Mauritius Total Population of 1.24 Million People in 2025 Marks Start of Downturn

Mauritius has reached a demographic turning point, with newly released figures from Statista Research Department confirming that the island nation’s population has entered a period of sustained contraction.

After peaking at 1.24 million in 2025, the total population is projected to shrink by 21,450 people by 2031.

This shift marks the end of a long-term expansion; between 1980 and 2025, the resident count grew by 276,580, though this historic climb was often uneven.

Three Eras of Mauritian Demographics

Analysis of the national census data reveals a classic demographic transition, moving from rapid expansion into a plateau and, finally, a downturn.

• 1980–2015: The Expansion EraThe country saw consistent, albeit fluctuating, upward growth for thirty-five years, eventually surpassing the 1 million milestone.
• 2015–2022: The PlateauGrowth flattened significantly during this period. The population stabilised just above 1.25 million, suggesting that birth rates, death rates, and migration had reached a temporary equilibrium.
• 2023–2031: The ContractionThe current phase is defined by a “continuous downward movement.” Unlike the erratic growth of the past, this decline is expected to be uniform and year-on-year.

A Significant Shift

This transition is typical of developing nations reaching advanced economic status.

By 2031, the cumulative loss of over 21,000 residents will represent a definitive departure from the fluctuating growth patterns that characterised the late 20th century.

Experts view these findings as a primary indicator of the nation’s changing demographic health, reflecting broader shifts in fertility and aging across the territory.

Source: Statista