Visitors here can find an array of publications related to productivity, competitiveness, quality and economy released by different stakeholders. You may also visit the Archives section for past publications.
World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2023
The global outlook for labour markets deteriorated significantly during 2022.
Informality and working poverty rose further with the COVID-19 crisis. Globally, around 2 billion workers were in informal employment in 2022.
The global jobs gap stood at 473 million people in 2022, corresponding to a jobs gap rate of 12.3 per cent. The global jobs gap is a new measure of the unmet need for employment in the world. It consists of the 205 million unemployed – corresponding to an unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent – and 268 million people who have an unmet need for employment but are outside the labour force because they do not satisfy the criteria to be considered unemployed.
In 2022, an estimated 214 million workers were living in extreme poverty (earning less than US$1.90 per day per person in purchasing power parity [PPP] terms), corresponding to around 6.4 per cent of employed people.
Women and young people fare significantly worse in labour markets, a fact indicative of large inequalities in the world of work in many countries. Globally, the labour force participation rate of women stood at 47.4 per cent in 2022, compared with 72.3 per cent for men. Young people (aged 15–24) face severe difficulties in securing decent employment. Their unemployment rate is three times as high as that of adults (aged 25 or more). More than one in five – 23.5 per cent – of young people are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Global employment is projected to expand by 1.0 per cent in 2023, a significant deceleration from the 2.3 per cent growth rate of 2022.
Global labour supply growth is likely to continue its deceleration, which will contribute to substantial labour shortages in advanced economies in particular.
The long-term slowdown in productivity growth in advanced economies has spread to major emerging economies. This is a matter of much concern, since growth in productivity is key to addressing today’s multiple crises in purchasing power, well-being and ecological sustainability.
Not only has productivity growth slowed but the fruits of such growth are also being shared less equally.
The pace of technological innovation in the digital economy is high but the benefits are not being shared widely.
Productivity growth has suffered from weakening investment, partly owing to high levels of economic uncertainty
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Top retail trends 2023
The global retail industry has been dealing with one of the most uncertain and evolving moments in recent history. While many of the 2023 retail trends detailed in this report have been around, they will take new twists and turns, dictated by an ever-evolving consumer and economy:
Inflation is impacting household budgets but consumers are still fulfilling their pent-up demand for travel and experiences.
Choice is key but consumers don’t want to be overwhelmed by messaging and offers, increasing the expectation for personalization.
Privacy is more important than ever but people want brands to understand them.
Curbside service and other conveniences borne from the pandemic are here to stay but people also want new experiences
In 2023, retailers will seek concrete ways to tie their loyalty programs to their environmental and social efforts to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices.
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Consumer Price Index (CPI) December 2022
The CPI increased from 126.8 in November 2022 to 127.1 in December 2022.
Year-on-year (Y-o-y) inflation worked out to 12.2% in December 2022, compared to 6.8% in December 2021
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Identifying the Main Drivers of Productivity Growth
This publication highlights the impacts of COVID-19 on productivity and explores the main drivers of productivity growth in APO and OECD economies.
The economic literature remains inconclusive on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on productivity as several factors may hamper long-term productivity gains. They include:
Elevated uncertainties and tightened financial conditions will deter investment;
Labour-market scarring can restrain productivity prospects;
Rising concentration in digital sectors may dampen productivity growth;
Slower integration in global value chains may limit productivity gains;
Digitalisation and new forms of work may support productivity;
There are signs that the increase in teleworking is here to stay;
Long-term developments in productivity remain uncertain;
Multi-factor productivity is important for economic growth.
MFP is a multifaceted concept driven by a wide range of policies and institutions. These can be oriented to foster innovation and experimentation with new knowledge and technologies (through investments in intangible assets such as R&D and digitalisation), to improve the diffusion of existing knowledge and technologies (through skills improvements and better public infrastructure), to facilitate the efficient allocation of resources (through competition, international integration and financial development), and to improve governance (institutions).
