Seychelles

Introduction

Background
Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. Seychelles gained independence in 1976.

Geography

Area
total : 455 sq km
land: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)

Natural resources
fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees

People and Society

Population
total: 98,187 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations

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 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate
0.56% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Victoria

Executive branch
chief of state: President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020)
head of government: President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ian Dereck Joseph MADELEINE (since 1 December 2021); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023) and Chargé d’Affaires Adham LOUTFI (since 6 October 2023); note - Ambassador JARDINE is posted in Mauritius and is accredited to Seychelles, and Chargé d’Affaires LOUTFI is posted in Victoria, Seychelles

Economy

Economic overview
high-income Indian Ocean island economy; rapidly growing tourism sector; major tuna exporter; offshore financial hub; environmentally fragile and investing in ocean rise mitigation; recently discovered offshore oil potential; successful anticorruption efforts

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.549 billion (2024 est.)
$3.43 billion (2023 est.)
$3.354 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$29,200 (2024 est.)
$28,600 (2023 est.)
$28,000 (2022 est.)

Exports
$2.375 billion (2023 est.)
$2.247 billion (2022 est.)
$1.751 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
France 20%, Mauritius 12%, UK 9%, Japan 8%, Italy 8% (2023)

Exports - commodities
fish, scrap iron, animal meal, broadcasting equipment, ships (2023)

Imports
$2.437 billion (2023 est.)
$2.298 billion (2022 est.)
$1.821 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
UAE 32%, Spain 10%, France 6%, South Africa 6%, India 6% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, ships, cars, plastic products (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.848, ranking it 54th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)