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Key Demographic Features of Seychelles* Geography Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Map references: Africa People Population: 77,575 (July 1996 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 12,005; female 11,835) 15-64 years: 63% (male 24,003; female 24,946) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,669; female 3,117) (July 1996 est.) Population growth rate: 0.76% (1996 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.24 years male: 64.23 years female: 74.39 years (1996 est.) Ethnic divisions: Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2% Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971 est.) total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% Government Country Abbreviation: SE Type of government: republic Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 18 June (1993) (adoption of new constitution) Constitution: 18 June 1993 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal \i People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple): elections last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be held NA); results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO 3%; seats - (33 total, 22 elected, 11 awarded) seats elected - SPPF 21, DP 1; seats awarded - SPPF 6, DP 4, UO 1 note: the 11 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of each party in the total vote Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Other political or pressure groups: trade unions; Roman Catholic Church International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc Michael R. MARENGO chancery: (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 687-9766, 9767 FAX: [1] (212) 922-9177 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Burton STOKES embassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe mailing address: Box 148, Victoria; Unit 62501, APO AE 09815-2501 telephone: [248] 225256 FAX: [248] 225189 Flag: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side Economy Economic overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output has grown to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level, led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war. Although the industry has rebounded, the government recognizes the continuing need for upgrading the sector in the face of stiff international competition. GDP: purchasing power parity - $430 million (1993 est.) GDP real growth rate: -2% (1993 est.) GDP per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1987) Communications Telephones: 8,300 (1982 est.) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 34,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 Televisions: 8,200 (1991 est.) *Source: World Factbook 1996, U.S. Central
Intelligence Agency
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