Highlights
First quarter 2018
1. Employment of Mauritians is estimated at 540,000 at the first quarter of 2018 compared to 536,100 at the first quarter of 2017 and 548,000 at the fourth quarter of 2017.
2. The unemployment rate for the first quarter of 2018 is estimated at 7.1%, lower than the rate of 7.6% at the first quarter 2017 but higher than the rate of 6.7% at the fourth quarter of 2017.
3. The main characteristics of the unemployed at the first quarter of 2018 were:
(i) The 41,000 unemployed comprised 18,000 males (44%) and 23,300 females (56%).
(ii) 19,300 or about 47% of the unemployed were aged below 25 years.
(iii) Around 27,300 (67%) of the unemployed were single. Among males, the majority (84%) was single compared to 53% among the females.
(iv) Some 4,600 or 11% had not reached the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) level or equivalent and a further 14,400 (35%) did not have the Cambridge School Certificate (SC) or equivalent.
(v) 34,800 (85%) had been looking for work up to one year.
(vi) 14,700 (36%) were looking for a job for the first time.
(vii) 3,100 or 8% of the unemployed were heads of households.
(viii) 6,400 or 16% lived in households with no employed persons.
Forecast - Year 2018
4. Employment is expected to increase by 7,000 in 2018 to reach 552,100 compared to 545,100 in 2017.
5. Unemployment rate for 2018 is forecasted at 6.9%, lower than the rate of 7.1 % for 2017.