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National Accounts Estimates, Dec 2022 Issue
On the basis of information gathered on key sectors of the economy, performance observed in the first nine months of 2022 and taking into consideration policy measures announced in the budget 2022/2023:-GDP at market prices in 2022 would grow by 7.8% instead of 7.2% as forecasted in September 2022.
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McKinsey & Company - Economic conditions outlook during turbulent times, December 2022
Geopolitical instability and inflation remain survey respondents’ top-cited risks to economic growth globally and domestically.
As 2022 comes to an end, the latest survey shows rising interest rates as a growing concern domestically, surpassing concerns over energy price volatility.
Inflation continues to be top of mind as a risk to survey respondents’ domestic economies in all regions except Greater China.
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MCB Focus 89 Economic Outlook
Amidst the highly uncertain and volatile global environment, it is comforting to note that the Mauritian economy remains engaged on a recovery path following the pandemic hit.
The persistently elevated level of labour underutilisation could have adverse consequences on the country’s potential output and long-term growth prospects alongside exerting pressures on the country’s productivity trends.
Going forward, as the country steers its way through the difficult context, it is important that the authorities execute on their fiscal consolidation plan to trigger a sustained reduction in public debt, backed by a sound public debt management framework that promotes the adherence to a clear fiscal anchor in line with international standards.
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Regional Economic Outlook-Sub-Saharan Africa 2022
The region is expected to grow by 3.6 percent in 2022, down from 4.7 percent in 2021, due to muted investment and the overall worsening of its balance of trade.
Following worldwide trends, inflation has increased faster and more persistently than previously anticipated, reflecting mounting prices for essential food and energy items, which comprise about 50 percent of the region’s consumption basket.
The recent pickup in inflation is less striking relative to historical averages for sub-Saharan Africa, the cost-of-living squeeze has pushed millions of people into acute food insecurity and could weigh on economic growth and undermine social and political stability.
Public debt has reached about 60 percent of GDP, leaving the region with debt levels last seen in the early 2000s. 19 of the region’s 35 low-income countries are now in debt distress or at high risk of distress.
International support to address ongoing challenges, including food insecurity and the green energy transition, remains essential.
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World Economic Outlook Oct 2022
Global growth is forecast to slow from 6.0 percent in 2021 to 3.2 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023. This is the weakest growth profile since 2001 except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global inflation is forecast to rise from 4.7 percent in 2021 to 8.8 percent in 2022 but to decline to 6.5 percent in 2023 and to 4.1 percent by 2024.
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Health Statistics Report 2021
The estimated resident population as at 31 December 2021 was 1,219,187 compared to 1,221,759 as at 31 December 2020, indicating a negative growth rate of 0.2%.
In the period 2000 to 2016, life expectancy at birth increased by 3.1 years for men (from 68.1 to 71.2 years) and by 2.6 years for women (from 75.3 to 77.9years). However, as from 2017, a decreasing trend has been noted. In 2021, life expectancy at birth for male is 70.3 years and for female is 77.3 years.
in 2021, there was a significant increase in the number of deaths. It reached 12,990 with a crude death rate of 10.6 per 1,000 mid-year population.
Besides the 785 deaths attributed to severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with Covid-19, significant increases have been noted in mortality due to chronic conditions, mostly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Of all deaths recorded in 2021, diseases of the circulatory system (mainly heart diseases and strokes) were responsible for 34.5%, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (mainly diabetes) for 20.4%, neoplasm (cancers) for 10.6%, diseases of the respiratory system for 9.2% and injury and poisoning for 3.5%.
In 2021, a total of 4.3 million out-patients were seen by doctor in all public health institutions; this figure was 4.5 million in 2020 and 5.5 million in 2019. Data obtained from the Mauritius Revenue Authority indicate that the number of imported cigarette sticks was 1,006 million in 2021 compared to 1,041 million in 2019.
