Interesting Facts

• With a population of 1.3 million people, Mauritius is one of Africa’s smallest countries, but has one of the highest population densities.
• Before it became extinct, the Dodo was only found in Mauritius. The Dodo remains Mauritius’ national animal.
• The highest point in Mauritius is Mount Piton – about 828m above sea level.
• Historically, Mauritius has been claimed by the Dutch, the French and the British. The country finally became independent in 1968.
• While dwarfed by its African counterparts in terms of size and resource endowment, Mauritius is a pillar of political stability and economic growth on the continent.

Key Market Alerts

• Roads in Mauritius tend to be narrow and congested, particularly into the business district.
• The landlord and the tenant typically share the cost of the estate agent’s commission.
• Renting a property semi-furnished as opposed to unfurnished is a legal requirement in Mauritius so as to ensure the landlord’s property rights.

An Overview of Mauritius

Mauritius is considered one of Africa’s most promising investment destinations – the country is both economically and politically stable. The average annual economic growth rate is stable at about 4%. The country’s growth is driven by its services sector which contributes almost 70% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Tourism and financial services are particularly robust contributors to the services sector.

Mauritius is an island located approximately off the South-East coast of Africa with a land area of just 2,040km² (788 miles²). Mauritius’ capital, Port Louis, is home to approximately 151,000 people.

Living in Mauritius

Mauritius has positioned itself as a centre for business and finance. The country is, for example, ranked 20^th in the world in terms of the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings. Mauritius’ investment levels are therefore increasing and consequently there are more and more expatriates relocating to the country. Mauritius is a culturally diverse country which offers a high standard of living for expatriates. English, French and Creole are widely spoken. The major agricultural output is sugar and Mauritius grows very little of its own food. Fresh produce including meat, vegetables and dairy are mostly imported and therefore expensive.

Housing in Mauritius

There is a wide range of types of properties available in Mauritius, including apartments, townhouses and free-standing houses. Expatriates tend to favour the central (Floreal, Moka, Quatre Bornes, St Pierre, Beau Bassin – Rose Hill, Curepipe, Phoenix and Vacoas), western (Black River, Flic en Flac and Tamarin) and northern (Cap Malheureux and Grand Baie) areas. The central area is slightly cooler than the coast, but it tends to be rainier, while the coast is typically hot and humid.

Schooling in Mauritius

Mauritian schools offer a high standard of education. There are a number of International Schools on the island – these include schools following the British, French and American curricula.