can cause flooding, landslides, and coastal erosion.
Geography – Notes
Mauritius is known for its diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs, lagoons, and forests. However, the island faces environmental challenges such as coastal erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss due to human activities and climate change.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 19.00%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 4,349. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 42.40%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: -20.34840457.552152.
- Capital: The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis
- Major Cities:
- Port Louis – Population: 147,688
- Beau-Bassin Rose-Hill – Population: 104,610
- Vacoas-Phoenix – Population: 103,598
- Curepipe – Population: 84,200
- Population: 1,265,711
- Area(Km2): 2040
- Population Density( P/Km²):626. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:230
- Official Language(s):English (predominantly), French (unofficial) – Mauritius, 78% English, 3.5% French
- Currency: MUR
Main Economic Indicators
Mauritius has a diversified economy based primarily on tourism, textiles, sugar, and financial services. The country’s economy has transitioned from an agriculture-based economy to one driven by services and manufacturing. Mauritius has made remarkable economic progress, driven by prudent economic policies and preferential trade agreements with the US and Europe. Challenges include poverty, income inequality, and the need to increase competitiveness.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 4%
2020: 2.5%
(Source: International Monetary Fund)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: Baa3 (Stable)
Moody’s: Baa1 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: Baa2 (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 3.2%
Industry: 16.6%
Services: 80.2%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Sugarcane, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, tea, tobacco, pulses, cattle, goats
Industrial Products: Food processing, textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, non-electrical machinery, tourism
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 642,800 (2022 est.)
Ranking: 154th in the world
Current Account Balance
2021: -$1.06 billion
2020: -$0.91 billion
Ranking: 139th in the world (2020 est.)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $2.62 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: United Kingdom, United States, France, South Africa, Madagascar
Main Commodities: Clothing and textiles, sugar, fish and seafood, jewelry, electrical components
Imports: $5.48 billion (2021 est.)
Key Partners: China, India, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates
Main Commodities: Manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $7.94 billion (December 2022 est.)
Gold Reserves: 6.85 tonnes (December 2021 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$14,180,444,557. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 19.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 22.20%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.12. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.38. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 6.67%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: Mauritian(s)
Adjective: Mauritian
2. Ethnic Groups
Major ethnic groups:
- Indo-Mauritian (66.6%)
- Creole (26.5%)
- Sino-Mauritian (3.4%)
- Franco-Mauritian (2%)
3. Religions
Religious affiliations:
- Hindu (48.5%)
- Roman Catholic (26.3%)
- Muslim (17.3%)
- Other Christian (6.4%)
- Other (1.5%)
4. Age Structure
Distribution of population across age groups:
- 0-14 years: 17.9%
- 15-64 years: 71.6%
- 65 years and over: 10.5%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 40.4
Youth dependency ratio: 25.1
Elderly dependency ratio: 15.3
6. Median Age
Median age: 36.9 years
Median age (male): 35.7 years
Median age (female): 38.2 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity rate: 10.8% of the adult population
Alcohol consumption: 4.6 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
Tobacco use: 19.7% of adults smoke tobacco products
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.4. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 92.7%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:10.2. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:11. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.41. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 54.%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 515,98. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):50.70%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Mauritius Police Force is the primary security force responsible for maintaining law and order and internal security. It includes the Mauritius Special Mobile Force, a paramilitary unit trained in riot control and counter-terrorism operations.
Military Expenditures
Mauritius does not maintain a formal military force. Its military spending as a percentage of GDP has been insignificant, consistently below 0.2% for the past five years.
Personnel Strengths
The Mauritius Police Force has approximately 13,000 personnel, with no active-duty military personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
As a nation without a formal military, Mauritius does not maintain significant military hardware or equipment inventories.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Mauritius has no mandatory military service obligation. It does not maintain conscription policies.
Military Deployments
Mauritius does not have any overseas military deployments or participation in international peacekeeping missions.
Strategic Military Notes
Defense Strategy
Mauritius relies primarily on its police force and cooperation with regional partners for its security needs. As an island nation, it focuses on maritime security and coastal defense.
International Security Role
Mauritius does not play a significant role in global security or military operations. It maintains bilateral defense ties with countries like India and France for training and cooperation.
- Armed Forces Size: 3. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.53
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 58.30%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.