Menu
Expat.com

Population, culture, and languages in Mauritius

mauritian cullture
shutterstock.com
Published on 13 April 2018
Updated byAnne-Lise Mestryon 05 March 2023

Moving to Mauritius means discovering its people along with a new culture and languages. Here are some tips to get you prepared.

Population of Mauritius

Mauritius is a plural island enriched by its multiple origins and cultures, and according to the latest figures, it is home to a population of 1,308,222 inhabitants. There are different ethnic origins:

  • Indo-Mauritians*: 68%
  • Afro-Mauritians (Creoles): 27%
  • Sino-Mauritians: 3%
  • Franco-Mauritians: 2%

Language(s) spoken in Mauritius

English is the official language of the Mauritian Republic, a remnant of British colonialism. The administration and official texts are all in English. French and Mauritian Creole are, however, the 2 languages most used by the whole population.

Outside of these 3 main languages allowing communication between all, each ethnic group also speaks different languages.

Thus, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hakka, Arabic, Mandarin and Cantonese are taught in schools. These languages are also supported by Speaking Unions and cultural centers.

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

List of Mauritius's guide articles

Comments

See also

  • Driver's licence in Mauritius
    Driver's licence in Mauritius

    Mauritius has a well-developed public transport network, although the frequency and working hours might not work ...

  • Emergency numbers in Mauritius
    Emergency numbers in Mauritius

    The list below contains emergency numbers in Mauritius, should you be in need for assistance at any ...

  • Banking services in Mauritius
    Banking services in Mauritius

    Opening a bank account in Mauritius can help you in many ways, including receiving your salary, paying your ...

  • The health system in Mauritius
    The health system in Mauritius

    Health is a major issue when moving abroad. Are expats eligible for the Mauritian health system? What are the ...

  • Recommended doctors in Mauritius
    Recommended doctors in Mauritius

    You might be needing medical assistance during your stay in Mauritius. Expat.com provides you with a list of ...

  • Study in Mauritius
    Study in Mauritius

    Mauritius is becoming a higher education hub for the region as it offers a great deal of options. Most Mauritian ...

  • Buying a property in Mauritius
    Buying a property in Mauritius

    The Economic Development Board reminds us that any non-citizen, whether an individual or an investor, is allowed ...

  • Education in Mauritius
    Education in Mauritius

    The Mauritian school system is based on the Anglo-Saxon model and is divided, as is often the case elsewhere, into ...

All of Mauritius's guide articles