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Mayotte
Place in France From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mayotte (/maɪˈɒt/ my-OT; French: Mayotte, [majɔt] ⓘ; Shimaore: Maore, IPA: [maˈore]; Kibushi: Maori, IPA: [maˈori]), officially the Department of Mayotte (French: Département de Mayotte),[3] is an overseas department and region and single territorial collectivity of France. It is one of the overseas departments of France as well as one of the 18 regions of France, with the same status as the departments of Metropolitan France. It is an outermost region of the European Union and, as an overseas department of France, part of the eurozone.
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Mayotte is located in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Southeastern Africa, between the northwestern part of the island of Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique on the continent. Mayotte consists of a main island, Grande-Terre (or Maore), a smaller island, Petite-Terre (or Pamanzi), as well as several islets around these two. Mayotte's land area is 374 square kilometres (144 sq mi) and, with its 320,901 people according to January 2024 official estimates,[1] is very densely populated at 858 inhabitants per km2 (2,228 per sq mi). The biggest city and prefecture is Mamoudzou on the larger Grande-Terre. The Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport is located on the neighbouring smaller island of Petite-Terre. The territory is also known as Maore, the native name of its main island.
French is the official language and is spoken as a second language by an increasing part of the population, with 63% of the population 14 years and older reporting in the 2007 census that they could speak it.[4] There are two native languages of Mayotte. The most commonly spoken is Shimaore, and the lesser spoken is a Malagasy language called Kibushi, of which there are two dialects; Kibushi sakalava, most closely related to the Sakalava dialect of Malagasy, and Kibushi antalaotsi, most closely related to the dialect spoken by the Antalaotra of Madagascar. Both dialects have been influenced by Shimaore.
The islands were populated from neighbouring East Africa, with a later arrival of Arabs, who brought the religious faith of Islam. A sultanate was established in 1500. The vast majority of the population today is Muslim. In the 19th century, Mayotte was conquered by Andriantsoly, former king of Iboina on Madagascar. He sold the islands in 1841 to France (Kingdom of France and its later July Monarchy of 1830–1848) and its overseas French Empire, and Mayotte integrated to the Crown of France of King Louis Philippe I (1773–1850, reigned 1830–1848, of the royal dynasty of the House of Bourbon-Orleans), then seven years later with the subsequent Second French Republic (1848–1870) after the French Revolution of 1848. In the immediate aftermath of French sovereignty over the islands, slavery was abolished and laborers were imported to the area to work in fields and plantations. Mayotte chose to remain with France[5] after the nearby Comoros declared its independence following their 1974 independence referendum.[5] Mayotte however became the 101st department of France (Fifth French Republic) on 31 March 2011 and became an outermost associated region of the European Union on 1 January 2014, following a March 2009 referendum with an overwhelming result in favour of remaining in the status of a French department. The issue of illegal immigration became very important in local political life in the 2010s and 2020s which led France to organize Operation Wuambushu.
In 2019, with an annual population growth of 3.8%, half the current population was less than 17 years old. In addition, 48% of the population were foreign nationals.[6] Most of the immigrants come from neighboring island state of Comoros, many illegally. Despite being France's poorest department, Mayotte is much richer than other neighboring East African countries and has developed French infrastructure and welfare system, making it a tempting destination for Comorans and other East Africans living in poverty in the region.[7]
The department faces enormous challenges. According to an Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (National Institute of Economic Statistics Studies of France – INSEE) report published in 2018, over 83% of the population live under the poverty line according to French standards, compared to 16% in metropolitan France, 40% of dwellings are corrugated sheet metal shacks, 29% of households have no running water, and 34% of the inhabitants between the age of 15 and 64 do not have a job.[8] These difficult living conditions mainly concern the large population of illegal migrants who crowd into shanty towns.[9]
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Geography
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The term Mayotte (or Maore) may refer to all of the department's islands, of which the largest is known as Maore (French: Grande-Terre) and includes Maore's surrounding islands, most notably Pamanzi (French: Petite-Terre), or only to the largest island. The name is believed to come from Mawuti, contraction of the Arabic جزيرة الموت Jazīrat al-Mawt – meaning "island of death" (maybe due to the dangerous reefs circling the island) and corrupted to Mayotta in Portuguese, later turned into French. However, the local name is Mahore, and the Arabic etymology is doubtful.
The main island, Grande-Terre (or Maore), geologically the oldest of the Comoro Islands, is 39 kilometres (24 mi) long and 22 kilometres (14 mi) wide, and its highest point is Mount Benara, at 660 metres (2,165 ft) above sea level. Because of the volcanic rock, the soil is relatively rich in some areas. A coral reef encircling much of the island ensures protection for ships and a habitat for fish. Dzaoudzi was the capital of Mayotte (and earlier the capital of all the colonial Comoros) until 1977, when the capital was relocated to Mamoudzou on the main island of Grande-Terre. It is situated on Petite-Terre (or Pamanzi), which at 10 square kilometres (4 sq mi) is the largest of several islets adjacent to Maore. The area of the lagoon behind the reef is approximately 1,500 square kilometres (580 sq mi), reaching a maximum depth of about 80m. It is described as "the largest barrier-reef-lagoon complex within the southwestern Indian Ocean".[10]
Topography
Mayotte is the oldest of the four large islands of the Comoros archipelago,[11] a chain of land emerging from a crescent-shaped submarine relief at the entrance to the Mozambique Channel. Located 295 km (183 mi) west of Madagascar and 67 km (42 mi) southeast of Anjouan, sometimes visible at sunset in the shade, it is composed of several islands and islets covered with lush vegetation. The two largest islands are Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre, backed by a coral reef.
This 160 km (99 mi) long coral reef surrounds a 1,100 km2 (420 sq mi) lagoon, one of the largest and deepest in the world.[11] Part of the barrier reef features a double barrier that is rare on the planet. It protects almost all of Mayotte from ocean currents and waves, except for a dozen passes, including one in the east called the "S-pass". The lagoon, which averages 5 to 10 km (3.1 to 6.2 mi) wide, is up to 100 m (330 ft) deep.
It is dotted with about a hundred coral islets, such as Mtsamboro. This reef serves as a refuge for boats and oceanic fauna. The volcanic activity that created the islands makes the soil particularly fertile.
The total area of Mayotte is about 374 km2 (144 sq mi), which makes it by far the smallest French overseas department (after Martinique, which is three times larger at 1,128 km2 (436 sq mi)). However, this area is difficult to assess accurately, given the number of small uninhabited islets, some of which are completely underwater at high tide, but may reveal significant areas at low tide. The main islands are
- Grande-Terre, 363 km2 (140 sq mi), is 39 km (24 mi) long and 22 km (14 mi) wide. Its highest points are: Mount Bénara or Mavingoni (660 m (2,170 ft)), Mount Choungui (594 m (1,949 ft)), Mount Mtsapéré (572 m (1,877 ft)), and Mount Combani (477 m (1,565 ft)). It is home to Mamoudzou, which is the economic capital of Mayotte and houses the departmental council and the prefecture;
- Petite-Terre (or Pamanzi Island), with Dzaoudzi (official capital of Mayotte) and Pamandzi (where the airport is located). It is 11 km2 (4.2 sq mi);
- Mtsamboro is the third largest island (2 km2 (0.77 sq mi)). It is permanently inhabited, mainly by fishermen;
- Mbouzi islet (84 ha (210 acres)) is classified as a nature reserve;
- Bandrélé islet is the fifth largest island;
- Sable Blanc islet is located near the Saziley Marine Park (marine protected area).
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Environment
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Geology
Mayotte is a primarily volcanic island rising steeply from the bed of the ocean to a height of 660 metres (2,170 ft) on Mont Bénara (OpenStreetMap gives this as 661 metres (2,169 ft)).
