Mauritius’ population fell to 1.2 m people in 2025.

Neither way is good in itself. Neither direction is good in itself, because a larger population brings more workers and customers but also more demand on housing and public services, while a smaller one eases that pressure but leaves fewer people to work and pay taxes. The latest figure is 1.2 million, up 0.16% from a year earlier. Since 2016 it sits at the bottom of its range, matching the low of 1.2 million, against a high of 1.3 million in January 2021.

Why it matters. At about 1.2 million people, Mauritius has a small home market, so firms depend heavily on visitors and exports for growth. The state plans schools, clinics and pensions around this headcount, and a total that has slipped from 1.3 million in 2021 means those plans rest on a slightly smaller base than a few years ago. A rise of 0.16% in the latest year adds little pressure on housing or jobs.