Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. In the United Nations statistical framework, it is classified with M49 code 480, ISO alpha-2 code MU, and ISO alpha-3 code MUS. The UN places it in the Africa region and the Sub-Saharan Africa subregion, and it is a UN member state. The World Bank lists Port Louis as the capital. These classification facts are stable identifiers; they describe statistical and administrative groupings, not political or territorial claims. For the official M49 methodology and country codes, see the UN Statistics Division M49 overview.

Classification and identifiers

The table below shows the stable identifiers assigned by the United Nations and related standards bodies. These are classification facts, not political statements. The UN M49 classification is statistical, not political. It groups territories for data reporting convenience and does not determine sovereignty, recognition, or territorial claims. For the authoritative list, see the UN M49 overview. The World Bank API provides the capital field and related country metadata; the reference year for that structure is the current API release.

Field	Value
UN M49 code	480
ISO alpha-2	MU
ISO alpha-3	MUS
UN region	Africa
UN subregion	Sub-Saharan Africa
UN member state	Yes
World Bank capital field	Port Louis

How to verify the identifiers

The UN M49 overview is the authoritative reference for country codes and regional groupings. The World Bank country API returns the current country metadata, including the capital field. Always confirm the reference year of the API release when citing any value.

Capital and status

Capital: Port Louis. The World Bank country API lists Port Louis as the capital in the capitalCity field for Mauritius. Capital cities are administrative facts, not political claims; they can change through national legislation and are recorded by international bodies without endorsing any territorial dispute.

Status: Mauritius is a UN member state and is classified by the UN M49 standard under Africa (region code 002) and Sub-Saharan Africa (subregion code 202). The UN M49 code is 480; ISO alpha-2 is MU; ISO alpha-3 is MUS. The World Bank’s capitalCity field for the country record is Port Louis.

Population

The most recent population figures are published by Statistics Mauritius, the national statistical office. The World Bank also publishes annual population estimates for Mauritius. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) produces population estimates and projections used across UN agencies. These numbers differ because they are produced with different methods and reference dates.

For the latest figure, check the World Bank country API or the UN data portal. The World Bank’s population figure for Mauritius is a mid-year estimate, and its reference year is stated on the data page. Census counts are the primary source; intercensal estimates are projections. Always note the reference year when citing any population number.

How to verify current data that changes over time

Population figures, languages, currency, government type, economic indicators, and visa rules change over time. For a stable profile, use the primary sources below and record the reference year for each figure. Do not rely on a single number from a search result; check the underlying dataset and its collection date.

Population and development indicators

Consult the UN Population Division and the World Bank’s country profile pages. The World Bank API returns country metadata, but population and economic indicators come from the World Bank’s indicators endpoint, not the country list itself. The UN’s World Population Prospects publishes biennial estimates; the reference year is stated in each dataset.

Languages

The CIA World Factbook compiles language shares from national sources, but census questions on language vary. The Constitution of Mauritius names official languages, but for spoken usage, consult the Mauritian national statistics office or the Ethnologue profile for Mauritius. Language figures change slowly; still, always check the year.

Currency

The Bank of Mauritius issues the Mauritian rupee (MUR). Exchange rates change daily; for a current rate, use the central bank or a financial data service. Do not treat a historical rate as current.

Government

The CIA World Factbook and the Commonwealth Secretariat both publish concise descriptions of Mauritius’ parliamentary republic structure. For the current head of state, head of government, or election results, check the official website of the Government of Mauritius or the most recent election commission report. Do not assume the head of state or government is the same person as in any older article.

Economy

The World Bank and IMF publish GDP, GDP per capita, and growth figures. Use the World Bank API for current indicators, and check the methodology notes for what is and is not included.

Travel requirements

Visa policy, entry rules, and health requirements change frequently. Always check your own government’s travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre for current rules. Do not rely on third-party summaries.