Page last updated on January 29, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in May 2011.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 455 sq km
country comparison to the world: 199
land: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
491 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 2.17%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 93.48% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.6% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecoastal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.6), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90,846 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 21.2% (male 9,852/female 9,364)
15-24 years: 14.6% (male 6,932/female 6,293)
25-54 years: 49.3% (male 23,471/female 21,306)
55-64 years: 7.8% (male 3,663/female 3,378)
65 years and over: 7.3% (male 2,520/female 4,067) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 42.6 %
youth dependency ratio: 31.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 11 %
potential support ratio: 9.1 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 33.4 years
male: 33 years
female: 34 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.85 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 53.6% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 136
male: 13.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 74.01 years
country comparison to the world: 116
male: 69.4 years
female: 78.76 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.89 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.8% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 170
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 70
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 80
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 92.3% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 20.3% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 58
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
local long form: Republic of Seychelles
local short form: Seychelles
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Victoria
geographic coordinates: 4 37 S, 55 27 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Inner Islands, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamalles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 19-21 May 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 55.5%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 41.4%, Philippe BOULLE 1.7%, Ralph VOLCERE 1.5%; note - this was the second election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 29 September - 1 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections
election results: percent of vote by party - PL 88.6%, PDM 10.9%, independents 0.6%; seats by party - PL 31, vacant - 3; note - the ruling SPPF changed its name to People's Party (Party Lepep) in June 2009; the SNP and NDP boycotted the 2011 elections
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Seychelles Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices; Supreme Court of Seychelles (consists of the chief justice and 5 pusine judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 Supreme Court judges)
judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Committee, a 3-member body, with 1 member appointed by the president of the republic, 1 by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and 1 by the other 2 appointees; judges appointed until retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, and child custody and maintenance
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic Church
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Marie-Louise Cecile POTTER (since 6 September 2012)
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the US Ambassador to Mauritius, currently Ambassador Shari VILLAROSA, is accredited to Seychelles
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green the land and natural environment
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle-income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. In an effort to obtain loans to service its debt, Seychelles in November 2008 signed a standby arrangement with the IMF that mandated floating the exchange rate, removing foreign exchange controls, cutting government spending, and tightening monetary policy. In response to Seychelles' successful implementation of these policies, the IMF upgraded Seychelles to a three-year extended fund facility (EFF) of $31 million in December 2009. In 2008, GDP fell more than 1% due to declining tourism and the initial effects of liberalization, but the economy recovered in 2010-11 after the reforms took hold and tourism increased. Growth slowed again in 2012 with flagging tourism from Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Seychelles is attempting to implement further structural reforms, including overhauling the tax system, reorganizing of state enterprises, and deregulating the finance and communications sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.295 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.018 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$25,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 101.5%
government consumption: 14.7%
investment in fixed capital: 31.3%
investment in inventories: 0.6%
exports of goods and services: 45.7%
imports of goods and services: -92.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2%
industry: 18.6%
services: 79.4% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39,560 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 197
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23%
services: 74% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 4.7%
highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $438.3 million
expenditures: $415.4 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
43.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.17% (31 December 2010 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.19% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$301.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$553.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$408.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-208.9 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$493.3 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
France 27.7%, UK 17.6%, Japan 15.2%, Italy 10.6% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$889.6 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saudi Arabia 24%, Spain 12.1%, France 5.9% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$318.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.733 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
283 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
263.2 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
89,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2010 es)
country comparison to the world: 181
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,793 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,316 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 189
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.088 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28,900 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 177
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
138,300 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 185
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: effective system
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 170 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago
international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.sc
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
247 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 195
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 150
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 508 km
country comparison to the world: 194
paved: 490 km
unpaved: 18 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9
country comparison to the world: 118
by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Victoria
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 26,257
females age 16-49: 23,996 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 20,231
females age 16-49: 19,891 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 686
female: 650 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.89% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 331
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)