Youth Unemployment Crisis in Mauritius | Mauritius News

Mauritius News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 16, 2026 · 1m

Mauritius is facing a brewing youth unemployment crisis, with nearly 20% of young people aged 16-24 jobless—despite major industries desperately seeking workers. The national unemployment rate hit 5.7% in Q1 2026, with over a third of the unemployed being under 25. Young women are hit hardest at 22.2%, compared to 16.8% for young men. Many qualified but inexperienced candidates struggle to land roles in hospitality, construction, and manufacturing, while employers seek hands-on skills—not admin or digital marketing. The gap stems from mismatched expectations, low pay, and poor working…