The ninth issue of the Economic and Social Indicators of Statistics Mauritius, based on the results of the Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Survey, indicates that the unemployment rate has decreased from 7.3% to 7.1% in 2017.
With regards to the change from 2016 to 2017, the Mauritian labour force has increased by 5,900 from 581,000 to 586,900 while the employment rate went up by 6,500 from 538,600 to 545,100. Accordingly, unemployment decreased by 600 from 42,400 to 41,800 and the overall activity rate remained unchanged at 59.6%.
Furthermore, youth employment decreased by 1,800 from 60,100 to 58,300 and unemployment increased by 400 from 18,900 to 19,300. Youth unemployment rate therefore, increased by 1.0 percentage point from 23.9% to 24.9%.
As for male labour force, it increased by 3,000 from 353,600 to 356,600 and the number of those outside the labour force increased by 700 from 122,600 to 123,300. Male employment increased by 2,700 from 336,700 to 339,400 and unemployment by 300 from 16,900 to 17,200. Male activity rate and unemployment rate remain unchanged at 74.3% and 4.8% respectively.
Moreover, female labour force increased by 2,900 from 227,400 to 230,300 and the number of those outside the labour force increased by 1,900 from 271,900 to 273,800. Female employment increased by 3,800 from 201,900 to 205,700 while unemployment decreased by 900 from 25,500 to 24,600. Hence, female activity rate increased from 45.5% to 45.7% while unemployment rate decreased from 11.2% to 10.7%.
In 2017, men comprised 61% of the labour force and most of the workers, that is, 79% were employees. Among the unemployed, women outnumbered men, 24,600 compared to 17,200 though they were generally more qualified. Unemployment rate was highest in the lowest age groups and decreased progressively with increasing age. The unemployment rate for youth aged between 16 to 24 years stood at 24.9%, with 19.5% for male and 31.9% for female.
Regarding the evolution from 2007 to 2017, it has been observed that men are more economically active than women but the gap is decreasing over time. Female employment is increasing faster than male employment. In addition, the tertiary sector is becoming increasingly important in terms of employment. From a high rate of 8.5% recorded in 2007, the unemployment rate was at its lowest in 2017. Accordingly, from a rate of 24.7% in 2007, youth unemployment rose to 24.9% in 2017.
Ninth issue of Economic and Social Indicators
The issue which presents a set of estimates of labour force, employment and unemployment for the year 2017, refers to the Mauritian population aged 16 years and above in the Republic of Mauritius; excluding foreign workers. It has been enhanced to include additional indicators in line with international recommendations of the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Source: Government of Mauritius