Editing Mauritius (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Mauritius|International rankings of Mauritius}}

Mauritius is often described as Africa's most developed country.<ref name="HDI">{{Cite web|date=8 September 2022|title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|access-date=8 September 2022|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Abara Benson|first1=Emmanuel|title=These are the 10 most developed countries in Africa based on UN's Human Development Index|url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/10-most-developed-countries-in-africa-according-to-latest-stats/dt5fx7v|website=Business Insider Africa|date=24 July 2022 |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref> Since independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculture-based economy to a [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income]] diversified economy, based on [[Tourism in Mauritius|tourism]], textiles, sugar, and financial services. The economic history of Mauritius since independence has been called "the Mauritian Miracle" and the "success of Africa" (Romer, 1992; Frankel, 2010; Stiglitz, 2011).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mauritius: The Drivers of Growth&nbsp;– Can the Past be Extended?|url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2014/wp14134.pdf|type=IMF Working paper 2014}}</ref>

In recent years, information and communication technology, seafood, hospitality and property development, healthcare, renewable energy, and [[Education in Mauritius|education]] and training have emerged as important sectors, attracting substantial investment from both local and foreign investors.<ref name="CIA"/> Mauritius has one of the largest [[exclusive economic zone]]s in the world, and in 2012 the government announced its intention to develop the marine economy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moving the Nation Forward |url=http://www.movingthenationforward.com/pdf/Govt-Address-2012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413151110/http://www.movingthenationforward.com/pdf/Govt-Address-2012.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2019 |access-date=21 April 2012 |website=Government of Mauritius}}</ref>

Mauritius has no exploitable fossil fuel reserves and so relies on petroleum products to meet most of its energy requirements. Local and renewable energy sources are biomass, hydro, solar and wind energy.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Joseph E.|last=Stiglitz|author-link=Joseph E. Stiglitz|date=7 March 2011|title=The Mauritius Miracle|url=http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-mauritius-miracle|access-date=21 April 2012|website=[[Project Syndicate]]}}</ref> Mauritius contributes approximately 0.01% of global [[greenhouse gas emissions]].<ref name=":143">{{Citation |last1=Jones |first1=Matthew W. |title=National contributions to climate change due to historical emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide |date=2024-11-13 |url=https://zenodo.org/records/14054503 |access-date=2025-03-17 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.14054503 |last2=Peters |first2=Glen P. |last3=Gasser |first3=Thomas |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |last5=Schwingshackl |first5=Clemens |last6=Gütschow |first6=Johannes |last7=Houghton |first7=Richard A. |last8=Friedlingstein |first8=Pierre |last9=Pongratz |first9=Julia}}</ref> The country has pledged to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to projected levels without intervention, with a goal of reaching [[Net-zero emissions|net zero]] by 2070.<ref name=":153">{{Cite web |last=Climate Watch Data |title=Mauritius Climate Change Data {{!}} Emissions and Policies |url=https://www.climatewatchdata.org/countries/MUS?end_year=2021&start_year=1990 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.climatewatchdata.org}}</ref> As part of its climate change strategy, Mauritius plans to eliminate coal from electricity generation by 2030, reduce [[landfill]] waste by diverting 70% of it through a [[circular economy]] approach, and increase the share of [[electric vehicle]]s to 15% by the same year.<ref name=":124">{{Cite book |author=Department of Climate Change, Republic of Mauritius  |url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/BTR1_Mauritius_Final%202.pdf |title=Mauritius' First Biennial Transparency Report |date=December 2024 |publisher=Republic of Mauritius }}</ref>

Mauritius is ranked high in terms of economic competitiveness, a friendly investment climate, good governance and a free economy.<ref name="heritage foundation">{{Cite news|title=Mauritius|publisher=[[The Heritage Foundation]]|url=http://www.heritage.org/index/country/mauritius|access-date=16 April 2012|archive-date=10 April 2012|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410125621/http://www.heritage.org/index/country/mauritius}}</ref><ref name="State.gov">{{Cite web|date=June 2012|title=2012 Investment Climate Statement – Mauritius|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2012/191196.htm|access-date=8 August 2012|website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref><ref name="Doing business">{{Cite web|title=Economy Rankings|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025055932/http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings|archive-date=25 October 2012|access-date=24 October 2012|website=Doing Business}}</ref> The Gross Domestic Product (PPP) was estimated at US$29.187&nbsp;billion in 2018, and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP (PPP) per capita]] was over US$22,909, the second highest in Africa.<ref name="heritage foundation" /><ref name="State.gov" /><ref name="Doing business" />

