Abstract

A census gives a complete and comprehensive picture of the nation as well as groups of people living in specific areas. In what type of buildings and housing units are we living? What are the amenities and facilities that are available therein? How many rooms are there and what is the extent of overcrowding? How many people live in a given town or locality? How many children are there? How many women are there? How many are old enough to vote? What kind of jobs are we doing? What is our level of education? Do we have the required qualifications or skills to satisfy the needs of the labour market? The census helps to answer these questions and many others.

It provides up-to-date and disaggregated data on the housing conditions, the spatial distribution, and the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population. These data are essential for assessing the country's demographic, social and economic performance and for developing sound policies and programmes aimed at fostering the welfare of the country and its population.

Census data are also useful to business, industrial and commercial organisations to estimate and forecast demand for their products and services, and to assess the supply of manpower with the relevant skills to run their activities.

Furthermore, census data are used in the derivation of many important and meaningful social indicators that are needed by local and international organizations. Thus, many social indicators, as defined in the set of indicators recommended by the United Nations Statistics Division, can only be worked out from census data.

Legal framework Census 2000 was conducted according to provisions of the Statistics Act of 7 April 1951. The underlying procedures are given in Sections 5, 6 and 13 of the Act. In March 1998, the Cabinet agreed to the conduct of a housing and population census in year 2000. In June 1999, it gave its approval to the census dates and to the topics to be investigated. The regulations for the Housing Census, prescribing the particulars and information to be collected, were subsequently prepared and approved by the President in November 1999. The regulations were published as Government Notice 170 of 1999. In December 1999, the President made an order to the effect that a census of the population be taken between 19 June and 16 July 2000 in respect of all persons alive at midnight on 2 July 2000. The Order was gazetted in December 1999. The regulations for the Population Census, prescribing the particulars and information to be collected were approved by the President in April 2000 and published as Government Notice 57 of 2000.

Geographic coverage

Housing and population enumerations were conducted on the Islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega. As regards St Brandon islands, only a count of persons spending census night on the islands was made, these islands being fishing stations with no resident population.

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Housing unit

Universe

The Housing Census enumerated all buildings, housing units, households, commercial and industrial establishments, hotels and boarding houses as well as fruit trees of bearing age on residential premises.

The Population Census enumerated all persons present on census night in all households and communal establishments, as well as usual residents who were away on census night.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Self administered and face to face

Research instrument

Questionnaire Design Consultation with stakeholders from Government Ministries and Departments started in 1998. Heads of Government Ministries and Departments were invited via a circular letter to submit a list of demographic, social and economic data they considered essential for administration, planning and policy-making and which could be collected at the census. The proposals received were discussed at various levels. In the light of these discussions and taking into account recommendations of the United Nations Statistics Division on subject matters that can be investigated at a census, final selection of topics was made at a meeting with subject matter specialists from our parent Ministry.

The main considerations in the final selection of topics were: - the importance of the topics to the country - the cost for collecting and processing data on a given item - where it was possible by other means to obtain satisfactory information more cheaply, the topic was not selected - the suitability of topics - sensitive and controversial issues as well as questions that were too complicated or difficult for the average respondent to answer were avoided - whether the census was the appropriate method for data collection - topics that required detailed investigation or highly qualified staff were not included since they would be best canvassed by sample surveys.

Housing Census Questionnaire All topics investigated at the 1990 Census were included in the 2000 Housing Census questionnaire. Three new items were however added. These were: “Availability of domestic water tank/reservoir”, “Principal fuel used in bathroom” and “Fruit trees on premises”.

The housing census questionnaire was divided into seven parts. A list of topics and items included in the questionnaire is given below: Part I - Location Part II - Type of Building Part III - Characteristics of buildings - Storeys above ground floor
- Year of completion
- Principal material of construction used for roof and walls
Part IV - Characteristics of housing units - Ownership
- Occupancy
- Water supply
- Domestic water tank/reservoir - Availability of electricity
- Toilet facilities
- Bathing facilities
- Availability of kitchen - Refuse disposal Part V - Characteristics of households - Household type - Name and address of head of household - Number of persons by sex - Tenure - Number of rooms for living purposes - Number of rooms for business or profession - Monthly rent - Principal fuel used for cooking - Principal fuel used in bathroom Part VI - Commercial and industrial establishments, hotels and boarding houses - Name and address of establishment or working proprietor/manager - Main activity in which the establishment is engaged - Number of persons engaged at the time of enumeration Part VII - Fruit-trees on premises - Number of fruit trees of bearing age by type

Population Census Questionnaire The 2000 Population Census questionnaire covered most of the topics investigated at the 1990 Population Census. A question on income was added while the questions on education were reviewed to include qualifications, other than those of the primary and secondary levels, of the respondent. The topic, main activity status of person during the year, which was investigated at the previous census was not included.

