People and Society of Seychelles

Nationality

Seychellois (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

Population

119,770

Population in Major Urban Areas

VICTORIA (capital) 27,000

The 24-hour emergency number for all medical emergencies is 999. Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital and several clinics, private and government-run. The Seychellois Ministry of Health operates an ambulance service on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue which can be reached by dialing 999. Waiting times can vary considerably based on location. For more information, contact the Ministry of Health at P.O. Box 52, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles; telephone ( 248) 388-000. It is recommended that travelers bring and use insect/mosquito repellent while in Seychelles and apply it at night on all exposed areas. Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus and yellow fever virus have been reported in recent years, as well as Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmitted to humans and animals by exposure to water contaminated by infected animals. For more information on these diseases and current outbreaks, please see the CDC’s fact sheets on chikungunya, leptospirosis, and yellow fever.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Seychelles stands among the highest on the African continent, reflecting the island nation's relatively strong healthcare infrastructure, stable economy, and accessible public health services. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth is approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with women typically living longer than men — around 79 years for females compared to roughly 70 to 71 years for males. This gender gap mirrors global trends and is influenced by factors such as higher rates of lifestyle-related illnesses among men, including cardiovascular disease and greater tobacco and alcohol consumption. Non-communicable diseases represent the primary health challenge in Seychelles today, with heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension among the leading causes of mortality. Seychelles benefits from a universal public healthcare system that provides residents with access to primary care, hospitalization, and maternal health services at little to no direct cost. The country has successfully reduced infant and child mortality over recent decades, which has contributed meaningfully to gains in overall life expectancy. Maternal mortality rates are also low by regional standards, further supporting longer average lifespans. The government has invested consistently in health promotion, disease prevention, and the expansion of medical facilities across its main islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. The Victoria Hospital on Mahé serves as the central referral facility, while community health centers extend coverage to more remote populations. Nutrition and diet also play a role in health outcomes. The traditional Seychellois diet, rich in fish and vegetables, carries some protective qualities, though increasing consumption of processed foods has introduced new dietary risk factors in recent years, contributing to rising rates of obesity and related chronic conditions. Compared to sub-Saharan African averages, which typically fall below 65 years, Seychelles performs notably well. Its life expectancy figures are more comparable to those seen in parts of the Caribbean or Southeast Asia — regions with similar income levels and tourism-driven economies. Continued investment in preventive healthcare and chronic disease management will be essential to sustaining and improving these outcomes in the decades ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Seychelles has achieved remarkably low infant mortality rates by African and developing-nation standards, reflecting the archipelago nation's sustained investment in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and child welfare services over recent decades. As of the most recent available data, the infant mortality rate in Seychelles stands at approximately 10 to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births. This figure places Seychelles among the top-performing nations on the African continent and compares favorably with many middle-income countries globally. For context, the average infant mortality rate across Sub-Saharan Africa remains well above 50 deaths per 1,000 live births, making Seychelles a clear regional outlier in terms of child health outcomes. Several factors contribute to this relatively favorable statistic. Seychelles operates a universal healthcare system that provides free or heavily subsidized medical services to its citizens, including prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal follow-up. The vast majority of births in Seychelles take place in properly equipped medical facilities attended by trained healthcare professionals, significantly reducing risks associated with delivery complications. Immunization coverage in Seychelles is consistently high, with childhood vaccination programs targeting diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio achieving near-universal reach across the island population. The country's small geographic size and relatively concentrated population make it easier to deliver health services equitably compared to larger continental nations. Access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation facilities is widespread throughout the main islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, reducing infant exposure to waterborne diseases that remain leading causes of infant death in many developing regions. Despite these achievements, health authorities continue to monitor neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — as a particular area of focus, since this window remains the most vulnerable period for newborns even in well-resourced health systems. Ongoing efforts to improve neonatal intensive care capacity and public health education aim to drive the infant mortality rate further downward in the coming years.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Roman Catholic86.6%
• Anglican6.8%
• other4.1%
• other Christian2.5%

English (official), French (official), Creole

• Creole
• English
• French

Crime Information

Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare. To reduce the risk of theft, travelers should keep valuables in hotel safes and close and lock hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied. Hotels that do not have private safes in the rooms will usually have one at the reception desk. Travelers are also advised to take precautions and not leave bags unattended either on the beach while swimming or in plain sight of their vehicles. Foreigners should exercise caution on beaches and poorly-lit or deserted areas at night. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Bootlegs are illegal in the United States, and their purchase may also violate local laws in Seychelles.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Seychelles, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. It may be illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Seychelles, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Persons violating Seychellois laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines in Seychelles. Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.