Mauritius Inflation Hits 5.7% as Cost of Living Anger Grows
Rising fuel and food prices are squeezing household budgets in Mauritius, with annual inflation reaching 5.7% in September 2026, up from 4.4% a year earlier.
The cost of living has emerged as a flashpoint in Mauritius, fuelling public frustration at a time when the island is already grappling with social unrest and water shortages. For many households, the pressure on purchasing power has become impossible to ignore.
According to the latest figures from Statistics Mauritius, the government's official statistics body, annual inflation reached 5.7% in September 2026, a sharp rise from 4.4% recorded in September 2025. Over the twelve months ending in September 2026, the average inflation rate stood at 4.1%, compared to 3.4% for the same period in 2025.
On a monthly basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.6% between August and September alone, suggesting that price pressures are not easing.
Fuel costs are a major driver of the increase. Petrol prices jumped by 10.7% in the third quarter of 2026, a rise that ripples through the wider economy by pushing up transport and delivery costs. The food and non-alcoholic beverages index also climbed by 1.1% over the same period, adding further strain to family grocery bills.
Statistics Mauritius has forecast that overall inflation for the full year 2026 will settle at around 5%, which would mark a significant step up from recent years and represent a real erosion of spending power for wage earners and fixed-income households.
The economic discontent comes against a backdrop of broader social tension. Sporadic unrest, including incidents of looting and property damage, has been reported in recent weeks, with commentators pointing to economic grievances as one contributing factor alongside the ongoing water supply crisis affecting parts of the island.
What this means: For ordinary Mauritians, inflation at 5.7% means that money simply does not stretch as far as it did twelve months ago. Unless wages rise at a comparable rate, real purchasing power falls. Those on minimum wage or pensions are typically the hardest hit, as a greater share of their income goes on essentials such as food and fuel. Businesses also face higher operating costs, which can translate into further price increases for consumers, creating a difficult cycle. The government's fiscal and monetary responses to this trend will be closely watched in the months ahead.
Source: ION News
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current inflation rate in Mauritius?β
According to Statistics Mauritius, the annual inflation rate in Mauritius reached 5.7% in September 2026, up from 4.4% in September 2025. The average rate over the twelve months ending September 2026 was 4.1%. Statistics Mauritius forecasts full-year 2026 inflation at around 5%.
Why are prices rising so fast in Mauritius in 2026?β
Key contributors include a 10.7% rise in petrol prices during the third quarter of 2026 and a 1.1% increase in the food and non-alcoholic beverages price index over the same period. Higher fuel costs also push up transport and distribution expenses across the economy, adding further upward pressure on retail prices.
Who is most affected by the rising cost of living in Mauritius?β
Households on fixed incomes, including minimum wage workers and pensioners, are typically most vulnerable. In Mauritius, the national minimum wage and various social allowances are reviewed periodically, but when inflation outpaces these adjustments, real purchasing power falls. Families in areas also dealing with water shortages face a compounded hardship.
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