Africa :: Seychelles

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## 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. Socialist 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 re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James 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 country comparison to the world: 199 land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km
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 granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources:
fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:
arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 93.48% (2011)
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:
41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands

## People and Society ::Seychelles

Nationality:
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups:
mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Languages:
Creole 91.8%, English (official) 4.9%, other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 82.3%, Protestant 7.5% (Anglican 6.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.1%), other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)
Population:
90,846 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.2% (male 9,852/female 9,364) 15-24 years: 14.6% (male 6,932/female 6,293) 25-54 years: 49.3% (male 23,471/female 21,306) 55-64 years: 7.8% (male 3,663/female 3,378) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 2,520/female 4,067) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 33.4 years male: 33 years female: 34 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.9% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Birth rate:
14.85 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Death rate:
6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Net migration rate:
1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Urbanization:
urban population: 53.6% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 136 male: 13.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.01 years country comparison to the world: 116 male: 69.4 years female: 78.76 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.89 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Health expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 177
Physicians density:
1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Hospital bed density:
3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
23.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 70
Education expenditures:
4.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 80
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 91.4% female: 92.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 20.3% (2002) country comparison to the world: 56

## 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)
Constitution:
18 June 1993
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
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 the 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 (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 19-21 May 2011 (next to be held in 2016) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 55.5%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 41.4%, Philippe BOULLE 1.7%, Ralph VOLCERE 1.5%; note - this was the second election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-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%, independents 0.6%; seats by party - PL 31, vacant - 3; note - the ruling SPPF changed its name to People's Party (Party Lepep) in June 2009; 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 5 pusine 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
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW] New Democratic Party or NDP People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE] Popular Democratic Movement or PDM Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Roman Catholic Church other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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 chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the 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 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 July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. In an effort to obtain loans to service its debt, Seychelles in November 2008 signed a standby arrangement with the IMF that mandated floating the exchange rate, removing foreign exchange controls, cutting government spending, and tightening monetary policy. In response to Seychelles' successful implementation of these policies, the IMF upgraded Seychelles to a three-year extended fund facility (EFF) of $31 million in December 2009. In 2008, GDP fell more than 1% due to declining tourism and the initial effects of liberalization, but the economy recovered in 2010-11 after the reforms took hold and tourism increased. Growth slowed again in 2012 with flagging tourism from Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Seychelles is attempting to implement further structural reforms, including overhauling the tax system, reorganizing of state enterprises, and deregulating the finance and communications sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.355 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $2.292 billion (2011 est.) $2.182 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.031 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 5% (2011 est.) 5.6% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$25,600 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $25,200 (2011 est.) $24,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 2% industry: 18.7% services: 79.3% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 196
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.7% highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)
Investment (gross fixed):
37.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Budget:
revenues: $438.3 million expenditures: $415.4 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
42.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
2.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Public debt:
61.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 74.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 2.6% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
11.17% (31 December 2010 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.19% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 11.19% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$301.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $302.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$553.4 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $598.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$408.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $422.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna
Industries:
fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Current account balance:
-$179.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 -$211.1 million (2011 est.)
Exports:
$493.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $478 million (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners:
France 27.8%, UK 17.7%, Japan 15.3%, Italy 10.7% (2012)
Imports:
$889.6 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $879.6 million (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 23.2%, Spain 11.9%, France 5.8% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$318.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $290.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.776 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Exchange rates:
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 13.704 (2012 est.) 12.381 (2011 est.) 12.068 (2010 est.) 13.61 (2009) 8 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Seychelles

Electricity - production:
245 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - consumption:
227.9 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
95,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
7,793 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Refined petroleum products - imports:
6,923 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.245 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

## Communications ::Seychelles

Telephones - main lines in use:
27,900 (2011) country comparison to the world: 180
Telephones - mobile cellular:
126,600 (2011) country comparison to the world: 187
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)
Internet country code:
.sc
Internet hosts:
247 (2012) country comparison to the world: 196
Internet users:
32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180

## Transportation ::Seychelles

Airports:
14 (2012) 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 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2012)
Heliports:
1 (2012)
Roadways:
total: 508 km country comparison to the world: 194 paved: 490 km unpaved: 18 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 9 country comparison to the world: 118 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Victoria

## Military ::Seychelles

Military branches:
Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)
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:
0.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 148

## Transnational Issues ::Seychelles

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

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