Mauritius has a [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income economy]], according to the [[World Bank]] in 2019.<ref name="WB GROUP">{{Cite web|title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups|url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups|access-date=1 July 2020|publisher=World Bank}}</ref> The World Bank's 2019 [[Ease of Doing Business Index]] ranks Mauritius 13th worldwide out of 190 economies in terms of ease of doing business. According to the Mauritian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country's challenges are heavy reliance on a few industry sectors, high brain drain, scarcity of skilled labour, ageing population and inefficient public companies and para-statal bodies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNCTAD|url=http://unctad.org/meetings/en/Presentation/ditc_tncd_2015_d12_Bhuglah.pdf}}</ref>

Mauritius has built its success on a free market economy. According to the 2019 [[Economic Freedom of the World]] report, Mauritius is ranked as having the 9th most free economy in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Economic Freedom of the World: 2019 Annual Report|url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2019.pdf|access-date=26 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Financial services ===
[[File:Mauritius port louis.jpg|thumb|[[Port-Louis]], the capital of Mauritius]]

According to the [[Financial Services Commission (Mauritius)|Financial Services Commission]], financial and insurance activities contributed to 11.1% of the country's GDP in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contribution to GDP|url=https://www.fscmauritius.org/en/statistics/contribution-to-gdp|access-date=31 March 2019|website=[[Financial Services Commission (Mauritius)]]}}</ref> Over the years, Mauritius has been positioning itself as the preferred hub for investment into Africa due its strategic location between Asia and Africa, hybrid regulatory framework, ease of doing business, investment protection treaties, non-double taxation treaties, highly qualified and multilingual workforce, political stability, low crime rate coupled with modern infrastructure and connectivity. It is home to a number of international banks, legal firms, corporate services, investment funds and private equity funds. Financial products and services include private banking, global business, insurance and reinsurance, limited companies, protected cell companies, trust and foundation, investment banking, global headquarter administration.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Overview of the Financial Services Sector|url=http://www.edbmauritius.org/opportunities/financial-services/fs-overview/#tabname-3901-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331181342/http://www.edbmauritius.org/opportunities/financial-services/fs-overview/#tabname-3901-2|archive-date=31 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019|website=Economic Development Board}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Africa Strategy|url=http://www.edbmauritius.org/africa-strategy/africa-strategy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131530/http://www.edbmauritius.org/africa-strategy/africa-strategy/|archive-date=31 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019|website=Economic Development Board}}</ref>

Corporate tax rate ranges from 15% to 17% and individual tax rate ranges from 10% to 25%.<ref name="taxindividual">{{Cite web|date=31 August 2020|title=MAURITIUS PERSONAL TAX: SOLIDARITY LEVY|url=https://www.dtos-mu.com/mauritius-personal-tax-solidarity-levy/|access-date=9 August 2021|website=DTOS}}</ref><ref name="corporate tax">{{Cite web|title=Corporate – Taxes on corporate income|url=https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/mauritius/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income|access-date=9 August 2021|website=PWC}}</ref> While the country also offers incentives such as tax holidays and exemptions in some specific sectors to boost its competitiveness, the country is often tagged as a tax haven by the press due to individuals and companies who engaged in abusive practices in its financial sector.<ref name="icij">{{Cite web|date=23 July 2019|title=Treasure Island: Leak Reveals How Mauritius Siphons Tax From Poor Nations to Benefit Elites|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/mauritius-leaks/treasure-island-leak-reveals-how-mauritius-siphons-tax-from-poor-nations-to-benefit-elites/|access-date=9 August 2021|website=ICIJ}}</ref> The country has built up a solid reputation by making use of best practices and adopting a strong legal and regulatory framework to demonstrate its compliance with international demands for greater transparency.<ref name="lexpress">{{Cite web|date=August 2019|title=Mauritius: Not a tax haven but a competitive and attractive cross-border investment platform|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/node/358225|access-date=9 August 2021|website=[[L'Express (Mauritius)]]}}</ref> In June 2015, Mauritius adhered to the multilateral [[Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters]], and has an exchange information mechanism with 127 jurisdictions. Mauritius is a founding member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti Money Laundering Group and has been at the forefront in the fight against money laundering and other forms of financial crime. The country has adopted exchange of information on an automatic basis under the [[Common Reporting Standard]] and the [[Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act]].<ref name="govt5">{{Cite web|title=Prime Minister denies Mauritius being a tax haven|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/-Prime-Minister-denies-Mauritius-being-a-tax-haven.aspx|access-date=31 March 2019|website=[[Government of Mauritius]]|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131526/http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/-Prime-Minister-denies-Mauritius-being-a-tax-haven.aspx}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Mauritius}}

