Seychelles profile

Demography and Health

Seychelles is a small population country with 121,354 residents in 2024. The demographic profile shows a low birth rate of 13.0 per 1,000 people and a crude death rate of 7.3 per 1,000, which together contribute to a life expectancy of 75.0 years at birth as of 2023. Under-5 mortality stands at 14.3 per 1,000 live births, indicating continuing child health challenges typical of small island states but within a relatively manageable range. The prevalence of undernourishment is low at 2.5% (2022), suggesting food security levels are reasonable, though nutrition patterns and access remain important policy concerns. Health financing reveals that current health expenditure accounts for 4.24% of GDP (2022), with domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, at 1,153 international dollars (2022), pointing to a substantial public health investment relative to population size. The health workforce is relatively strong, with 3.82 physicians per 1,000 people in 2022, supported by a relatively high level of internet penetration (87.4% of the population in 2023), which can facilitate telemedicine and health information access. Suicide mortality is recorded at 4.27 per 100,000 people in 2021, a data point reflecting mental health considerations. Net migration is positive, with 1,747 people entering in 2024, indicating a small but meaningful influx that can influence population dynamics and labor supply. Overall, health outcomes and access appear solid for a small island economy, underpinned by public health expenditure and a sizable health workforce, while nutrition and child mortality remain areas for ongoing attention.

Economy

Seychelles exhibits a high level of economic development for a small state, with GDP per capita at current prices of 17,859 US dollars in 2024 and GDP per capita, PPP at 33,239 international dollars. Inflation remains remarkably low at 0.312% in 2024, signaling price stability favorable to households and investment. The economy shows a strong export orientation, with exports of goods and services constituting 85.2% of GDP in 2024 (ranked 10th globally on this indicator), while imports of goods and services amount to 103.0% of GDP, implying a net import reliance that aligns with a small, open economy. The current account balance stands at a deficit of 7.09% of GDP in 2023, reflecting the heavier weight of imports and external financing needs despite robust export performance. Employment appears tight, with unemployment at 2.93% in 2023, suggesting a favorable labor market context, though the data do not reveal sectoral breakdowns or informality levels. The country dedicates relatively modest resources to military expenditure (about 35.9 million USD in 2023, rank 140), consistent with its strategic priorities and small economy. On the energy and climate front, total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 11.2 tons CO2e (2023), and renewable energy consumption accounts for 1.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), indicating substantial room for decarbonization and energy diversification even as the economy enjoys high service exports and import dependencies. FDI inflows reach 11.0% of GDP in 2023, signaling sustained foreign investor interest and potential capital deepening in the economy. High-technology exports are relatively modest at 711 current US$ (2023), suggesting limited advanced manufacturing but potential for growth in knowledge-intensive sectors. The foreign exchange and trade profile is further shaped by a modestly high current account deficit alongside significant openness to international capital and trade activity.

Trade and Investment

Seychelles stands out for its openness to trade and investment. Exports of goods and services comprise 85.2% of GDP in 2024, placing the country among the more export-reliant economies worldwide, while imports account for 103.0% of GDP in the same year, underscoring substantial import dependence typical of small island economies that rely on external inputs for consumption, infrastructure, and tourism-related services. The current account deficit of 7.09% of GDP in 2023 reflects this import dependence and the use of external financing to support growth. Foreign direct investment, net inflows, amount to 11.0% of GDP in 2023, indicating robust investor interest and the capacity of Seychelles to attract capital for development, potentially supporting sectors such as services, finance, tourism-related amenities, and infrastructure. The share of high-technology exports remains small (711 USD, 2023), signaling limited diversification into high-tech manufacturing, while overall GDP per capita and PPP-adjusted income levels point to a productive service-based economy. The economic structure thus combines strong service exports with import-intensive demand, creating both opportunities for growth and vulnerabilities to external shocks, energy costs, and exchange rate movements. The low inflation environment complements the investment climate, yet the country’s dependence on imports and external financing suggests careful macroeconomic management is essential to sustain growth and stability.

Governance and Institutions

In governance and institutions, Seychelles records a mix across indicators. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism are relatively strong, with a value of 0.764 in 2023, indicating a stable political environment. Control of corruption is notably strong at 1.63, ranking 14th globally among the surveyed cases, reflecting a relatively effective stance against corruption. Regulatory quality, however, sits at 0.211, suggesting room to improve the efficiency and predictability of regulatory frameworks that affect business operations and investment. Rule of law is 0.433, indicating a moderate level of enforcement and judicial independence, while government effectiveness stands at 0.625, signaling that public sector performance is reasonably capable but not without constraints. Taken together, Seychelles demonstrates political stability and relatively strong anti-corruption measures, which support investor confidence and governance quality, yet the regulatory environment could benefit from reforms to streamline procedures, reduce red tape, and strengthen the enforcement of laws and contracts. This governance profile aligns with its openness to trade and investment but calls for continued attention to institutional quality to sustain inclusive growth and resilience.

Infrastructure and Technology

On infrastructure and technology, Seychelles shows high digital connectivity and a notable health workforce, with 87.4% of the population using the internet in 2023, indicating strong digital penetration that can underpin e-government, digital commerce, and innovation-driven growth. The country also supports a skilled health workforce, with physicians numbering 3.82 per 1,000 people in 2022, one of the higher ratios among small states and conducive to accessible, quality care. Domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, stands at 1,153 international dollars (2022), signaling substantial public health capacity and investment. However, high-technology exports remain modest at 711 current US$ (2023), pointing to limited advanced manufacturing and a need to cultivate knowledge-intensive sectors to diversify the economy. Renewable energy shares are low, at 1.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), which, in combination with the per-capita energy use and climate considerations, highlights opportunities to expand grid resilience and reduce carbon intensity through investment in renewables and energy efficiency. Overall, Seychelles benefits from strong connectivity and human capital, while infrastructure and technology development could be advanced further by expanding high-tech capabilities and cleaner energy deployment to support sustainable growth.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental and sustainability metrics reveal a mixed but telling profile. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions (excluding LULUCF) are 11.2 t CO2e in 2023, indicating a high emissions footprint for a small island nation, partly due to energy and transportation patterns. Renewable energy consumption is only 1.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), signaling considerable potential to decarbonize through solar, wind, and other renewables, as well as energy efficiency measures. The existence of a relatively high life expectancy and low under-nourishment prevalence are positive indicators of basic human development that can complement climate resilience. The combination of a substantial import reliance, emissions intensity, and underdeveloped renewable energy deployment highlights a strategic vulnerability to climate change and energy price shocks, while also presenting a clear policy avenue: accelerate the transition to renewables and increase energy security to support sustainable growth and environmental stewardship. The data imply that targeted investments in clean energy infrastructure, grid modernization, and climate adaptation could yield significant long-term environmental and economic benefits for Seychelles.