Mauritius is renowned for its highly acclaimed health care system in Africa, which provide free access to health care for all citizens and residents. In the 2023/2024 budget, the government introduced several noteworthy measures. These include the implementation of the e-health system in 2023, which will digitalize health care services, the establishment of a modern health infrastructure and the coverage of specialized treatments, even in private facilities.

Investing in health, in particular SDG Target 3.8, has a multiplier effect across 29 targets spanning 9 SDGs. The strongest spillover effects are observed in the areas of good health (SDG 3), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), poverty eradication (SDG 1) and affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). It is worth noting that trade-offs are minimal and observed in only two targets: 6.3, pertaining to water treatment, and 7.2, focusing on the share of renewable energy.  It is essential to navigate the complexities of these negative trade-offs while ensuring that policy implementation addresses competing interests and safeguards the integrity of the ecosystem.

Mauritius strives to upgrade its mainstay economics sectors, such as tourism and manufacturing, finance and ICT, but also to develop new productive economic sectors, such as biotechnology.  This development path will  be indispensable for the country's return to a sustainable growth path and to develop the economy, in line with its aspiration of a technology- and innovation-driven high-income economy. Public investment in the enabling environment, including human and institutional capacities, for sustainable growth and job creation increased by 23.8% between the 2020-2021 and the 20232-2024 state budgets.

Investing in SDG target 8.2  has  positive synergies with 7 SDGs and 18 associated targets. These include SDG 1 on Poverty (3 targets), SDG 2 on zero hunger (2 targets),  SDG 6 on clean water (4 targets), 7 on energy (1 target), 8 on Decent work (2 targets), 11 on sustainable cities (1 target) and 12 on responsible consumption (2 targets). While there are numerous benefits, there is one trade-off concerning water treatment. When undertaking these investments, it is vital to incorporate safeguards to address the trade-offs.

Mauritius’ most pressing environmental issues are climate change and disasters, environmental pollution – including waste disposal and transboundary plastic waste – and coastal degradation. Temperatures and sea levels in Mauritius are rising at a faster rate than global averages, and the country is also facing accelerated coastal erosion and coral bleaching. According to the World Risk Report 2021, Mauritius was classified as the 51st most exposed country to natural hazards. The UN report, SIDS in Numbers 2017 projects that Mauritius will become a water-stressed country by 2025, barely three years from now. The rapid economic development and growth over the past years, and many key sectors, like transport, manufacturing and construction, have placed additional pressure on the island’s limited resources Furthermore, the planetary crisis is threatening the country’s development, impacting sustainable development and weakening  its ability to effectively respond to emerging environmental challenges.

Anchored on the country’s  aspiration to become “an inclusive, high-income and green Mauritius, forging ahead together,” the  government has designed new strategic measures that will  leapfrog the country into a cleaner, greener, environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-emission and circular economy – a 10-year policy and strategy which defines a new mindset and approach to business, strategic partnerships, and governmental cooperation through holistic policies for the environment. It includes an updated  Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 instead of the initial NDC target of 30%.

By committing to strengthening the country's  resilience to the climate crisis, by embarking on a low-emission pathway and by completely phasing out coal in electricity generation before 2030, Mauritius will sustain the foundation of high-income status.  Investing in Target 13.2 has positive synergies  with 64  SDG targets  spread across 10 goals, but 29 negative trade-offs with SDGs 14, 15 and 6, among others. It is essential to navigate the complexities of these negative trade-offs while ensuring policy implementation that addresses competing interests and safeguards the integrity of the ecosystem.

In Mauritius 78.2% of the population are satisfied with the public services they receive. By focusing on SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions), specifically Target 16.6, measures can be implemented to cut across all goals and pillars outlined in the Mauritius Government Programme 2020-2024, where public services are provided.

This gives Mauritius the opportunity to set a more ambitious goal, for example increasing the percentage of the population satisfied with public services received. This increase will have a positive multiplier effect on the progress of other SDGs.

However, it is crucial to ensure that this objective is accompanied by safeguards to prevent the deepening of inequalities.