Mauritius

Mauritius is a tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, that has emerged as one of Africa's most stable and prosperous countries. With a population of approximately 1.3 million, it consistently ranks as the most peaceful nation in sub-Saharan Africa (26th globally on the 2025 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.586). The cost of living is approximately 44.5% lower than the United States according to Numbeo (2026), with a Numbeo Cost of Living Index of 35.6 (where New York City = 100). A single person can expect monthly costs of around $582 excluding rent, while a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages $456/month. The healthcare system combines free public services with a growing private sector favored by expats for shorter wait times and more personalized care. Healthcare represents about 4.7% of GDP. Private hospitals feature internationally trained staff and modern equipment, with annual expat health insurance premiums ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. While English is the official language of parliament and is used in government, courts, and education, the dominant spoken language is Mauritian Creole (86.5% of the population), followed by Bhojpuri (5.3%) and French (4.1%). Most educated Mauritians and those in the tourism/business sectors can communicate in English, but daily life is primarily conducted in Creole and French. The expat community numbers approximately 29,000 foreign-born residents, with French and South African nationals forming the largest groups. The island offers several visa pathways including the free Premium Visa for remote workers and retirees, and a dedicated Retirement Residence Permit for those 50 and older. Note that the US State Department raised Mauritius to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) in December 2025 due to rising crime, primarily petty theft and crimes of opportunity in tourist areas.