When people talk about Mauritius, they immediately think of turquoise lagoons, filao trees swaying in the wind, and a gentle pace of life that inspires dreams far beyond the Indian Ocean. But beyond the beaches and palm trees, one question often arises for those considering a move: what about safety? Let's take a closer look at safety in Mauritius, supported by figures and the experiences of those who have lived elsewhere.
玩偶姐姐 forums, Facebook groups, and personal conversations are full of reassuring stories鈥攂ut also the occasional warning. A bag stolen at the beach, a burglary in an isolated area, a scooter vanishing overnight. It's hard to tell whether these are rare exceptions or more common than they seem.
The truth lies somewhere in between鈥攂ut it becomes clearer when you compare life in Mauritius to life in other countries. That's when the difference stands out.
The testimonies we've gathered confirm it: it's not just about statistics鈥攊t's about how people feel. Here, you can walk down the street without looking over your shoulder. Here, you sleep peacefully. Here, you live鈥攚ithout being constantly on guard.
Safety: Mauritius compared to the rest of the world
When discussing safety on a global scale, numbers often speak louder than impressions鈥攁nd in this respect, Mauritius performs exceptionally well. With an intentional homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 inhabitants (2022 data), the country ranks among the safest destinations worldwide鈥攆ar behind high-crime countries such as Jamaica (53.34), South Africa (45), Haiti (40.9), or Honduras (38). Even popular destinations like Brazil (21.26) and Mexico (24.9) report much higher levels of violence. The contrast is even more striking when considering that some of these countries also attract expats鈥攂ut under conditions that require constant vigilance.
By comparison, the United States had a rate of 6.3 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022鈥攁lmost three times higher. This already concerning figure masks wide disparities: in some large American cities like Baltimore, St. Louis, or New Orleans, the rate can reach 50 to 70 homicides per 100,000鈥攍evels comparable to the most violent countries in Latin America.
France reported a rate of 1.34, slightly lower than Mauritius, but often in more tense urban environments, especially in major cities or peri-urban areas.
In Mauritius, crime is primarily opportunistic鈥攂ag thefts on beaches, burglaries in unsecured homes鈥攁nd violent acts are rare, usually occurring in family settings or linked to personal disputes. The country does not face issues such as armed gangs, kidnappings, or systematic violence found in other parts of the world. This stability, combined with a calm social climate and peaceful cultural coexistence, contributes significantly to residents' and expats' widespread sense of safety. What stands out from the testimonies is that here, you can lower your guard鈥攚ithout putting your life at risk.
玩偶姐姐s share their views about safety in Mauritius
Caity, originally from South Africa, shares: 鈥淚 feel infinitely safer in Mauritius than in South Africa, and it's obvious when you know that South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, while Mauritius is one of the safest countries. In South Africa, you literally live in constant fear of crime. You are a prisoner in your own home. Many people choose to live in ultra-secure gated communities guarded 24/7. Those who live in individual houses install surveillance cameras, electric fences, high walls, bars on the windows, and hire armed security companies, ready to intervene at the press of a panic button. When you drive, you risk being the victim of a smash-and-grab at any moment: someone breaks your window and grabs your belongings from the seat or floor. Even worse: hijackings, where a weapon is pointed at you to make you get out of the car, which is then stolen. In many cases, you're lucky if you survive.鈥�
According to her, such incidents are quite frequent: 鈥淚t can happen at any hour of every day. Every South African has been a victim of violent crime in one way or another. You're harassed in your car, in shops, in your own home. It's impossible to use your phone in a public place without risking having it ripped from your hands. Mauritius is the complete opposite. Violent crimes are almost non-existent, apart from a few isolated cases per year, usually involving domestic violence between people who know each other. I think extreme poverty, government corruption, and easy access to firearms are the main factors behind the violence in South Africa. In Mauritius, the unemployment rate is very low, around 6.3% (and probably even less if you consider fishermen and self-employed workers), compared to 31.9% in South Africa. Unemployment, combined with lack of state support, creates poverty, which leads to despair, then to hatred鈥� and finally to violence. In Mauritius, you can leave your windows open at a red light without fearing your phone will be stolen. You can walk in public with your children without fear of being assaulted, stabbed, or killed for a wallet. In South Africa, you live in constant fear. You rarely go out after nightfall. Even on the beach, it's common to have your handbag stolen, even if it's right beside you. Here in Mauritius, you can leave your flip-flops on the sand and walk for miles, knowing they'll still be there when you return. If a phone or ring is lost, people post about it on Facebook, and very often it's returned to its owner.鈥�
