Mauritius: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Mauritius?

Unemployment in Mauritius was 5.5% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 5.7% in the first quarter and 5.9% a year earlier, according to Statistics Mauritius. There were 32,000 unemployed people, 55% of them women, and employment of Mauritians was 550,600.

46% of the unemployed did not have the School Certificate or equivalent. 409,000 people were outside the labour force, neither working nor looking for work. The figures come from a household survey, and the employment figure refers to Mauritians.

Official sources: Statistics Mauritius: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment, Q2 2026

What is the youth unemployment rate in Mauritius?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Mauritius at 17.4% in 2025, up from 16.5% in 2024, according to World Bank data.

Statistics Mauritius reports that, in the second quarter of 2026, 6,100 of the 32,000 unemployed (19%) were young people aged 16 to 24, not yet married and looking for their first job; 2,700 of them had a qualification below the School Certificate. Modelled estimates can differ from national survey results.

Official sources: World Bank: Youth unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Mauritius · Statistics Mauritius: Labour Force, Q2 2026

What is Mauritius' minimum wage?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Mauritius was 15,000 MUR a month (about $323), according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Mauritius?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $699 a month. No year since 2012 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $173 a month; Mauritius is 1st highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 39th of 75.

What is the unemployment rate in Mauritius?

5.6%: that is the unemployment rate in Mauritius for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 9.5%; its low point was 2024, at 5.5%. It is 21st highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. World rank, highest first: 72nd of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Mauritius?

17.4%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Mauritius for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 25.7%; its low point was 2023, at 16.4%. It is 12th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. World rank, highest first: 59th of 174.

How many people in Mauritius are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Mauritius was 58.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 60.3% in 2015 and the low 52.6% in 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Mauritius is 30th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 111th highest.

How many women in Mauritius are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Mauritius was 47.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 47.6% in 2023 and the low 40.5% in 2007. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Mauritius placed 37th highest of 45. Worldwide: 120th of 174.

How many people in Mauritius are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Mauritius was 55.2%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 56.0%; its low point was 2021, at 48.5%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Mauritius is 29th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 109th highest.

What is vulnerable employment in Mauritius?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Mauritius was 14.9%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Mauritius placed 44th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 125th of 174.

What share of jobs in Mauritius are salaried?

82.2%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Mauritius for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 2nd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. Worldwide: 49th of 174.