Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Seychelles gained independence in 1976 through negotiations with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE launched a coup against the country’s first president, and Seychelles became a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding elections in 1993. RENE continued to lead Seychelles through two election cycles until he stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates
4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total : 455 sq km
land: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 198
Area – comparative
2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
491 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Terrain
Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are relatively flat coral atolls, or elevated reefs; sits atop the submarine Mascarene Plateau
Elevation
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees
Land use
agricultural land: 3.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 73.3% (2022 est.)
other: 23.4% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
3 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
more than three quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin is home to less than 10%, and a smaller percentage is on La Digue and the outer islands, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts
Geography – note
the smallest African country in terms of both area and population; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands, including 42 granitic and 113 coralline; the largest island by far is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and is the site of the capital city of Victoria
People and Society
Population
total: 98,187 (2024 est.)
male: 50,973
female: 47,214
comparison rankings: total 197; female 197; male 194
Nationality
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups
predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations
Languages
Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 17.7% (male 8,912/female 8,439)
15-64 years: 72.4% (male 37,841/female 33,210)
65 years and over: 10% (2024 est.) (male 4,220/female 5,565)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 38.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 24.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 13.8 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.3 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 38.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 38.2 years
female: 39.4 years
comparison ranking: total 71
Population growth rate
0.56% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 145
Birth rate
11.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 152
Death rate
7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 121
Net migration rate
0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 69
Population distribution
more than three quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin is home to less than 10%, and a smaller percentage is on La Digue and the outer islands, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization
urban population: 58.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2020)
comparison ranking: 183
Infant mortality rate
total: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 131
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 72.2 years
female: 81.1 years
comparison ranking: total population 105
Total fertility rate
1.81 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 139
Gross reproduction rate
0.89 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 96.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 3.8% of population (2017 est.)
Health expenditure
5.3% of GDP (2021)
10.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.25 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density
3.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
14% (2016)
comparison ranking: 130
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 4.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.49 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 28
Tobacco use
total: 20.5% (2025 est.)
male: 34.2% (2025 est.)
female: 5.2% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 64
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
45% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
4.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
13.1% national budget (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 83
Literacy
total population: 95.9%
male: 95.4%
female: 96.4% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years
male: 13 years
female: 16 years (2021)
Environment
Environment – current issues
limited freshwater resources; water pollution; biodiversity
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Land use
agricultural land: 3.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 73.3% (2022 est.)
other: 23.4% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 58.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 16.96 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.61 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 48,000 tons (2012 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 3.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 900,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
local long form: Republic of Seychelles
local short form: Seychelles
etymology: named by French Captain Corneille Nicholas MORPHEY after Jean Moreau de SÉCHELLES, the finance minister of France, in 1756; the British changed the spelling of the name in 1815 when they acquired the islands
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Victoria
geographic coordinates: 4 37 S, 55 27 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the British named the town Port Victoria in 1841 after Queen VICTORIA; the name was later shortened
Administrative divisions
27 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Ile Persévérance I, Ile Persévérance II, La Digue, La Rivière Anglaise, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Constitution
history: previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993
amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting the country’s sovereignty, symbols and languages, the supremacy of the constitution, fundamental rights and freedoms, amendment procedures, and dissolution of the Assembly also requires approval by at least 60% of voters in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020)
head of government: President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
most recent election date: 22-24 October 2020
election results:
2020: Wavel RAMKALAWAN elected president; Wavel RAMKALAWAN (LDS) 54.9%, Danny FAURE (US) 43.5%, other 1.6%
2015: President James Alix MICHEL reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round – James Alix MICHEL (PL) 47.8%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (SNP) 35.3%, other 16.9%; percent of vote in second round – James Alix MICHEL 50.2%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 49.8%
expected date of next election: 2025
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 35 (all directly elected)
electoral system: mixed system
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 10/22/2020 to 10/24/2020
parties elected and seats per party: Seychelles Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, LDS) (25); United Seychelles (US) (10)
percentage of women in chamber: 28.6%
expected date of next election: September 2025
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Seychelles Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices); Supreme Court of Seychelles (consists of the chief justice and 9 puisne judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 Supreme Court judges)
judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Authority, a 3-member body, with 1 member appointed by the president of the republic, 1 by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and 1 by the other 2 appointees; judges serve until retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Magistrates’ Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, child custody, and maintenance; Employment Tribunal for labor-related disputes
Political parties
Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSJD
Seychellois Democratic Alliance or LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa/Union Démocratique Seychelloise)
Seychelles National Party or SNP
United Seychelles or US
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ian Dereck Joseph MADELEINE (since 1 December 2021); note – also Permanent Representative to the UN
chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1107, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
email address and website: [email protected]
Foreign Affairs Department Republic of Seychelles » United States of America (mfa.gov.sc)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023) and Chargé d’Affaires Adham LOUTFI (since 6 October 2023); note – Ambassador JARDINE is posted in Mauritius and is accredited to Seychelles, and Chargé d’Affaires LOUTFI is posted in Victoria, Seychelles
embassy: 2nd Floor, Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria Mahe, Seychelles; note – US Embassy in Seychelles reopened on 1 June 2023 after having been closed in 1996
telephone: [248] 422 5256
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 18 June (1993); Independence Day (National Day), 29 June (1976)
Flag description
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom), radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the bands symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue stands for the sky and sea, yellow for the sun giving light and life, red for the people’s determination to work for the future in unity and love, white for social justice and harmony, and green for the land and natural environment
National symbol(s)
coco de mer (sea coconut)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red, white, green
National anthem
name: “Koste Seselwa” (Seychellois Unite)
lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Aldabra Atoll; Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Indian Ocean island economy; rapidly growing tourism sector; major tuna exporter; offshore financial hub; environmentally fragile and investing in ocean rise mitigation; recently discovered offshore oil potential; successful anticorruption efforts
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.53 billion (2023 est.)