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Global Innovation Index 2022
Switzerland, the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are the world’s most-innovative economies, according to WIPO’s 2022 Global Innovation Index (GII).
In Sub-Saharan Africa, only Mauritius (45th) and South Africa (61st) rank among the top 80. Five of the region’s other economies rank within the top 100 this year: Botswana (86th), Kenya (88th), Ghana (95th), Namibia (96th) and Senegal (99th) (Table 5). Sixteen economies move up the GII rankings, with Mauritius, Botswana, Ghana, Senegal, Zimbabwe (107th), Ethiopia (117th) and Angola (127th) making noteworthy improvements. Burundi (130th) makes a return to the GII this year thanks to improved data availability, after having held 128th position in the GII in 2019. Mauritania joins the GII for the first time at 129th place.
Mauritius ranks highest within the region in Institutions (22nd), Infrastructure (70th), Market sophistication (16th), and Creative outputs (31st). It leads worldwide in Venture capital deals (1st), and performs notably well in Trademarks (15th), ICT services imports (20th) and New businesses (20th). Botswana tops in Human capital and research (51st), and performs well in indicators such as Expenditure on education (2nd), New businesses (4th), Loans from microfinance institutions (15th) and Intellectual property payments (22nd). Namibia leads worldwide in Expenditure on education (1st) and performs well above the regional average on Human capital and research. South Africa heads the region in Business sophistication (63rd) and Knowledge and technology outputs (56th).
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Productivity and Competitiveness Index (2011 - 2021)
The Productivity and Competitiveness Index (2011 - 2021) has recently been published by Statistics Mauritius. Here are the main highlights: During the period 2011 to 2021, the Gross Value Added (GVA) in real terms grew by an annual average of 1.6%. During the same period, the real output of the Manufacturing sector fell by 0.1% annually and that of Export Oriented Enterprises (EOE) decreased at an annual rate of 3.3%.
In 2021, labour input for the whole economy fell by 6.4%, after declining by 5.5% in 2020; while GVA increased by 4.2% in 2021, after a contraction of 14.4% in 2020. Thus, labour productivity for the economy rose by 11.4% in 2021, after a decline of 9.4% in 2020. Labour productivity for the Manufacturing sector increased by 13.6% in 2021, compared to a decline of 11.6% in 2020 and that of EOE witnessed a rise of 20.4% in 2021 after a fall of 15.1% in 2020.
Capital productivity for the whole economy rose by 4.8% in 2021 compared to a fall of 15.1% in 2020, and that for Manufacturing increased by 11.8% in 2021 after declining by 12.7% in 2020. For EOE, it increased by 12.3% in 2021 after a decline of 17.6% in 2020.
From 2011 to 2021, average compensation of employees increased by an average of 4.9% annually for the whole economy and by 2.3% for Manufacturing sector and 2.9% for EOE. ULC defined as the remuneration of labour (compensation of employees) per unit of output, grew at an average annual rate of 2.9% for the total economy, 0.8% for Manufacturing sector and 1.8% for EOE, as a result of higher growths in average compensation of employees compared to labour productivity.
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Gender Statistics 2021
In 2021, the population comprised 640,057 women compared to 626,003 men. Women outnumbered men by 14,054 as they lived on average 6.9 years longer than men.
Only 10.4% of working women were heads of business compared to 23.6% among men. Women were largely under-represented in decision making at higher sphere of society: the number of female ministers was only 3 out of 21.
According to the Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) of the World Economic Forum, Mauritius was ranked 110 out of 155 countries worldwide. The GGI measures gender equality across four key areas, namely: (a) economic participation and opportunity, (b) educational attainment, (c) health and survival and (d) political empowerment.
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IMF Mauritius: Staff Report for the 2022 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
The economy is recovering from the pandemic following a substantial contraction in 2020.
Staff projects real GDP growth of 6.1 percent in 2022. The economic rebound is expected to be driven primarily by the tourism sector with tourist arrivals expected at 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Unemployment is expected to decline as the economy recovers and to return to trend in the medium-term.