Topics and items included in the population census questionnaire are given below: (i) Location (ii) Names of persons These information were asked only to ensure that all members of the household were enumerated. Also, the listing of names of each person facilitated the checking for accuracy and completeness of each entry at the time of enumeration and later, if errors or missing information still persisted on the form. It should be pointed out that names were not captured at the data entry stage, so that data collected could not be identified with any individual person, in line with the requirements of the Statistics Act. (iii) Demographic and social characteristics - Relationship to head (only one head is allowed for each household) - Sex - Age - Date of birth (This question served as a verification to the age reported earlier) - Citizenship - Marital Status - Religion - Linguistic group - Language usually spoken (iv) Whether disabled or not - Type of disability, if disabled (v) Migration characteristics - Whereabouts on Census night - Usual address - Usual address five years ago (vi) Fertility - For persons not single: - Age at first marriage - Whether married more than once - Number of children ever born (for women only) (vii) Education characteristics - For persons 2 years and above: - Languages read and written - School attendance - Primary and secondary education (viii) Current economic characteristics (ix) Income

Census Guide and Instructions A census guide and instructions booklet was prepared and distributed to all heads of households. The booklet contained extensive explanations on how to fill in the census form and answered questions that people usually asked about censuses. Thus the objectives of the census, what happened to the census forms once the enumeration was over, the confidential aspect of collected information as well as the usefulness of each item were explained.

Printing of Census Questionnaires and Guides
The census questionnaires, and the census guide and instructions booklets were printed by the Government Printer. The numbers printed were as follows: (i) Housing Census questionnaires - 16,000 booklets of 25 questionnaires (ii) Population Census questionnaires - 375,000 (iii) Census guide and instructions booklets - 312,000

Cleaning operations

Recruitment and Training of Editors and Coders About 15 clerical officers who were previously engaged in the various units of the Office and 10 newly recruited statistical officers were called on to the editing and coding of the census forms while a request for the services of 50 additional clerical officers was made to the Ministry for Civil Service Affairs and Administrative Reform. Between March 2000 and May 2001, small groups of clerical officers from the ministry joined the

The total population of Mauritius was estimated at approximately 1.26 million people in 2024. Between 1980 and 2024, the total population rose by around 292 thousand people, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The total population is expected to drop by about 17 thousand people between 2024 and 2030, showing a continuous downward movement throughout the period.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

The total population in Mauritius was estimated at 1.3 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Mauritius Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Mauritius MU: Birth Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data was reported at 10.400 Ratio in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.100 Ratio for 2015. Mauritius MU: Birth Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 20.300 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44.208 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 10.100 Ratio in 2015. Mauritius MU: Birth Rate: Crude: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Mauritius MU: Population: Total data was reported at 1,264,613.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,263,473.000 Person for 2016. Mauritius MU: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 1,047,249.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,264,613.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 659,351.000 Person in 1960. Mauritius MU: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Mauritius MU: Population: Growth data was reported at 0.090 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.069 % for 2016. Mauritius MU: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.065 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.195 % in 1961 and a record low of 0.069 % in 2016. Mauritius MU: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Dataset shows Population at Each Census for Mauritius and Rodrigues by Age Group and Gender for Year 1944 to 2011

Abstract

The 2011 Mauritius Housing & Population Census will be carried out by the Central Statistics Office in two distinct rounds: the Housing Census from 31 January 2011 to June 2011 followed by the Population Census from 20 June to 31 July 2011 in respect of all persons alive on the night of 3 - 4 July 2011. The main objective of the Housing and Population census is to provide up-to-date and disaggregated data on the housing conditions, the spatial distribution, and the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the Mauritian population.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Household;
• Indivudual.

Universe

The Housing Census will enumerate all buildings, housing units, households, commercial and industrial establishments, hotels and boarding houses as well as fruit trees of bearing age on residential premises.

The Population Census will enumerate all persons present on census night in all households and communal establishments, as well as usual residents who are away on census night.

