People and Society of Mayotte

Nationality

Mahorais (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

NA

Population

321,901

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Mayotte reflects the significant improvements in health infrastructure that have taken place in this French overseas department over recent decades, though it still lags behind metropolitan France and many other French territories. As of the most recent available estimates, life expectancy at birth in Mayotte stands at approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years — a pattern consistent with global trends. This figure represents a notable increase from earlier decades, when Mayotte's health statistics were considerably lower. The improvement has been driven in large part by Mayotte's integration into the French administrative system, which has brought expanded access to healthcare services, vaccination programs, maternal and child health initiatives, and modern medical facilities. The main public hospital, the Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte (CHM) in Mamoudzou, serves as the primary medical hub for the island's population. Despite these gains, life expectancy in Mayotte remains lower than in mainland France, where life expectancy is approximately 82 to 83 years. Several factors contribute to this gap. Mayotte faces persistent challenges including a rapidly growing and relatively young population, high rates of poverty, overcrowding, limited access to clean water and adequate sanitation in some areas, and a heavily strained healthcare system that serves both legal residents and a substantial undocumented migrant population. Infant mortality, while declining over time, also remains higher than in other French territories, which pulls the overall life expectancy figure downward. The demographic structure of Mayotte is also unusually young by global standards, with a large proportion of the population under the age of 20. This youthful makeup influences how life expectancy statistics are calculated and interpreted in the context of national health policy. The island's population has grown rapidly in recent decades, placing increasing pressure on public services, housing, and healthcare infrastructure. French authorities and international health organizations continue to invest in improving health outcomes in Mayotte, recognizing that closing the gap with metropolitan France requires sustained efforts in sanitation, education, prenatal care, and healthcare capacity. The December 2024 cyclone Chido, which caused widespread destruction across the island, represented a significant setback to public health infrastructure and may affect near-term health indicators as recovery and rebuilding efforts continue. Despite such challenges, the long-term trajectory for life expectancy in Mayotte is expected to remain upward as sustained investments in healthcare and living conditions take effect.

Infant Mortality Rate

Mayotte faces significant challenges in infant health outcomes, though measurable progress has been made over recent decades. The infant mortality rate — defined as the number of deaths among infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births — remains notably higher in Mayotte than in mainland France and other French overseas departments. Estimates place Mayotte's infant mortality rate at approximately 12 to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years, a figure that reflects both improvements in healthcare access and the persistent structural challenges the territory faces. By comparison, mainland France records an infant mortality rate of around 3 to 4 per 1,000 live births, highlighting the substantial gap between Mayotte and the broader French state. Several factors contribute to the elevated infant mortality rate in Mayotte. The island has experienced rapid and sustained population growth, driven in part by high birth rates and significant immigration from neighboring Comoros. This demographic pressure has strained healthcare infrastructure, including maternity wards and neonatal care facilities. The main hospital, Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte in Mamoudzou, handles an extraordinarily high number of deliveries annually — often among the highest per facility in all French territories — which places considerable demands on medical staff and resources. Poverty and socioeconomic inequality also play a role. A large proportion of the population lives below the poverty threshold applicable in French overseas territories, limiting access to prenatal care, adequate nutrition, and clean water. Malnutrition among young children and mothers remains a concern and indirectly contributes to adverse birth outcomes. Nonetheless, consistent investment in public health initiatives, vaccination programs, and maternal health services has helped reduce infant mortality over time compared to earlier decades. International health organizations and French national authorities continue to work on improving neonatal care capacity, sanitation infrastructure, and health education across the island. Sustained effort in these areas will be essential to further closing the gap between Mayotte's infant health outcomes and those seen elsewhere in France and the broader European Union.

Literacy Definition

NA

• Muslim97.0%
• Other3.0%

Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by 35% of the population

• French