Two volcanic centres are reported, a southern one (Pic Chongui, 594 metres (1,949 ft)) with a breached crater to the NW, and a northern centre (Mont M'Tsapéré, 572 metres (1,877 ft)) with a breached crater to the south-east. Mont Bénara is on the curving ridge between these two peaks, approximately at the contact point of the two structures. Volcanic activity started about 7.7 million years ago in the south, ceasing about 2.7 million years ago. In the north, activity started about 4.7 million years ago and lasted until about 1.4 million years ago. Both centres had several phases of activity.[12] The most recent age reported for an ash band is 7000 year BP.[10]
Earthquake swarm
The 11 November 2018, seismic event occurred about 15 miles (24 km) off the coast of Mayotte. It was recorded by seismograms in many places, including Kenya, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, and Hawaii located almost 11,000 miles (18,000 km) away.[13] The seismic waves lasted for more than 20 minutes, but despite this, no one felt it.[13][14] Subsequently, the earthquake swarm has been linked to a newly discovered undersea volcano located 50 km (31 mi) away from Mayotte at a depth of 3,500 m (11,500 ft).[15]
Marine environment
Mayotte is surrounded by a typical tropical coral reef. It consists of a large outer barrier reef, enclosing one of the world's largest and deepest lagoons, followed by a fringing reef, interrupted by many mangroves. All Mayotte waters are ruled by a National Marine Park, and many places are natural reserves.
The outer coral reef is 195 km (121 mi) long, housing 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi) of lagoon, including 7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi) of mangrove. There are at least 250 different species of coral, 760 tropical fish species, and the National Natural Heritage Inventory (INPN) has no fewer than 3,616 marine species, but this is probably a far cry from the actual count. As this region of the world is still poorly inventoried by scientists, the waters of Mayotte continue to harbour many species unknown to science, and allow important scientific discoveries each year.[16]
Terrestrial environment
Mayotte has a great diversity in its plant life: more than 1,300 species are recorded, half of them being endemic, making this island one of the richest in plant diversity in the world compared to its size.[17] 15% of the island is classified as natural reserve; however, the primal forest now covers barely 5% of the island due to illegal deforestation.
Just like many volcanic islands, Mayotte shelters quite a limited mammal biodiversity, the only native species being flying foxes (Pteropus seychellensis comorensis). However, there are 18 species of reptiles, 23 of terrestrial molluscs, 116 butterflies, 38 dragonflies, 50 grasshoppers, and 150 beetles.[17]
Protected areas
By 2021, there were 30 protected areas on Mayotte, totaling 55 km2 (21 sq mi) or 13.94% of Mayotte's land area, and 100% of Mayotte's marine area.[18] Protected areas on Mayotte include Mayotte Marine Natural Park, Pointes et plages de Saziley et Charifou, and Ilôt Mbouzi National Nature Reserve.
On 3 May 2021, the French government created the Forests of Mayotte National Nature Reserve (Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Forêts de Mayotte). The reserve consists of 2,801 ha (6,920 acres) in six mountain forests, covering 51% of Mayotte's reserve forests and 7.5% of Mayotte's total land area. Areas protected by the reserve include Mount Mtsapéré, Mount Combani, Mount Benara, and Mount Choungui. The purpose of the reserve is to protect the relict primary forests of the island, restore the island's secondary forests, and protect the island's native flora and fauna.[19][20][21]
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History
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In 1500, the Maore sultanate was established on the island. In 1503, Mayotte was observed and named (firstly Espirito Santo) by Portuguese explorers, but not colonized. The island has known several eras of wealth (especially during the 11th century at Acoua or between 9th and 12th centuries at Dembéni), being an important part of the Swahili coast culture. However, its sister island Anjouan was preferred by international traders due to its better suitability to large boats, and, for a long time, Mayotte remained poorly developed compared to the three other Comoros islands, often being targeted by pirates and Malagasy or Comorian raids.
In the early 19th century, Mayotte was controlled by a mercantile family that claimed Omani origins. The Sultans of Mayotte had political ties with the Anjouan Sultanate during this period. Mayotte was sparsely populated and mainly consisted of Comorian speakers that were politically aligned with the local sultan and the Malagasy who were autonomous.[22]
In 1832, Mayotte was conquered by Andriantsoly, former king of Iboina on Madagascar; in 1833, it was conquered by the neighbouring sultanate of Mwali (Mohéli in French).[23] On 19 November 1835, Mayotte was again conquered by the Ndzuwani Sultanate (Anjouan sultanate in French); a governor was installed with the unusual Islamic style of Qadi (from the Arabic قاض, meaning "judge"). However, in 1836, it regained its independence under a last local Sultan. Andriantsoly reconquered the island in 1836, but his depopulated and unfortified island was in a weak position towards the sultans of Comoros, Malagasy kings, and pirates. Seeking the help of a powerful ally, he began to negotiate with the French, installed in the nearby Malagasy island of Nosy Bé in 1840.
Mayotte was purchased by France in 1841, and integrated to the Crown. In the immediate aftermath, slavery was abolished and laborers were imported to the area to work in fields and plantations. The abolition of slavery led to several slave-owning elites leaving Mayotte as their authority was undermined. However, the freed slaves were often subsequently forced to work under harsher conditions for the French government or colonists in their plantations. Additionally, many of the imported laborers were victims of the slave trade.[24]
Mayotte therefore became a French island, but it remained an island with a sparse population due to decades of wars, as well as by the exodus of former elites and some of their slaves: most of the cities were abandoned, and nature reclaimed the old plantations. The French administration therefore tried to repopulate the island, recalling first of all the Mayotte exiles or refugees in the region (Comoros, Madagascar), proposing the former exiled masters return in exchange for compensation, then by inviting wealthy Anjouan families to come and set up trade. France launched some first major works, such as the realization in 1848 of the Boulevard des Crabes connecting the rock of Dzaoudzi to Pamandzi and the rest of Petite-Terre.
As it had done in the West Indies and Réunion, the French government planned to make Mayotte a sugar island: despite the steep slopes, large plantations were developed, 17 sugar factories were built and hundreds of foreign workers (mainly African, in particular Mozambic Makwas) hired from 1851 onwards. However, production remained mediocre, and the sugar crisis of 1883–1885 quickly led to the end of this crop in Mayotte (which had just reached its peak of production), leaving only a few factory ruins, some of which are still visible now. The last sugar plant to be closed was Dzoumogné in 1955: the best preserved, and now heritage, is Soulou, in the west of the island.
At the Berlin Conference in 1885, France took control over the whole Comoros archipelago, which was actually already ruled by French traders; the colony took the name of "Mayotte and Dependencies".
In 1898, two cyclones razed the island to the ground, and a smallpox epidemic decimated the survivors. Mayotte had to start from the beginning once again, and the French government had to repopulate the island with workers from Mozambique, Comoros and Madagascar. The sugar industry was abandoned, replaced by vanilla, coffee, copra, sisal, then fragrant plants such as vetiver, citronella, sandalwood, and especially ylang-ylang, which later became one of the symbols of the island.
Mayotte was the only island in the archipelago that voted in referendums in 1974 and 1976 to retain its link with France and forgo independence (with 63.8% and 99.4% of votes respectively). UN General Assembly resolutions, which are legally non-binding, have voted not to recognise France's continued rule of Mayotte, and the independent Comoros have never ceased to claim the island.[25] A draft 1976 United Nations Security Council resolution recognising Comorian sovereignty over Mayotte, supported by 11 of the 15 members of the council, was vetoed by France.[26] It was the only time, as of 2020[update], that France cast a lone veto in the council;[27] the veto was criticized because France was a party to the dispute before the Security Council, and consequently should have abstained from voting, according to some other Council members.[28] As mentioned, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a series of legally non-binding resolutions on Mayotte, under the pro-Comoros title "Question of the Comorian Island of Mayotte" up until 1995. In the decades since 1995, the subject of Mayotte has not been discussed by the General Assembly, and all the following referendums over Mayotte independence have shown a strong will of Mayotte people to remain French.