Caity tells us that safety was the number one reason she and her family moved to Mauritius. 鈥淎 local general practitioner told me that 80 to 90% of his South African patients were taking antidepressants or anxiolytics when they arrived鈥� and that they reduce or stop them completely after a few months in Mauritius. We're glad to know that our children can grow up in communities that include different cultures and religions without ever experiencing the racial hatred that still poisons many South African neighborhoods. Love, acceptance, and kindness are at the heart of Mauritian society, and that's why鈥攅ven though South Africa remains our homeland, and even though we miss some things鈥攚e would never consider going back.鈥�
Bruno, from Namur, Belgium, also shares his experience: 鈥淚'm from Namur, Belgium. Sure, it's not Caracas. But still, in Namur, there are areas where you no longer set foot after a certain hour. Knife attacks, phone thefts at train stations or in dimly lit alleys, have become almost commonplace. You learn to avoid certain neighborhoods, to walk quickly, head down, always checking behind you. Here in Mauritius, I go out at night freely. I take my phone out in the street without fear. And above all, I no longer get that knot in my stomach when I have to walk home alone. It's not that we live in a fairy tale, but we can breathe. There's a sense of respect, a kind of ambient calm that I had forgotten. For me, that's the real wealth of this island.鈥�
Marianne, from Saint-Denis, France, had a very similar experience:
鈥淚 lived over 30 years in the Paris suburbs. In recent years, I felt like violence had become part of everyday life. There were cars burning outside my building, fights between youths, assaults on public transport, etc. There was always a tension in the air. At certain times and in certain neighborhoods, going out alone became unthinkable. You look over your shoulder, avoid making eye contact, and clutch your bag tight in the metro. In Mauritius, it's another life. I take public transport without stress. I live without having to constantly be on guard. That is priceless!鈥�
After spending six years in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Nuria, originally from Spain, finally found peace of mind: 鈥淚 remember a night when the dogs barked non-stop. My husband was away, and I spent the night standing, a machete in one hand, the phone in the other. That kind of night was our reality in Antananarivo. Power cuts made burglaries easier. Thieves would wait for the blackout to climb over the walls. We lived with grilles on the windows, padlocks on interior doors, and fear in our hearts. Here, my kids walk to school. I would never have dared that before. I go to the market without taking off my rings. I walk around with a handbag without fearing being followed. Here, I live. I don't just survive.鈥�
Julien, from France, lived 11 years in the French Caribbean. He shares his feelings since moving to Mauritius, although it wasn't always easy: 鈥淚 used to live on the island of Marie-Galante in Guadeloupe. At first, it was peaceful. But just in the last year, we were burglarized four times. Always while we were home. The thieves went from house to house in the neighborhood nearly every week at certain times. On the security camera footage, we saw young men with balaclavas, armed with machetes. At night, we slept with one ear open. During the day, we were always on alert. We watched for the slightest noise, the smallest suspicious movement. Eventually, I accepted it as part of the landscape. But inside, it wears you down. My wife no longer slept at night. In Mauritius, we thought we were reliving the same nightmare three months after we arrived in 2023. While watching a movie with my wife, a man entered the living room right behind us. My wife heard a small noise, turned around, and saw him on all fours, rummaging through her handbag. I jumped from the couch to chase him, and he ran off, dropping what he had in his hands. We were very frightened at the time. But with hindsight, it's nothing like the violence and insecurity we experienced in the Caribbean. In Mauritius, thefts can happen, that's true鈥攂ut rarely with violence. They're isolated, opportunistic acts, not a constant threat.鈥�
Mauritius: A safe environment to call home
When it comes to safety, Mauritius offers a generally serene environment. Yes, like anywhere, you need to stay alert to minor offenses or opportunistic behavior. But life here is peaceful. Long-time expats confirm: you quickly feel at home in Mauritius鈥攚hether you're raising a family, working remotely in flip-flops on the beach or in a caf茅, or retiring in the sun. Safety is also about feeling at ease and confident in your surroundings. In Mauritius, that is absolutely possible.
