Mauritius is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. With a population of just over 1 million people, Mauritius has a diverse economy that is heavily dependent on sectors like tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and financial services.
In recent years, Mauritius has experienced solid economic growth and has successfully transitioned from a low-income, agriculture-based economy to a middle-income diversified economy. Mauritius now has one of the highest GDP per capita in Africa.
However, the Mauritian job market remains quite small and employment opportunities are largely concentrated in few key sectors. Two occupations that are particularly in high demand in Mauritius are information technology (IT) jobs and healthcare jobs.
Information Technology
The information technology sector has been identified as a key pillar for economic growth in Mauritius. Significant investments have been made to develop the country as an ICT hub and global provider of technology services.
As a result, IT jobs are booming in Mauritius. Some of the most in-demand IT occupations include:
- Software developers and engineers
- Computer programmers
- Systems analysts
- Database administrators
- Network administrators
- IT project managers
- IT security specialists
Demand for IT professionals is being driven by growth in areas like:
- Outsourcing services – Mauritius has become a leading provider of outsourced services like software development, customer support, and data processing for international companies.
- Fintech – Mauritius has developed as a fintech hub and demand for tech talent in banking and financial services is high.
- Government technology – Large investments in e-government services and public sector IT infrastructure.
Some key stats on the IT job market in Mauritius:
IT sector GDP contribution | 5.7% (2018) |
IT sector growth | Over 20% annually |
Number of IT companies | Over 800 (2022) |
The government has implemented policies like tax incentives to encourage growth of the IT sector. But skills gaps remain a challenge, with many companies reporting shortages of well-trained, experienced IT professionals.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another occupational field that is seeing surging demand for workers in Mauritius. The country has an aging population and the government has prioritized investments into the healthcare system in recent national budgets.
Some of the most sought-after healthcare jobs include:
- Doctors – especially specialists (cardiologists, oncologists etc.)
- Nurses
- Healthcare assistants
- Pharmacists
- Lab technicians
- Radiologists
- Physiotherapists
- Dentists
Growth drivers for healthcare jobs include:
- Increased health coverage – Mauritius has a universal healthcare system and the government has expanded insurance coverage and services in recent years.
- New hospitals and healthcare centers – Billions invested in new medical infrastructure and facilities.
- Medical tourism – Mauritius attracts foreign patients seeking high-quality affordable care.
- Lifestyle diseases – Growing rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Some key facts about Mauritius’ healthcare sector:
Healthcare spending as % of GDP | 5.5% (2020) |
Number of hospital beds per 1,000 people | 3.4 (2020) |
Number of physicians per 1,000 people | 1.5 (2020) |
An aging population and increased healthcare demand is creating staff shortages. Many doctors and nurses in Mauritius also seek work opportunities abroad, leading to high attrition rates.
Conclusion
In summary, Mauritius currently has a very strong demand for skilled workers in information technology and healthcare. The country is investing heavily to become a regional leader in these sectors.
Roles like software developers, systems engineers, doctors and nurses are expected to see robust hiring activity and career growth potential in the coming years. However, some skills gaps and staffing shortages remain a challenge.
Besides IT and healthcare, other occupations like accounting, tourism, construction and education are also important pillars of Mauritius’ economy and have significant hiring needs.
But overall, the sheer growth, government strategic priorities and wage competitiveness relative to skills and experience make IT and healthcare the most in-demand professions in Mauritius’ job market right now.
References
- National Budget Speeches – Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development
- Economic Development Board – ICT Sector Report
- Statistics Mauritius – Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Report
- World Bank – Mauritius Country Profile
- African Economic Outlook – Mauritius