Mayotte became an overseas department of France in March 2011 in consequence of a 29 March 2009 referendum.[29] The outcome was a 95.5% vote in favour of changing the island's status from a French "overseas community" to become France's 101st département.[30] Its non-official traditional Islamic law, applied in some aspects of the day-to-day life, will be gradually abolished and replaced by the uniform French civil code.[31] Additionally, French social welfare and taxes apply in Mayotte, though some of each will be brought in gradually.[32] Comoros continues to claim the island, while criticising the French military base there.[33][needs update]
In 2018, the department experienced civil unrest over migration from the Comoros.[34]
In December 2024, Cyclone Chido caused extreme damage to Mayotte, destroying most homes, administrative buildings and part of the town hall in the capital Mamoudzou.[35] President Emmanuel Macron arrived on the department's largest island, Grande-Terre, on 19 December, and delivered food and health aid. A state of emergency has been declared for the department.[36]
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Politics
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The politics of Mayotte takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic government and of a multi-party system, whereby the President of the Departmental Council is the head of the local assembly. Executive power is exercised by the French government.
Mayotte also sends two deputies to the French National Assembly and two senators to the French Senate. The deputies represent Mayotte's 1st constituency and Mayotte's 2nd constituency.
The situation of Mayotte proved to be awkward for France: while a significant majority of the local population did not want to join the Comoros in becoming independent of France, some post-colonial leftist or Marxist-Leninist governments voiced criticism of Mayotte's ongoing ties to France.[citation needed] Furthermore, the peculiar local administration of Mayotte, largely ruled by customary Muslim law, would be difficult to integrate into the legal structures of France, not to mention the costs of bringing the standards of living to levels close to those of Metropolitan France. For these reasons, the laws passed by the national parliament had to state specifically that they applied to Mayotte.
The status of Mayotte was changed in 2001 towards one very close to the status of the departments of France, with the particular designation of departmental collectivity. This change was approved by 73% of voters in a referendum. After the constitutional reform of 2003 it became an overseas collectivity while retaining the title "departmental collectivity" of Mayotte.
Mayotte became an overseas department of France (département d'outre-mer, DOM) on 31 March 2011 following the result of the March 2009 Mahoran status referendum, which was overwhelmingly approved by around 95% of voters.[38][39] Becoming an overseas department will mean it will adopt the same legal and social system as used in the rest of France. This will require abandoning some customary laws, adopting the standard French civil code, and reforming the judiciary, educational, social and fiscal systems, and will take place over a period of about 20 years.[40]
Since it became an overseas department in 2011, Mayotte possesses a single local assembly, officially called the "Departmental Council" (conseil départemental), which acts both as a regional and departmental council, or a single territorial collectivity. This was a unique arrangement at the time, but French Guiana and Martinique adopted this arrangement in 2015.
Despite its domestic constitutional evolution from the status of an overseas collectivity to that of an overseas department, effectively becoming a full constituent territory within the French Republic, with regards to the European Union, Mayotte remained an 'overseas country and territory' (OCT) in association with the Union (as per Article 355(2) TFEU) and not a constituent territory of the European Union in the same way as the other four overseas departments. However, following a directive of the European Council in December 2013, Mayotte became an outermost region of the European Union on 1 January 2014.[41] This successful agreement between the 27 member states follows a petition made by the French government for Mayotte to become an integral territory of the European Union nonetheless benefiting from the derogation clause applicable in existing outermost regions, namely Article 349 TFEU, as favoured in a June 2012 European Commission opinion on Mayotte's European constitutional status.[42]
In recent national elections, Mayotte has been a stronghold for the right-wing populist National Rally party, and gave its presidential candidate Marine Le Pen her highest vote percentage in the 2022 French presidential election first round.[43][44]
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Defence
Defence of the territory is the responsibility of the French Armed Forces, principally carried out by a Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte. One Engins de Débarquement Amphibie – Standards (EDA-S) landing craft (Épée) is to be delivered to naval forces based in Mayotte by 2025. The landing craft will replace a CTM landing craft currently deployed in the territory, to better support coastal operations.[45][46]
About 170 personnel of the National Gendarmerie are stationed in Mayotte[47] while, as of late 2022, the Maritime Gendarmerie operated the patrol boats Odet and Verdon in the territory.[48][49] In December 2024, both boats were severely damaged by Cyclone Chido. Reports suggested that they might both be beyond repair and would need to be replaced.[50][51] In early 2025 a sister ship of the two vessels, the patrol boat Adour, was transferred to Mayotte from Metropolitan France as a preliminary replacement.[52]
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Administrative divisions
Mayotte is divided into 17 communes. There are also 13 cantons (not shown here). It is the only department and region of France without an arrondissement.
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Transport
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Land transportation
French investment over the past thirty years is evident, with more than 230 km of paved roads used by cars and various types of two-wheelers: 90 km of national roads and 139 km of departmental roads. The contrast is striking compared to the 1980s, when light traffic meant that only a few sedans could be seen among the Renault 4 taxis, the legionnaires' Méharis, or the covered pickup trucks known as taxis-brousse.
Today, Mayotte has tens of thousands of vehicles, often congesting a single-lane national road, with kilometers of uninterrupted traffic jams during rush hours. A system of taxis—partly informal and lacking real organization—allows pedestrians to get around for very modest sums, though with poor regularity and reliability. Mayotte is currently the only French department without a land-based public transportation system.[53]
Since 2008, a large bus network project Caribus has been expected to be launched to relieve the traffic jams that now paralyze the entire island daily. However, numerous political complications and very poor management by local elected officials have considerably delayed its implementation (despite the frustration of European financial backers), and as of early 2022, construction has still not begun.[54]
Because Mayotte's road network is essentially limited to a single circular route, the idea of a train regularly resurfaces, as was once the case on Réunion (and more recently with its abandoned tram-train project). The latest proposal, called Treni bile ("blue train"),[55] put forward by the Departmental Council, is estimated to cost 900 million euros — an exorbitant amount far beyond the department's means, but comparable to the 800 million euros for the Mamoudzou bypass, the 2 billion euros for the New Coastal Road in Réunion, or the fact that school transportation costs Mayotte 100 million euros per year, whereas a train has a lifespan of 30 to 40 years.[56]
Water transport
Divided into two islets, Mayotte is difficult to access. The landing stage at Mamoudzou, on Grande-Terre, can only accommodate light boats. The connection between the two islands is made by pedestrian ferries (barges) and vehicle ferries (amphidromes), which transport each year more than 4.5 million passengers, 360,000 two-wheelers, 400,000 vehicles, and 20,600 heavy trucks.
The deep-water port of Longoni, located in the commune of Koungou in the north of the department, is a minor stopover port in the Mozambique Channel. The port concession was awarded in 2014 to a local company (MCG Mayotte Channel Gateway), which has undertaken to modernize the infrastructure and aims to make it one of the most important commercial ports in the region.
Air transport
The only airport serving the island is Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport, which receives 423,976 passengers in 2024. It also includes a small airfield for light tourism aircraft and ultralight planes.
