Background A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term. The People | Population | 81,895 (July 2007 est.) | | Age structure | 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 10,504/female 10,272)
15-64 years: 68.5% (male 27,405/female 28,706)
65 years and over: 6.1% (male 1,590/female 3,418) (2007 est.) | | Life expectancy at birth | total population: 72.34 years
male: 66.98 years
female: 77.86 years (2007 est.) | Population growth rate | 0.432% (2007 est.) | | Ethnic groups | mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab | | Religions | Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census) | | Population below poverty line | NA% | | People living with HIV/AIDS | NA | | HIV/AIDS - deaths | NA | | Mobile phones in use | 57,000 (2005) | | Internet users | 29,000 (2006) |
Data (Background & The People) provided by The World Factbook |