Is all the positive PR making you wonder if you too will love your experience in Mauritius? In the 2020 World Happiness Report of the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Mauritius came out No. 1 amongst African countries. It held the same rank in 2019. The country was also listed that year as one of the safest or most peaceful countries in the Global Peace Index of Sydney-based Institute for Economics & Peace.
Going by some world metrics, it’s easy to see why many foreign investors, expats, and retirees have chosen to settle in Mauritius in recent years. Looking closer at how this island nation obtained such stellar rankings reveals more reasons why you’ll love. Here are five of them:
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1. Mauritius’s inviting climate
Forget about snow shovels and the severe cold of winter once you’re living in Mauritius. Throughout the year, you will enjoy a mild tropical climate courtesy of the country’s Indian Ocean location off the southeast coast of Africa.
Mauritius’s residents experience two seasons. From November to April, expect a warm and humid summer conducive to outdoor and water-based recreational activities.
June to September are the cool dry winter months, while May and October are the transition periods. October is the driest month, while the wettest are February and March.
The difference between the seasons’ mean temperatures does not vary much – only 4.3 degrees Celsius. During summer, the mean temperature is 24.7 degrees Celsius, while the mean temperature in winter is 20.4 degrees Celsius.
The warmest days are in January and February during which the average maximum day temperature reaches 29.2 degrees Celsius. July and August are the coolest months when the average minimum night temperature drops to 16.4 degrees Celsius.
One of the reasons you’ll love living in Mauritius – the natural beauty is breathtaking.
2. Winsome natural wonders
Mauritius boasts a 330-km coastline that puts all of its residents conveniently near white-sand beaches and sapphire-blue waters. You will find most of the island’s public beaches safe for swimming and ideal for leisurely walks and sightseeing.
Living in Mauritius also offers other recreational opportunities inland, at local parks and nature reserves. For options on hiking or quad biking, one good choice is the Frederica Nature Reserve. Visit Casela Park for a more extreme experience. Its Via Ferrata circuit has an aquatic zip line and cable bridges amongst other adventure facilities.
3. Vibrant economy
Living in Mauritius opens many career and business opportunities, as the country’s economy tracks an upwards trajectory. In 2019, Mauritius registered an all-time high GDP of USD14.7 billion, representing an estimated growth of 3.9 percent.
Significantly, Mauritius is well on its way to becoming an international finance centre, with its superb banking sector and strong inflow of foreign investments as main platforms. The country’s robust international trade treaties also fuel Mauritius’s aspiration to become the financial hub of the African region.
Mauritius is leveraging its strategic Indian Ocean location to position itself as a key maritime hub. The country has already set several projects to pursue this goal. These initiatives include a new island port off the main harbour in the capital, Port Louis. An iconic cruise ship terminal is also on the drawing board. This project should further galvanize the country’s travel industry, which attracts more than 1 million tourists annually.
The island’s modern and reliable international airport is another attraction for foreigners planning on moving to Mauritius. This airport opened a new terminal in 2013, doubling its capacity to 4.5 million passengers annually. At the time of writing, 16 airlines operate in this airport, with direct flights to 27 destinations across the globe.
4. Hospitable government policies
The Mauritian government has adopted many policies, such as those for taxation, which are attractive to foreign residents. Income from capital gains and dividends, for example, is not taxed in Mauritius. Individuals and businesses also pay a harmonized 15 percent income tax. With such policies in place, the country has been ranked first amongst African countries in the International Property Rights Index of the Americans for Tax Reforms Property Rights Alliance.
What’s more, the Mauritian government has formulated programmes designed to enable noncitizens to buy residential property from top developers such as 2Futures. After just three years living in Mauritius, retired noncitizens can apply for permanent resident status.
Mauritius does not require a visa for visitors from most countries, and it allows application for a two-week visa upon entry.
5. Plentiful property choices
There has been a significant increase in property developments available for foreign investment, because of Mauritius’s programmes enabling noncitizens to acquire residential property in the country.
Residential properties in Mauritius are regarded as an excellent investment because of the country’s bright economic prospects. Invest early in Mauritian real estate property with 2Futures and you will get good returns. You have to act fast though, as opportunities are becoming more and more limited, especially in prime seafront developments that attract plenty of foreigners moving to Mauritius.
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