Housing and population enumerations will be conducted in the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

Census 2011, like the four previous ones, was taken in two distinct rounds: the Housing Census followed by the Population Census four months later. This enumeration procedure was adopted in order to obtain at the Housing Census a list of names and addresses of heads of households which served as frame for the Population Census.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

4.1 Questionnaire design The questionnaire type, format and contents were determined on the basis of the following factors:

Data to be collected Data collected were in line with UN recommendations and, in addition, catered for local data needs.

Method of enumeration For Census 2011, the questionnaires were completed by enumerators who carried out field interviews.

Data capture and processing techniques The office used scanning and recognition technology for census data capture directly from the questionnaires.

4.2 Contents of questionnaire The questionnaire contents were determined as follows: (i) The data needs of main stakeholders from Government Ministries and Departments were considered. As from 2008, heads of Government Ministries and Departments were invited via a circular letter to submit their requirements for demographic, social and economic data considered essential for administration, planning and policy-making and which could be collected at the census. Topics were retained after considering: - their usefulness to the country; - the cost for data collection and processing - where it is possible by other means to obtain satisfactory information more cheaply, the topic was not selected; and - their suitability for data collection at a Census - sensitive and controversial issues as well as questions that are too complicated or difficult for the average respondent to answer were avoided. (ii) The concepts and questions used for the previous census were examined for relevance and only those found relevant were kept. (iii) The latest “Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses” were reviewed to determine whether to add questions or to modify existing questions. (iv) The questions thus arrived at were tested during a pilot census conducted in September 2010. In the light of observations made on the field, some changes were made to the wording and sequence of the questions and a final set of questions adopted. 4.2.1 The Housing Census questionnaire The Housing Census questionnaire covered all topics and items covered at Census 2000; some new items were added for the reasons given in the column “Remarks”.

The questionnaire was designed to cover 1 housing unit, up to two households, up to three planters and 1 commercial/industrial establishment, guest house or tourist residence. More than one questionnaire was used in other cases.

4.2.2 The Population Census questionnaire The 2011 Population Census questionnaire included the topics covered at the 2000 Population Census except that on income. Questions were added on National Identity number of each person as well as on residence for the reasons mentioned in the column “Remarks”.

4.3 Questionnaire layout and size The layout and design of response areas was done to ensure optimum conditions for data capture through scanning and recognition technology. The layout was also influenced by the cost (the number of pages had to be kept to a minimum to cut down on paper, printing and scanning costs) while at the same time ensuring ease of recording the answers on the field.

Cleaning operations

The quality of information collected depends not only on the training of field workers, but also on the day-to-day control and supervision of the fieldwork. Supervisors had to accompany each of their Enumerators in the first visits to ensure that interviews were done according to instructions given and that all concepts were clearly understood. Surprise and pre-arranged field checks as well as re-interviews also helped to increase the reliability of the information collected. Furthermore, Supervisors had to check all completed questionnaires at the early stage of enumeration and later a sample of the completed questionnaires to ensure that the quality of work was satisfactory. Meetings were held regularly to take stock of the field situation and to solve problems met on the field.

All supervisory staff had to record their field activities in provided diaries. The day-today record outlined the activities carried out, the dates and the places at which the activities were carried out, problems encountered and remedial actions taken. The day-to-day recording of activities allowed supervisory staff to follow the progress of work and to assess the performance of each and every staff working under their supervision. Furthermore, it ensured that supervisory control prevailed all along the fieldwork.

This statistic shows the total population of Mauritius from 2013 to 2023 by gender. In 2023, the female population of Mauritius amounted to approximately 0.63 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 0.63 million inhabitants.

Key information about Mauritius population

• The Mauritius population reached 1.3 million people in Dec 2023, compared with the previously reported figure of 1.3 million people in Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 1.3 million people in Dec 2010 and a record low of 0.5 million people in Dec 1950

• In the latest reports, Mauritius Unemployment Rate increased to 7.1 % in Mar 2020
• Monthly earnings of the Mauritius population was 872.3 USD in Mar 2022
• Mauritius Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 58.4 % in Sep 2023

