Comment l'inflation à l'île Maurice affecte la vie quotidienne en 2025

Inflation continues to shape the everyday reality for Mauritians in 2025. Rising supermarket prices, shrinking purchasing power, and new economic policies are impacting individuals, families, and businesses. Here’s what you need to know and how you can adapt.

Recent figures from Statistics Mauritius show that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) continues to climb, reflecting the persistent pressure of inflation in Mauritius 2025 on the average citizen. From 3.3% in June 2024 worked out to 5.4% in June 2025.

Mauritius Inflation Snapshot: Latest Data & Trends

• Le minimum wage rose to Rs 17,110 per month in January 2025, aimed at helping workers cope—but employers face higher payroll costs as a result.

• Annual inflation rate reached 5.4% in June 2025—the highest since early 2024. Food inflation surged to 9.2% year-on-year, making groceries much more expensive than last year.

• Consumption spending is projected at over Rs 618.7 billion in 2025, up 6.7% from 2024, reflecting higher costs and increased reliance on imports.

• The Mauritian rupee has depreciated by about 30% against the US dollar since 2020, further feeding into price pressures, especially for imported goods.

• Some essential items, like a chocolate bar, have jumped in price from Rs 60 in January to Rs 300—a 400% increase in just six months.

Relevant Facts at a Glance:

	Value/Change	Date/Reference
Inflation Rate (annual)	5.4%	June 2025
Food Inflation Rate	9.2%	June 2025
Minimum Wage	Rs 17 110/mois	Jan 2025
Consumption Spending	Rs 618.7 billion	2025
Rupee Depreciation vs USD	~30% since 2020	2025

What Is Inflation? How Is It Measured in Mauritius?

Inflation refers to the general increase in prices of goods and services over time, leading to a decrease in the purchasing power of money. In simpler terms, when inflation rises, each rupee buys fewer items than it did before.

In Mauritius, inflation directly affects everyday essentials like food, transport, fuel, and utilities—making life more expensive for households and businesses.

How Is Inflation Measured in Mauritius?

Inflation is commonly measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This index tracks the average change in prices over time for a basket of goods and services typically purchased by Mauritian households.

The CPI in Mauritius includes key categories such as:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages
• Housing, water, electricity, and gas
• Transport and communication
• Healthcare and education
• Household equipment and routine maintenance

For example, if the CPI increases by 5% over a year, it means that on average, prices have gone up by 5%—which reflects the annual inflation rate.

Key Causes of Rising Inflation in Mauritius in Recent Years

1. Global Shocks and Higher Import Costs

• Mauritius imports much of its food, fuel, and manufactured goods. As global prices rose—especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and due to disruptions like the war in Ukraine and Middle East tensions—the costs of these goods shot up in local supermarkets and shops.
• Shipping and freight charges surged, raising prices for nearly all imported items.

2. Depreciation of the Mauritian Rupee

• The rupee fell by about 30% against the US dollar since 2020. This means buying goods from abroad (including essentials like rice, oil, and medicine) has become much more expensive for Mauritians.

3. Rising Food and Energy Prices

• Food inflation—especially for basics like rice, vegetables, and cooking oil—has driven overall inflation. This was made worse by adverse weather impacting local production and by dependence on food imports.
• Fuel prices have also increased, affecting transport, electricity, and production costs across the economy.

4. Increased Wages and Labour Costs

• Higher minimum wages and private sector pay adjustments (to help families cope with inflation) have increased operational costs for businesses, which often pass these costs onto consumers.

5. Supply Chain Disruptions

• Global supply chain issues (delays, shortages, higher freight prices) since 2020 have caused shortages and intermittent price spikes for certain supermarket products.

6. Government Policies & External Events

• Occasional higher indirect taxes (like VAT or import duties) have caused short-term spikes.
• Fiscal deficits and increased government spending (sometimes financed by central bank borrowing) have added to domestic inflation pressures.
• Climate-related events, like severe droughts and storms, have hurt local agriculture, leading to even more reliance on expensive imports.

The Impact of Inflation in Mauritius

Impact on Consumers

• Shrinking Purchasing Power: Many Mauritian families are finding it harder to make ends meet as their income doesn’t keep pace with the supermarket price increases driven by inflation.
• Changing Consumption Habits: Households are switching to cheaper brands, buying in smaller quantities, or avoiding certain products altogether.
• Emotional Toll: The uncertainty of daily expenses is causing anxiety, especially among the most vulnerable groups, including pensioners and single-income families.

Impact on Businesses

• Operational Cost Surge: Small and medium retailers are bearing the brunt of rising import costs, utilities, and fuel, all of which contribute to the increase in supermarket prices in Mauritius.
• Inventory Pressure: Businesses struggle to forecast demand and manage stock levels, especially for perishable or imported goods.
• Customer Retention Challenges: As consumers become more price-sensitive, competition intensifies and businesses face declining sales.

Impact on the Mauritian Economy

• Widening Inequality: Lower-income Mauritians are hardest hit, as food and transport (core expenses) see the highest price jumps.
• Tourism Under Threat: Persistent price hikes make Mauritius appear less affordable to visitors—a concern for one of the country’s biggest industries.
• Business Uncertainty: Retailers worry about rising operational costs. A silver lining: Some government reports forecast inflation could ease next year if global food and energy prices drop.

Retailers across Mauritius report reduced margins and growing frustration from price-conscious shoppers, especially after the recent minimum wage increase in January 2025, which has further tightened their budgets.

On the Mauritian Economy

• Accelerated Inflation: Continued supermarket price hikes are contributing to higher national inflation rates, making it harder for policymakers to manage the economy.
• Widening Socioeconomic Gaps: The poorest segments of society are hit hardest, increasing social inequality and reducing upward mobility.
• Tourism Concerns: With Mauritius marketed as a mid-range travel destination, persistent high supermarket prices may affect visitor perception and spending.

Possible Solutions to Combat Inflation and rising Prices

Policy and Government Intervention

• Essential Goods Regulation: Temporary price caps on staples could limit unjustified markups in supermarkets.
• Import Subsidies: Reducing import duties on high-demand consumables would help stabilize pricing.
• Enforcement Against Price Gouging: Strengthening consumer protection laws to ensure transparency in supermarket pricing.

Local Production & Food Security

• Agricultural Investment: Boosting local farming and food processing can reduce Mauritius’s dependence on volatile global markets.
• Support for Micro-Enterprises: Enabling more local producers to compete within supermarket supply chains with affordable products.

Retail Strategies

• Bulk Discounts and Loyalty Programs: These can ease pressure on families buying in larger quantities.
• Supplier Diversification: Working with both regional and local suppliers can reduce reliance on costly imports.

Consumer Awareness

• Education on Budgeting: Helping families make smart choices on food purchases and reduce waste.
• Promoting Local Alternatives: Highlighting Mauritian-made products as cost-effective and sustainable options.

Conclusion

The ripple effect of inflation in Mauritius in 2025 is undeniable. Rising supermarket prices in Mauritius are squeezing household budgets, disrupting business operations, and creating wider economic challenges. But there are solutions—through a combination of policy reform, local production, smarter retail strategies, and consumer empowerment.

A coordinated approach involving government, businesses, and civil society is critical to stabilizing prices and restoring confidence in the economy.