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Economy
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The official currency in Mayotte is the euro.[57]
In 2019, the GDP of Mayotte at market exchange rates was €2.66 billion (US$2.98 bn).[58] In that same year the GDP per capita of Mayotte at market exchange rates, not at PPP, was €9,692 (US$10,850),[58] which was eight times larger than the GDP per capita of the Comoros that year,[59] but only 42.8% of the GDP per capita of Réunion and 26.4% of the GDP per capita of Metropolitan France. Living standards are therefore lower than in metropolitan France. At the 2017 census, 10% of dwellings in Mayotte had no electricity, 29% of dwellings had no running water inside the dwelling, and 54% of dwellings had no toilets inside the dwelling.[60]
| $500–1,000 $1,000–2,000 $2,000–5,000 $5,000–10,000 $10,000–20,000 |
The economy of Mayotte has grown significantly since the end of the 20th century due to financial transfers from the French central state and the gradual transformation of the territory into a full-fledged French department after a 2009 referendum, with considerable upgrading of public services and infrastructure.
The economy of Mayotte grew by an average of +9.3% per year in real terms from 2001 to 2008, before being affected by the 2008 financial crisis and experiencing as a result a recession of −0.4% in 2009.[58] The economy rebounded as early as 2010, driven by the transformation of the territory into an overseas department, decided in a referendum in 2009 and taking effect in 2011. From 2010 to 2017, the economy of Mayotte grew on average by +6.9% per year in real terms, but economic growth slowed to +2.1% in 2018 due to the massive civil unrest experienced by the territory that year, with weeks of demonstrations, roadblocks, and work stoppages paralyzing Mayotte's economy between January and April 2018.[58] Economic growth rebounded to +5.2% in 2019, but Mayotte was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with growth estimated at only +1.1% in 2020.[58]
Thanks to rapid economic growth, Mayotte has begun to catch up with the rest of France in terms of standards of living. Despite high population growth, Mayotte's GDP per capita managed to rise from 15.4% of Metropolitan France's level in 2000 to 27.3% of Metropolitan France in 2017, but this catching-up process has stalled since 2018 due to the civil unrest that took place in Mayotte that year and its economic consequences.[61][58] Compared to Réunion, Mayotte's GDP per capita rose from 28.7% of Réunion's level in 2000 to 43.7% in 2017, before falling back slightly.[61][58]
The unemployment rate for youth ages 15–29 is 43%.[62] The overall unemployment rate is 30%.[63] 8 out of 10 children in Mayotte live in poverty.[64]
| 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP (€ bn) | 0.56 | 0.92 | 1.43 | 2.08 | 2.21 | 2.42 | 2.50 | 2.66 |
| GDP per capita (euros) | 3,800 | 5,300 | 7,100 | 8,800 | 9,000 | 9,500 | 9,400 | 9,700 |
| GDP per capita as a % of Metropolitan France's | 15.4% | 18.7% | 22.8% | 26.2% | 26.5% | 27.3% | 26.4% | 26.4% |
| GDP per capita as a % of Réunion's | 28.7% | 31.0% | 38.1% | 42.6% | 42.5% | 43.7% | 42.6% | 42.8% |
| Sources: Eurostat;[61] INSEE.[58] | ||||||||
The local agriculture is threatened by insecurity, and due to a more expensive workforce cannot compete on the export ground with Madagascar or the Comoros union.[citation needed] The major economic potential of the island remains tourism, however hampered by delinquency rates.[citation needed]
Agriculture, livestock, and fishing
There are around 20,000 agricultural holdings in Mayotte, most of them very small in size, as well as a large number of "wild" slash-and-burn farms. The utilized agricultural area (UAA) covers 22,257 hectares, i.e., more than half of the island's surface.
According to the 2020 Agricultural Census, the island has 4,315 farms, most of them very small, with nearly 80% considered micro-farms operating under the traditional jardin mahorais (a kind of agroforestry small-scale farming) model. The utilized agricultural area (UAA) covers about 6,000 hectares, a much smaller share of the territory than earlier estimates. The average farm size is approximately 1.4 hectares, illustrating an agriculture that is predominantly family-based and diversified.[65][66][67]
Agricultural production mainly consists of food crops, particularly rice, cassava, and tropical fruits—bananas (17,000 tons in 2003)[68], coconuts, pineapples, papayas, mangoes (September–December), oranges (June–August), and lychees (December)[69]. But there are also specialized export crops such as ylang-ylang and lemongrass (used in perfumery), vanilla,[70] cinnamon, and cloves.[71] However, departmentalization and the alignment of Mayotte with French labor laws pushed major producers (such as Guerlain) to relocate to neighboring countries (Comoros or Madagascar), where labor is cheaper.[72] Since the 2020s, attempts to revive these high-value crops have begun to emerge.[70]
Some communities practice wild agriculture, burning forest areas to plant cassava and bananas—two productive crops that require little investment, but are harmful to the environment, causing dramatic erosion,[73] especially since they are often sprayed with many illegal pesticides. In particular, roadside tomatoes in Mayotte contain worrying levels of dimethoate (up to 500% of the maximum allowable residue limit),[74] even though this toxic pesticide is banned in France.[75]
Livestock farming continues to exist but remains limited: nearly 30% of farmers raise livestock,[66] mainly cattle, goats, and poultry (especially for egg production). This local production is still insufficient to meet the island's demand, leading Mayotte to continue importing most of its food products.
The chombo and the upanga are traditional tools often used.[76]
The sea provides, in addition to coastal fish, swordfish, lobsters, groupers, and shrimp, within an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 74,000 km²[68] (a small part of which is protected and closed to fishing). Fishing remains poorly regulated, posing a threat of overexploitation or habitat destruction, especially for industrial tuna fishing, but also artisanal fishing of octopus, lobsters, and bivalves (notably the giant clam, a protected species). Coastal fishing is largely informal: only 48% of landed fish comes from licensed fishers, and some fishers are undocumented, preventing regulation.[77]
In 2007, a Regional Commission for Maritime Fisheries and Marine Aquaculture (Commission Régionale des Pêches Maritimes et de l'Aquaculture Marine, COREPAM) was created to handle subsidy applications for professionals in the sector.[68]
Several aquaculture projects have existed since 1999, such as "Mayotte Aquaculture," partner of the "Aquamay" association.[78] Total annual production is about 180 tons of fish, making Mayotte the leading aquaculture producer among all French overseas departments (with revenue exceeding €700,000 per year).[79] However, this aquaculture mainly involves foreign species with potentially polluting farming practices, such as the American drumfish,[80] which accounts for 90% of production, mostly for export[79]. The lagoon of Mayotte—large, deep, calm, and productive—has excellent potential for aquaculture, but its water is already rich in nitrates and has low circulation, limiting its carrying capacity for polluting species.[80]
Therefore, aquaculture of less polluting or even depolluting species (oysters, sponges, sea cucumbers, etc.)[81] is starting to be cautiously considered, and early studies show strong potential for these alternative cultures.[82]
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Demographics
Summarize
Perspective
On 1 January 2024, a record 320,901 people were living in Mayotte (official INSEE estimate).[1] According to the 2017 census, 58.5% of the people living in Mayotte were born in Mayotte (down from 63.5% at the 2007 census), 5.6% were born in the rest of the French Republic (either metropolitan France or overseas France except Mayotte) (up from 4.8% in 2007), and 35.8% were immigrants born in foreign countries (up from 31.7% at the 2007 census, with the following countries of birth in 2007: 28.3% born in the Union of the Comoros, 2.6% in Madagascar, and the remaining 0.8% in other countries).[84][85]
According to a field study conducted by INSEE in 2015–2016, only 35.6% of the adults (18 years of age and older) living in Mayotte were born in Mayotte of mothers themselves born in Mayotte, whereas 37.4% of the adults were either born in Anjouan (in the Union of the Comoros) or born in Mayotte of mothers born in Anjouan, 13.5% were either born in Grande Comore or Mohéli (in the Union of the Comoros) or born in Mayotte of mothers born in Grande Comore or Mohéli, 7.9% were either born in France (outside of Mayotte) or in Mayotte of mothers born in France (outside of Mayotte), and 5.7% were either born in foreign countries (other than the Comoros) or in Mayotte of mothers born in foreign countries (other than the Comoros).[86]
