Skills Mismatch Affects 553,700 Mauritian Workers as Unemployment Drops to 5.7%

Author: Mauritius Ranking
Author Bio: Mauritius Ranking covers business, employment, education, economic developments and major national affairs in Mauritius, providing timely and accessible coverage of issues affecting workers and the wider economy.

Published Date: 19 September 2026
Updated Date: 19 September 2026

Mauritius recorded 553,700 employed people in the first quarter of 2026, while the national unemployment rate stood at 5.7%, according to the latest figures from Statistics Mauritius.

The figures show that employment increased compared with the same period in 2025, while the unemployment rate fell from 6.0% to 5.7%. However, skills mismatch and labour underutilisation remain important challenges for the Mauritian labour market.

Employment Reaches 553,700

Statistics Mauritius estimates that 553,700 people were employed in the first quarter of 2026.

This represents an increase of 6,100 compared with the first quarter of 2025, when employment stood at 547,600. However, employment was lower than the 560,900 recorded during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Male employment was estimated at 318,200, while female employment stood at 235,500 during the first quarter of 2026.

The figures indicate that the number of people working in Mauritius remains substantial, although employment levels can fluctuate between quarters.

Unemployment Rate Stands at 5.7%

The unemployment rate in Mauritius was estimated at 5.7% in the first quarter of 2026.

This was lower than the 6.0% recorded during the first quarter of 2025. The number of unemployed people fell by 1,900 year-on-year, from 35,200 to 33,300.

However, unemployment increased slightly compared with the previous quarter, rising from 5.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 5.7% in the first quarter of 2026.

Female Unemployment Remains Higher

The official figures show a difference between male and female unemployment.

During the first quarter of 2026, approximately 14,300 men and 19,000 women were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 4.3% for men compared with 7.5% for women.

The figures indicate that women continued to account for a larger share of the unemployed population during the period.

Young People Face Particular Challenges

Youth unemployment remains another important issue in the labour market.

Statistics Mauritius recorded around 12,100 unemployed people aged between 16 and 24, representing approximately 36% of the total unemployed population.

Around 6,400 young people aged 16 to 24 were unmarried and looking for their first job. Of this group, approximately 2,800 had a qualification below the Cambridge School Certificate level.

These figures highlight the importance of education, vocational training and practical work experience in helping young people enter the labour market.

Skills Mismatch Remains a Labour Market Issue

While the 553,700 figure represents total employment rather than people affected by skills mismatch, skills-related underemployment remains an issue in Mauritius.

The government’s National Employment Policy 2024–2028 identifies skills mismatch and labour underutilisation as challenges that can reduce productivity and create gaps between the skills available in the workforce and the requirements of employers.

The policy notes that addressing these gaps requires better alignment between labour supply and demand, including measures related to training and employment opportunities.

Education and Skills Development Matter

The latest employment figures also show why skills development remains important for Mauritius.

Employers increasingly require workers with relevant technical, digital and professional skills, while some jobseekers may have qualifications that do not directly match available vacancies.

Improving the connection between education providers, training institutions and employers could help workers develop skills that correspond more closely with changing labour-market requirements.

Mauritius Labour Market Shows Mixed Trends

The first-quarter figures present a mixed picture.

On one hand, employment was higher than a year earlier and the unemployment rate declined from 6.0% to 5.7%. On the other hand, employment declined compared with the final quarter of 2025, while unemployment increased slightly over the same quarterly period.

The data therefore provide a more detailed picture than simply looking at the headline unemployment rate.

Final Thought

Mauritius recorded 553,700 employed people and a 5.7% unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2026. While the annual unemployment rate improved, challenges remain, particularly among young people, women and workers whose skills may not fully match labour-market requirements. Continued investment in relevant education, vocational training and workforce development could help Mauritius respond to these changing employment needs.