The economics of the elderly in Mauritius, 2002-2022

Esther Hanoomajee, Independent Consultant

Mauritius has had one of the swifest demographic transistions in the world with population growth rates declining from 3.12 % between 1952 and 1962 to less than 1 % between 1983 and 1990. This decline has had a dramatic impact on the population age structure. The percentage of population above 60 years has increased gradually from around 8.3% in 1990 to 9 % in 2002 and will increase to about 17 % of total popualtion by 2022. This would mean that while in the 2000s, the ratio of working age population to dependants was 7:1, the ratio will decline to 3:1 over the next decade. The impact of this change is examined in terms of the (i) economy, (ii) health and social security and pensions, (iii) gender, and (iv) living arrangements. The economic and pensions aspects are crucial as welfare provisions constitute almost 20 % of the national recurrent budget.