Being for a long time a monocrop economy (sugar industry), Mauritius succeeded in diversifying with the secondary industries. In the 1980s, the textile industry had a formidable expansion and plays a major role in the Export Processing Zone (zone franche).

Now economic growth averages 5 percent per annum. Mauritius holds a per capita income of US $ 3,400 and the highest Human Development Index in the Sub-Saharan region (0.825).

Taxation rate varies between 0% and 35%.

In 1992, Mauritius became the first offshore financial center in the south hemisphere. There are now over 1500 offshore/international companies incorporated since. It has ratified several double taxation agreements.