Youth unemployment on the rise
If the unemployment rate has stabilized in 2021 in Mauritius (9,1%, i.e. 48,400 unemployed) after the increase recorded the previous year, youth unemployment has increased, going from 26,1% at 27,7% in one year, selon Statistics Mauritius. Figures also show that unemployed women are generally more qualified than men. 51% of them have at least the School Certificate, compared to 39% among men. Closures of establishments or “downsizing” due to Covid-19 are the cause of 42% of job losses since the start of the health crisis. In addition to the 48,400 people considered unemployed, 14,900 unemployed Mauritians available for work but not looking for one are also recorded. The recovery in tourism recorded since the start of the year gives hope for a decline in unemployment, but inflationary tensions, born in particular from the war in Ukraine, could be a brake on companies’ hiring policy.
Gas to produce electricity ?
The Mauritian Central Electricity Board is currently studying the possibility of producing electricity from gas to cope with the growth in consumption..
Rather than launching the construction of new expensive thermal power plants that are not in line with its objectives of “greening” its production, the public operator will examine solutions for gas-powered electricity production barges which could provide temporary solutions, while waiting in particular for the growth of the photovoltaic park. The four thermal power plants and the ten hydroelectric power plants of the CEB currently meet 45% of Mauritian consumption, the remaining 55% coming from independent producers, including sugar groups.
The Indian military base takes shape in Agaléga
An Indian magazine recently published satellite photos of Agaléga showing the construction of vast hangars, “large enough to accommodate large Indian army aircraft”, notably the P-81 Poseidon, a copy of which was recently received in Reunion as part of a surveillance mission. So far, the Mauritian state refutes any agreement with India for the creation of a military base on the remote island and affirms that the work in progress - creation of a large landing strip and port jetties - is not aimed to improve communications with Agaléga.
