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Africa :: Seychelles

- ## Introduction :: SEYCHELLES

- Background:
  A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Single-party rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was reelected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in May 2011.

- ## Geography :: SEYCHELLES

- 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
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Area - comparative:
  2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  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 coral, flat, elevated reefs
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
  Natural resources:
  fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 6.5%
  arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 88.5%
  other: 5% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  2.6 sq km (2003)
  Natural hazards:
  lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts
  Environment - current issues:
  water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  smallest African country; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria

- ## People and Society :: SEYCHELLES

- Nationality:
  noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
  adjective: Seychellois
  Ethnic groups:
  mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
  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 10.6% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecoastal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.6), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
  Population:
  92,430 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 20.53% (male 9,731/female 9,243)
  15-24 years: 13.92% (male 6,740/female 6,125)
  25-54 years: 49.4% (male 24,076/female 21,586)
  55-64 years: 8.74% (male 4,190/female 3,888)
  65 years and over: 7.41% (male 2,670/female 4,181) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 43.5%
  youth dependency ratio: 33.6%
  elderly dependency ratio: 9.9%
  potential support ratio: 10.1% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 34.4 years
  male: 33.9 years
  female: 35 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.83% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Birth rate:
  14.19 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Death rate:
  6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Net migration rate:
  1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 53.9% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 10.49 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 7.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 74.49 years
  male: 69.92 years
  female: 79.2 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Total fertility rate:
  1.87 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Health expenditures:
  4% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Physicians density:
  1.07 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 95.7% of population
  rural: 95.7% of population
  total: 95.7% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 4.3% of population
  rural: 4.3% of population
  total: 4.3% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 98.4% of population
  rural: 98.4% of population
  total: 98.4% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 1.6% of population
  rural: 1.6% of population
  total: 1.6% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  26.9% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Education expenditures:
  3.6% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 121
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 91.8%
  male: 91.4%
  female: 92.3% (2012 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 13 years
  male: 13 years
  female: 13 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 11%
  male: 8.4%
  female: 14.2% (2011 est.)

- ## Government :: SEYCHELLES

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
  conventional short form: Seychelles
  local long form: Republic of Seychelles
  local short form: Seychelles
  Government type:
  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)
  Administrative divisions:
  25 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, Inner Islands, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamalles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka
  Independence:
  29 June 1976 (from the UK)
  National holiday:
  Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993); Independence Day, 29 June (1976)
  Constitution:
  previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993; amended many times, last in 2011 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
  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 James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 more terms); election last held on 3-5 December with runoff on 16-18 December 2015 (next to be held NA)
  election results: President James MICHEL reelected president; percent of vote in second round - James MICHEL (PP) 50.2%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (SNP) 49.8%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members directly elected in single-member constituencies by simple majority vote and 9 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 29 September - 1 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections
  election results: percent of vote by party - PL 88.6%, PDM 10.9%, independent 0.6%; seats by party - PL 33, PDM 1; note - the SNP and NDP boycotted the 2011 elections
  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 puisine 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 Committee, 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 appointed until retirement at age 70
  subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, and child custody and maintenance; Employment Tribunal for labor related disputes
  Political parties and leaders:
  People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [James Alix MICHEL] (formerly SPPF)
  Popular Democratic Movement or PDM [David PIERRE]
  Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)
  Seselwa (Seychelles) United Party or SUP [Robert ERNESTA] (formerly the New Democratic Party or NDP)
  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 (observer)
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Marie-Louise Cecile POTTER (since 6 September 2012)
  chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
  telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
  FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the US Ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles
  Flag description:
  five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green the land and natural environment
  National symbol(s):
  coco de mer (sea coconut); national colors: 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

- ## Economy :: SEYCHELLES

- Economy - overview:
  Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle-income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. In 2008, having depleted its foreign exchange reserves, Seychelles defaulted on interest payments due on a $230 million Eurobond, requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and immediately enacted a number of significant structural reforms, including liberalization of the exchange rate, reform of the public sector to include layoffs, and the selling of some state assets. In December 2013, the IMF declared that Seychelles had successfully transitioned to a market-based economy with full employment and a fiscal surplus.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $2.424 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.346 billion (2013 est.)
  $2.212 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 192
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $1.423 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3.3% (2014 est.)
  6% (2013 est.)
  6.6% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $25,800 (2014 est.)
  $25,000 (2013 est.)
  $23,500 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Gross national saving:
  16.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  26.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  17.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 53%
  government consumption: 24.4%
  investment in fixed capital: 37.9%
  investment in inventories: 0.2%
  exports of goods and services: 84.1%
  imports of goods and services: -99.6%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3%
  industry: 14.6%
  services: 82.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (manioc, tapioca), copra, bananas; tuna
  Industries:
  fishing, tourism, beverages
  Industrial production growth rate:
  -0.3% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Labor force:
  39,560 (2006 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 3%
  industry: 23%
  services: 74% (2006)
  Unemployment rate:
  3% (2014 est.)
  3.3% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 4.7%
  highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)
  Budget:
  revenues: $485 million
  expenditures: $450.2 million (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  34.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  2.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Public debt:
  65.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  64.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.4% (2014 est.)
  4.3% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Central bank discount rate:
  11.17% (31 December 2010)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  11.65% (31 December 2014 est.)
  12.29% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Stock of narrow money:
  $407.2 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $431.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Stock of broad money:
  $567.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $529.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $427.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $498.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$299 million (2014 est.)
  -$162 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 96
  Exports:
  $538.9 million (2014 est.)
  $629.2 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Exports - commodities:
  canned tuna, frozen fish, petroleum products (reexports)
  Exports - partners:
  France 24.8%, UK 18.6%, Italy 11.9%, Japan 9.2%, Mauritius 6.2%, Spain 4.2% (2014)
  Imports:
  $1.081 billion (2014 est.)
  $1.075 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods
  Imports - partners:
  Saudi Arabia 23.6%, Spain 9.8%, France 5.2%, South Africa 4.6% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $549.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)
  $465 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Debt - external:
  $2.823 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.714 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Exchange rates:
  Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -
  12.747 (2014 est.)
  12.747 (2013 est.)
  13.7 (2012 est.)
  12.381 (2011 est.)
  12.068 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: SEYCHELLES

- Electricity - production:
  316 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Electricity - consumption:
  293.9 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  89,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 26
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  6,800 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 129
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  6,805 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.304 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164

- ## Communications :: SEYCHELLES

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 21,200
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 151,300
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 165 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: effective system
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 170 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago
  international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
  Internet country code:
  .sc
  Internet users:
  total: 49,300
  percent of population: 53.8% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184

- ## Transportation :: SEYCHELLES

- Airports:
  14 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 7
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 5
  under 914 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 7
  914 to 1,523 m: 2
  under 914 m:
  5 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 508 km
  paved: 490 km
  unpaved: 18 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Merchant marine:
  total: 9
  by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1
  foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Victoria

- ## Military :: SEYCHELLES

- Military branches:
  Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF): Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2015)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 26,257
  females age 16-49: 23,996 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 20,231
  females age 16-49: 19,891 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 686
  female: 650 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  0.89% of GDP (2012)
  0.82% of GDP (2011)
  0.89% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 109

- ## Transnational Issues :: SEYCHELLES

- Disputes - international:
  Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

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