Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mauritian(s).
Population (July 2009 est.): 1,284,264, including Rodrigues, Agalega, and St. Brandon. Density--622/sq. km.
Avg. annual population growth (2009): 0.776%.
Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritians 68%, Creoles 27%, Sino-Mauritians 3%, Franco-Mauritians 2%.
Religions: Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%.
Languages: Creole (common), French, English (official), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri.
Education: Years compulsory--11 (primary school). Attendance (primary school)--virtually universal. Literacy--adult population 84.4%; school population 90%.
Health (2008): Infant mortality rate--12.2/1,000. Life expectancy--male 70.53 yrs., female 77.65 yrs.
Work force (2008 est., 584,000): Construction and industry--30%; trade and tourism--22%; agriculture and fishing--9%; communication--7%; finance--6%; other--25%.