Most of the inhabitants of the island are culturally Comorians. The Comorians are a blend of settlers from many areas: South Arabs, Bantus, and Malagasy. Comorian communities can also be found in other parts of the Comoros chain as well as in Madagascar.[citation needed]
In 2017, mothers born in foreign countries (predominantly the Union of the Comoros) were responsible for 75.7% of the births that took place in Mayotte although many of these births were to French fathers: 58% of children born in Mayotte in 2017 had at least one French parent.[87]
Illegal immigration is a huge problem in Mayotte. French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, has called immigration "a plague" that is "gradually killing" the island. The citizenship laws have been amended, and radar has been introduced.[88][89][90][91]
Clandestine immigration
As of 2025, the population of Mayotte is estimated at 329,282 inhabitants.[92] In March 2018, the immigrant population was estimated at 45% of the island's adult population. 95% of foreigners are Comorian nationals;[93] in 2012, 39% of these foreigners were born on Mahoran territory, mainly minors who can therefore obtain French nationality when they reach adulthood.[72][94] In 2023, Mediapart revealed a report written in January 2022 by six ministries on the situation in Mayotte. The report noted that, according to recent INSEE analyses, Comorian nationals still represent the overwhelming majority of foreigners, and demographic pressure continues to grow. Projections indicate that, under the most alarming scenario, the population of Mayotte could reach up between 440,000 to 760,000 inhabitants by 2050 due to sustained irregular immigration.[95][96]
On 18 January 1995, following demonstrations and at the request of Mahoran authorities who were witnessing a continuous influx of Comorian migrants, the "Balladur visa"[97][a] was introduced (named after the Prime Minister at the time), and has applied to Comorians wishing to travel to Mayotte ever since.[98] Indeed, Mayotte increasingly appears as an oasis of prosperity in an ocean of poverty.[97] In 2010, GDP per capita was eight times higher in Mayotte than in the Comoros. Moreover, Mayotte offers access to free education and healthcare, and eligibility for social benefits at the same level as metropolitan France since departmentalization.[94]
Today, Mayotte faces massive illegal immigration, and in 2012 it was estimated that one in three residents was a foreigner in an irregular situation.[99] Since May 2014, the Code of Entry and Residence of Foreigners and of the Right of Asylum (Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile, CESEDA) has applied to Mayotte.[100]
Despite numerous operations and reinforced controls, Mayotte continues to face massive irregular immigration. In 2023, the authorities conducted an exceptionally high number of operations at sea (Opération Shikandra): 260 kwassas detected and 2,255 irregular migrants intercepted, a 38% increase compared with 2020.[101] In 2024, interceptions remained numerous, though slightly below the peak recorded in 2023, illustrating the persistence of clandestine sea crossings.[102]
The administrative detention centre (Centre de rétention administrative, CRA) of Pamandzi remains one of the busiest in all of France. In 2023, France recorded 28,180 detention placements, a substantial portion of which occurred in Mayotte.[103] In 2024, 19,262 expulsions were carried out from Mayotte—representing a 21% decrease compared with 2023.[104] However, this decline has not reduced the overall migratory pressure.
Logically, the hub of immigration is Anjouan, the island closest to Mayotte, located only 70 km away. Undocumented migrants from the various Comorian islands gather there to use the services of smugglers.[97] Around 12,000 people are believed to have died attempting to reach Mayotte in makeshift boats, the kwassa kwassa, making the stretch of sea between Mayotte and Anjouan the deadliest maritime crossing in the world.[105]
Many associations such as the Association nationale d'assistance aux frontières pour les étrangers (National Association for Border Assistance to Foreigners) and Mahoran public figures denounce what they describe as active complicity by the Comorian state in this tragedy:[72] the factory in Anjouan that produces the fragile boats has never been targeted, and of the 450 to 500 annual departures, Comorian authorities intercept barely one, allowing this deadly industry to flourish and leaving the entire humanitarian burden to the French state across the sea.[106]
In 2017, the population of Mayotte and the French authorities themselves were divided over the future of the Balladur visa, with many Mahorans opposing any challenge to it.[97] Conversely, beyond economic motivations, some Comorians—who blame the deaths at sea on the Balladur visa—justify illegal emigration on the grounds that Mayotte belongs to the Comoros.[94]
In 2025, Le Monde published an investigation questioning the actions of the "interceptors" of the border police, who monitor territorial waters day and night. Sometimes contrary to international maritime boarding regulations, these maneuvers have been implicated in several shipwrecks that have caused hundreds of deaths since 2010.[107]
Religion
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Islam has been present in the archipelago since at least the 16th century. The mosque of Tsingoni (built in the 16th century), listed as a historic monument in 2015, is considered the oldest mosque still in use in France.[108] The French census does not collect religious data, but the CIA World Factbook estimates that the population is 97% Muslim and 3% Christian.[109]
About 95% of the Mahoran population is Muslim. The Sunni tradition was introduced by Arab-Persian populations, while African culture gave it animist influences.[110] From the age of six, many children attend both Qur'anic school and public primary school. However, this double schooling has been declining due to the growing influence of the French Republic and French media. The madrassa is therefore increasingly seen as non-essential for Mahorans. Mahoran Islam follows the Shafi'i tradition, known for being moderate, open, and tolerant,[111] and the island has never experienced religious conflict or issues related to radicalization.[112] However, a Saudi influence has begun to appear (likely through the Comoros), and the traditional shawl is sometimes replaced by an Islamic veil (which is prohibited as such in schools), or in some families in the west of the island, by the niqab (theoretically banned in public spaces).[113]
The main religious minority, Roman Catholicism—with around 4,000 members—has only one parish with two places of worship: Notre-Dame-de-Fatima Church in Mamoudzou and Saint-Michel Church in Dzaoudzi,[114] and it has no proper diocese. Instead, it is served, together with the Comoros, by a missionary jurisdiction: the Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago. Although Catholics report feeling "tolerated within the context of outreach or missions to the marginalized," they are not permitted to ring their church bells before Mass.[115]
The Indian community in Mayotte (in the broad sense, including members from Réunion, Mauritius, or Sri Lanka) numbers about 500 people, mostly Muslims but of a different rite from that practiced in Mayotte (Khojas, Ismailis, etc.), with some Hindus as well.[116]
Languages
French is the sole official language of Mayotte. It is the language used for administration, education, most television, and radio, as well as in commercial announcements and billboards. The native languages of Mayotte are:
- Shimaore, a dialect of Comorian (a close relative of Swahili)
- Kibushi, a western dialect of Malagasy (the predominant language of Madagascar) heavily influenced by Shimaore and Arabic
- Kiantalaotsi, another western dialect of the Malagasy language also heavily influenced by Shimaore and Arabic
Kibushi is spoken in the south and north-west of Mayotte, while Shimaore is spoken elsewhere.
Besides French, other non-indigenous languages are also present in Mayotte:
- Arabic, essentially learned in the Quranic schools
- various non-Shimaore dialects of the Comorian language, essentially imported by immigrants who have arrived in Mayotte since 1974: Shindzwani (the dialect of Anjouan, or Nzwani), Shingazidja (the dialect of Grande Comore, or Ngazidja), and Shimwali (the dialect of Mohéli, or Mwali).
Shingazidja and Shimwali on the one hand and Shimaore on the other hand are generally not mutually intelligible. Shindzwani and Shimaore are perfectly mutually intelligible.
