(Photo credit: Defi Media)
Mauritius has made impressive strides in reducing poverty over the past decades, yet more than 100,000 Mauritians still live in relative poverty, and inequality continues to affect youth, women, and marginalized communities. While government programs provide crucial support, each of us can play a role in ensuring that economic growth benefits everyone. This article explores the current situation and offers practical ways we can help build a more inclusive Mauritius.
Poverty and inequality in Mauritius: Key numbers
From the latest World Bank “Poverty & Equity Brief” (October 2025) on Mauritius:
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Extreme poverty (very low/international poverty line) has essentially been eradicated in Mauritius. The reduction in poverty is encouraging: fewer people living in extreme deprivation, more people above the very lowest thresholds.
- 101 900 Mauritians currently considered poor (a family earning less than Rs 14,500 per month is classified as living in relative poverty.) DefiMedia.
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Using the upper middle-income poverty line of US$8.3 per day (2021 PPP), poverty fell from 26.2% in 2012 to 19.1% in 2017 and is projected to decline further to 13.3% by 2025 and 11% by 2027.
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In terms of inequality, the Gini index declined to 37 in 2023, down from 40 in 2017, on a scale of 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality). Even with improvement, a Gini of ~37 suggests there is still material disparity in incomes, access and opportunity.
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Among the poor: about half are inactive (not working) and depend on public transfers, while many of those who work are in informal sectors (tourism, manufacturing, domestic services). Having a “job” does not always mean escaping poverty if it is insecure, low‑paid, or outside formal protections.
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Social inclusion issues remain: poverty is not just about income, but about exclusion of certain populations from decent work, education, social services, infrastructure and voice.
Our responsibility and opportunity
Average monthly wages in Mauritius were estimated at 43 488 MUR in 2024 (825 euros).
If you are relatively better‑off, you are in a position to help ensure that economic growth, investment and opportunity don’t bypass vulnerable groups.
Foreigners who moved to Mauritius from developed countries are particularly in a good position to help. Research shows that global flows of people, capital and migration can help reduce inequality in developing countries provided they are accompanied by inclusive policies, integration, and local capacity development (IOSR Journal of Economics and Finance (IOSR-JEF), 2023).
Concrete things we can do to reduce poverty and inequality in Mauritius
Hire inclusively
If you run a business (or even as a private employer), intentionally provide opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds, e.g. women returning to work, youth in vulnerable communities.
Support formalisation of informal work
When you buy services (cleaning, gardening, house improvement) try to use providers who are formalised (have contracts, social protection) rather than under‑the‑table labour. This helps build the formal sector.
Mentor or support young job‑seekers
Offer short internships, job‑shadowing or career‑guidance to youth from less advantaged communities so they can build networks and skills.
Sponsor education/training
Beyond primary schooling, consider supporting vocational courses, adult‑education or upskilling programmes for people outside the traditional education routes. Examples: with SAC Mauritius, you can sponsor education for children from underprivileged communities.
Buy local, support artisans and SMEs
Choose locally‑made goods (textiles, crafts, food) “Made in Moris” and consciously purchase from small businesses in marginalized areas. Example: FED – Beautiful Localhands helps artisans, mostly women, earn a fair income.
Donate or volunteer with NGOs working on inclusion
For example, the platform ACTogether (citizen platform of NGOs in Mauritius) helps link donors/volunteers with community projects. Also platforms like MO Volonter connect you with volunteering opportunities.
What about beggars in Mauritius – should you give money?
This is a nuanced topic. On one hand, giving money to people begging may relieve immediate need; on the other hand, it may not address the underlying causes (lack of job, exclusion, addiction, mental‑health, informal survival economy) and may perpetuate a cycle of dependency. Some suggestions:
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Instead of giving cash, consider giving vouchers or buying services (food, drink, hygiene supplies).
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Support or engage with local organisations that provide transitional help (training, temporary jobs, shelter) so that street begging becomes a temporary scenario, not a long‑term condition.
Conclusion
Mauritius has achieved important progress in poverty reduction and is relatively well‑positioned compared to many countries. But the challenge now is inclusion: ensuring that the benefits of growth, stability and rising incomes reach all segments of society – youth, informal workers, women, excluded communities.
As someone in the higher‑income bracket you have a choice: you can remain a bystander, or you can consciously use your influence, spending, employment and voice to reinforce inclusive growth.
Making small shifts in hiring practices, consumption, volunteering, advocacy and philanthropy can together aggregate into meaningful change.
Let’s turn our prosperity into a lever for shared opportunity – so that Mauritius becomes not just richer, but more equitable and inclusive.
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