Seychelles: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Seychelles?

Life expectancy at birth in Seychelles was 77.0 years in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics' population and vital statistics bulletin for December 2025. The Ministry of Health's Annual Vital Statistics Report 2025 puts it at 73.1 years for men and 81.4 years for women, and says the overall and male figures are the highest recorded since 1970.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if current death rates stayed the same. The infant mortality rate was 11.6 per thousand live births in 2025, down from 12.8 in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Official sources: NBS: Population and vital statistics, December 2025 (PDF) · Ministry of Health: Annual Vital Statistics Report 2025 (PDF)

What are the main causes of death in Seychelles?

Diseases of the circulatory system, such as heart disease and stroke, caused 203 of the 830 deaths recorded in Seychelles in 2025, and cancers caused 168, according to the Ministry of Health's Annual Vital Statistics Report 2025. Respiratory diseases accounted for 107 deaths and endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, including diabetes, for 69.

The ministry reports that 54% of all deaths had one of the four main non-communicable diseases as the underlying cause. Causes are coded with the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. The ministry's death total differs slightly from the 845 registered deaths, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Official sources: Ministry of Health: Annual Vital Statistics Report 2025 (PDF)

What share of adults in Seychelles are obese?

33.9% of adults in Seychelles were obese in 2024, with a body mass index of 30 or more, according to World Health Organization age-standardised estimates in its Global Health Observatory. The estimate was 44.9% for women and 25.1% for men, with an uncertainty range of 30.3% to 37.5% for all adults.

Age-standardised rates adjust for differences in age structure so that countries can be compared, so they differ from crude survey shares. WHO models the estimates from national surveys.

Official sources: WHO GHO: Prevalence of obesity among adults

What is the average life expectancy in the Seychelles?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in the Seychelles at 76.3 years in 2024. The peak was 77.2 years in 2020 and the low 72.1 years in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3 years, and the Seychelles placed 1st highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 76th highest.

How many babies die in the Seychelles?

12.9 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in the Seychelles for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. The peak was 13.6 per 1,000 in 2019 and the low 12.1 per 1,000 in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 37.2 per 1,000; the Seychelles is 46th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 94th of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in the Seychelles?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in the Seychelles at 42.0 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 257 per 100,000, and the Seychelles placed 47th highest of 48. Worldwide: 100th of 192.

What share of GDP does the Seychelles spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in the Seychelles at 4.5% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 5.8% of GDP in 2020 and the low 3.4% of GDP in 2009. It is 24th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 4.4% of GDP. Worldwide: 138th of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in the Seychelles?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in the Seychelles at 28.0% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 31.2%; its low point was 2005, at 17.9%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 32.4%, and the Seychelles placed 29th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 93rd of 191.

How many doctors does the Seychelles have?

6.6 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in the Seychelles for 2022, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.18 per 1,000. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 1st highest.

How many hospital beds does the Seychelles have?

2.6 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in the Seychelles for 2023, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 1.1 per 1,000; the Seychelles is 2nd highest of 5. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 38th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in the Seychelles?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in the Seychelles was 97.0% in 2024. The peak was 99.0% in 2005 and the low 93.0% in 2023. It is 2nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 81.0%. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 31st highest.