$3.421 billion (2022 est.)
$2.976 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 194
Real GDP growth rate
3.16% (2023 est.)
14.98% (2022 est.)
0.55% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 104
Real GDP per capita
$29,500 (2023 est.)
$28,500 (2022 est.)
$30,000 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 79
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.141 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.3% (2024 est.)
-1% (2023 est.)
2.6% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 12
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 2.8% (2023 est.)
industry: 12% (2023 est.)
services: 68% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 45; industry 180; agriculture 140
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 73.8% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 21.3% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.1% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 85.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -97.1% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, bananas, eggs, chicken, pork, fruits, tomatoes, tropical fruits, cassava (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
fishing, tourism, beverages
Industrial production growth rate
2.13% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 113
Labor force
51,000 (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 190
Unemployment rate
3% (2017 est.)
2.7% (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 45
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 16.5% (2020 est.)
male: 17.5%
female: 15.6%
comparison ranking: total 79
Population below poverty line
25.3% (2018 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
32.1 (2018 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 110
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.6% (2018 est.)
highest 10%: 23.9% (2018 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
0.53% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.53% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.64% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $431.07 million (2020 est.)
expenditures: $611.548 million (2020 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 71
Taxes and other revenues
26.18% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 36
Current account balance
-$155.194 million (2023 est.)
-$141.648 million (2022 est.)
-$160.168 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 105
Exports
$2.375 billion (2023 est.)
$2.247 billion (2022 est.)
$1.751 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 160
Exports – partners
France 20%, Mauritius 12%, UK 9%, Japan 8%, Italy 8% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
fish, scrap iron, animal meal, broadcasting equipment, ships (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$2.437 billion (2023 est.)
$2.298 billion (2022 est.)
$1.821 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 169
Imports – partners
UAE 32%, Spain 10%, France 6%, South Africa 6%, India 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, fish, ships, cars, plastic products (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$773.678 million (2024 est.)
$682.794 million (2023 est.)
$638.961 million (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 155
Exchange rates
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
14.53 (2024 est.)
14.018 (2023 est.)
14.273 (2022 est.)
16.921 (2021 est.)
17.617 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 156,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 581.227 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 44.034 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 37; consumption 173; installed generating capacity 181
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 86.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 12.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 500 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
893,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 92 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 893,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 173
Energy consumption per capita
98.847 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 51
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 18,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 175
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 165,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 192 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 186
Broadcast media
state-run national broadcaster Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has the only terrestrial TV station, which also airs broadcasts from international services; privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available through 2 providers; SBC operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters available in Victoria (2019)
Internet country code
.sc
Internet users
percent of population: 87% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 39,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 151
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
S7
Airports
16 (2025)
comparison ranking: 149
Heliports
6 (2025)
comparison ranking: 94
Merchant marine
total: 30 (2023)
by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 6, other 18
comparison ranking: total 134
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 1
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Victoria
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Seychelles People’s Defense Forces (SPDF; aka Seychelles Defense Forces, SDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force
Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (2025)
Military expenditures
1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 500 active Defense Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the SDF’s inventory primarily consists of Soviet-era equipment delivered in the 1970s and 1980s; in recent years, the SDF has received limited amounts of more modern equipment, mostly donations of patrol boats and aircraft, from several suppliers, including Bahrain, China, India, and the UAE (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18-28 (18-25 for officers) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 6-year initial commitment; no conscription (2023)
Military – note
formed in 1977, the SDF is one of the World’s smallest militaries; its primary responsibility is maritime security, including countering illegal fishing, piracy, and drug smuggling; it was given police powers in 2022; the Seychelles has close security ties with India (2024)
