Social conditions
The standard of living in Mauritius is among the highest among developing countries. Eight percent of the population lives below the poverty line, especially vulnerable are black Creole.
On the island of Rodrigues, the standard of living is considerably lower than on the main island.
- Countryaah Official Site: Official statistics for population in Mauritius, including population growth, density, and estimation in next 50 years.
The entire population has access to clean drinking water. There is a well-developed state healthcare that is free of charge. There are also a number of private health clinics. Infant mortality is low and life expectancy is high. Common causes of death are so-called welfare diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Unemployment benefits are paid to family caregivers. There is need-tested social assistance that is paid to families with at least three children under 15 years. A pension system was introduced in 1978 for anyone over 60 years.
The Mauritanian households are often large and consist of three generations and not infrequently of several families. The older generation often lives with their adult children. When the children get married, it usually means that their family moves into the parents’ home until they can afford to rent or buy their own.
Women are often discriminated against in the labor market and they usually have significantly lower wages than men. They are also under-represented in politics, both in Parliament and in the government. Domestic trafficking in women is a major problem, but police reports are rarely reported.
The children’s situation is generally good. However, there is information that child labor and child prostitution occur. Trafficking in human beings has also been reported despite the fact that it has been prohibited by law since 2009.
Male homosexuality is illegal and taboo. Discrimination due to sexual orientation in the workplace is illegal.
- AbbreviationFinder Website: Provides commonly used acronyms, history, politics and geography of country Mauritius.
FACTS – SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Infant Mortality: 14 per 1000 births (2018)
Percentage of HIV infected: 1.3 percent (2018)
Proportion of HIV infected among young women
0.2 percent (2018)
Proportion of HIV infected among young men: 0.2 percent (2018)
Proportion of population with access to clean water: 99.9 percent (2015)
Proportion of the population having access to toilets: 95.5 percent (2017)
Public expenditure on health care as a percentage of GDP: 5.5 percent (2015)
Public expenditure on health care per person: US $ 553 (2016)
Proportion of women in parliament: 12 percent (2018)
2011
August
Ministers resign in protest
MSM ministers leave the government and the Future Alliance in protest against how the National Anti-Corruption Commission has handled Health Minister Hanoomanjee. MSM leader Pravind Jugnauth is arrested, suspected of being involved in corruption in the health care clinic.
July
Health Minister resigns
A corruption scandal bursts when the Minister of Health Santi Bai Hanoomanjee from MSM is arrested, suspected of corruption. She is released on bail, but resigns as minister.
April
presidential Visit
President of India Pratibha Patil visits Mauritius.