2012 and 2017 censuses
No questions regarding the knowledge or use of languages were asked in the 2012 and 2017 censuses, and no question relative to languages will be asked in the future censuses of Mayotte, leaving the now quite outdated census data from 2007 as the last official data on the topic of languages. Improvement in schooling has markedly increased French literacy and knowledge since 2007.
2007 census
At the 2007 census, 63.2% of people 14 years old and older reported that they could speak French, with large differences with age. 87.1% of those whose age was 14 to 19 years old reported that they could speak it, whereas only 19.6% of those aged 65 and older reported that they could speak it. 93.8% of the population whose age was 14 or older reported that they could speak one of the local languages of Mayotte (Shimaore, Kibushi, Kiantalaotsi, or any of the Comorian dialects, which the census included in the 'local languages'). 6.2% of the population aged 14 and older reported that they spoke none of the local languages and could speak only French.[4]
2006 survey
A survey was conducted by the French Ministry of National Education in 2006 among pupils registered in CM2 (equivalent to fifth grade in the US and Year 6 in England and Wales). Questions were asked regarding the languages spoken by the pupils as well as the languages spoken by their parents. According to the survey, the ranking of mother tongues was the following (ranked by number of first language speakers in the total population; note that percentages add up to more than 100% because some people are natively bilingual):[117]
- Shimaore: 55.1%
- Shindzwani: 22.3%
- Kibushi: 13.6%
- Shingazidja: 7.9%
- French: 1.4%
- Shimwali: 0.8%
- Arabic: 0.4%
- Kiantalaotsi: 0.2%
- Other: 0.4%
When also counting second language speakers (e.g., someone whose mother tongue is Shimaore but who also speaks French as a second language) then the ranking became: " Shimaore: 88.3% " French: 56.9% " Shindzwani: 35.2% " Kibushi: 28.8% " Shingazidja: 13.9% " Arabic: 10.8% " Shimwali: 2.6% " Kiantalaotsi: 0.9% " Other: 1.2%
With the mandatory schooling of children and the economic development both implemented by the French central state, the French language has progressed significantly on Mayotte in recent years. The survey conducted by the Ministry of National Education showed that while first and second language speakers of French represented 56.9% of the population in general, this figure was only 37.7% for the parents of CM2 pupils, but reached 97.0% for the CM2 pupils themselves (whose age is between 10 and 14 in general).[citation needed]
Nowadays there are instances of families speaking only French to their children in the hope of helping their social advancement. With French schooling and French-language television, many young people turn to French or use many French words when speaking Shimaore and Kibushi, leading some to fear that these native languages of Mayotte could either disappear or become some sort of French-based creole.[118]
Health
Mamoudzou is the only town where a hospital is located (the CHM, Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte). It consists of a reference hospital in the capital, four peripheral hospitals (on Petite-Terre/Dzaoudzi and at other outlying sites) and thirteen consultation centres (formerly dispensaries) spread across the island.[119][120] Since 2001, the CHM has had a mental health department.[121] As of recent data, it has 573 beds, reflecting an increase in capacity compared to previous years.[122] According to two reports from the Social Affairs Committees of the Senate (2022) and the National Assembly (October 2024), the CHM provides 72% of the island's healthcare services.[123] However, the vast majority of births take place in Mamoudzou, making the CHM the largest maternity ward in France: 54% of the island's annual births in 2003, and 57.3% in 2004.
Several "intercommunal" maternity units have been opened: Mramadoudou in the south of the island (2005), Kahani in the commune of Ouangani in the center (2006), and Bandraboua in the north (2010). The health-care offer remains heavily concentrated: most doctors are based in Mamoudzou or Petite-Terre; rural and peripheral areas — especially in the North and South — are described as "medical deserts."[124]
Since April 1, 2005, healthcare is no longer free on the territory. Patients must present a Social Security card or pay a flat-rate fee at public healthcare facilities, or pay private physicians directly.
There are also around fifteen dispensaries in the villages,[125] which share the few on-call doctors.[119] They are supported by four intercommunal hospitals, or reference dispensaries: the CHM annex in Petite-Terre (Dzaoudzi), the South Hospital (Chirongui), the Central Hospital (Kahani), and the North Hospital (Dzoumogné).[125]
Despite these facilities, Mayotte remains the French territory with the most severe shortage of medical personnel. As of 1 January 2023, Mayotte has 265 physicians (including general practitioners, specialists, dentists, and pharmacists). The density of general practitioners is 49 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 147 in metropolitan France. The gap widens further for specialist doctors, with 39 specialists per 100,000 inhabitants in Mayotte versus 194 in mainland France. There are also 9 dentists and 31 pharmacists per 100,000 inhabitants in Mayotte, compared with 67 and 109 in metropolitan France. These figures are also the lowest among all Overseas Departments.[124][126]
Although it is possible to benefit from universal health coverage (couverture maladie universelle, CMU) in Mayotte, residents cannot access complementary CMU coverage as in metropolitan France.
Malaria, dengue, and chikungunya occur on the island,[119] all transmitted by mosquitoes, but infections among healthy people living in acceptable hygienic conditions are rare. Rats can sometimes transmit leptospirosis,[119] and an invasive species of giant snail (Lissachatina fulica) may transmit a form of meningitis (angiostrongyliasis).[127]
Obesity is one of the island's major health issues: according to the ARS, nearly one in two women (47%) is obese, and one in ten people aged 30–69 is diabetic. Consequently, hypertension and diabetes show record prevalence on the territory.[128]
The island's fragile health system continues to face heavy pressure. In 2023, 1,792 medical evacuations (ÉVASAN) were recorded, representing a 13% increase compared with the previous year. Home-hospitalization services (HAD) have expanded, with 276 stays in 2023 in the polyvalent/perinatal HAD, and a second HAD unit opened by a private association. The HAD rate reached 26 per 100,000 inhabitants — close to national levels. Post-acute and rehabilitation care also expanded with the addition of 50 new beds, although demand continues to rise.[129]
In 2020, while the island was already facing a dengue outbreak, it was struck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with social and health conditions preventing effective implementation of protective measures, and in 2024–2025, Mayotte confronted a significant chikungunya outbreak and the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, both of which strained medical infrastructure and highlighted the island's continuing vulnerability.[130]
Security
Mayotte is the French department with the highest rate of delinquency.[131] However, its crime rate remains lower than that of other overseas departments (notably French Guiana), likely due to the relative absence of large criminal organizations and major arms or drug trafficking networks.
In 2024, the island saw 10,968 registered offenses — a crime rate of approximately 42.8 per 1,000 inhabitants, placing Mayotte 45th in the ranking of the most dangerous departments in France. Property crimes (thefts, burglaries) and violent crimes against persons remain particularly common: 14.4 per 1,000 for thefts and burglaries, 16.2 per 1,000 for assaults and other violence against persons.[132]
Home burglaries, while lower than in the mid-2010s, still affect many households; 442 burglaries of dwellings were recorded in 2024, compared to 405 in 2023. Cases of assaults, both non-familial and domestic, remain frequent, though slightly decreasing compared to 2023. Vandalism, drug-related offenses, and gang-related violence continue to challenge local law enforcement and public security.
Some of these figures, however, have been declining since 2015: after two years of significant increases, the authorities noted a 9% drop in overall delinquency in 2017,[133] followed by an 8.8% decrease in 2018,[134] and a further 1.9% decrease in 2019.[135] The clearance rate by law enforcement has been steadily rising. A modern prison with 278 places exists in Majicavo (in the commune of Koungou), though it has an average occupancy rate of 110%.
