World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
Download Publication
Africa :: Seychelles
page last updated on November 10, 2011
Flag of Seychelles
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Seychelles
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Seychelles
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Seychelles
 
no photos available of Seychelles
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4 35 S, 55 40 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 455 sq km
country comparison to the world: 198
land: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
491 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 2.17%
permanent crops: 13.04%
other: 84.79% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 sq km (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands
Back to Top
People and Society ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Creole 91.8%, English (official) 4.9%, other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
89,188 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 21.9% (male 9,987/female 9,501)
15-64 years: 71% (male 33,044/female 30,277)
65 years and over: 7.2% (male 2,399/female 3,980) (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 32.5 years
male: 32 years
female: 33 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.945% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15.33 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 55% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.031 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 11.66 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 137
male: 14.62 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 73.52 years
country comparison to the world: 115
male: 68.87 years
female: 78.32 years (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.91 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 160
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 78
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.94 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 52
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
25.1% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 11
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 56
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 92.3% (2002 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 15 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 20.3% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 54
Back to Top
Government ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
local long form: Republic of Seychelles
local short form: Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Victoria
geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 June 1993
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic Church
other: trade unions
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
Back to Top
Economy ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation, large financing gaps, and the global recession. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating, but in October 2010 the EU approved a $2.9 million grant as part of a larger four-year program for Seychelles. In response to Seychelles successful implementation of tighter monetary and fiscal 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, but the economy recovered in 2009-10 with a notable increase in tourist numbers for 2010.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.053 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
$1.932 billion (2009 est.)
$1.919 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$936 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
0.7% (2009 est.)
-1.3% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$23,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$22,100 (2009 est.)
$22,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 18.9%
services: 79.1% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
39,560 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 195
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23%
services: 74% (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 4.7%
highest 10%: 15.4%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
65.8 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $339.7 million
expenditures: $314.9 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
53.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
59.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-2.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
31.8% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11.17% (31 December 2010 est.)
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.703% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
15.347% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$319.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$290.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$458.3 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
$425.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$479 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
$441.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
260 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
241.8 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6,203 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$420.1 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
-$253.1 million (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$407.3 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
$432.5 million (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
UK 19%, France 17.7%, Italy 11.1%, Japan 10.8%, Thailand 7% (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$915.6 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
$780.4 million (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Saudi Arabia 21.1%, South Africa 8.4%, France 6.8%, Spain 6.6%, Singapore 6%, Italy 4.7% (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$235.6 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$190.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.526 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
$1.624 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -
12.221 (2010)
13.61 (2009)
8 (2008)
6.5 (2007)
5.5 (2006)
Back to Top
Communications ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22,000 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
117,600 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: effective system
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 via subscription; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.sc
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
256 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
32,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 179
Back to Top
Transportation ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 150
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 508 km
country comparison to the world: 193
paved: 490 km
unpaved: 18 km (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 119
by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Victoria
Back to Top
Military ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 26,257
females age 16-49: 23,996 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 20,231
females age 16-49: 19,891 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 686
female: 650 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Seychelles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All