Seychelles: cost of living

What is the inflation rate in Seychelles?

Seychelles' inflation rate was 1.22% in September 2026, up from 0.93% in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics' consumer price index bulletin for September 2026, released on 7 October 2026. Fish prices were 6.07% higher than a year earlier, other food 0.32% and non-food items 1.28%. Core inflation was 1.24%.

The headline rate compares the all-items index with the same month a year earlier; prices rose 0.24% in the month itself. The basket weights come from the 2018 Household Budget Survey on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. The Central Bank of Seychelles expects inflation to increase over the near to medium term because of higher oil prices and shipping costs.

Official sources: NBS: Consumer price index, September 2026 (PDF) · CBS: Monetary Policy Rate statement for Q4 2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Seychelles?

About 25.3% of people in Seychelles lived below the national poverty line in 2018, according to the World Bank's Poverty and Equity Assessment of Seychelles (April 2022), published on the National Bureau of Statistics' website. The national line was SCR 4,376 per adult per month. Measured against the international line for upper-middle income countries, US$5.50 a day, the rate was 5%.

The estimates use the 2018 Household Budget Survey. The report puts the Gini coefficient of inequality at 0.30. It finds poverty higher in larger households and in households headed by younger people and unmarried women, and concentrated in the East/South and Central 1 regions.

Official sources: NBS: Poverty and Equity Assessment of Seychelles, World Bank (PDF)

How fast are prices rising in the Seychelles?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in the Seychelles was 0.3% in 2025. The peak was 37.0% in 2008 and the low -2.4% in 2010. It is 35th highest of 39 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.4%. Worldwide: 148th of 165.

How much do people in the Seychelles spend?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in the Seychelles was $12,262 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from $5,656 (2007) to $13,789 (2021). It is 1st highest of 37 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $840. World rank, highest first: 27th of 124.

What share of people in the Seychelles live in extreme poverty?

The World Bank puts the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in the Seychelles at 0.7% in 2018. That compares with 0.6% in 2006. It is 15th highest of 15 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.1%. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 92.

What share of the Seychelles lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in the Seychelles at 25.3% in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 40.8%; the Seychelles is 15th highest of 15. Of 67 countries with 2018 data, 22nd highest.

What is income inequality in the Seychelles?

32.1: that is the Gini index in the Seychelles for 2018, according to the World Bank. It was 42.8 in 2006. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.3, and the Seychelles placed 14th highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 66th of 92.

How many people in the Seychelles go hungry?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in the Seychelles at 14.3% in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 55.3%; the Seychelles is 29th highest of 29. Of 114 countries with 2017 data, 65th highest.