Mauritius Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 159th most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
1,240,207
The population of Mauritius is about 1,240,207 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 1.2 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.01% of the world's people.
Mauritius is ranked 159th of 217 by population. The population is shrinking, by about 0.21% a year. It peaked around 2021 at 1.3 million and is projected to fall to 1.1 million by 2050. Since 1960 (680 thousand) it has grown by 82%. Population density is 621 people per square kilometre. 39% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
1.2 million
Yearly change
−0.21%
World rank
159th
Share of world
0.01%
Density
621/km²
Land area
2,000 km²
Life expectancy
73.8 yrs
Births per woman
1.44
GDP per capita
$12,991
GDP
$16.2B
Population of Mauritius, 1960–2050
Mauritius population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 680,331 | — | 340 |
| 1970 | 826,000 | +1.67% | 413 |
| 1980 | 966,039 | +1.70% | 483 |
| 1990 | 1,058,775 | +0.71% | 529 |
| 2000 | 1,186,873 | +0.99% | 593 |
| 2010 | 1,250,400 | +0.24% | 625 |
| 2020 | 1,266,014 | +0.00% | 633 |
| 2024 | 1,245,779 | −0.23% | 623 |
| 2026proj. | 1,241,079 | −0.21% | 621 |
| 2030proj. | 1,229,084 | −0.25% | 615 |
| 2040proj. | 1,180,026 | −0.54% | 590 |
| 2050proj. | 1,100,053 | −0.80% | 550 |
Mauritius vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 143 times as many people as Mauritius. Bangladesh is 2.2 times more densely populated.
Mauritius population: questions and answers
What is the population of Mauritius in 2026?
About 1,241,079 (1.2 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Mauritius's population growing?
No — it is falling by about 0.21% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Mauritius?
About 621 people per km², with a land area of 2,000 km².
What will the population of Mauritius be in 2050?
About 1.1 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Mauritius?
Port Louis.
What is the life expectancy in Mauritius?
73.8 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.