SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Mauritius’s development pathway as a small island economy and part of the sub-Saharan African region is considered as an example for other countries. Its economic, social, and political landscape has been very dynamic over the past decades since independence. Being small and remote, the country encountered several challenges and more recently multiple crises occurring simultaneously. This introductory chapter situates the development trajectory of Mauritius from a historical and structural angle, analysing the bases for the foundational growth of the economy along with the challenges and opportunities facing Mauritius, from sustainable development to navigating global economic trends. This chapter synthesizes the understanding and analysis of the Mauritian economy from an interdisciplinary perspective with four key themes, which constitute the parts of this Handbook. These cover the country’s historical setting with a focus on early institutions, colonial bureaucracy and the diversity of the population, the island’s structural transformation with traditional and emerging sectors over four decades, the dynamics of social change and its policy foundations, as well as sustainability and future challenges.