9
resulting in a drop in number of live births together with an increase in the number of deaths, caused
the population growth rate to decline, attaining zero growth rate or lower as from 2019 onwards.
8.3 Dependency Ratio
Figure 8.3.1 - Dependency Ratio, Republic of Mauritius1, 1972 - 2023
800.0
750.0
700.0
Dependency Ratio
650.0
600.0
588.3
550.0
500.0
450.0 420.9
400.0
1972
1983
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Year
1
excluding Agalega and St Brandon
Dependency ratio is defined as the combined child population (under 15 years) and population aged
65 years and over per 1,000 population of intermediated age (15-64 years) in a particular year.
There has been a general decrease in the dependency ratio from 787.2 in 1972 to 409.0 in 2020
(Figure 8.3.1). The fall in dependency ratio observed is mainly the result of a decline in child
population over the years. However, the dependency ratio is picking up in recent years as a result of
ageing.
8.4 Population age structure
The structure of the pyramids in Figure 8.4.1 are determined by the patterns of births, deaths and
migration which took place prior to the reference period of the pyramid. The pyramids compare the
age structure of the population for years 1972, 2000 and 2023 and show some important trends in the
demographics of Mauritius.
The main changes observed over time are:
o the shrinking of the base of the pyramid over time due to falling fertility;
o the thickening of the upper body of the pyramid indicating an increase in expectation of life;
o the relatively longer bars on the female side of the pyramid around its apex indicating the
predominance of females among the elderly.
The pyramid for 1972 shows a typical young population with a wide base indicating a high birth rate,
and a narrow top showing a relatively small proportion in the oldest ages. For 2000 and 2023, there
is a ‘fill up’ of the pyramids above the base mainly due to the progression of the birth cohorts of the
high fertility periods up the pyramid. The upper body of the 2023 pyramid is thicker than the one of
2000 due to improved life expectancy: the people born today are expected to live longer than
previous generations. Women tend to live longer than men as can be seen from the population above
60 years in all the pyramids.
