PM Targets 2026 for Economic Recovery to Protect Welfare State’s Future

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has declared 2026 the “Year of the Economy,” warning that Mauritius faces the grim prospect of sliding into “Junk State” status if urgent fiscal consolidation is not achieved.

In his traditional New Year’s Day address to the nation, the Prime Minister linked the quality of life for every citizen directly to the country’s economic health.

“We are all concerned,” he stated, asserting that his administration’s focus is not on popularity, but on the essential “redress” of the nation.

Zero Tolerance: Crime and Corruption

Beyond the economy, the Prime Minister identified Law and Order as his “top priority” for the coming year.

He announced a major structural shake-up within the police force to bolster the fight against crime.

Reflecting on the progress made in 2025—which saw 95 arrests for corruption—Ramgoolam highlighted the establishment of the National Prosecution Commission and the National Crime Agency.

He reaffirmed a policy of “zero tolerance” toward criminal activity and graft.

Road Safety and Healthcare Reform

Domestic safety measures are taking immediate effect with the launch of the Penalty Point Scheme today.

• Stricter Sanctions: The scheme introduces harsher penalties to combat road fatalities caused by negligence.
• Healthcare Modernisation: Despite an annual spend of ₹19 billion (approx. 19,000 million rupees), the PM described the current health system as “archaic.” He cited a “strong resistance to change” as the primary barrier to modernisation.

The Challenge of an Ageing Population

While reaffirming his commitment to the Welfare State, the Prime Minister raised the alarm regarding Mauritius’s shifting demographics.

He noted that within a few years, one-third of the population will be over the age of 60, a trend he believes will have a “considerable impact” on both social and economic development.

“We are not here to be popular, but to straighten out the country,” Ramgoolam concluded.

Source: Defi Media