World Factbook
Mauritius
Republic of Mauritius
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green meaning: red stands for self-determination and independence; blue for the Indian Ocean; yellow for the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future; and green for agriculture or the island's lush vegetation
note: Mauritius has the only national flag with four horizontal color bands
Capital
name
Port Louis
etymology
named after LOUIS XV, who was king of France in 1736 when the port became the administrative center of Mauritius
time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
20 09 S, 57 29 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months
Constitution
history
several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty of the state, fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship, or the branches of government, requires approval in a referendum by at least three-fourths majority of voters followed by a unanimous vote by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly
Country name
note
note: pronounced mahr-ish-us
etymology
named after Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, stadtholder (governor) of the Dutch Republic, in 1598
local long form
Republic of Mauritius
local short form
Mauritius
conventional long form
Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form
Mauritius
Independence
12 March 1968 (from the UK)
Legal system
civil system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
note
note: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Mauritius (consists of the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 24 puisne judges)
subordinate courts
lower regional courts known as District Courts, Court of Civil Appeal; Court of Criminal Appeal; Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal
judge selection and term of office
chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister; senior puisne judge appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; other puisne judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Commission, a 4-member body of judicial officials including the chief justice; all judges serve until retirement at age 67
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers (Council of Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Dharam GOKHOOL (since 7 December 2024)
election results
2019 : Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote
head of government
Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 13 November 2024)
most recent election date
6 December 2024
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for 5-year renewable terms; the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister who have the majority support in the National Assembly
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968, 1992)
note: became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992, respectively
National color(s)
red, blue, yellow, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Aapravasi Ghat; Le Morne Cultural Landscape
Political parties
Alliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance) Jean-Claude Barbier Movement (Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier) or MJCB Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP Militant Platform (Plateforme Militante) or PM Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM Muvman Liberater or ML National Alliance Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotique) or MAG Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR
Legislative branch
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
67 (62 directly elected; 4 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly - Assemblée nationale
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/10/2024
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
17.9%
parties elected and seats per party
Alliance Du Changement (Alliance for Change, AdC) (60); Other (2)
National anthem(s)
title
"Motherland"
history
adopted 1968
lyrics/music
Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL
National symbol(s)
dodo bird, earring tree flower ( Trochetia boutoniana )
Administrative divisions
9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 966-0983
chancery
1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 244-1491
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Gajjaluxmi MOOTOOSAMY (since 5 June 2025)
email address and website
mauritius.embassy@verizon.net https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[230] 208-9534
embassy
4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis
telephone
[230] 202-4400
mailing address
2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450
chief of mission
Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023); note - also accredited to Seychelles
email address and website
PTLConsular@state.gov https://mu.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction