Compare countries · Mauritius vs South Africa
Mauritius vs South Africa
Mauritius(Africa)·
South Africa(Africa)
Across 10 comparable indicators: Mauritius leads on 8, South Africa on 2. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Mauritius
38.3
Better than 60% of countries
South Africa
37.1
Better than 63% of countries
South Africa: 3% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Mauritius
10.9
Better than 71% of countries
South Africa
13.0
Better than 57% of countries
Mauritius: 16% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Mauritius
1.57
Better than 84% of countries
South Africa
2.40
Worse than 79% of countries
Mauritius: more peaceful (1.57 vs 2.40).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Mauritius
49.8
Worse than 64% of countries
South Africa
25.5
Worse than 97% of countries
Mauritius: higher perceived safety (49.8 vs 25.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Mauritius
0.796
Better than 63% of countries
South Africa
0.717
Worse than 57% of countries
Mauritius: higher human development (0.796 vs 0.717).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Mauritius
$33,667
Better than 63% of countries
South Africa
$15,906
Worse than 59% of countries
Mauritius: 112% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Mauritius
73.8 yrs
Around the global middle
South Africa
66.3 yrs
Worse than 84% of countries
Mauritius: 7.5 years longer on average.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Mauritius
59 Mbps
Worse than 65% of countries
South Africa
48 Mbps
Worse than 73% of countries
Mauritius: 22% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Mauritius
71/100
Better than 76% of countries
South Africa
78/100
Better than 88% of countries
South Africa: freer press (78 vs 71 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Mauritius
5.94
Around the global middle
South Africa
5.01
Worse than 69% of countries
Mauritius: happier on the Cantril ladder (5.94 vs 5.01).
Not comparable for this pair
- Healthcare index: Numbeo doesn't publish a healthcare index for one of these countries.
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Mauritius and South Africa for real?
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Find your match →Full Mauritius profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full South Africa profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.