The number of juvenile offenders has been continuously rising since departmentalization. 1,505 minors were held in police custody in 2017 (representing 30.3% of those implicated), but their age and their numbers limit the coercive measures that can be applied. A reinforced educational centre, the Open Environment Educational Support (Action éducative en milieu ouvert, AEMO), opened in 2018 with 400 places.[136] However, more than half of the island's population is under 18, and Minister Nicole Belloubet estimates that the number of unaccompanied minors—those without any legal guardian (due to expelled parents, deceased parents, or abandonment)—is between "3,000 and 6,000."[137] Only "a tiny portion" are cared for by Child Protective Services (Aide sociale à l'enfance, ASE).[137]
The pronounced insecurity in the territory has regularly triggered social movements,[72] notably in 1993, 2001, 2011, and 2018.[138]
The main drug circulating in Mayotte since 2011 is known as la chimique. It consists of rolling tobacco soaked in a 90° alcohol solution in which a concentrated synthetic cannabinoid is dissolved, usually mixed with leftovers of psychotropic medications (anxiolytics, veterinary anesthetics, etc.) and sometimes detergents or other chemicals. Its composition varies greatly from one batch to another, as do its effects, which can be extremely harmful. Police report effects ranging from gratuitous and extreme aggression to loss of consciousness, and even a form of zombification that leaves intoxicated individuals highly vulnerable to abuse.[139]
In terms of road safety, recent data shows a significant change: while Mayotte recorded 8 road deaths in 2017, the year 2022 registered 16, doubling the toll in five years.[140] Between 2017 and 2021, 49 people were killed on the island's roads.[141] Men account for 84% of victims, and vulnerable road users — motorcyclists and pedestrians — represent nearly 74% of all fatalities.[142] At the scale of the overseas territories, 2023 shows an overall decline in road deaths, with 231 fatalities compared to 283 in 2022, indicating a general improvement. The maximum speed is 70 km/h on the national road, and frequent traffic jams likely curb reckless driving. Islam also contributes to a lower rate of alcoholism.
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Culture
Summarize
Perspective
The culture of Mayotte has emerged from centuries of interaction between different populations;[143] it is the product of a rich blend of influences, with Swahili culture as its principal foundation. This mix is reflected in the island's music, singing, and dance. Mayotte has a strong musical and choreographic tradition closely linked to Arab-Muslim culture.[143] Music is both a means of expressing deep emotions and a way of living one's faith.
Several cultures coexist in Mayotte, but Mahoran culture (of Swahili inspiration), which forty years ago represented 60% of the population, has gradually imposed itself in a syncretic form across the entire local population. However, in the southern part of the island, there remain pockets of a second Malagasy culture, though this too has been so strongly influenced by Mahoran culture that it is now difficult to identify except to a very trained eye. Finally, French culture, and more broadly modern Western civilization, increasingly permeates the local culture.
Sport
Mayotte competes at the quadrennial Indian Ocean Island Games. Football is popular, with teams from the territory playing in the Coupe de France.[144]
Education
History
Despite Mayotte's long-standing attachment to France, the establishment of the national education system is relatively recent: at the beginning of the 20th century, there were barely fifty schoolchildren for more than 12,000 inhabitants, as primary education was essentially provided by madrasas. This considerably delayed the learning of French on the island.[145] School attendance for children over the age of six did not become compulsory until 1986. The first middle schools opened only after the Second World War, and the first high school in 1980 (the second in 1998); nursery schools appeared only in the 1990s.[146] In 1990, 90% of the population did not know the French language. Furthermore, certain recent changes—such as the arrival of television and then social networks, air-conditioned houses closed off from the outside, and insecurity—have greatly disrupted traditional modes of education, particularly community-based, village-level education, confining children within family units that are often ill-suited.[145]
General overview
With more than half of its population being of school age, Mayotte is an exceptionally young département, where education constitutes a major challenge in many respects.
Illiteracy is extremely widespread on the island. In 2000, it still affected 35% of men and 40% of women. According to 2015 JDC data, 50.9% of young people were considered functionally illiterate. Seventy-one percent of the population holds no diploma at all.[147] Moreover, some inhabitants do not master the Latin alphabet but can nonetheless read Arabic.[148] French is the only language used in the classroom, even though most young children do not know it when they first arrive at school.[149] In 2022, INSEE estimated that only 55% of people living on the territory said they mastered French, a rate rising to 75% for residents born on the island.[148]
The gap between Generation Y and their elders poses a serious problem for supervising homework at home. Although French is the official language, it is rarely used at home, which undermines academic adaptation and progressively leads to school failure. In general, young Mahorans only become aware of their shortcomings in their final year of high school. In a single year, some attempt to catch up on knowledge that should have been acquired since middle school, but the chances of succeeding in higher education at a national level remain very low.
Education in Mayotte faces challenges. Mayotte has the worst educational outcomes in France.[150] 1/3rd of the youth population are not in school, many from disadvantaged and immigrant backgrounds. According to the Ministry of National Education, over 70% face difficulty reading.[62] A study from the University of Paris-Nanterre in 2023 found that up to 9 percent of Mayotte's school-age population were not enrolled in school. Schools are often overcrowded, and disruptions because of natural disasters worsen the situation.[151]
Primary and secondary education
Education in the department is administered by the Rectorat of Mayotte.
More than 100,000 minors are enrolled in school in Mayotte, making it one of the most populated school districts (académies) in France.[152] At the 2025 school year, 114,057 students were enrolled.[153]
There are 67 nursery schools, 121 primary schools, 21 middle schools, and 11 high schools,[154] including Younoussa-Bamana High School in Mamoudzou (opened in 1980), Petite-Terre High School (opened in 1998), Sada High School, Mamoudzou Nord High School in Kawéni, as well as the high schools of Nord, Dembeni, Kahani, and Chirongui.[155]
The SNES union reports up to 30 students per class in middle schools and up to 38 students per class in high schools covered by Reinforced Priority Education Networks (REP+), the more intensive of two programs that direct special aid to economically disadvantaged schools. Since the 2015 school year, all middle schools have been covered by Priority Education Networks (REP) or REP+.[156]
The combined increase in student numbers and the lack of investment in facilities clearly shows the difficulties encountered in meeting the needs of primary and secondary education. The Minister of the Overseas Territories, Annick Girardin, acknowledged in early 2018 that "to keep up, we would need to create one classroom per day." Furthermore, in 2023, the school system counted several thousand non-enrolled children,[157] even though they are subject to compulsory education,[158] which should be guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, signed by France in 1989 along with 192 other states.
The quality of schooling provided by teachers in Mayotte is not fundamentally in question, except for the large number of contract teachers, whose level of training is not always sufficient.[159]
Higher education
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The University of Mayotte (formerly Centre universitaire de formation et de recherche de Mayotte, "Mayotte University Training and Research Centre") is a French higher-education institution established in 2011 and located in Dembeni.[125] It obtained full university status at the end of 2023.[160] It remains affiliated with several mainland French universities — notably Nîmes for administrative organization, and Aix-Marseille, Rouen, Montpellier, and Nîmes for academic programmes.[125]
Since 2018, the institution has offered thirteen different programmes, including six bachelor's degrees (Law, Economic and Social Administration, Modern Literature, Geography, Life Sciences, Mathematics), two professional bachelor's degrees, and teacher-training courses.[161]
Students wishing to pursue a master's degree must go to Réunion or mainland France, except for teacher-training under the "Teaching, Education and Training Professions" master's programme.
Outside the University of Mayotte, several other post-secondary programmes exist on the island, such as the Nursing Training Institute (nursing school of Mayotte's hospital) and twelve BTS (Brevet de technicien supérieur) programmes hosted in high schools, mostly in tertiary and service-sector fields. Some bridging classes ("upgrade courses" and "pre-higher-education classes") also exist — particularly an economics track at Chirongui High School — helping anxious students begin higher education more confidently. Finally, for the most ambitious students, two Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles (CPGE) exist: an economics prep class (Prépa HEC) at Sada High School, and a science prep class (PTSI) at Bamana High School.
