Mauritius Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Mauritius's urban population was 38.94% in 2025, ranked 176th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Mauritius's urban population stood at 38.94% in 2025, a decline of +0.07% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 38.94% by 2025. Mauritius ranked 176th globally.
Mauritius’ urban population share has slipped to 38.94 percent in 2025, placing it 176th globally and marking the lowest level recorded over the 66‑year series that begins in 1960 with 39.89 percent. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 44.10 percent in 1972, after which a gradual decline set in, culminating in the 2025 trough. Compared with its closest peers, Mauritius now trails Vietnam’s 39.47 percent and the Faroe Islands’ 39.58 percent, while still edging slightly above Guinea’s 38.45 percent. The persistent downward trajectory reflects limited rural‑to‑urban migration and the relative attractiveness of suburban and peri‑urban living, a pattern also observed in several small island economies. Continued investment in urban infrastructure, housing affordability and diversified employment opportunities will be crucial if Mauritius hopes to reverse the decline and move its urban share back toward the levels seen in the early 1970s.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 38.87% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 38.91% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 38.94% | - | - |
| 2025 | 38.94% | −0.07% | #176 |
| 2024 | 39.02% | +0.01% | #42 |
| 2023 | 39.00% | +0.00% | #44 |
| 2022 | 39.00% | −0.08% | #46 |
| 2021 | 39.08% | −0.08% | #46 |
| 2020 | 39.16% | −0.09% | #46 |
| 2019 | 39.25% | −0.10% | #48 |
| 2018 | 39.35% | −0.10% | #49 |
| 2017 | 39.45% | −0.11% | #50 |
| 2016 | 39.56% | −0.11% | #50 |
| 2015 | 39.67% | −0.12% | #50 |
| 2014 | 39.79% | −0.12% | #54 |
| 2013 | 39.91% | −0.13% | #55 |
| 2012 | 40.04% | −0.13% | #55 |
| 2011 | 40.17% | −0.14% | #57 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mauritius matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauritius's urban population was 38.94% in 2025. Ranked 176th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Mauritius's urban population peaked at 44.10% in 1972.
The lowest urban population in Mauritius was 38.94% in 2025.
Mauritius ranks 176th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mauritius's urban population is projected to reach 38.94% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Mauritius in 2025 was 38.94%. This ranks 176th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mauritius_urban-population,
title = {Mauritius Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mauritius/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}