Statistics Mauritius released its 'Economic and Social Indicators' report on September 30, 2026, revealing a decline in the country's unemployment rate. The Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Survey (CMPHS) recorded a 5.5% unemployment rate for the second quarter of 2026, down from 5.9% in the same period of 2025. This represents a decrease of 2,200 individuals, from 34,200 to 32,000 people, in the number of unemployed individuals over the past year.
The improvement in employment is largely attributed to the female population. The female unemployment rate decreased from 7.9% to 7%, with 2,400 fewer women unemployed, from 20,000 to 17,600. In contrast, male unemployment saw a slight increase from 4.3% to 4.4%, with 14,400 men unemployed in the second quarter of 2026, compared to 14,200 in the same period of 2025. Total employment stands at 550,600 people, marking a growth of 500 jobs compared to the second quarter of 2025.
The growth in employment is driven by the female population, with 1,800 more women employed, reaching 234,000. However, male employment saw a decline of 1,300 jobs over the past year, from 317,900 to 316,600. The report highlights a temporary slowdown in the labor market compared to the first quarter of 2026. The total active population decreased by 4,400 people to 582,600, resulting from a combined decline in employment and the number of unemployed individuals.
The population outside the labor force increased by 5,200 people to 409,000. The global activity rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 58.8% compared to the previous quarter. Youth unemployment, for individuals aged 16-24, stands at 19.3% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 20.1% in the same period of 2025. This represents 11,600 young people seeking employment, compared to 12,800 in the second quarter of 2025.
The profile of the unemployed individuals reveals that 55% are women and 45% are men. Additionally, 46% of the unemployed do not possess a School Certificate (SC) or equivalent, 84% have been seeking employment for less than a year, and 28% are looking for their first job. The report also notes that 18% of the unemployed live in households with no employed members.
The sectoral distribution of workers shows that the tertiary sector remains the driving force of the economy, absorbing 76.1% of the workforce in the second quarter of 2026. The secondary sector employs 19.1% of the workforce, while the primary sector represents only 4.8% of total employment. The commerce and manufacturing sectors are among the largest employers, with 15.8% and 9.8% of the workforce, respectively.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the labor market in Mauritius, highlighting trends and changes in employment and unemployment. The data suggests that while there are positive developments, particularly in female employment, challenges persist, particularly among youth and in certain sectors. The report's findings will inform policy decisions aimed at promoting economic growth and job creation in the country.
Key points
- Mauritius' unemployment rate fell to 5.5% in Q2 2026, driven by improved female employment.
- The female unemployment rate decreased from 7.9% to 7%, with 2,400 fewer women unemployed.
- Youth unemployment stands at 19.3% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 20.1% in the same period of 2025.
