Seychelles - Geography

Here, let us take a look at the Geography of Seychelles. The smallest African country in terms of both area and population; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands, 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria. Mother's mean age at first birth is (), whereas, the Maternal mortality ratio is 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2020)

Geographical data of Seychelles
Location archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates 4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references Africa
Tarrain Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are relatively flat coral atolls, or elevated reefs; sits atop the submarine Mascarene Plateau
Natural Resources fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees
Natural Hazards lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts
Irrigated Land 3 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Major aquifers
Land Boundaries 0 km
Border Countries
Coastline 491 km
Climate tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Area
Total Area
Land Area 455 sq km
Water Area 0 sq km
comparative Area 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Maritime Claims
Territorial sea 12 nm
Contiguous zone 24 nm
Exclusive economic zone 200 nm
Continental shelf 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Elevations
Highest point Morne Seychellois 905 m
Lowest point Indian Ocean 0 m
Land Use
Agricultural land 6.5% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
Forest 88.5% (2018 est.)
Other 5% (2018 est.)
Population Distribution

More than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands as shown in this population distribution map

People and Society

In Seychelles, the different Ethnic groups are such that we have: Predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations

Population
Pop growth rate 0.56% (2024 est.)
Birth rate 11.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Death rate 7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Health expenditure 6.4% of GDP (2020)
Physicians Density
Hospital bed Density 3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Total fertility rate 1.81 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Gross reproduction rate 0.89 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate NA
Est married women (ages 15-49) 45% (2023 est.)
Literacy age 15 and over can read and write
Education expenditures 5.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Net Migration rate 0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Nationality Seychellois | Seychellois (singular and plural)
Languages Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Religions Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
Age Structure
0-14 years 17.7% (male 8,912/female 8,439)
15-64 years 72.4% (male 37,841/female 33,210)
65 years and over 10% (2024 est.) (male 4,220/female 5,565)
Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio 45
Youth dependency ratio 33.6
Elderly dependency ratio 11.4
Potential support ratio 8.7 (2021 est.)
Median Age
Total 38.7 years (2024 est.)
Male 38.2 years
Female 39.4 years
Urbanization
Urban population 58.8% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas (Pop) 28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018).
Sex Ratio
At birth 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years 1.14 male(s)/female
65 years and over 0.76 male(s)/female
Total population 1.08 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant Motality
Total 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Female 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy at birth
Total population 76.6 years (2024 est.)
Male 72.2 years
Female 81.1 years
Drinking Water Sources
Improved: urban urban: NA
Improved: rural rural: NA
Improved: total total: 96.2% of population
Unimproved: urban urban: NA
Unimproved: rural rural: NA
Unimproved: total total: 3.8% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility acess
Improved: urban urban: NA
Improved: rural rural: NA
Improved: total total: 100% of population
Unimproved: urban urban: NA
Unimproved: rural rural: NA
Unimproved: total total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
Total 9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Beer 4.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine 0.49 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits 4.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols 0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
Total 20.2% (2020 est.)
Male 34% (2020 est.)
Female 6.4% (2020 est.)
Demographic profile

Seychelles has no indigenous population and was first permanently settled by a small group of French planters, African slaves, and South Indians in 1770. Seychelles’ modern population is composed of the descendants of French and later British settlers, Africans, and Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern traders and is concentrated on three of its 155 islands – the vast majority on Mahe and lesser numbers on Praslin and La Digue. Seychelles’ population grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, largely due to natural increase, but the pace has slowed because of fertility decline. The total fertility rate dropped sharply from 4.0 children per woman in 1980 to 1.9 in 2015, mainly as a result of a family planning program, free education and health care, and increased female labor force participation. Life expectancy has increased steadily, but women on average live 9 years longer than men, a difference that is higher than that typical of developed countries.

The combination of reduced fertility and increased longevity has resulted in an aging population, which will put pressure on the government’s provision of pensions and health care. Seychelles’ sustained investment in social welfare services, such as free primary health care and education up to the post-secondary level, have enabled the country to achieve a high human development index score – among the highest in Africa. Despite some of its health and education indicators being nearly on par with Western countries, Seychelles has a high level of income inequality.

An increasing number of migrant workers – mainly young men – have been coming to Seychelles in recent years to work in the construction and tourism industries. As of 2011, foreign workers made up nearly a quarter of the workforce. Indians are the largest non-Seychellois population – representing half of the country’s foreigners – followed by Malagasy.

All Important Facts about Seychelles

Want to know more about Seychelles? Check all different factbooks for Seychelles below.

Seychelles is found in Eastern Africa