WASHINGTON, D.C., June, 2023, (Office of Religious Freedom): The Mauritius constitution prohibits discrimination based on creed and provides for the right of individuals to change, manifest, and propagate their religious beliefs. The government recognizes seven groups as religions: Hindus, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Seventh-day Adventists, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of Jesus Christ). Other religious groups must register as associations.

The U.S. government estimates the total population at 1.3 million (midyear 2023). According to the 2011 census, the most recent for which data on religious affiliation was released, approximately 48 percent of the population is Hindu, 26 percent Roman Catholic, 17 percent Muslim, and 6 percent non-Catholic Christian, including Seventh-day Adventists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, evangelical Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and members of the Assembly of God. According to Assembly of God officials, the denomination is the second-largest Christian group after Catholics, with approximately 100,000 members, or almost 8 percent of the population. The remaining 3 percent include Buddhists, Baha’is, animists, and individuals who report no religious affiliation. There are an estimated 5,000 Rastafarians in the country, a majority of whom are of African descent. More than 95 percent of Muslims are Sunni. According to the Jewish community representatives, there are 100-200 Jews.

There is a strong correlation between religious affiliation, ethnicity, and political and socioeconomic status in the country. Citizens of Indian ethnicity are primarily Hindu or Muslim. Those of Chinese ancestry generally practice Buddhism, Anglicanism, or Catholicism. Creoles (persons of African descent) and those of European descent are primarily Catholic. There is also a correlation between religious identification and political party membership.

As in previous years, the government deferred action on recognizing the Assembly of God, a Pentecostal denomination, as a religion. The denomination has petitioned the government for such recognition for more than 20 years. As of year’s end, the group was still considered an association. The government has not provided a reason for its inaction. Religious and civil society sources stated they believed the government did not want to add the Assembly of God to the list of recognized religions, as the church increasingly drew membership from Hindu converts. A pastor from the Assembly of God said that because the group was not considered a religious group, newborn infants could not be registered as Assembly of God members and its pastors had limited access to hospitals and prisons. The government did not offer a reason for not legally recognizing any religious group since 1985, when it extended recognition to the Church of Jesus Christ. Consequently, other religious groups continued to have status only as associations.

During the year, the embassy regularly posted messages on social media platforms on observed religious public holidays that amplified respect for religious freedom.

Much more at source:
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/547499-MAURITIUS-2023-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

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