Outside Mayotte, the financial resources provided to students studying in mainland France often prove insufficient.[162] Moreover, a high failure rate is observed among Mahoran students in higher education in mainland France.[163] The development of the university on the island should improve support for higher education, as part of the difficulties appear to be more cultural than academic — especially the challenge of adapting to life in mainland France for isolated 18-year-olds. To help with this, several mainland French university towns have associations of Mahoran students, enabling older students to support new arrivals in their new environment.[164]
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Media
On 12 April 2012, the department gained high-speed internet access for the first time after being connected to the Lion 2 submarine cable operated by France Télécom–Orange.[165] Since then, 4G has been rolled out across the island, significantly improving its connectivity with mainland France.
No print media (newspapers or magazines) are imported into Mayotte, which relies solely on its few local publications. Only a handful of national radio stations, such as France Inter, are broadcast.[166]
Mayotte has several local media outlets, including a public television channel (Mayotte La Première) and a private channel (Kwézi TV); several radio stations (Mayotte La Première, Kwézi FM, Yao FM, RMJ, Radio Dziani, Ylang FM, Caribou FM...); daily newspapers (Flash Infos, Le Journal de Mayotte, Les Nouvelles de Mayotte, France Mayotte Matin); a general weekly (Mayotte Hebdo); and various other more specialized publications released at longer intervals (Mayotte Magazine, Memento, Glitter, Swiha, Fantasia...).[166]
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Tourism
Summarize
Perspective
![Thumb](#/media/File:Passe_en_"S"_2.jpg)
Mayotte, which has highly varied coastal landscapes, offers fewer blond-sand beaches than the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar (although still more than Réunion or Grande Comore), but features a great diversity of shorelines and sand colors (black, brown, gray, red, beige, white). Its lagoon is the largest (1,500 km²) and the deepest in this part of the world,[167] and one of the most significant on the planet. Its double barrier reef is a biological curiosity found only about ten times worldwide, and it hosts a great diversity of animals, including large cetaceans — a very rare phenomenon.
Tourism is gradually developing, although it remains modest compared with many other French overseas departments and collectivities. As of the end of 2024, the island's accommodation offer has expanded: there are 19 hotels and collective tourism establishments, and the number of hotel rooms increased by 7% in the first eleven months (January to November) of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. In total, the island had 150,000 available rooms over this period.[168]
Despite this increase in supply, the room-occupancy rate has declined: it stands at 73%, a decrease of 6 percentage points compared with 2023. This decline reflects tourist growth that is slower than the expansion of accommodation capacity. In 2024, Mayotte had 19 hotels and other tourist accommodations, distributed between Mamoudzou (46%), Petite-Terre (27%), and the rest of Grande-Terre (27%).[169]
In 2023, the tourism sector recorded 73,408 visiting tourists (non-residents),[170] with about 1,687,735 overnight stays and an estimated €88 million in economic impact for the island. That year, the average hotel-room occupancy rate reached around 78%, representing an increase compared with previous years. The departmental council nonetheless aims to raise capacity to 2,000 beds by 2030, including 500 additional hotel rooms by 2025.[171][172][173]
In 2019, INSEE counted 65,500 tourists, a 16% increase compared with the previous year.[171] There had been 62,000 visitors in 2017,[174] and an average of 50,000 since 2014,[68] compared with 30,000 in 2006 and fewer than 20,000 in 1999 — all figures including cruise-ship stopovers.[175] Of these visitors, 44% came from Réunion and 42% from mainland France. Sixty-nine percent of arrivals were for family visits ("affinity tourism"), while 16% were for leisure tourism.[174]
INSEE surveys show that Mayotte enjoys an excellent image among tourists: 95% recognize the island's tourism appeal, and 93% say they intend to return soon; indeed, 60% have already visited before.[174] Altogether, these tourists brought €88 million to Mayotte in 2023,[170] compared with €44 million in 2019[171] and €36 million in 2017.[174]
For a long time, there were no direct flights between Mayotte and mainland France: the Boeing 777s of the Réunion-based airline Air Austral began landing in Mayotte only in 2005,[176] which increased the destination's appeal to tourists.[174] Air Austral holds a near-monopoly on the route, but in 2020, the French airline Corsair International will open a route to mainland France with a stopover in Réunion. Regional flights are operated by Air Madagascar and Ewa Air (a subsidiary of Air Austral). The Union of the Comoros is served by Int'Air Îles for Anjouan and Air Austral for Moroni.
Certain tourist activities are well organized:
- Hiking on the extinct volcano Dziani Dzaha on Petite-Terre and its lake Dziani;
- Hiking on Mount Combani and Mount Choungui;
- Hiking at the Governor's House;
- Observing maki lemurs on Bouzy islet;
- Diving and snorkeling on the coral reef among tropical fish in the "S-shaped pass," in N'Gouja, in Saziley, or on the outer barrier;[177]
- The lagoon allows observation of green and hawksbill turtles (which come to nest on deserted beaches), dolphins (spinner, spotted, and bottlenose, among others), whales and their calves (which come to give birth there);[178]
- Water sports or relaxing on Mayotte's many beaches;
- Swimming and visiting the remote white-sand islets of the north and south;
- Camping on the deserted islands;
- The Soulou waterfall, on the beach of the same name, is a natural curiosity;
- The Badamiers mudflat on Petite-Terre is a marsh rich in biodiversity and beautiful landscapes;
- Shipwrecks such as that of the sailing schooner Dwyn Wen off Badamiers (with two masts still emerging from the water);
- Ultralight aircraft tours around the island to observe the reefs from above;
- The Mayotte Museum, the MuMa in Dzaoudzi, certified as a museum of France.[179]
Several associations, such as Les Naturalistes de Mayotte, offer guided outings (hikes, visits, camping trips), and several marine operators take tourists to discover the lagoon and especially its marine mammals, in addition to the many scuba-diving clubs.
The Departmental Tourism Committee of Mayotte is the official body that manages everything related to tourism on the territory of Mayotte. It is the central official authority responsible for developing and promoting tourism in Mayotte.[180][181]
Notable people
- Abdou Baco (born ca. 1965), writer and founder of the musical group Mobissa
- Toifilou Maoulida (born 1979), French former footballer who played 556 games
- Manou Mansour (born 1980), French poet
- El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (born 1989), Comorian footballer
Politicians
- Marcel Henry (1926–2021), politician, French senator from 1977 to 2004
- Soibahadine Ibrahim Ramadani (born 1949), politician, former senator
- Nourdine Bourhane (born 1950), former senior politician
- Ibrahim Aboubacar (born 1965), politician at the French National Assembly
- Thomas Degos (born 1971), Prefect of Mayotte from 2011 to 2013
See also
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- Outline of Mayotte
- 2008 invasion of Anjouan
- Administrative divisions of France
- Caring for the Lagoon, a documentary on the preservation of Mayotte's lagoon
- List of colonial and departmental heads of Mayotte
- Communications in Mayotte
- Islam in Mayotte
- Islands administered by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
- Music of the Comoro Islands
Notes
- To enter Mayotte and stay for less than three months, anyone who is not a national of the European Union or of a state that has signed the Schengen Agreements must submit an application at the French embassy and pay a fee of 9 euros. They must also provide proof of accommodation, certify that their host will take responsibility for them, and demonstrate—through payslips—that they possess a return ticket. For a stay longer than three months, they must additionally hold a residence permit and pay a fee of 99 euros.
Citations
Bibliography
External links
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