The Oxford Handbook of the Mauritian Economy

by Oya, Carlos; Ramtohul, Ramola; Tandrayen-Ragoobur, Verena

• ISBN13: 9780192856494
• ISBN10: 0192856499
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780192670304
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2025-04-30
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The Oxford Handbook on the Mauritian Economy presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic, social, and political landscape of the island, offering a nuanced exploration of its historical evolution, current challenges, and future prospects.

Adopting a multidisciplinary lens, the handbook delves into the complexities of the Mauritian economy, addressing the development pathway of the country through a focus on the process of structural transformation, namely the transition from an agrarian-based economy to a diversified one, across sectors like manufacturing, information and communication technology, tourism, and financial services, amongst others. It analyzes the process of economic transformations while encompassing social change and social policies, with particular attention to key issues of inequality, education, health care, social protection, poverty alleviation, and social inclusion, and it delves further into the dynamics of cultural change, demographic shifts, and the role of policies in shaping the social fabric of the island.

Amid the perceived success of the Mauritian economy, this handbook confronts the challenges that the island faces in terms of the complexities of globalization, disparities in income and opportunities, and climate change as well as other recent crises that affect its resilience to external shocks. It contributes not only to wider scholarly debates on economic development but also presents a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners seeking an in-depth understanding of the economic and policy intricacies that define Mauritius' transformative development trajectory.

Author Biography

Carlos Oya is Professor of Political Economy of Development at SOAS, University of London, and a development economist by training. His work is published in several highly ranked journals in the development studies field, and he has recently led a project on structural transformations and employment outcomes in infrastructure construction and manufacturing sectors in Ethiopia and Angola, with a special focus on Chinese firms.


Ramola Ramtohul is Associate Professor in Gender Studies and Sociology at the University of Mauritius. She has a PhD in Gender Studies from the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town, and she has published widely on women, gender and politics in Mauritius, intersectionality, diversity, and citizenship. She has received research fellowships from the University of Cape Town, American Association of University Women, University of Cambridge, and University of Pretoria. She is co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary African Studies and the Island Studies Journal and is a member of the editorial board of the journal Small States & Territories.


Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur is Associate Professor in Economics, University of Mauritius. She is currently heading the Pole of Research Excellence in Applied Social and Economic Research Analysis and is the co-chair of the WTO Chairs Programme at the University of Mauritius. She has more than 40 publications in international peer reviewed journals and books, and she is involved in a number of consultancy and research projects with Ministries, public institutions, and international organisations.

Table of Contents

Part 1 CONCEPTS, CONTEXT, AND HISTORY1. Introduction, Carlos Oya, Ramola Ramtohul, Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur2. Why Mauritius? The political economy of structural transformation in a small island: Questions and debates, Liam Campling, Carlos Oya3. Political economy of Mauritius: The long run economic history of Mauritius' growth, structural change, and institutions, Manisha Dookhony4. Political institutions, democracy, and development in the longue durée, Manorama AkungPart 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION5. Agrarian change and the role of agriculture in structural transformation, Roshini Brizmohun-Gopaul6. The fisheries sector as a pillar for a sustainable future of Blue Economy in Mauritius, Riad Sultan, Mialy Andriamahefazafy7. The rise and fall of light manufacturing: Drivers, Trajectories, and Implications, Vinaye Dey Ancharaz8. Export competitiveness and industrialisation in Mauritius, Ali Mansoor9. Macroeconomic policy during structural change, Oliver Morrissey, Nikhil Treebhoohun10. Towards a service economy? The role of services and linkages with other sectors, Sheereen Fauzel, Jeevita Matadeen11. The promise of tourism and its performance, Boopen Seetanah, Pierre Dinan12. Evolution of the real estate sector in Mauritius and its contribution to economic development, Narvada Gopy, Boopen Seetanah, Robin Nunkoo, Viraiyan Teeroovengadum13. The Banking Sector as a catalyst in the transition of the Mauritian economy, Indranarain Ramlall14. The Mauritius International Financial Centre -A Critical Assessment since Inception, Rehana Kasenally-Pondor, Roukaya Kasenally15. From a Miracle Boom to Niche Dependence: How the India DTAA shapes future Offshore Growth in Mauritius, Pritish Behuria16. The ICT sector in Mauritius' quest for economic diversification, Avinash Ramtohul, Kavi Khedo, Avinash Mungur17. The governance of structural change: Configuration of institutions and “the entrepreneurial state” in Mauritius, Harshana Kasseeah18. A Political Economy Perspective on Mauritian Water Services, Aleksandra Peeroo, Kate Bayliss19. Industrial Policy and Practice: A Practitioners' perspective, Manisha Dookhony20. Learning from Mauritius' economic transformation: A policymaker's perspective, Arkebe OqubayPART 3: SOCIAL CHANGE AND POLICY21. Employment and Poverty in Mauritius, Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur22. Mauritius: The Evolution and Dynamics of Income Inequality in the Context of Structural Transformation, Yiagadeesen Samy, Vanessa. T Tang23. The gender dimensions of Mauritius' development trajectory, Ramola Ramtohul24. Migration dynamics in Mauritius, Ramola Ramtohul, Roukaya Kasenally25. The Political Economy of the Welfare State in Mauritius, Myriam Blin26. Health care provision and health outcomes in Mauritius, Zeinab Jannoo, Andrew McKay27. An Analysis of Mauritian Education: Stalling of Social Mobility?, Sheila Bunwaree28. Environmentally-friendly trade policies to shape Mauritius' future, Jaime de Melo29. Climate change and sustainable development, Riad Sultan30. Climate change and decarbonisation: a macroeconomic perspective for Mauritius, Prakash Deenapanray, Andrea Bassi31. New Development Pathways for Mauritius, Streevarsen Pillay Narainen