[[File:Fine sand at Le Morne Beach in Mauritius (53697781831).jpg|thumb|A tropical beach in [[Le Morne Brabant|Le Morne]]]]

Mauritius is a major tourist destination, and the tourism sector is one of the main pillars of the Mauritian economy. The island nation enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, beaches, tropical fauna and flora, complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Code of ethics of tourism for Mauritius|url=http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/documents/ethic_code.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121054348/http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/documents/ethic_code.pdf|archive-date=21 January 2012|access-date=28 January 2012|publisher=MTPA}}</ref> The forecast of tourist arrivals for the year 2019 is maintained at 1,450,000, representing an increase of 3.6% over the figure of 1,399,408 in 2018.<ref name="Tou">{{Cite web|title=International Travel and Tourism Year 2018|url=http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Pages/Tourism_Yr18.aspx|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>

Mauritius currently has two [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]], namely, [[Aapravasi Ghat]] and [[Le Morne Brabant|Le Morne Cultural Landscape]]. Additionally, [[Black River Gorges National Park]] is currently in the UNESCO tentative list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mauritius|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mu/|access-date=20 May 2019|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre}}</ref>

===Transport===
{{Main|Transport in Mauritius}}

[[File:Metro Express Mauritius.jpg|thumb|An [[CAF Urbos|Urbos 100–3]] at Rose Hill Central Station]]

Since 2005 public buses, and later trains, in Mauritius have been free of charge for students, people with disabilities, and senior citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rs 32 M de plus pour le transport gratuit|url=http://www.lematinal.com/economie/3558-rs-32-m-de-plus-pour-le-transport-gratuit.html|access-date=22 August 2014|publisher=Le Matinal|language=fr}}</ref> The [[Metro Express (Mauritius)|Metro Express]] railway currently links all five cities and the [[University of Mauritius]] at [[Réduit, Moka|Réduit]] with planned expansion to the east and south. Former privately owned industrial railways have been abandoned since the 1960s. The harbour of [[Port Louis]] handles international trade as well as a cruise terminal. The [[Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport]], the largest one in the Indian Ocean, is the main international airport and serves as the home operating base for the national airline [[Air Mauritius]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mauritius airport inaugurates US$305m terminal|url=http://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/viewnews.php?NewsID=51796|access-date=22 August 2014|publisher=Passenger Terminal Today}}</ref> The [[Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport|Plaine Corail Airport]] operates from [[Rodrigues]] ensuring air link with the main island of Mauritius and international flights with [[Réunion]].

=== Information and communications technology (ICT) ===
The information and communications technology (ICT) sector has contributed to 5.7% of its GDP in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statistics Mauritius – ICT Statistics Year 2016|url=http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Pages/ICT_Stats_Yr2016.aspx|access-date=13 November 2018|website=statsmauritius.govmu.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

Additionally, the African Network Information Centre ([[AFRINIC]]) – the [[regional Internet registry]] for Africa – is based in [[Ebene, Mauritius|Ebene]].

Mauritius is also connected to global Internet infrastructure via multiple optical fibre [[submarine communications cable]]s, including the Lower Indian Ocean Network ([[LION (cable system)|LION]]) cable, the [[Mauritius–Rodrigues Submarine Cable]], and the South Africa Far East ([[SAFE (cable system)|SAFE]]) cable.