Annual inflation is expected to rise to 11.4 percent in 2022 due to surging commodity prices, past depreciation of the rupee, and recovering domestic demand.
The economy is expected to converge to its pre-pandemic trend growth of 3-3½ percent in the medium term.
Mauritius should embrace structural transformation to continue along the path to sustainable and resilient long-term growth. Priorities should be on enhancing diversification and competitiveness, including greater digitalization of the economy and adaptation and mitigation policies to tackle climate change vulnerabilities
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Global Gender Gap Report 2022
In 2022, the global gender gap has been closed by 68.1%. At the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to reach full parity.
Although no country has yet achieved full gender parity, the top 10 economies have closed at least 80% of their gender gaps, with Iceland (90.8%) leading the global ranking. Iceland remains the only economy to have closed more than 90% of its gender gap. Other Scandinavian countries such as Finland (86%, 2nd), Norway (84.5%, 3rd) and Sweden (82.2%, 5th) feature in the top 5, with additional European countries such as Ireland (80.4%) and Germany (80.1%) in 9th and 10th positions, respectively. Sub-Saharan African countries Rwanda (81.1%, 6th) and Namibia (80.7%, 8th), along with one Latin American country, Nicaragua (81%, 7th), and one country from East Asia and the Pacific, New Zealand (84.1%, 4th), also take positions in the top 10. Nicaragua and Germany are the new entrants in the top 10 in 2022, while Lithuania (79.9%,11th) and Switzerland (79.5%, 13th) drop out this year. Mauritius is ranked 105th out of 146 countries
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World Population Prospects 2022
The world’s population continues to grow, but the pace of growth is slowing down. In 2020, the growth rate of the global population fell under 1 per cent per year for the first time since 1950. The latest projections by the United Nations suggest that the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050; it is projected to reach a peak of around 10.4 billion people during the 2080s and to remain at that level until 2100. The world’s population is projected to reach 8 billion on 15 November 2022, and India is projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023.
More and more countries have begun to experience population decline. Fertility has fallen markedly in recent decades for many countries. Today, two-thirds of the global population lives in a country or area where lifetime fertility is below 2.1 births per woman, roughly the level required for zero growth in the long run for a population with low mortality. The populations of 61 countries or areas are projected to decrease by 1 per cent or more between 2022 and 2050, owing to sustained low levels of fertility and, in some cases, elevated rates of emigration.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all three components of population change. Global life expectancy at birth fell to 71.0 years in 2021, down from 72.8 in 2019, due mostly to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
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More Reports
Export Oriented Enterprises (EOE)
Global Gender Gap Index 2021
Consumer Price Index 1st Quarter 2021
MCB Focus No. 83 - Economic Update
World Bank Report - Mauritius through the eyes of a perfect storm
Productivity and Competitiveness Indicators, 2010 -2020
World Economic Forum - Chief Economists Outlook - November 2021
Sustaining the COVID-era attitudes for the long run
World Economic Outlook January 2022
Women, Business and the Law 2022 (WBL2022)
Global-Economic-Prospects-June-2022
Quarterly National Accounts (1st Quarter 2022)
Worldwide Cost of Living 2020-How is Covid-19 affecting the prices of consumer goods?
Global Economic Prospects - January 2021
Global Economic Prospects January 2021 Regional Overview
World Happiness Report 2021
Monitoring the Socio-Economic Effects of COVID-19 on Mauritian Households – Dec 2020
Quarterly National Accounts 4th Quarter 2020
2020 Ibrahim Index of African Governance
How do Mauritians feel about their health
Regional Economic Outlook Sub- Saharan Africa Oct 2020
World Economic Outlook Future of Jobs 2020
Consumer Price Index 3rd Quarter 2020
World Economic Outlook 2020
Monthly External Merchandise Trade Statistics - July 2020
Global Innovation Index 2020
Population and Vital Statistics - Jan - Jun 2020