Mauritian Rupee

Overview

Economy

• Mauritius is a member of AU, SADC, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Commission, COMESA.
• Main industries include: Food processing, Textiles, Clothing, Mining, Chemicals, Metal products, Transport equipment, Nonelectrical machinery, Tourism.
• Mauritius is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals.
• Major exports include clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses, fish, primates.
• GDP: $15.2 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $11,832 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2023 est.).
• Inflation rate: 10.8% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: India, China, France, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States.
• Trade agreements: SADC Trade Protocol, COMESA FTA, EU Economic Partnership Agreement, CECPA with India.

History

• Previous currencies used: Indian rupee, Various colonial currencies.
• The Mauritian rupee was introduced in 1876, replacing the Indian rupee. It has been the country's currency throughout its colonial and independence periods.
• 1876: Mauritian rupee introduced
• 1967: Bank of Mauritius established
• 1968: Independence from United Kingdom
• 1994: Managed float adopted
• 2008: Global financial crisis impact
• 2020: COVID-19 pandemic impact on tourism
• Exchange rate peg: Managed float since 1994.

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: MUR
• Symbols: MUR/₨
• Currency Subunits: 100 cents
• Central Bank: Bank of Mauritius
• Monetary Policy: Inflation targeting with managed floating exchange rate. Focus on price stability and supporting diversified economy.
• Bills: 25 MUR, 50 MUR, 100 MUR, 200 MUR, 500 MUR, 1000 MUR, 2000 MUR
• Coins: 5 cents, 20 cents, 1 rupee, 5 rupees, 10 rupees, 20 rupees
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 45-46 MUR per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Port Louis
• Population: 1,300,557 (2023 est.)
• Area: 2,040 km²
• Languages: Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, Hindi 0.6%, English 0.1%, Other 3.4%
• Time Zones: UTC+4 (Mauritius Time)
• Government Type: Parliamentary republic
• Head of Government: President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
• Independence: March 12, 1968 (from United Kingdom)
• Ethnic Groups: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
• Religions: Hindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, Other Christian 6.4%, Other 0.6%, None 0.7%, Unspecified 0.1%
• Literacy Rate: 91.3% (2018 est.)
• Transport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, good road network, Port Louis harbor
• Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 65% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
• Energy: Coal 85%, Hydroelectric 6%, Bagasse 5%, Solar 3%, Wind 1%
• Countries Using This Currency: Mauritius
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Bank of Mauritius (bom.mu), Economic Data: Statistics Mauritius, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Mauritius Revenue Authority, Demographic Data: Statistics Mauritius, Geographic Data: Mauritius Meteorological Services, Historical Data: Bank of Mauritius archives
• Last Updated: 2025