Quick facts
Seychelles population overview
The Seychelles is the 57th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 134,739 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 6 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,779 births (13.2 per 1,000 people) and 1,091 deaths (8.1 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 1,361 people. The infant mortality rate is 9.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 41,700 in 1960 to 122,730 in 2025 — a change of +194.3%, or +1.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 34.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.3 years; women have on average 1.9 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 19.8% of residents are under 15 and 8.7% are 65 or older (2025); 45.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Victoria. The Seychelles covers 460 km², giving a population density of about 296 people per km². GDP was $2.39B in 2025 — about $19,449 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Seychelles population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 136,382 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 134,739 |
| World rank | #195 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #57 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.002% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.5% |
| Births per year est. | 1,779 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,091 |
| Net migration per year est. | +1,361 |
| Birth rate | 13.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 9.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 122 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 34.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 45.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 460 km² |
| Population density | 296 per km² |
| Capital | Victoria |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $2.39B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $19,449 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Seychelles population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 136,382 | – | – |
| 2025 | 122,730 | +1,376 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 121,354 | +1,581 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 119,773 | -105 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 119,878 | +20,620 | +20.8% |
| 2021 | 99,258 | +796 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 98,462 | +5,043 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 93,419 | +3,649 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 89,770 | +6,912 | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 82,858 | +1,727 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 81,131 | +5,827 | +1.5% |
| 1995 | 75,304 | +5,797 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 69,507 | +4,263 | +1.3% |
| 1985 | 65,244 | +1,983 | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 63,261 | +3,969 | +1.3% |
| 1975 | 59,292 | +5,692 | +2% |
| 1970 | 53,600 | +6,100 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 47,500 | +5,800 | +2.6% |
| 1960 | 41,700 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Seychelles
Population over time
- From 41,700 in 1960 to 136,382 today — up 227.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.3 years (2024), up 15.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.9 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11 births vs 7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 19.8% of the population is under 15 and 8.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 6.1% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.88 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.15 Mt in 2017 — down 23.8% since.
- Per person: 7.24 t in 2024, vs 1.99 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,410.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 345.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 1.9% of final energy in 2022 (-2.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 73.3% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 45.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 27.5% in 1960 (+18 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Economy
- GDP: $2.39B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 66.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $19,449 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.3% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 87.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 125.6 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Seychelles in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Seychelles in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Seychelles has an estimated population of 136,382. The United Nations estimated 134,739 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Seychelles growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.5% per year — roughly 6 more people every day. Each year there are about 1,779 births and 1,091 deaths, with net migration of +1,361.
What is the population density of the Seychelles?
About 296 people per square kilometre: 136,382 people living on 460 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Seychelles?
The median age is 34.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.3 years. 19.8% of the population is under 15 and 8.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Seychelles rank by population?
The Seychelles is the 195th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 57th in Africa, with 0.002% of the global population.
How has the population of the Seychelles changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 41,700; by 2025 it had grown to 122,730 (+194.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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ArubaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.