Train in Port Louis, Mauritius. Through 2018, AfDB will be supporting Mauritius’ goal of transitioning to high-income status and will be focusing support on infrastructure and public-private partnership development. Photo by: Sébastien Amiet /CC BY
Since gaining its independence from the United Kingdom in 1968, Mauritius has made remarkable strides in improving its political, economic and social situation. From a low-income country, it has successfully moved up to upper-middle-income status.
Economic growth has slowed in recent years, however, mainly because its small and isolated market depended largely on trade with the European Union and India; the weak economic climate in the EU led to reduced imports from the small island nation. The education and skills mismatch has resulted in higher unemployment levels as well.