Introduction
Background
Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being discovered by Europeans early in the 16th century. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the UK. Independence came 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
97,617 (2023 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
0.6% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Victoria
Executive branch
chief of state: President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020); Vice President Ahmed AFIF (since 27 October 2020); the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Wavel RAMKALAWAN (since 26 October 2020); Vice President Ahmed AFIF (since 27 October 2020)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (35 seats in the 2020-25 term; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 9 members elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
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)
$2.855 billion (2021 est.)
$2.647 billion (2020 est.)
$2.867 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$28,800 (2021 est.)
$26,900 (2020 est.)
$29,400 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, bananas, fruit, eggs, poultry, tomatoes, pork, tropical fruit, cassava
Industries
fishing, tourism, beverages
Remittances
0.79% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
1.39% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$1.751 billion (2021 est.)
$1.24 billion (2020 est.)
$2.085 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
United Arab Emirates 17%, United Kingdom 13%, France 12%, British Virgin Islands 11%, Zambia 9%, Mauritius 5%, Japan 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, recreational boats, cigarettes, animal meal (2019)
Imports
$1.821 billion (2021 est.)
$1.332 billion (2020 est.)
$2.025 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
United Arab Emirates 21%, Qatar 13%, British Virgin Islands 7%, Germany 6%, France 6%, China 5%, Spain 5%, South Africa 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
recreational boats, refined petroleum, fish, aircraft, cars (2019)
Exchange rates
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
16.921 (2021 est.)
17.617 (2020 est.)
14.033 (2019 est.)
13.911 (2018 est.)
13.648 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Monday, December 11, 2023
