Mauritius Country Summary

FATF Status

Mauritius is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Mauritius was undertaken in 2022. According to that Evaluation, Mauritius was deemed Compliant for 26 and Largely Compliant for 14 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 of the Effectiveness & Technical Compliance ratings.

Mauritius exhibits a relatively low prevalence of corruption compared to regional standards, although issues such as graft and nepotism persist, leading to public discontent. The recent elections, marred by a significant wiretapping scandal, have prompted a new government to commit to anti-corruption reforms, including the establishment of a National Crime Agency and the introduction of a Freedom of Information Act, signaling a potential shift towards greater transparency and accountability in governance.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain, particularly in addressing ongoing corruption cases and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement against organized crime. The country grapples with various criminal activities, including human trafficking and drug smuggling, while the judiciary is generally independent but faces scrutiny over its handling of certain cases, indicating a need for continued vigilance and reform to bolster resilience against crime.

Mauritius has established itself as a stable and competitive economy, achieving middle-income status within 50 years of independence and transitioning to a high-income classification by the World Bank, although it reverted to upper-middle income due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. The economy has shown resilience, with a GDP growth rate of 4.7% in 2024, driven by sectors such as tourism, construction, financial services, and manufacturing, supported by government initiatives aimed at economic recovery and diversification. Despite its successes, Mauritius faces challenges including structural issues in key sectors, labor market disparities, and external risks from global inflation, which necessitate ongoing reforms and strategic investments in education, healthcare, and renewable energy to sustain long-term growth.