The world's most accurate population datasets. Seven maps/datasets for the distribution of various populations in Mauritius: (1) Overall population density (2) Women (3) Men (4) Children (ages 0-5) (5) Youth (ages 15-24) (6) Elderly (ages 60+) (7) Women of reproductive age (ages 15-49). Methodology These high-resolution maps are created using machine learning techniques to identify buildings from commercially available satellite images. This is then overlayed with general population estimates based on publicly available census data and other population statistics at Columbia University. The resulting maps are the most detailed and actionable tools available for aid and research organizations. For more information about the methodology used to create our high resolution population density maps and the demographic distributions, click here. For information about how to use HDX to access these datasets, please visit: https://dataforgood.fb.com/docs/high-resolution-population-density-maps-demographic-estimates-documentation/ Adjustments to match the census population with the UN estimates are applied at the national level. The UN estimate for a given country (or state/territory) is divided by the total census estimate of population for the given country. The resulting adjustment factor is multiplied by each administrative unit census value for the target year. This preserves the relative population totals across administrative units while matching the UN total. More information can be found here

This statistic shows the age structure in Mauritius from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, about 15.12 percent of Mauritius' total population were aged 0 to 14 years.

Sex ratio for the population at each census

Population enumerated at each census by sex , 1851 - 2011

Mauritius MU: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data was reported at 2.245 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.990 % for 2010. Mauritius MU: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 1.460 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.245 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.342 % in 1990. Mauritius MU: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.; ; United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2008 Revision.; Weighted average;

Abstract

Statistics Mauritius conducted its sixth Census of Economic Activities (CEA) in Mauritius and Rodrigues, with 2013 as reference year, from January 2013 to April 2015. The main objective of this exercise which is carried out every five years is to collect data on the operating characteristics and structure of all types of economic activities, except agriculture where different measurement techniques are needed for data collection.

The CEA is conducted in two phases - Phase I covering a sample of small production units (i.e those engaging less than ten persons) and Phase II covering all large units, that is those with ten or more persons. Data collection for Phase I was carried out from January 2013 to December 2013 while that for Phase II started in July 2014 and was completed in April 2015.

Objectives: The main objectives of the 2013 Census of Economic Activities were: - To collect up-to-date information on the operating characteristics and structure of all types of economic activities except Agriculture, carried out in the Republic of Mauritius; - To assess the contribution of the various industry groups in the overall economy; - To assess the contribution of various economic sub sectors (small and medium enterprises, informal sector etc.) in the overall economy; - To obtain benchmark data for updating national accounts estimates; - To obtain detailed data for the construction of Input-Output tables and Social Accounting Matrices (SAM) for impact analysis and - To obtain benchmark data and weights for the construction of volume and price indices.

Analysis unit

Small and large non-agricultural establishments

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

The first phase of the Census of Economic Activities was to cover all small production units (i.e those engaging less than 10 persons) operating in the Republic of Mauritius, except agricultural activities, activities of household employees and illegal activities. A good sampling frame was essential for this purpose. A sampling frame is a comprehensive list of all sampling units from which the sample to be surveyed will be selected. The constructed sampling frame comprised some 112,000 small units as at the August 2012 (around 110,000 for Mauritius and 2000 for Rodrigues). It was decided to survey a sample of around 3,600 units, 3,200 in Mauritius and 400 in Rodrigues.

The sampling frame was constructed from data available in the business register compiled by the Central Business Register unit of Statistics Mauritius, supplemented by information from the 2011 Population Census.

The list of large establishments was constructed from data available in the business register of the SM. The final frame comprised of 2,400 establishments, of which 2,376 were in Mauritius and 24 in Rodrigues.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

The urban indicators data available here are analyzed, compiled and published by UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Observatory which supports governments, local authorities and civil society organizations to develop urban indicators, data and statistics. Urban statistics are collected through household surveys and censuses conducted by national statistics authorities. Global Urban Observatory team analyses and compiles urban indicators statistics from surveys and censuses. Additionally, Local urban observatories collect, compile and analyze urban data for national policy development. Population statistics are produced by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Urbanization Prospects.

Mauritius MU: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 59.159 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 59.090 % for 2016. Mauritius MU: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 57.670 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64.889 % in 1960 and a record low of 55.900 % in 1972. Mauritius MU: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for Mauritius including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.

Mauritius MU: Population: Female: Ages 80 and Above: % of Female Population data was reported at 2.501 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.403 % for 2016. Mauritius MU: Population: Female: Ages 80 and Above: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.785 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.501 % in 2017 and a record low of 0.274 % in 1960. Mauritius MU: Population: Female: Ages 80 and Above: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 80 and above as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;